Alphonzo Bell

Republican Representative of California's 27th district

  • Representative

    California, district 27

    January 14, 1975 - January 3, 1977

8

Congresses Served

8

House Terms

September 19, 1914 (89 years old)

Birthday

April 25, 2004

Death

  • Served as a Republican United States Representative from California for eight terms (1961-1977)
  • Came from a prominent family involved in ranching, oil, and real estate development, contributing to the development of Southern California communities
  • Grew up in areas now known as Bel Air and Pacific Palisades
  • Earned a degree in political science from Occidental College in 1938
  • Served in the Army Air Force during World War II (1942-1945)
  • Held several Republican Party positions before entering Congress, including chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Los Angeles County and member of the Republican National Committee
  • Initially inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt but switched to the Republican Party in college
  • Known for conservative positions on foreign policy and defense but more moderate to liberal stances on domestic issues, including civil rights, environmental protection, and education reform
  • Supported every major piece of Civil Rights legislation during his tenure in Congress
  • Enjoyed bipartisan support and was endorsed by figures across the political spectrum, including Eleanor Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan
  • Attempted to run for the U.S. Senate and the Los Angeles mayoralty but was unsuccessful
  • Married twice, first to Elizabeth Jane Helms and then to actress and former tennis champion Marian McCargo
  • Died of complications of pneumonia in 2004, shortly after the death of his wife Marian from pancreatic cancer
  • Had one daughter and nine sons, with one son later serving as the Assistant Chief Deputy and spokesman for a Los Angeles County Supervisor