Corman, James C. (James Charles), 1920-2000

James Corman was born on October 20, 1920 in Galena, Kansas. At the age of eleven, he moved to Los Angeles with his widowed mother, who encouraged her son to obtain a sound education in political science (B.A., UCLA, 1942) and law (LL.B., USC, 1948). During World War Two, Corman served in the United States Marine Corps, seeing action in Guam and Iwo Jima where her earned a Bronze Star for heroism under fire. Returning to Los Angeles after the war, Corman married, studied law at USC Law School, passed the California Bar, and settled down in Van Nuys to practice law and raise a family. In 1957, Corman sought and won the election to the Los Angeles City Council, where he served for three years before running as a Democrat for the U.S. House of Representatives. Corman won his first Congressional election campaign on Nov. 8, 1960. As a freshman Crongressman, Corman was assigned to the Committee on Science and Astronautics during a period of escalating competition in the development of space technology between the United States and the Soviet Union. He was also a member of the Select Committee on Small Business to promote local involvement in government procurements. From 1963-1968, Corman served on the House of Judiciary Committee, where he strongly opposed the Becker Amendment which threatened First Amendment safeguards for the separation of church and state. He also helped to draft the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Congressman visited Vietnam four times between 1965-1970, sharing his experiences with his constituents when he returned. In 1967, Speaker John McCormack appointed Corman to the Select Committee to investigate the conduct of Representative-elect Adam Clayton Powell. President Lyndon B. Johnson asked Corman to serve under Illinois Governor, Otto Kerner on the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, created to study the causes of widespread rioting and to recommend preventive measures for the future. Some of the recommendations were used in President Johnson's War on Poverty pograms. From 1968-1980, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Corman worked on legislation relating to tax reform, trade, public assistance programs and Social Security. Congressman Corman compiled a consistent record over his twenty-year career in support of civil rights, public welfare, a safe environment, fair treatment for small business, and aid for veterans and the elderly. He lost reelection in 1980 to Republican candidate Bobbi Fiedler. Since 1980, Corman has resided in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife and children and continues to practice law.