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Norbert A. Schlei, a white lawyer, was a lead draftsman of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He died this past April following a heart attack while jogging on the beach near his home in Santa Monica, California. After the coronary attack he never regained consciousness. Schlei was 73 years old.
Norbert Schlei was born in Dayton, Ohio, into a poor family. As a young boy he held two jobs. Working as a waiter he put himself through Ohio State University. There he graduated with honors majoring in English literature and international relations. He also earned three varsity letters as a member of the golf team.
After serving as a naval officer in the Korean...