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{{Short description|American politician (1943–2017)}}
{{Infobox Congressman

| honorific-prefix =
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Gerald Daniel Kleczka
| honorific-suffix = | honorific-prefix =
| smallimage = kleczka.jpg | birth_name = Gerald Daniel Kleczka
| honorific-suffix =
| smallimage = KLECZKA, Gerald Daniel.jpg
| state = ] | state = ]
| district = ] | district = ]
| term_start = ], ] | term_start = April 3, 1984
| term_end = ], ] | term_end = January 3, 2005
| preceded = ] | predecessor = ]
| succeeded = ] | successor = ]
| birth_date = ], ] | state_senate1 = Wisconsin
| birth_place = ] | district1 = ]
| death_date = | term_start1 = January 3, 1983
| death_place = | term_end1 = April 3, 1984
| nationality = ] | predecessor1 = ]
| party = ] | successor1 = ]
| spouse = | state_senate2 = Wisconsin
| relations = | district2 = ]
| children = | term_start2 = January 6, 1975
| residence = | term_end2 = January 3, 1983
| alma_mater = ] | predecessor2 = ]
| successor2 = ]
| state_assembly3 = Wisconsin
| district3 = ]
| term_start3 = January 1, 1973
| term_end3 = January 6, 1975
| predecessor3 = ''District created''
| successor3 = ]
| state_assembly4 = Wisconsin
| district4 = 14th ]
| term_start4 = January 6, 1969
| term_end4 = January 1, 1973
| predecessor4 = ]
| successor4 = ''District abolished''
| birth_date = {{birth date|1943|11|26}}
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2017|10|8|1943|11|26}}
| party = ]
| spouse = Bonnie
| relations =
| children =
| alma_mater = ]
| occupation = ] | occupation = ]
| profession = | profession =
| religion = ] | religion =
| signature = | signature =
| website = | website =
| footnotes = | footnotes =
}} }}
'''Gerald Daniel "Jerry" Kleczka''' (born ], ]), an American politician, was a ] member of the ] from 1984 to 2005, representing {{ushr|Wisconsin|4}}. The district includes the city of ], ], where he was born. '''Gerald Daniel Kleczka''' ({{IPAc-en|k|l|ɛ|tʃ|k|ɑː}};<ref>{{cite AV media|date = October 9, 2017|title = Mayor Barrett on passing of Jerry Kleczka|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWw_CZDWV0U|language = en|time = 0:03|access-date = November 25, 2019|publisher = YouTube}}</ref> November 26, 1943&nbsp;– October 8, 2017) was an American politician and ] member of the ] from 1984 to 2005, representing {{ushr|Wisconsin|4}}.<ref name="Obit">{{cite news |title=Former Rep. Jerry Kleczka Dies at 73 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55831838/jerry-kleczka-1943-2017/ |newspaper=The Post-Crescent |date=October 10, 2017 |page=A6 |via = ] |access-date=July 22, 2020}} {{Open access}}</ref> The district included the city of ].


==Life and education==
After graduating from Milwaukee's Don Bosco High School, in 1961, he attended the ] for two years. Afterward, he served as an accountant and a member of the ]. Kleczka was elected to the ], serving from 1969 to 1974. Later, he was a member of the ] from 1975 to 1984. Kleczka was elected to the House following the death of Representative ].
After graduating from Milwaukee's ],<ref name="Leaves">{{cite news |title=Milwaukee's Jerry Kleczka Leaves Congress with Hefty Campaign Account |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55896005/jerry-kleczka-1943-2017/ |newspaper=The Journal Times |date=November 6, 2004 |page=13 |via = ] |access-date=July 23, 2020}} {{Open access}}</ref> in 1961, he attended the ] for two years. Afterward, he served as an accountant and a member of the ].


