Frank D. Lanterman
Brief Biography
A native Californian, Frank D. Lanterman, was born in La Cañada Flintridge in November of 1901. Lanterman grew up in the Los Angeles suburbs and attended primary school in Glendale. He attended the University of Southern California (USC) and studied organ, piano, and music composition. Lanterman was an active member of his community, a member of the Kiwanis Club, part of the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce, and the La Cañada Church of the Lighted Widow. He would later further his community involvement by taking an active role in politics, beginning by serving as an elected member of the Republican Central Committee of Los Angeles County from 1938 to 1950. In 1950 Frank D Lanterman was elected to the California State Assembly as a Republican Representative from the 48th district (La Cañada, La Crescenta, and Alta Dena) in Los Angeles County. Lanterman would continue to serve this region from 1950 through 1978. During his tenure the districts he served would be reorganized several times, however, he would remain a fixture in California state politics serving in his hometown and the surrounding area for 28 years. Besides being a political fixture in California, Lanterman was a successful land developer in Southern California. [1]
Lanterman the Musician
Frank D. Lanterman was an avid musician. He played professionally in several Los Angeles venues, and even travelled to Australia to play in the State Theater in Melbourne. He later had the famous 34-ton Fox Theater Wurlitzer organ of San Francisco installed in a specially built room in his home.
Lanterman the Politician & Community Activist
“Throughout his 28 years in the legislature, Lanterman took great interest in issues related to mental health and developmental disabilities. In 1967, he helped to pass the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (SB 677, Chapter 1667), which ended the involuntary commitment of mentally disordered persons within mental health institutions in California. Two years later he authored the Lanterman Mental Retardation Services Act (AB 225, Chapter 1594), which expanded the state's network of regional centers providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities.”[2]
Notable Legislation
- Author of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (1971) which, among other effects, ended the involuntary commitment of the mentally ill.
- Author of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act (AB 846 in 1977), which expanded the protections that developmentally disabled persons enjoy.[2]
Places Named for Lanterman
- The segment between Route 134 and Route 210 is also named the "Frank D. Lanterman Freeway". The highway was named in 1978.[3]
- The Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center (on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles) is a private, non-profit corporation that serves over 7,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities, who have or are at risk for a developmental delay or disability, and who are at high-risk of parenting an infant with a disability.
- The Lanterman Developmental Center (on West Pomona Blvd in Pomona) is one of five Developmental Centers operated by the California Department of Developmental Services.
- F. D. Lanterman High School is located in Los Angeles (2328 Saint James Place in Los Angeles). There was also a Frank Lanterman High School (at 820 Towne Ave) that is now Ninth Street Elementary.[4]
Click here to find out more about Lanterman's career in the California State Assembly.
[1] Frank D. Lanterman Papers, LP414:[folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California; http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/5593.
[2]http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/5593
[3]cahighways.org
[4]http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/5593
