Frank Chelf

Frank L. Chelf

Frank Leslie Chelf(September 22, 1907 – September 1, 1982) was aUnited States representativefromKentucky.He was born on a farm nearElizabethtown, Kentucky.He graduated from Masonic Home High School and lived at the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home (now Masonic Homes of Kentucky) in Louisville, KY.He attended the public schools as well asCentre CollegeatDanville, KentuckyandSt. Mary's College.He graduated fromCumberland School of LawatCumberland University,Lebanon, Tennesseein 1931 and was admitted to the bar in 1931 and commenced practice inLebanon, Kentucky.He served as an attorney ofMarion County, Kentucky1933–1944.

Chelf took leave of absence from his official duties on August 1, 1942, to volunteer in theUnited States Armyand was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Air Corps and saw active service inWorld War II.He served as chief code designator, Intelligence Division, Air Transport Command, and later as executive officer, Plans and Liaison Division, and as assistant chief of Air Staff Training. He was discharged on August 10, 1944, due to physical disability, with rank ofmajorin the Air Corps.

Chelf served as a delegate to theDemocratic National Conventionin 1936. He was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-ninth and to the ten succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1967) and was unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1966 to theNinetieth Congress.Chelf did not sign the 1956Southern Manifesto,and voted in favor of theCivil Rights Acts of 1960and1968,as well as the24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitutionand theVoting Rights Act of 1965,but voted against theCivil Rights Acts of 1957and1964.After leaving Congress, he resumed the practice of law. He was a legislative consultant and resident of Lebanon, Kentucky until his death there in 1982. He was buried in Ryder Cemetery.

References

• United States Congress."Frank Chelf (id: C000342)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.