Jerry Lewis (California politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jerry Lewis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Shirley Neil Pettis
Succeeded by	Paul Cook (Redistricting)
Constituency	37th district (1979–1983) 35th district (1983–1993) 40th congressional district (1993–2003) 41st congressional district (2003–2013)
Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Dave Obey
Succeeded by	Norm Dicks
Chair of the House Appropriations Committee
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Bill Young
Succeeded by	Dave Obey
Chair of the House Republican Conference
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1993
Leader	Bob Michel
Preceded by	Dick Cheney
Succeeded by	Dick Armey
Chair of the House Republican Policy Committee
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1989
Leader	Bob Michel
Preceded by	Dick Cheney
Succeeded by	Mickey Edwards
Member of the California Assembly
In office January 6, 1969 – November 30, 1978
Preceded by	L. Stewart Hinckley
Succeeded by	Bill Leonard
Constituency	73rd district (1969–1975) 67th district (1975–1978)
Personal details
Born	Charles Jeremy Lewis (1934-10-21)October 21, 1934 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Died	July 15, 2021(2021-07-15) (aged 86) Redlands, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Arlene Willis
Education	University of California, Los Angeles (BA)

Charles Jeremy Lewis (born October 21, 1934 – died July 15, 2021) was an American politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for California. He was first elected to Congress in 1978. He represented different areas of California over the years.

Jerry Lewis was a member of the Republican Party. He was the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. This committee decides how the government spends money. He retired from Congress in January 2013.

About Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis was born in Seattle, Washington. He finished high school in San Bernardino, California, in 1952. He was even the captain of his swim team!

In 1956, he earned a college degree from UCLA. After college, he worked in the insurance business. Jerry Lewis passed away on July 15, 2021, in Redlands, California, at 86 years old.

Starting in Politics

Jerry Lewis began his political career by serving on the San Bernardino School Board. He was a member from 1964 to 1968. He also worked for Congressman Jerry Pettis in 1966.

Later, he became a member of the California State Assembly. This is a part of California's state government. He served there from 1969 to 1978.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Lewis speaking about wildfire prevention

Jerry Lewis was elected to the 96th United States Congress in November 1978. He was a Republican and won with 61% of the votes. He was re-elected 16 times after that! He almost always won with more than 61% of the votes.

In 2008, he faced a strong challenge from Tim Prince. Jerry Lewis spent a lot of money on his campaign. He won the election with 62% of the votes. On January 12, 2012, he announced that he would retire.

What He Did in Congress

Jerry Lewis worked on many important projects. He was named chairman of a special committee in 1994. This committee worked to prevent fraud in housing programs. It also aimed to reduce wasteful spending in federal agencies.

He helped get federal money for projects in California. One project was the Seven Oaks Dam near Highland, California. He was also proud of helping to create the first air quality committee in California. This led to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. This group helps keep the air clean.

In 1998, he helped get money for a special cancer treatment center. This center was at Loma Linda University. It uses a special "Proton Beam" treatment. Similar centers have now been built across the U.S.

Jerry Lewis also helped get nearly $100 million for the U.S. Forest Service. This money was used to remove dead trees in the San Bernardino National Forest. These trees were a fire risk. He also worked with Senator Dianne Feinstein to get another $500 million. This money helped reduce fire danger in the San Bernardino Mountains and other parts of Southern California.

He also secured $15 million for a program to fix up repossessed houses. These houses were then given to families with lower incomes. This program was successful in cities like Redlands and San Bernardino.

His Political Views

Jerry Lewis was part of the Republican Main Street Partnership. He supported stem-cell research. He also voted against banning adoption by same-sex couples in Washington D.C.

Committee Roles

Jerry Lewis held several important leadership roles. He was the chairman of the House Republican Conference from 1989 to 1992. In 1995, he became chairman of a subcommittee that dealt with veterans' affairs and housing.

He was the first representative from California to lead the powerful House Appropriations Committee. This committee controls government spending. He also led the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee from 1999 to 2005.

He was the chairman of the Appropriations Committee during the 109th Congress. Later, he was the lead Republican member on the committee.

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Defense (Vice Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
  • Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

Groups He Joined

Jerry Lewis was also a member of several groups in Congress:

• Congressional Fire Services Caucus
• Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus
• International Conservation Caucus
• Sportsmens Caucus