Gerald Lamb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerald A. Lamb
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Lamb in 1963
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| Connecticut State Treasurer | |
| In office January 9, 1963 – February 11, 1970 |
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| Governor | John N. Dempsey |
| Preceded by | Donald J. Irwin |
| Succeeded by | John A. Iorio |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 25, 1924 Elizabeth City, North Carolina, US |
| Died | March 24, 2014 (aged 89) Chesapeake, Virginia, US |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | Kerpel School of Dental Technology (New York) |
| Occupation | Politician, banker |
Gerald A. Lamb (born August 25, 1924 – died March 24, 2014) was an important American politician and banker. He made history as the first African American to be elected to a statewide office in Connecticut. He served as the Connecticut State Treasurer from 1963 to 1970. He was also one of the first African Americans in the entire United States to hold the job of state treasurer. Later, in 1970, he became the first African American to serve as the state's bank commissioner.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Gerald A. Lamb was born on August 25, 1924, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. His parents were Thomas and Addie Lamb. His father was a high school principal, and his mother was a homemaker.
After finishing high school, Lamb joined the United States Coast Guard in 1942. He served until 1946 as a specialist in chemical warfare. After leaving the Coast Guard, he trained to become a dental technician in New York City.
In 1948, Lamb moved to Waterbury, Connecticut. There, he worked his way up to become the general manager of Waterbury Dental Laboratories. He also met and married Verna I. Grier, who was Waterbury's first African American teacher. They had one daughter, Genero Elaine, born in 1954.
Getting Involved in Local Politics
Lamb became very active in his community in Waterbury. He joined the boards of important groups like the local American Red Cross and the NAACP. He also led the board of the Pearl Street Neighborhood House.
In 1959, Lamb won his first election. He became a member of the Waterbury Board of Aldermen, which is like a city council. He was reelected in 1961. During this time, he also served as acting mayor for a while and was on the Waterbury Board of Parks Commission.
Making History in State Government
In 1962, Gerald Lamb was elected Connecticut State Treasurer. This was a huge step, as he was the first African American ever elected to a statewide office in Connecticut. He was also the first Black state treasurer in the United States since the Reconstruction era after the Civil War.
Lamb was a member of the Democratic Party his whole life. He won the election against his Republican opponent, William D. Graham, by a large number of votes. He was reelected in 1966 and served as treasurer until 1970.
What a State Treasurer Does
As the state treasurer, Lamb was in charge of a large annual budget of $300 million. He was responsible for managing the state's money, including its bonds, investments, and spending on big projects. He also worked hard to make housing more affordable and to help African Americans get fair access to bank loans.
National Recognition and New Roles
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson chose Lamb to be a special ambassador to Venezuela. He went there to attend the inauguration of their new president. In 1965, Lamb represented Connecticut at the historic Selma to Montgomery marches for civil rights. President Johnson also appointed him to the Federal Reserve's Consumer Advisory Council in 1967.
On February 11, 1970, Lamb left his job as treasurer. He was appointed by Governor John N. Dempsey to become the State Bank Commissioner. This made him the first African American to hold this important position.
Career in Banking and Community Service
In 1971, Lamb joined Connecticut Bank & Trust (CB&T), which was the biggest bank in Connecticut at the time. He became a senior vice president. In this role, he managed the bank's relationships with the public, government, and communities. He also worked on the bank's efforts to be socially responsible.
Lamb continued his community work. In 1974, he encouraged members of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce to support businesses owned by minorities. He also served on the Board for State Academic Awards in the 1970s. This program helped adults earn college degrees. It later became Charter Oak State College in 1980, and Lamb was the chairman of its board when it received official accreditation. He also helped manage election campaigns for Democratic governors William A. O'Neill and Ella Grasso.
Later Life
After retiring from CB&T in 1989, Gerald Lamb spent his time between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Martha's Vineyard. He passed away in Chesapeake, Virginia, on March 24, 2014, at the age of 89. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.
