Clarence F. Lea

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Clarence Frederick Lea
Lea in 1939
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 1st district
In office
March 4, 1917 – January 3, 1949
Preceded byWilliam Kent
Succeeded byHubert Baxter Scudder
Personal details
Born(1874-07-11)July 11, 1874
Highland Springs, California
DiedJune 20, 1964(1964-06-20) (aged 89)
Santa Rosa, California
Political partyDemocratic
EducationLakeport Academy
Stanford University
University of Denver

Clarence Frederick Lea (July 11, 1874 – June 20, 1964) was an American lawyer and politician who served 16 terms as a U.S. Representative from California from 1917 to 1949.[1]

Biography[edit]

Lea was born near Highland Springs, California, in southwestern Lake County on July 11, 1874. He attended Lakeport Academy in Lakeport and Stanford University before obtaining a law degree from the University of Denver in 1898. Lea was admitted to the bar the same year and began practicing in Santa Rosa, California. He served as district attorney of Sonoma County, 1907–1917, and as president of the District Attorney's Association of California in 1916 and 1917.

Congress[edit]

He was elected as a Democrat to the 65th U.S. Congress and to the 15 succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1917 – January 3, 1949). Lea served as chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce (75th through 79th Congresses). After Congress, Lea engaged in public relations work in Washington, D.C. from 1949 to 1954.

Death[edit]

Lea died in Santa Rosa, California on June 20, 1964.[1] He is interred at Franklin Avenue Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Legacy[edit]

Lea is known for having led the group of congressmen who passed the resolution calling for the internment of Italian-Americans, Japanese-Americans and German-Americans during World War II.[2][3]

References[edit]

  • United States Congress. "Clarence F. Lea (id: L000163)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  1. ^ a b "Clarence Lea, 89, Served In House". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 22, 1964.
  2. ^ "Prisoners Among Us" (PDF). NIAF. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-06.
  3. ^ "Chapter V: Japanese Evacuation From the West Coast". www.history.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2016-08-16.

External links[edit]

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 1st congressional district

1917–1949
Succeeded by

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress