George Albert Kasem | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kasem in 1959 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's25th 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 (1919-04-06)April 6, 1919 Drumright, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | February 11, 2002(2002-02-11) (aged 82) Carlsbad, California, U.S. |
| Political 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 aU.S. Representative fromCalifornia's 25th congressional district. He was ofLebanese descent and was the firstLebanese American elected to theUnited States Congress, serving one term from 1959 to 1961.[1]
Born inDrumright, Oklahoma, Kasem was the son of Abdullah Kasem and Nabeha (Bader) Kasem.[2] His family moved toLos Angeles, California when he was a boy, and Kasem graduated fromJohn 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]
In 1941, he joined theUnited States Army Air Forces forWorld War II.[3] Kasem was trained as a weather observer and forecaster at military schools inMacon, Georgia andGrand Rapids, Michigan.[3] He served inSudan,Egypt, andIraq, and remained in the service until being discharged at the end of the war in 1945.[3]
He graduated from theUniversity of Southern California inLos Angeles,California in 1949, and received his law degree from USC in 1951.[3] Kasem was admitted to the bar and became an attorney inBaldwin Park.[3]
Kasem was elected as aDemocrat to theEighty-sixth Congress (January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961).[3] He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election to theEighty-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 toBeirut, 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]
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 inCarlsbad, California on February 11, 2002.[1]
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]
| 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 | ||||||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | ||||||
| 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 | ||||||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | ||||||
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 25th congressional district 1959–1961 | Succeeded by |
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromBiographical Directory of the United States Congress.Federal government of the United States.
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| People | |
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