[1] He served in the Rhode Island National Guard from 1960 to 1966, where he completed high school as well as a college-level course in agriculture.

[3] Beard began his political career as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, serving from 1972 to 1974.

His complete Congressional record of sponsored and co sponsored legislation can be found at:[6] After leaving Congress, he owned and operated a tavern and hosted a short lived radio talk show.

He served as director of elderly affairs for the City of Providence, Rhode Island, from 1986 to 2002.

[9] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress