Remembering John Jenrette
John Jenrette passed away on Friday, March 17. Although he has been out of the news cycle and public life for many years, he really was quite an extrordinary character for his time, particularly in South Carolina.
He’s probably most remembered as the guy who went to prison during Abscam, his often-quoted, “I’ve got larceny in my heart” and for providing the source for the Capitol Steps comedy troup, based on a supposed “encounter” with his then wife Rita on said steps.
Anyway, when Obama was president, John sought a pardon for his Abscam conviction and
I helped draft some of the paperwork for submission and got to know him pretty well. (of course, being John, he decided he’d have a better chance at a pardon if he could talk to Joe Biden during a bike ride rather than follow the usual protocol, so the pardon never happened.)
Here is a recap of John’s life and career.
Career Synopsis
Graduate of Wofford College.
Graduate University of South Carolina Law School—Student body president
Page in the South Carolina State Legislature
John F. Kennedy Youth Director for South Carolina
Retired as a Major in the United States Air Force
Commander with the South Carolina National Guard
Member ACLU
Elected to the South Carolina State Legislature
Elected to the United States House of Representatives
Legislative Accomplishments
In 1972, John Jenrette defeated seventeen-term US Congressman John L. McMillan in the Democratic House primary, but lost the general election to Republican Edward Lunn Young. Even while losing the general election, Jenrette’s defeat of McMillan was extremely significant, as McMillan had been the de-facto “mayor” of Washington, DC as chairman of the House District Committee.
In 1974, Jenrette won the seat, and came to the US House as one of 74 incoming Democratic freshmen—and taking a leading role, Jenrette facilitated a movement that led to the first “Transparent” Congress in history, forcing the Speaker of the House to require Senior Committee Chairs to address Democrats and stand for a vote before the Chairs could return to their previous positions. Seventy four Representatives were assigned powerful seats for the first time.
Beginning in his freshman year, Jenrette’s career in the US House saw him:
Become the first ever freshman legislator appointed to a leadership position
Appointed by Tip O’Neill to the powerful Appropriations Committee
Elected as Freshman Whip
Establish the first Affirmative Action Plan in Congressional hiring practices and hire staff with about one-third African American representation
Helping to found the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus—the largest caucus in history
Become the first Congressperson to come out in support of Jimmy Carter for President
His bold, progressive style continued throughout his Congressional career, as he:
Championed the cause for self-rule for the permanent population of Washington, DC as well as for DC voting rights in Congress
Strongly supported public education for all
Opposed outlawing of Federal funds for busing for integration
Supported recognition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
Voted consistently for education funding, nutrition assistance, economic opportunities for the disadvantaged, legal aid for the poor and help for the elderly
Sponsored legislation to require voter registration facilitation by the states
Continually stayed attuned to the constituents in his district
One such constituent was Ron McNair, an African American young man from Lake City, SC, who dreamed of being an astronaut. McNair lacked pilot credentials and military background, but held a PhD in laser physics from MIT and the backing of a Congressman named John Jenrette.
Jenrette put together a juggernaut on McNair’s behalf that included then Senators Fritz Hollings and Strom Thurmond and the entire South Carolina House delegation. Out of 10,000 applicants for the 1978 NASA astronaut class, McNair was one of the 35 chosen.
In 1984, McNair became the second African American to go into space. Sadly, he died in the 1986 explosion of the Challenger spacecraft.
Summary
John Jenrette has a long history of positive positions and admirable actions:
Served his state and country in both the military and legislative capacities
Supported causes of equality and fairness for all in education, voting rights and legal representation
Worked to advance the causes of underserved constituents
Facilitated progressive changes in Congress and the workings of the legislature
Stood out as a progressive voice, often championing the rights and needs of those previously voiceless
Jenrette’s history is rife with examples of doing the right thing for the right reason, and, but for the fateful events of 1980, when, unfortunately, bad judgment, bad advice, and bad company led to his downfall, Jenrette might still be making history in service to his country.
For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: “It might have been!”
—Whittier, from Maud Muller