Joseph A. LeFante
Joseph Anthony Lefante (September 8, 1928 – February 26, 1997) was an American Democratic Party politician who represented New Jersey's 14th congressional district for one term from 1977 to 1978.
Joseph A. LeFante | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs | |
| In office December 15, 1978 – February 10, 1982 | |
| Governor | Brendan Byrne |
| Preceded by | Patricia Sheehan |
| Succeeded by | John Renna |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 14th district | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – December 14, 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Dominick V. Daniels |
| Succeeded by | Frank Joseph Guarini |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly | |
| In office January 13, 1970 – January 3, 1977 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Fekety Addison McLeon |
| Succeeded by | Stephen R. Kopycinski |
| Constituency | District 12A (1970–1974) 31st District (1974–1977) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 8, 1928 Bayonne, New Jersey |
| Died | February 26, 1997 (aged 68) Manhattan, New York City, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
Early life and education
Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Lefante graduated from Bayonne High School. He completed courses at the Real Estate Institute of New Jersey in 1957. He served in the New Jersey National Guard from 1947 to 1952.
Political career
He was a business owner and served as a member of the Bayonne city council from 1962 to 1970. He was also a member of the Bayonne Board of Education from 1964 to 1967.
He was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly and served from 1969 to 1976.
Disputed quote
On January 13, 1976, he addressed the general assembly, during which he stated: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." This quote has been misattributed in internet memes to Winston Churchill. Although the original source of this aphorism is unknown, LeFante is the first known source and there is no evidence that Winston Churchill is the source for this saying.[1]
He served as a delegate to the New Jersey state Democratic convention, 1975. He served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, 1975.
Congress
Lefante was elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-fifth Congress, serving until his resignation on December 14, 1978.
After Congress
He was appointed Commissioner of Community Affairs by Governor Brendan Byrne, serving from 1978 to 1982.[2]
He was an unsuccessful candidate for nomination to the United States Senate in 1982.
Death
He died on February 26, 1997, in Manhattan, New York City. He was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery, Linden, New Jersey.
References
- United States Congress. "Joseph A. LeFante (id: L000561)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- "FACT CHECK: DID WINSTON CHURCHILL SAY THIS QUOTE ABOUT COURAGE?". Check Your Fact. August 26, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- Joseph A. LeFante, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Accessed October 3, 2018.
| New Jersey General Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John J. Fekety |
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 12A district January 13, 1970–January 8, 1974 |
Succeeded by District abolished |
| Preceded by District created |
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 31st district January 8, 1974–January 3, 1977 |
Succeeded by Stephen R. Kopycinski |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by S. Howard Woodson |
Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly 1976 |
Succeeded by William J. Hamilton |
| Preceded by Patricia Sheehan |
Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs December 15, 1978–February 10, 1982 |
Succeeded by John Renna |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by Dominick V. Daniels |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 14th congressional district January 3, 1977–December 14, 1978 |
Succeeded by Frank Joseph Guarini |
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