B. F. Sisk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
B. F. Sisk
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 15th district |
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| In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1979 |
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| Preceded by | John J. McFall |
| Succeeded by | Tony Coelho |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 16th district |
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| In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Alphonzo E. Bell Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Burt Talcott |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 12th district |
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| In office January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1963 |
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| Preceded by | Allan O. Hunter |
| Succeeded by | Burt L. Talcott |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bernice Frederic Sisk
December 14, 1910 Montague, Texas |
| Died | October 25, 1995 (aged 84) Fresno, California |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Abilene Christian College |
Bernice Frederic Sisk (born December 14, 1910 – died October 25, 1995) was an American politician. He served as a Congressman for California. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Sisk represented California in the U.S. Congress from 1955 to 1979.
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About B. F. Sisk's Life
Bernice Frederic Sisk was born in 1910 in Montague, Texas. His parents were Lavina (Thomas) and Arthur Lee Sisk. He grew up and later became involved in politics.
Becoming a Congressman
In 1954, Sisk was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented a part of California that included cities like Fresno, Merced, and Modesto. He won against the person who held the seat before him, Allan O. Hunter, who was a Republican. This was a big surprise in the election that year.
The area Sisk represented had mostly voted for Republicans for a long time. But Sisk managed to win and kept his seat for 12 terms. This means he was re-elected 11 times!
Helping Farmers and California
During his time in Congress, Sisk was an important member of two committees. These were the House Rules Committee and the Agriculture Committee. The Agriculture Committee helps make laws about farming.
Sisk became the leader of the Cotton Subcommittee. He helped solve disagreements between cotton farmers from different parts of the country. He also supported laws that helped various farming industries. These included dairy, wine, sugar, fig, and raisin producers. Instead of giving direct money to farmers, he preferred laws that encouraged them to produce more.
The Central Valley Project
One of Sisk's biggest achievements was his work on the Central Valley Project. This was a huge water system in California. It cost a lot of money, about $37 billion. This project helps bring water to California's long Central Valley, which is a very important farming area. The water system is still used today.
Retirement and Later Life
B. F. Sisk decided to retire from Congress in 1978. After he left, his former chief of staff, Tony Coelho, took over his seat. Sisk was a member of the Palm Avenue Church of Christ in Fresno. He passed away in 1995.
