Kasem, George A. (George Albert), 1919-2002

George Albert Kasem (April 6, 1919 – February 11, 2002) was a politician and lawyer. He served as the U.S. Representative from California's 25th congressional district from 1959 to 1961. Kasem was of Lebanese descent and was the first Arab American elected to the United States Congress.

Born in Drumright, Oklahoma, his family moved to Los Angeles when he was a child. Kasem graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Los Angeles. Following graduation, he worked as a clerk in a grocery store and became active in the local Retail Clerk's Union. In 1941, he joined the United States Army Air Forces for World War II, training as a weather observer and forecaster beofre serving in Sudan, Egypt, and Iraq, remaining in the service until being discharged at the end of the war in 1945. Kasem earned a B.S. and LL.B. from the University of Southern California. After being admitted to the bar, he began practicing in Baldwin Park.

In 1958, Kasem was elected to the 86th Congress. During his term, Kasem advocated enhanced funding of the San Gabriel Valley Flood Control project, increased federal aid to education, and improved medical care for the elderly. An unsuccessful candidate for re-election to the 87th Congress, Kasem resumed the practice of law. He served as commissioner in Citrus Municipal Court, West Covina, California from 1978 to 1984. Kasem died in Carlsbad, California.