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 Middle Eastern American elected to the United States Congress, serving one term from 1959 to 1961.

Early life

Born in Drumright, Oklahoma, Kasem was the son of Abdullah Kasem and Nabeha (Bader) Kasem. His family moved to Los Angeles, California when he was a boy, and Kasem graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in 1938.Template:Sfn After graduation, Kasem worked as a clerk in a grocery store and became active in the local Retail Clerk's Union.Template:Sfn

Military service

In 1941, he joined the United States Army Air Forces for World War II.Template:Sfn Kasem was trained as a weather observer and forecaster at military schools in Macon, Georgia and Grand Rapids, Michigan.Template:Sfn He served in Sudan, Egypt, and Iraq, and remained in the service until being discharged at the end of the war in 1945.Template:Sfn

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.Template:Sfn Kasem was admitted to the bar and became an attorney in Baldwin Park.Template:Sfn

Member of Congress

Kasem was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-sixth Congress (January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961).Template:Sfn He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election to the Eighty-seventh Congress in 1960. 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. 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.

Later career

After leaving Congress, Kasem resumed the practice of law. He served as commissioner in Citrus Municipal Court, West Covina, California from 1978 to 1984.

Death

He died in Carlsbad, California on February 11, 2002.

Family

Kasem was survived by his wife Catherine, to whom he was married for 54 years. They were the parents of a daughter, Janet Orr, and had two grandchildren.

Electoral history

1958 election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		George A. Kasem		50.1
		Prescott O. Lieberg		49.9
Total votes				100.0
Turnout
	gain from

1960 election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		John H. Rousselot		53.6
		George A. Kasem (Incumbent)		46.4
Total votes				100.0
Turnout
	gain from

See also

• List of Arab and Middle Eastern Americans in the United States Congress

External links

• George A. Kasem at The Political Graveyard

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