Ben F. Jensen

Benton Franklin Jensen (December 16, 1892 - February 5, 1970) served thirteen consecutive terms as a U.S. Representative from Iowa's 7th congressional district in the southwestern corner of the state. While on the floor of the U.S. House on March 1, 1954, he was one of five Congressmen wounded by gunfire from a Puerto Rican Nationalists firing from a visitors' gallery.

Born in Marion, Iowa, Jensen attended the rural high schools. From 1914 to 1917, he was employed by a lumber company as yardman and assistant auditor.He served as a second lieutenant in 1918 during the First World War. Upon his return from the war, he served as manager of a lumber company for nearly twenty years.

In 1938, Jensen was elected as a Republican to represent Iowa's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected twelve times, serving continuously from January 3, 1939 to January 3, 1965.

In the 1954 shooting incident, Jensen was shot in the back near his right shoulder. The bullet was removed the following day. ["Jensen, Martin Describe Reactions Under Gunfire," Cedar Rapids Gazette, 1954-03-02, at 1.] He fully recovered, and served ten more years in Congress. However, during the 1964 Democratic landslide, he was defeated by Democrat John R. Hansen. He then returned home to Exira, Iowa.

Jensen died in Washington, D.C. on February 5, 1970, and was interred in Exira Cemetery, Exira, Iowa.

References

CongBio|J000100 Retrieved on 2008-02-09