==Politics==
While in Congress, Kleczka was a member of the ] and later the ]. He was known to be one of the more liberal members of Congress and helped to secure money for many programs for education, poverty relief, and housing improvements.
Kleczka was elected to the ], serving from 1969 to 1974. Later, he was a member of the ] from 1975 to 1984. Kleczka was elected to the House in a special election following the death of Representative ], defeating ] ] in the Democratic primary.<ref>Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. ''''. Madison: Wisconsin Legislature Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, 2003, p. 14.</ref>


==Tenure in Congress==
Kleczka was arrested at least twice for drunk driving.<blockquote>
While in Congress, Kleczka was a member of the ] and later the ]. He was known to be one of the more liberal members of Congress and helped to secure money for many programs for education, poverty relief, and housing improvements.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
A 1995 arrest for drunken driving - his blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit in Virginia - led him to acknowledge his alcoholism and seek treatment. Friends say it softened his rough edges. He turned to God as part of his recovery and continues to meet regularly with fellow recovering alcoholics<ref>], 1/24/04]</ref>.
</blockquote>


For his first 10-and-a-half terms, Kleczka represented a district that included most of the southern half of Milwaukee, as well as part of eastern ]. After the 2000 census, his district was merged with the neighboring ], covering downtown and north Milwaukee and represented by fellow Democrat ]. The new 4th was a more compact district located solely in ], and took in all of the city of Milwaukee; it was by far the most Democratic district in Wisconsin. Although it retained Kleczka's district number, it was geographically and demographically more Barrett's district. However, Barrett opted to run for ], effectively handing the seat to Kleczka.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.milwaukeemag.com/NoMoreMr_NiceGuy/|title=No More Mr. Nice Guy|author1=Kurt Chandler|publisher=]|date=February 22, 2010}}</ref>
Kleczka announced his retirement in 2004, and did not run for ]. He officially retired in January 2005 after 10 terms in Congress, and was succeeded by State Senator ], another Democrat.


The pronunciation of Kleczka's name often proved baffling to the uninformed. Rep. ] (D-IL) repeatedly butchered it to the point that an exasperated Kleczka took to calling him "Rep. Annunciation".{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
==Reference==

=== Legal issues ===
Kleczka was arrested at least twice for drunk driving while in office. A 1995 arrest for drunken driving&nbsp;— his ] was twice the legal limit in Virginia&nbsp;— led him to acknowledge his alcoholism and seek treatment. He credits religion as part of the reason for his recovery and continued to meet regularly with fellow recovering alcoholics.<ref>Dave Umhoefer. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012053511/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=202543 |date=2006-10-12 }}". ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'', January 24, 2004.</ref>

==Retirement and death==
Kleczka announced his retirement in 2004, and did not run for ]. He officially retired in January 2005 after ten terms in Congress, and was succeeded by State Senator ], also a Democrat.<ref name="Leaves"/>

After Kleczka retired, he moved to ], with his wife. Kleczka died on October 8, 2017, from natural causes at a care facility, in the Madison, Wisconsin area.<ref name="Obit"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.channel3000.com/news/local/politics/local-politics/former-us-rep-jerry-kleczka-of-wisconsin-dies-at-73/634785636 |title=Former US Rep. Jerry Kleczka of Wisconsin dies at 73 |access-date=2017-10-09 |archive-date=2017-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010060154/http://www.channel3000.com/news/local/politics/local-politics/former-us-rep-jerry-kleczka-of-wisconsin-dies-at-73/634785636 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Meg Jones. "". ''Milwaukee Journal Sentinel'', October 9, 2017.</ref><ref></ref>

==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{CongBio|K000259}} {{Biographical Directory of Congress|K000259}}
*, Marquette University, 2005. * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060909202319/http://www.marquette.edu/about/honors/kleczka.shtml |date=2006-09-09 }}, Marquette University, 2005.
*{{C-SPAN|6719}}
*{{Find a Grave|184129088}}


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Latest revision as of 21:21, 6 December 2024

American politician (1943–2017)
Jerry Kleczka
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 4th district
In office
April 3, 1984 – January 3, 2005
Preceded byClement Zablocki
Succeeded byGwen Moore
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 7th district
In office
January 3, 1983 – April 3, 1984
Preceded byKurt Frank
Succeeded byJohn Plewa
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 3rd district
In office
January 6, 1975 – January 3, 1983
Preceded byCasimir Kendziorski
Succeeded byJohn Norquist
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 9th district
In office
January 1, 1973 – January 6, 1975
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byPhillip James Tuczynski
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 14th Milwaukee County district
In office
January 6, 1969 – January 1, 1973
Preceded byRobert P. Kordus
Succeeded byDistrict abolished
Personal details
BornGerald Daniel Kleczka
(1943-11-26)November 26, 1943
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedOctober 8, 2017(2017-10-08) (aged 73)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBonnie
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
OccupationAccountant

Gerald Daniel Kleczka (/klɛtʃkɑː/; November 26, 1943 – October 8, 2017) was an American politician and Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1984 to 2005, representing Wisconsin's 4th congressional district. The district included the city of Milwaukee.

