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U.S. Rep. William Lehman Followed "Internal Compass"

(Miami Herald) Amy Driscoll - Former U.S. Rep. William Lehman, a legendary figure of South Florida politics considered a visionary on racial issues and public transit, died on March 16 at age 91. He was an Alabama-born Jew who opened a business in a black neighborhood in Miami and once traveled to Cuba to rescue political prisoners. Other favorite causes included support for Israel and the resettlement of Soviet Jews. When the Democrats held sway in Congress, with an unpolished speaking style and quiet strength, he controlled billions of dollars for transportation as chairman for ten years of a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee. He financed cars for black customers in the '40s and '50s, when few other white car dealers would. ''He would look at a man's arms and if they had salt on them, from sweating, he would know that was a working man,'' said Thomas Lehman. "That was his credit check.''
2005-03-25 00:00:00
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