Lloyd Meeds, 77; Congressman Sponsored Landmark Legislation
Former Rep. Lloyd Meeds (D-Wash.), 77, a onetime gas station operator who later sponsored landmark legislation, died Wednesday of cancer at his home in Church Creek, Md.
Meeds served in the House for seven terms, representing northwestern Washington. After his retirement in 1979, he had a long career as a partner in a Seattle-based law firm.
Meeds was known for his work on conservation and education and for implementing some of President Johnson’s Great Society programs. He also worked on Native American issues.
He sponsored legislation to create Head Start, the Youth Conservation Corps, school nutrition programs and vocational education support. He also helped establish the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and North Cascades National Park.
Meeds was born in Dillon, Mont., and spent much of his childhood there. His family moved to Washington state when he was in high school. He served in the Navy after World War II and earned his law degree from Gonzaga University. He was elected to Congress in 1965.
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