Life and education

After graduating from Milwaukee's Don Bosco High School, in 1961, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee for two years. Afterward, he served as an accountant and a member of the National Guard.

Politics

Kleczka was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving from 1969 to 1974. Later, he was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate from 1975 to 1984. Kleczka was elected to the House in a special election following the death of Representative Clement J. Zablocki, defeating Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann in the Democratic primary.

Tenure in Congress

While in Congress, Kleczka was a member of the United States House Committee on Ways and Means and later the United States House Committee on the Budget. He was known to be one of the more liberal members of Congress and helped to secure money for many programs for education, poverty relief, and housing improvements.

For his first 10-and-a-half terms, Kleczka represented a district that included most of the southern half of Milwaukee, as well as part of eastern Waukesha County. After the 2000 census, his district was merged with the neighboring 5th District, covering downtown and north Milwaukee and represented by fellow Democrat Tom Barrett. The new 4th was a more compact district located solely in Milwaukee County, and took in all of the city of Milwaukee; it was by far the most Democratic district in Wisconsin. Although it retained Kleczka's district number, it was geographically and demographically more Barrett's district. However, Barrett opted to run for governor, effectively handing the seat to Kleczka.

The pronunciation of Kleczka's name often proved baffling to the uninformed. Rep. Frank Annunzio (D-IL) repeatedly butchered it to the point that an exasperated Kleczka took to calling him "Rep. Annunciation".

Legal issues

Kleczka was arrested at least twice for drunk driving while in office. A 1995 arrest for drunken driving — his blood alcohol content was twice the legal limit in Virginia — led him to acknowledge his alcoholism and seek treatment. He credits religion as part of the reason for his recovery and continued to meet regularly with fellow recovering alcoholics.

Retirement and death

Kleczka announced his retirement in 2004, and did not run for reelection. He officially retired in January 2005 after ten terms in Congress, and was succeeded by State Senator Gwen Moore, also a Democrat.

After Kleczka retired, he moved to Middleton, Wisconsin, with his wife. Kleczka died on October 8, 2017, from natural causes at a care facility, in the Madison, Wisconsin area.

References

  1. Mayor Barrett on passing of Jerry Kleczka. YouTube. October 9, 2017. Event occurs at 0:03. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "Former Rep. Jerry Kleczka Dies at 73". The Post-Crescent. October 10, 2017. p. A6. Retrieved July 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ "Milwaukee's Jerry Kleczka Leaves Congress with Hefty Campaign Account". The Journal Times. November 6, 2004. p. 13. Retrieved July 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. State of Wisconsin 2003-2004 Blue Book. Madison: Wisconsin Legislature Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, 2003, p. 14.
  5. Kurt Chandler (February 22, 2010). "No More Mr. Nice Guy". Milwaukee Magazine.
  6. Dave Umhoefer. "Kleczka won't run again Archived 2006-10-12 at the Wayback Machine". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 24, 2004.
  7. "Former US Rep. Jerry Kleczka of Wisconsin dies at 73". Archived from the original on 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  8. Meg Jones. "Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Kleczka recalled for hard work ethic and easy going style". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 9, 2017.
  9. Gerald Kleczka-obituary

External links

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded byRobert P. Kordus Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 14th Milwaukee County district
1969–1973 		Succeeded byDistrict abolished
Preceded byDistrict created Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 9th district
1973–1975 		Succeeded byPhillip James Tuczynski
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded byCasimir Kendziorski Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 3rd district
1975–1983 		Succeeded byJohn Norquist
Preceded byKurt Frank Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 7th district
1983–1984 		Succeeded byJohn Plewa
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded byClement Zablocki Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 4th congressional district
1984–2005 		Succeeded byGwen Moore
Wisconsin's delegation(s) to the 98th–108th United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)
98th Senate: House:
99th Senate: House:
100th Senate: House:
101st Senate: House:
102nd Senate: House:
103rd Senate: House:
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107th Senate: House:
108th Senate: House:
Categories: