George A. Kasem
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 Arab American elected to the United States Congress, serving one term from 1959 to 1961.[1]
George Albert Kasem | |
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| 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. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California (BA 1949, LLB 1951) |
| Profession |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} United States |
| Branch/service | U.S. Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
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]
He died in Carlsbad, California.[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]
References
- "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.
- Congressional Directory, p. 18.
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 the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.