Jack R. Fenton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 59th district | |
| In office December 2, 1974 – November 30, 1980 | |
| Preceded by | Alan Sieroty |
| Succeeded by | Matthew G. Martínez |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 51st district | |
| In office January 4, 1965 – November 30, 1974 | |
| Preceded by | John Moreno |
| Succeeded by | Robert G. Beverly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 7, 1916 Rochester, New York |
| Died | November 6, 2007 (aged 91) Dallas, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Betty Byer |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | SUNY Brockport |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| [1] | |
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Jack R. Fenton (August 7, 1916 – November 6, 2007) was an American politician who represented California's 51st State Assembly district and California's 59th State Assembly district 16 years in the California State Assembly. He was part of the Democratic leadership, majority leader in 1972, and helped establish California's occupational health and safety regime.[2]
- ^ Guerra, Fernando J. and Dwaine Marvick (1986). "Ethnic Officeholders and Party Activists in Los Angeles County". Minorities in the Post-Industrial City. II (Year 1986 Paper 11). Institute for Social Science Research (University of California, Los Angeles).
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Stewart, Jocelyn Y. (2007-11-17). "Jack R. Fenton, 91; legislator pushed worker safety". Los Angeles Times. p. B-13. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
During his 14 years in the Capitol, Fenton was known as a gruff straight-talker with a fiery temper and a deep loyalty to his allies in the Democratic Party. He championed the rights of consumers and pushed for unemployment insurance for farm workers and benefits for veterans. But Fenton's greatest legislative achievement was the passage of laws that improved health and safety conditions for workers and implemented the state plan known as Cal-OSHA. The action came two years after the Sylmar tunnel disaster, which some critics said could have been prevented.