Long before names such as Paul Ryan and Nancy Pelosi were connected with party politics in the House of Representatives there was Manteca’s John McFall.
McFall — who served in Congress from 1957 to 1978 — served as the majority whip under Tip O’Neill during four years for the Democrats from 1973 to 1978. Whips are essentially officials within a political party that work to get members to vote according to official party policy.
McFall was born in Buffalo, NY, on Feb. 20, 1918. He moved with his family to Manteca three days before Manteca was incorporated on May 20, 1918
 The 1934 Manteca High graduate earned degrees in political science and law at the University of California at Berkeley.
After serving in World War II with the Army Security Intelligence Corps, McFall returned to Manteca and continued his private law price.
McFall served as Manteca’s mayor from 1949 to 1950 and then served in the California Assembly from 1951 to1956 before getting elected to Congress.
McFall was chairman for eight years of the powerful transportation subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. He also served on the Defense Sub-Committee where he was instrumental in preventing the closure of Sharpe Army Depot in Lathrop by securing the $100 million automated warehouse for the facility.
The desk McFall used in his Capitol office is on display in the Manteca museum as well as other memorabilia.
The museum is located at 600 W. Yosemite Ave. It is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. as well as Thursday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.