Jerry Kleczka

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Gerald Daniel Kleczka
Jerry Kleczka
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 4th district
In office
April 3, 1984 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by Clement J. Zablocki
Succeeded by Gwen Moore
Born November 26, 1943
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nationality Polish-American
Political party Democrat
Alma mater University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Occupation Accountant

Gerald (Jerry) Daniel Kleczka (born November 26, 1943), an American politician, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1984 to 2005, representing Wisconsin's 4th congressional district. The district includes the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was born.

After graduating from Milwaukee's Don Bosco High School, in 1961, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for two years. Afterward, he served as an accountant and a member of the National Guard. In 1969, Kleczka returned to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to earn a business degree. Kleczka was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving from 1969 to 1974. Later, he was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate from 1975 to 1984. Kleczka was elected to the House following the death of Representative Clement Zablocki.

While in Congress, Kleczka was a member of the House Judiciary Committee and later the House Budget Committee. He was known to be one of the more liberal members of Congress and helped to secure money for many programs for education, poverty relief, and housing improvements.

Kleczka announced his retirement in 2004, and did not run for reelection. He officially retired in January 2005 after 10 terms in Congress, and was succeeded by State Senator Gwen Moore, another Democrat.

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Preceded by
Clement Zablocki		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Wisconsin's 4th congressional district
1984–2005		 Succeeded by
Gwen Moore
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