Jeffery Cohelan (June 24, 1914 – February 15, 1999) was an American politician who served six terms as a United States representative from California from 1959 to 1971.
Jeffery Cohelan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 7th district | |
| In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1971 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Allen Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Ronald V. Dellums |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 24, 1914 San Francisco, California |
| Died | February 15, 1999 (aged 84) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater |
|
| Awards | Fulbright scholar at Leeds and Oxford universities in 1953-54 |
| [1][2][3][4] | |
Biography
editHe was born in San Francisco, California and attended the public schools and San Mateo Junior College.[citation needed] He earned his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley in Economics in 1950. He was a Fulbright research scholar at Leeds and Oxford Universities in England in 1953 and 1954.[3]
He worked driving a milk truck from 1935, and was the secretary-treasurer (1942–~1958) of the Milk Drivers and Dairy Employees, Local 302, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. In the 1958 election, he campaigned from a milk truck and was elected to Congress. He was a consultant to the University of California Institute of Industrial Relations.[2][3][5]
Cohelan was a member of the Berkeley Welfare Commission from 1949-1953, the Berkeley City Council from 1955-1958, and the San Francisco Council on Foreign Relations. He was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-sixth and to the five succeeding Congresses, from 1959 to 1971. He was known as a Johnson liberal for his support of progressive programs, but also American involvement in the Vietnam War.[2][3]
In 1966, he faced a tough primary challenge from Ramparts magazine editor Robert Scheer, who was supported by local activists from the civil-rights and emerging anti-war movement.[2]
His previous support for the war helped lead to Cohelan's defeat in the 1970 primary by Berkeley City Councilman Ron Dellums. He was executive director (1970–1979) of a trade association of Health Maintenance Organizations, Group Health Association of America. After retirement, he enjoyed cooking and sang in the All Saints Episcopal Church choir. He resided in Washington, D.C. until his death at home February 15, 1999.[2][3][6]
The University of Oklahoma has papers from his congressional office.[1][7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Jeffery Cohelan Collection". University of Oklahoma. Archived from the original on 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
- ^ a b c d e Burress, Charles (18 February 1999). "Jeffery Cohelan" (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). San Francisco Chronicle. p. C4. GALE|A55950794. Retrieved 2012-02-26. Gale Biography In Context. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e "Jeffery Cohelan, 84, Advocate Of Liberal Causes in Congress" (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). The New York Times. 19 February 1999. Gale Document Number: GALE|A150042272. Retrieved 2012-02-26. Gale Biography In Context. (subscription required)
- ^ "Timothy D. Cohelan San Diego Lawyer - California Class Action Attorney - Timothy D. Cohelan". San Diego, California: Cohelan Khoury & Singer. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ Oliver, Myrna (February 19, 1999). "Jeffery Cohelan; Ex-Congressman". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
- ^ "People in the News". California Journal. December 1970. p. 358.
APPOINTED Jeffery Cohelan, Democratic congressman from Alameda County, who was defeated for renomination to a seventh term in the June Primary, as executive director of the Group Health Association of America.
- ^ "Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center Visiting Scholars Program" (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). Presidential Studies Quarterly. 30 (3): 611. 2000. doi:10.1111/j.0360-4918.2000.00134.x. GALE|A65301673. Retrieved 2012-02-26. Gale Biography In Context. (subscription required)