A conservative on economic issues and a liberal on social questions, Jack French Kemp, Jr. (born 1935), was an articulate spokesperson for the Republican Party for many years. He was the vice presidential candidate on the Republican Party's ticket in Sen. Bob Dole's failed run for the presidency in 1996.

Jack French Kemp, Jr., was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 13, 1935. He attended public elementary and high schools in Los Angeles. In 1957 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles, where he was the starting quarterback and team captain of the football team. Kemp did post-graduate work at Long Beach State University and California Western University in political science and education.

Between 1958 and 1962 Kemp was a member of the United States Army Reserves, serving in active duty during 1958. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers football team, with whom he played for five...