Public Figure Profiles

Leo Ryan

Leo Joseph Ryan Jr. (May 5, 1925 – November 18, 1978) was an American teacher and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the U.S. representative from California's 11th congressional district from 1973 until his assassination during the Jonestown massacre in 1978. Before that, he served in the California State Assembly, representing the state's 27th district.

After the 1965 Watts riots, Ryan took a job as a substitute school teacher to investigate and document conditions in the Los Angeles area. In 1970, he launched an investigation into California prisons. While presiding as chairman of the Assembly committee that oversaw prison reform, he used a pseudonym to enter Folsom State Prison as an inmate. During his time in Congress, Ryan traveled to Newfoundland to investigate the practice of seal hunting. He was also known for his vocal criticism of the lack of congressional oversight of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and co-authored the Hughes–Ryan Amendment, passed in 1974, which requires the president of the United States to report covert CIA activity to Congress.

In 1978, Ryan traveled to Guyana to investigate claims that people were being held against their will at the Peoples Temple Jonestown settlement. He was shot and killed at an airstrip on November 18, as he and his party were attempting to leave. Shortly after the airstrip shootings, 909 members of the Jonestown settlement died in a mass murder–suicide by drinking cyanide-laced Flavor Aid. Ryan was the second sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives to be assassinated in office, after James M. Hinds in 1868.Ryan was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1983.

Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.

Some of their strengths

Leo Ryan has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Strong, Honest, Artistic, Intelligent, Diplomatic, Courageous, and Resilient.

Strong and Diligent

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Leo Ryan is someone who is a strong, diligent, and trustworthy person who approaches life with honesty and perseverance, but who is also physical, sensual, and artistic. A person who is charismatic and resourceful.

Helpful and Supportive

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Leo Ryan well know them as someone who can be accepting, supportive, and productive, like a garden.

Active and Ambitious

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Leo Ryan as someone who is active, ambitious, bold, and courageous.

A person who is driven and organized, is wise with money, who knows how to tell a good story, likes physical activity, and who loves learning.

Courageous and Strong

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Leo Ryan is someone who is a risk-taker and a pioneer who only gets stronger through the hardships that are encountered in life.

They are also someone who is active, giving, optimistic, and cheerful, and who possesses a charisma that attracts friends and admirers.

Patient and Compassionate

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Leo Ryan tends to be someone who approaches life with grace and compassion, and who has a powerful and commanding personality. Who can be analytical, patient, and deliberate, avoiding risks and seeking out stability instead.

Some of Leo Ryan's challenges

While Leo Ryan has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, Leo Ryan can be Stubborn, Idle, Hesitant, Narcissistic, Impulsive, Aggressive, and Unemotional.

Stubborn and Idle

One of Leo Ryan's key challenges is that they are someone who can be seen as stubborn and, at times, lazy.

Leo Ryan must also exercise caution as they can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.

Impulsive and Aggressive

Leo Ryan is someone who can be impulsive, aggressive, and confrontational, can have difficulty listening to others, be moody and high strung, have conflict with authority figures, be too judgmental of others, and who can be overindulgent and extravagant.

Materialistic and Aggressive

Finally, Leo Ryan also can be materialistic, emotional, aggressive, stubborn, inconsistent, and be prone to big temper outbursts.

The #1 Spiritual App

Download Sol, and discover science-backed spiritual practices, wisdom, and community, no matter what your beliefs or experience. Download now, and get glowing.

iosandroid
cards

Discover more Public Figures