Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
JOCHUM, Thomas J.
JOCHUM, Thomas J. (Dubuque, IA, Dec. 25, 1951--Des Moines, IA, Nov. 9, 2020). A graduate of WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, Jochum attended LORAS COLLEGE. (1) In 1975 he was named to the Outstanding Young Men of America and was a delegate to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2) In November 23, 1974, Jochum, at the age of 22, won a House special election to the Iowa Legislature. He won his first re-election to the House District 19 on November 2, 1976. In January 1975, Jochum was appointed to the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, House Ways and Means Committee and the Energy Committee. In 1982 he became chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
Jochum sponsored many bills in the Iowa House. In March 1975 he proposed legislation that would prohibit employers from requiring applicants to submit to lie-detector tests. (3) The following month, he sponsored a bill establishing minimum standards for migrant workers' camps. Following his election in 1976 he attacked the Iowa Development Commission for the distribution of a brochure showing Iowa's racial make-up. In 1977 he co-sponsored a bill that would appropriate additional funds to help an estimated 22,000 Iowans on Supplemental Security Income pay higher than average heating bills. (4) In March 1982 Jochum sponsored a bill for the reinstatement of an unemployed parents' program. (5) In March 1983 Governor Terry Barnstad signed a Jochum-sponsored bill outlawing zoning discrimination against group homes for the mentally disabled. On February 9, 1989 he sponsored a Hate Crimes Bill targeted at cross-burnings. The same month Jochum sponsored a bill to provide health care for all Iowans. A Gay-Rights Bill, sponsored by Jochum, passed the Iowa House on March 30, 1989.
In 1990 Jochum, representing District 36, won his ninth re-election campaign to the Iowa House. He, however, lost the race to succeed Don Avenson as Speaker of the House by three votes. He remained chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
In 1991 Jochum, in his ninth term announced that he was the new executive director of the Iowa Association for Retarded Citizens. (6) He did not seek re-election when his current term expired in 1992. He encouraged his ex-wife Pam JOCHUM to campaign for his seat in the Iowa House. It was his interest in representing the interest of children like their daughter, Sarah Noel Jochum, that led him to enter politics. Their share desire for do the most for their daughter and many like her with intellectual disabilities was continued with Pam's election and subsequent victories in the House. (7)
Tom's experience in the Iowa House and his work at ARC contributed to his decision to begin a political consulting and lobbying business. Among those who benefited from his work were the LGBTQ community, Iowa unions, and MESKWAKIES. (8)
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Source:
1. "The Iowa Legislature," Online: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=74&personID=1038
2. Ibid.
3. Mehl, Annie, "Leaving His Mark: Remembering Tom Jochum," Telegraph Herald, November 11, 2020, p. 3A
3. "Elderly Appeal for Fuel Bill Relief," Telegraph Herald, February 16, 1977, p. 6
4. "Iowa Unemployment Aid Bill Spells Reunion for Dubuque Family," Telegraph Herald, April 30, 1982 p. 9
5. "The Iowa Legislature..."
6. Obituaries, Telegraph Herald, Nov. 13, 2020, p. 6C
7. Ibid.