Richard H. Lehman (July 20, 1948-) was a California congressman. He served as representative between 1983 and 1994. Lehman attended public schools; A.A., Fresno City College, 1968; attended California State University, Fresno, 1969; B.A., University of California at Santa Cruz, 1971; administrative assistant to State Senator George Zenovich, 1970-1976; served in the California National Guard, 1970-1976; elected to the California Assembly, 1976-1982, assistant majority floor leader, 1978-1982; delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1968; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-eighth and to the five succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1983-January 3, 1995); was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Fourth Congress.
"Rick" Lehman was known in Congress for his passionate commitments to important causes such as environmental protection, recognition of the Armenian genocide, and gun control. He was able to strike delicate balances on many of these issues, a particularly important skill given the increasingly conservative nature of his Fresno-based congressional district. His notable successes include playing instrumental roles in passage of laws to protect the Kings and Tuolumne Rivers, the California Desert Protection Act, and expansions of wilderness areas in the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.
