Politics & Government

Rep. Lewis Gained Many Fans and Many Critics

People weigh in on the long-time congressman's pending retirement.

Love or hate him, Rep. Jerry Lewis has certainly made an impression during his 46 years as an elected officials.

The 77-year-old congressman successfully secured millions of federal dollars for projects in his district while pushing to limit government spending, according to the New York Times.

The congressman’s announcement Jan. 12 that he would retire elicited a mixed reaction.

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On Monday, Loma Linda University Medical Center released a statement thanking the congressman for his support of Proton research.

“Today, we are joined by major cancer centers in the United States in bringing the benefits of this technology to cancer patients,” said Dr. Richard H. Hart, MD, President, Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center through a written statement. “Rep. Lewis supported this clinical breakthrough that is now making a difference in many thousands of lives worldwide. In our region, the James M. Slater, M.D., Proton Research and Treatment Center has treated over 16,000 patients in the last two decades.”

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Loma Linda’s proton accelerator was funded in part by a $19.6 million federal grant that Lewis (R-Redlands) helped secure.

To read more reactions to Rep. Lewis' retirement .

“It’s been what, 36 years,” said Phil Naman, a spokesman for the Redlands Tea Party Patriots and host of Redlands Tea Party Radio on NewsTalk 590 KTIE. “I think he represented Redlands pretty well on that.”

It is unfortunate to lose such a strong conservative representative but there is hope that the seat will stay conservative with the passing of the torch to Gary Miller, Naman said.

But not everyone is sorry to see him go.

Occupy Redlands, which launched last year, has tried to hold Lewis feet to the proverbial fire, demanding the congressman meet with him to answer various questions.

The group approached the congressman on Jan. 5, while he was having dinner at the Capris Café. Occupy members running a booth at the Thursday night Redlands Market Night spotted him. One of them presented Lewis with an Occupy T-Shirt.

The congressman did not address the group’s questions that night.

“He still going to be (in office) for the next year,” said Keith Jackson, Occupy Redlands Committee member. “He’s still our representative and we still expect him to answer our questions.”

“He’s not getting a free pass just because he’s retiring,” Jackson said. And they intend to ask questions of all the candidates, he said.

“I'm happy to see Jerry Lewis retiring,” wrote Kent Marten, Occupy Redlands Committee member in a written response. “Considering the congressional approval rating is at or near a record low, I would expect more Congressmen to re-evaluate the job they are doing. Jerry has ignored an open letter from Occupy Redlands - posted 36 days ago - and appears to be ignorant of what his constituents want and need.”

“Poverty, unemployment and wage stagnation are all at or near record highs in his district,” Marten wrote. “I hope he plans on doing something about that this year, otherwise, I would prefer he outright resigns.”

Lewis, who began his public service as a member of the San Bernardino Board of Education in 1965, was elected to the State Assembly in 1968, according to a bio provided by Lewis’ office. While serving in the Legislature, he authored bills creating the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the state’s early childcare system and establishing the California Newsman’s Shield Law, among many others.

When Congresswoman Shirley Pettis announced her retirement in 1978, Lewis decided to move to the national scene, according to the bio. He won the Republican nomination for the 35th Congressional District, which at the time included 27,000 square miles covering most of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. He was elected to Congress on Nov. 7, 1978 with 61 percent of the vote.

His term will end in November.


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