Gill, Thomas P. (Thomas Ponce), 1922-2009

Thomas Ponce Gill (April 21, 1922 – June 3, 2009) was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic party, he served in the U.S. Congress representing Hawai'i's at-large congressional district from 1963 to 1965 and was the third lieutenant governor of Hawaii from 1966 to 1970.

Born in Honolulu, Hawai'i, Gill attended public schools there before attending the University of Hawaii at Mānoa before earning B.A. and LL.B. degrees from the University of California at Berkeley. After graduating, Gill began practicng law in Hawai'i. Gill served in Hawaii's territorial legislature and, after statehood in 1959, became a member of the first state house delegation, representing the 15th district until his time in Congress. He was elected to one of his state's two Congressional seats in 1962 and served one term. In Congress, he was a staunch supporter of liberal causes, including civil rights. He then worked as the director of Hawaii's Office of Economic Opportunity. In 1964, Gill chose not to seek reelection and instead ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senator, losing to Republican incumbent Hiram Fong. In 1966, he was elected Lieutenant Governor with incumbent Governor John A. Burns.

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