Javits, Jacob Koppel (1904-1986), a New York Republican, served in the United States Senate from 1957 to 1981. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1947 to 1954. In Congress, Javits became identified with the liberal or moderate wing of the Republican Party. He supported some government participation in welfare programs and sponsored legislation to enforce civil rights. Javits did not actively support the 1964 Republican presidential candidate, conservative Barry Goldwater.
Javits was born in New York City. He graduated from the New York University Law School and practiced law in New York. During World War II (1939-1945), he served in Europe and the Pacific as a commissioned officer in the Chemical Warfare Service.
