Jeffery Cohelan

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	San Mateo Junior College University of California, Berkeley B.A. economics 1950 (with honors) Leeds University Oxford University
Awards	Fulbright scholar at Leeds and Oxford universities in 1953-54
[1][2][3][4]

Jeffery Cohelan (June 24, 1914 – February 15, 1999) was a United States Representative from California. He was born in San Francisco, California and attended the public schools and San Mateo Junior College. 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 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 Berkeley Welfare Commission 1949-1953, the Berkeley City Council 1955-1958, and 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 Saint's Episcopal Church choir. He resided in Washington, D.C. until his death at home February 15, 1999.^[2][3][6]

University of Oklahoma has papers from his congressional office.^[1][7]

References

1. "Jeffery Cohelan Collection". University of Oklahoma. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
2. 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)
3. "Jeffery Cohelan, 84, Advocate Of Liberal Causes in Congress" (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). New York Times. 19 February 1999. Gale Document Number: GALE|A150042272. Retrieved 2012-02-26. Gale Biography In Context. (subscription required)
4. "Timothy D. Cohelan San Diego Lawyer - California Class Action Attorney - Timothy D. Cohelan". San Diego, California: Cohelan Khoury & Singer. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
5. Oliver, Myrna (February 19, 1999). "Jeffery Cohelan; Ex-Congressman". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
6. "People in the News". California Journal. December 1970. p. 358. Retrieved 2012-02-27. 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.
7. "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)

External links

• Jeffery Cohelan Collection and Photograph Collection at the Carl Albert Center
• United States Congress. "Jeffery Cohelan (id: C000596)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Jeffery Cohelan Former U.S. Representative from California’s 7th District , 1961-1971 (Democrat) Govtrack