Wadie P. Deddeh

Wadie P. Deddeh (September 6, 1920 – August 27, 2019) was an American politician of Assyrian descent in the state of California. He served in the California State Assembly from 1967 to 1982, and in the California State Senate from 1982 to 1993.^[1] He is the first Iraqi-American elected official in the United States.^[2][3] Deddeh wrote the 1972 legislation that created the modern California Department of Transportation, handling the highway functions previously managed by a division of the California Department of Public Works.^[4] He died at the age of 98 on August 27, 2019.^[5]

Wadie P. Deddeh
Member of the California Senate from the 40th district
In office December 6, 1982 – August 17, 1993
Preceded by	James R. Mills
Succeeded by	Stephen Peace
Member of the California State Assembly from the 80th district
In office December 2, 1974 – November 30, 1982
Preceded by	John Stull
Succeeded by	Stephen Peace
Member of the California State Assembly from the 77th district
In office January 2, 1967 – November 30, 1974
Preceded by	Richard J. Donovan
Succeeded by	Bob Wilson
Personal details
Born	(1920-09-06)September 6, 1920 Baghdad, Iraq
Died	August 27, 2019(2019-08-27) (aged 98) San Diego, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary-Lynn Drake
Children	1
Alma mater	University of Baghdad University of Detroit
Occupation	Political Science Professor