Kramer, John R., 1937-2006

Born in New York City, John R. Kramer (1937-2006) graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1958 before earning a law degree from the same institution in 1962. After law school, Kramer went to work on Capital Hill, as Assistant United States Attorney (1963-1965); a legal commentator for PBS on the Watergate hearings (1973-1974); and special counsel to Representatives Adam Clayton Powell on the House Committee on Education and Labor and Thomas Foley on the House Committee on Agriculture (1975-1986). As Executive Director for the National Council on Hunger and Nutrition (1968-1982), Kramer drafted major food stamp and school lunch legislation.

In 1971, Kramer joined the faculty of Georgetown University law school as an Associate Professor and was named Associate Dean for education five years later. From 1986 to 1996, Kramer was Dean of Tulane University law school. At both universities, he pioneered the establishment of legal clinics, giving law students practical experience while providing legal representation to underprivileged individuals and organizations in their communities. Throughout his career in education and legislation, Kramer represented private clients, including Federal Employees Against the War in Vietnam, the Mattachine Scoiety, Students for a Democratic Society, the National Pork Producers, and the United Gamefowl Breeders of America. He also served as president of the Field Foundation (1981-1991) and founding chair of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (1981-2002) and was an active member of the American Bar Association.

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