George A. Kasem
George Albert Kasem | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1959 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 25th district | |
| In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick J. Hillings |
| Succeeded by | John H. Rousselot |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Albert Kasem April 6, 1919 Drumright, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | February 11, 2002 (aged 82) Carlsbad, California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California (BA 1949, LLB 1951) |
| Profession |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | U.S. Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
George Albert Kasem (April 6, 1919 – February 11, 2002) was a U.S. representative from California's 25th congressional district. He was of Lebanese descent and was the first Lebanese American elected to the United States Congress, serving one term from 1959 to 1961.[1]
Early life
Born in Drumright, Oklahoma, Kasem was the son of Abdullah Kasem and Nabeha (Bader) Kasem.[2] His family moved to Los Angeles, California when he was a boy, and Kasem graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in 1938.[3] After graduation, Kasem worked as a clerk in a grocery store and became active in the local Retail Clerk's Union.[3]
Military service
In 1941, he joined the United States Army Air Forces for World War II.[3] Kasem was trained as a weather observer and forecaster at military schools in Macon, Georgia and Grand Rapids, Michigan.[3] He served in Sudan, Egypt, and Iraq, and remained in the service until being discharged at the end of the war in 1945.[3]
Post-World War II
He graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California in 1949, and received his law degree from USC in 1951.[3] Kasem was admitted to the bar and became an attorney in Baldwin Park.[3]
Member of Congress
Kasem was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-sixth Congress (January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961).[3] He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election to the Eighty-seventh Congress in 1960.[1] During his term, Kasem advocated enhanced funding of the San Gabriel Valley Flood Control project, increased federal aid to education, and improved medical care for the elderly.[1] He caused controversy while on a visit to Beirut, when he gave a speech in which he indicated that the creation of and support for Israel was the most effective way to bring about peace in the Middle East.[1]
Later career
After leaving Congress, Kasem resumed the practice of law.[1] He served as commissioner in Citrus Municipal Court, West Covina, California from 1978 to 1984.[1]
Death
He died in Carlsbad, California on February 11, 2002.[1]
Family
Kasem was survived by his wife Catherine, to whom he was married for 54 years.[1] They were the parents of a daughter, Janet Orr, and had two grandchildren.[1]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | George A. Kasem | 135,009 | 50.1 | |||
| Republican | Prescott O. Lieberg | 134,406 | 49.9 | |||
| Total votes | 269,415 | 100.0 | ||||
| Turnout | ||||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John H. Rousselot | 182,545 | 53.6 | |||
| Democratic | George A. Kasem (Incumbent) | 158,289 | 46.4 | |||
| Total votes | 340,834 | 100.0 | ||||
| Turnout | ||||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||||
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "George A. Kasem, 82; First Arab American in House". Los Angeles Times. February 14, 2002. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ^ U.S. House of Representatives (1960). Official Congressional Directory. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Congressional Directory, p. 18.
- ^ "1958 election results" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ "1960 election results" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
External links
- United States Congress. "George A. Kasem (id: K000015)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- George A. Kasem at The Political Graveyard
This article incorporates public domain material from Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Federal government of the United States.