Wyatt, Joseph L., 1924-

Joseph Lucian Wyatt, Jr. was born in Chicago, IL, Feb. 21, 1924; attended Northwestern Univ. (AB, 1947) and Harvard Law School (LL. B., 1949); became a lawyer and sole practitioner, Los Angeles, CA, in 1949; member CA State Personnel Board, 1961-71; Director, Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1956-59; secretary, California Democratic Council (CDC), 1953-57; president, CDC, 1957-61; CA delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968.

The California Democratic Council (CDC), a federation of local volunteer clubs, was established in 1953; under the direction of founding president Alan Cranston, the CDC was able to balance its electoral and legislative goals; CDC endorsements and campaign support led to the first full statewide slate of Democrats in 40 years (1954) and also figured prominently in the election of Edmund G. "Pat" Brown as CA governor in 1958; as the CDC's focus became increasingly ideological, tensions led to a steady decline in its membership and presence in CA politics; membership peaked at 75,000 in 1964.

Biography

Joseph Lucian Wyatt, Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, February 21, 1924; attended Northwestern University (AB, 1947) and Harvard Law School (LL.B., 1949); became a lawyer and sole practitioner, Los Angeles, California, in 1949; member California State Personnel Board, 1961-71; Director, Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1956-59; secretary, California Democratic Council (CDC), 1953-57; president, CDC, 1957-61; California delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968.

The California Democratic Council (CDC), a federation of local volunteer clubs, was established in 1953; under the direction of founding president Alan Cranston, the CDC was able to balance its electoral and legislative goals; CDC endorsements and campaign support led to the first full statewide slate of Democrats in 40 years (1954) and also figured prominently in the election of Edmund G. “Pat” Brown as California governor in 1958; as the CDC's focus became increasingly ideological, tensions led to a steady decline in its membership and presence in California politics; membership peaked at 75,000 in 1964.