Jack Z. Anderson

John Zuinglius Anderson (March 22, 1904 – February 9, 1981) was an American farmer and politician who served seven consecutive terms as a U.S. Representative from California from 1939 to 1953.

Early life and career

Born in Oakland, California on March 22, 1904, Anderson moved with his parents to Santa Cruz, California, the same year, and to San Jose, California, in 1913, where he attended the public schools. He graduated from San Jose High School in 1923.

He moved to San Juan Bautista, California, in 1925 and engaged in agricultural pursuits and fruit growing.

Congress

Anderson was elected as a Republican to the Seventy-sixth and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1953). He did not seek renomination in 1952.

Japanese internment during World War II

He was a strong supporter of forcing Japanese-American citizens from the Pacific Coast states during World War II, stating in 1945:

"As a member of the California congressional delegation I have consistently opposed the return of the Japanese-Americans to the Pacific coast while the war against Japan in the Pacific is in progress. I was one of those who as early as Dec. 8, 1941, advocated the immediate removal of all persons of Japanese descent from restricted and prohibited areas in California, Oregon and Washington."

Career after Congress

Anderson served as a member of Bank of America's board of directors.

He also served as president of the California Canning Pear Association and the Pacific States Canning Pear Association, and was a special assistant to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson from 1955-56.

Anderson worked as an administrative assistant to President Dwight D. Eisenhower from December 15, 1956, to January 20, 1961. He then worked as a member of staff of the U.S. House Veterans' Affairs Committee until June 30, 1962.

Death

He retired to Hollister, California, where he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on February 9, 1981. His remains were cremated and his ashes scattered at the top of Sonora Pass in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

Electoral history

• United States Congress. . Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

This article incorporates public domain material from . Federal government of the United States.