John Moreno (politician)

John Moreno (born May 16, 1927 in Los Angeles , † August 19, 1999 in New York City ) was an American politician. He belonged to the Democratic Party .

Chicano Moreno was born in Southern California and served in the US Navy at the end of World War II . After the war he attended the University of Southern California and received a bachelor's degree in 1951. Before entering politics, he worked as a teacher. Moreno was instrumental in the incorporation of the town of Santa Fe Springs in 1957. From 1957 to 1960 he was a member of the city council, including one year as its chairman and thus mayor of the city.

In 1962, John Moreno ran for the California State Assembly in the 51st electoral district . He won the election although the Mexican population was disadvantaged by the constituency layout - there was also a majority of White Americans in Morenos district . Moreno, along with Phil Soto, was one of the first two Latinos in the California House of Representatives. As an MP, John Moreno was primarily active in the education sector. He provided funding for Rio Hondo College in Whittier and participated in a law to help disadvantaged students. Before a possible re-election in 1964, Moreno had to face the Democratic primary . He got competition from another Mexican-born candidate, whereby Jack R. Fenton was a Democratic candidate and eventually a member of the 51st District MP.

Soon after leaving the State Assembly, John Moreno moved to Washington, DC, where he taught and opened a hardware store. He died in New York's Mount Sinai Hospital in 1999 at the age of 72.

Web links

• Short biography of John Moreno (English)
• Pioneering Eastside Assemblyman John Moreno Dies at 72 . Los Angeles Times . August 29, 1999. Retrieved April 19, 2014.

predecessor	Office	successor
William A. Munnell	California State Assembly District 51 1962--1964	Jack R. Fenton