Jerris Leonard

Summary

Jerris Leonard (January 17, 1931 – July 27, 2006) was an American lawyer and Republican politician. He served as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division in the United States Department of Justice during the first two years of the Richard Nixon administration. Prior to his federal service, he served eight years in the Wisconsin Senate (1961–1969) and four years in the State Assembly (1957–1961), representing northern Milwaukee County.[1][2]

Jerris Leonard
6th United States Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division
In office
1969–1971
PresidentRichard Nixon
Preceded byStephen J. Pollak
Succeeded byDavid Luke Norman
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 4th district
In office
January 2, 1961 – January 6, 1969
Preceded byKirby Hendee
Succeeded byNile Soik
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Milwaukee 19th district
In office
January 7, 1957 – January 2, 1961
Preceded byWilliam Kasik
Succeeded byNile Soik
Personal details
BornJanuary 17, 1931
Chicago, Illinois
DiedJuly 27, 2006(2006-07-27) (aged 75)
Bethesda, Maryland
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMariellen C. Mathie
Alma materMarquette University
ProfessionLawyer, Politician

Background and personal life edit

Leonard was born on January 17, 1931, to Jerris and Marie Leonard in Chicago, Illinois.[3] His family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Rufus King High School. He earned a B.S. in business administration in 1952 from Marquette University, and in 1955 earned an LL.B. from Marquette University Law School.[4]

On August 22, 1953, he married Mariellen C. Mathie, with whom he had six children. He died on July 27, 2006, in Bethesda, Maryland.[5]

Legislative service edit

Leonard was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1956 to succeed William Kasik from the 19th Milwaukee County district, which included the Town of Milwaukee (but not the City of Milwaukee itself), Bayside, Fox Point, Glendale, Granville, River Hills, Shorewood, and Whitefish Bay.[4] He served two terms, and advanced to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1960, serving two terms (1961–1969). He ran against United States Senator Gaylord Nelson in the 1968 United States Senate election and was defeated.[4]

Federal service edit

He was in the United States Department of Justice 1969–1973 during the administration of President Richard Nixon, serving as the first administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration.[6]

United Sciences of America, Inc. edit

In the 1980s Leonard served as president of United Sciences of America, Inc., a multi-level marketing company selling nutritional supplements, which was accused of deceptive practices and false claims, and eventually filed bankruptcy.[7][8][9][10][11]

References edit

  1. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Lawyer Politicians in the District of Columbia, L".
  2. ^ "Leonard, Jerris 1931". Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2009-11-25.
  3. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Leonard".
  4. ^ a b c Wisconsin Blue Book, 1968 Edition, (Members of the State Senate), page 22.
  5. ^ "sjr7.pdf" (PDF). January 30, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "American League of Lobbyists - Memorial Page". Archived from the original on 2011-04-08. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  7. ^ "USA: The strange rise and fall of one MLM". Money (June 1). 1987.
  8. ^ Stare, F.J. (1986). "Marketing a nutritional "revolutionary breakthrough". Trading on names". New England Journal of Medicine. 315 (15): 971–973. doi:10.1056/NEJM198610093151518. PMID 3762604.
  9. ^ Young, E.A.; Schenker, S.; Weser, E. (1987). "United Sciences of America, Incorporated: an "optimal" diet?". Annals of Internal Medicine. 107 (1): 101–103. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-107-1-101. PMID 3592422.
  10. ^ Renner, J.H. (1986). "Science or scam?". New England Journal of Medicine. 315 (15): 971. doi:10.1056/NEJM198610093151517. PMID 3762603.
  11. ^ Holden, C. (1986). "Scientists get flak over marketing plan". Science. 234 (4780): 1063–1064. doi:10.1126/science.3775374. PMID 3775374.

Sources edit

  • Papers of Jerris Leonard in the Wisconsin State Historical Society
  • Wisconsin Senate Joint Resolution in memory of Jerris Leonard
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Wisconsin
(Class 3)

1968
Succeeded by
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 19th district
January 7, 1957 – January 2, 1961
Succeeded by
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 4th district
January 2, 1961 – January 6, 1969
Succeeded by