John Lesinski Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's16th district | |
| In office January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1965 | |
| Preceded by | John Lesinski Sr. |
| Succeeded by | John Dingell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1914-12-28)December 28, 1914 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 21, 2005(2005-10-21) (aged 90) Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Relatives | John Lesinski Sr. (father) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1933-1937 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
John Lesinski Jr. (December 28, 1914 – October 21, 2005) was aU.S. Congressman for seven terms from thestate ofMichigan. He was the son ofJohn Lesinski Sr. He was of Polish descent.[1]
Lesinski was born inDetroit. At the age of eleven years, he moved with his parents toDearborn. He attended parochial schools,SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary inOrchard Lake, and graduated fromFordson High School in Dearborn. At the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in theUnited States Navy as an apprentice seaman and served from 1933 to 1937.[2]
He was called to active duty again in February 1941, and served during World War II until October 1945. He was awarded theNavy and Marine Corps Medal andPurple Heart Medal. He was vice president of Hamtramck Lumber Company from 1939 to 1943 and again from 1951 to 1954, as well as president of Dearborn Properties.[3]
Lesinski's father, John Lesinski Sr., died in May 1950, leaving his seat inCongress vacant. In November 1950, Lesinski Jr. was elected as aDemocrat fromMichigan's 16th congressional district to the82nd United States Congress and to the six succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1951, to January 3, 1965.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the89th Congress in 1964, losing to fellow DemocratJohn Dingell. Lesinski was one of the few Northern Democrats to oppose theCivil Rights Act of 1964. Dingell was the incumbentU.S. Representative fromMichigan's 15th congressional district, but portions of the 16th and the 15th districts were combined into a redrawn 16th district for the 1964 elections.
He was a member of the board of commissioners ofWayne County from 1968 to 1973.
He died on October 21, 2005, in Dearborn, MI.[2][4]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | United States Representative for the 16th Congressional District of Michigan 1951–1965 | Succeeded by |
