Clement J. Zablocki

Clement J. Zablocki
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 4th district
In office January 3, 1949 – December 3, 1983
Preceded by	John C. Brophy
Succeeded by	Jerry Kleczka
Member of the Wisconsin State Senate
In office 1943–1949
Personal details
Born	Clement John Zablocki November 18, 1912 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Died	December 3, 1983 (aged 71) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Marquette University
Religion	Roman Catholic

Clement John Zablocki (November 18, 1912 – December 3, 1983) was a U.S. Representative representing the heavily Polish south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.^[1] A liberal Democrat, he built his reputation in foreign policy, taking strong anti-Communist positions and supporting the Vietnam War.^[2]

Career

Zablocki was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and he graduated from Marquette University. Zablocki was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1942. He was elected to the 81st United States Congress in 1948 as a member of the Democratic party. He was then reelected to the succeeding Congresses serving from January 3, 1949, until his death from a heart attack in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 3, 1983.^[3] Zablocki was the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee from 1977 until his death in 1983. He served during the presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, a period that included several significant international events, including the Iran hostage crisis. Zablocki introduced the Taiwan Relations Act on February 28, 1979.

Zablocki's official portrait in the 90th Congress, 1967.

Zablocki in 1970-72 helped design an early version of the War Powers Act, which put presidential war-making power under congressional control. He was instrumental in House passage of the final version in late 1973 over President Nixon's veto.^[4]

Personal life

Zablocki was buried at St. Adalbert's Cemetery in Milwaukee. Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 5000 West National Avenue in Milwaukee is named for him,^[5] as is the Zablocki Library and the Clement J. Zablocki Elementary School in Milwaukee.

Further reading

• Michael Barone et al. The Almanac of American Politics: 1976 (1975) pp 930–32

References

1. Clement Zablocki, Wisconsin Historical Society
2. Eleanor W Schoenebaum, ed., ‘’Political Profiles: The Nixon/Ford Years (1979) p 688
3. Roberts, Steven V. (December 4, 1983). "Clement J. Zablocki of Foreign Affairs Panel Dies". New York Times.
4. Eleanor W Schoenebaum, ed., ‘’Political Profiles: The Nixon/Ford Years (1979) p 688
5. VA government web site

External links

• United States Congress. "Clement J. Zablocki (id: Z000001)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Clement J. Zablocki Papers at Marquette University.
• Clement J. Zablocki, Photographs of Wisconsin’s “Mr. Democrat” at Marquette University.