Jack Kemp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Kemp
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| 9th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development | |
| In office February 13, 1989 – January 19, 1993 |
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| President | George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Samuel Pierce |
| Succeeded by | Henry Cisneros |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 31st district |
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| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Donald J. Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Bill Paxon |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 38th district |
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| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | James F. Hastings |
| Succeeded by | District 38 eliminated |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 39th district |
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| In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | Richard D. McCarthy |
| Succeeded by | James F. Hastings |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jack French Kemp
July 13, 1935 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | May 2, 2009 (aged 73) Bethesda, Maryland |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Joanne Kemp |
| Children | Jeff Jennifer Judith Jimmy |
| Alma mater | Occidental College |
| Profession | Football player Politician |
| Website | Kemp Partners: Jack Kemp |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1958–1962 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Reserves |
Jack French Kemp (born July 13, 1935, died May 2, 2009) was an American politician and a professional football player. He was a member of the Republican Party. He worked as the Housing Secretary for President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1993.
Jack Kemp was an important advisor to President Ronald Reagan. He helped President Reagan create new laws about taxes. Many people believe he played a big part in the "Reagan Revolution" of the 1980s.
Kemp was known for being a politician who cared deeply about people. He represented a part of Buffalo, New York, in the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1989. People remembered him for his friendly personality and his skills in both sports and politics.
Football Career
Before he became a politician, Jack Kemp was a professional quarterback for 13 years. He played briefly in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL). He became a star in the American Football League (AFL).
Kemp was the captain for both the San Diego Chargers and the Buffalo Bills. In 1965, he won the AFL Most Valuable Player award. He led the Bills to win two championships in a row.
He played in the AFL for all 10 years it existed. He played in the AFL All-Star game seven times. He also played in the championship game five times. He set many of the league's passing records. Kemp also helped start the American Football League Players Association. He was its president five times. During his early football career, he served in the United States Army Reserve.
Political Impact and Legacy
Jack Kemp's legacy includes the "Kemp–Roth Tax Cut" from the 1980s. This was one of the first "Reagan tax cuts." Kemp is also remembered for changing the direction of presidential elections, even though he didn't win the presidency himself.
In the early 2000s, Kemp was still seen as a key figure in promoting "supply-side tax cuts." This idea suggests that lower taxes can help the economy grow. He was seen as a leader for economic conservatism. This means he believed that free markets and low taxes work better than government control.
Kemp had many political friends and allies. He was part of a committee that helped make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday.
Congressman Paul Ryan has said that Jack Kemp was his mentor. Ryan mentioned Kemp in his speech when he became the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee in 2012.
Illness and Death
On January 7, 2009, Jack Kemp's office announced that he had cancer. The specific type of cancer was not shared with the public. However, he continued to work and be involved in charity and political activities until he passed away.
Jack Kemp died on May 2, 2009, at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 73 years old. He died from cancer. President Barack Obama praised Kemp's work on race relations. He said Kemp understood that differences between races and social classes stopped the country from reaching its goals. Former President George W. Bush said that Kemp would be remembered for his important work during the Reagan Revolution. He also remembered Kemp's strong dedication to conservative ideas throughout his long career in public service.
In April 2008, Kemp had planned to start the Jack F. Kemp Institute of Political Economy at Pepperdine University. These plans were later canceled. After his death, Jack's son, Jimmy Kemp, started the Jack Kemp Foundation in late 2009. This foundation aims to continue his father's work. It is a charity that helps develop and recognize leaders who support the "American Idea." This idea includes values like growth, freedom, democracy, and hope.
Images for kids
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Kemp with Sue Myrick, Phil English and Mike Turner (around May 2004)
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Kemp, Adrian Fenty, and Eleanor Holmes Norton at a DC Vote rally on Capitol Hill
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Kemp with then-United States Senator Barack Obama at the Public Internet Channel launch in 2006.
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Kemp speaks at the National Press Club in 2006.
See also
In Spanish: Jack Kemp para niños
