James Hobson Morrison (December 8, 1908 – July 20, 2000) was an American lawyer and politician who served twelve terms as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana from 1943 to 1967.[1]
James H. Morrison | |
|---|---|
 Jimmy Morrison in 1939 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th district | |
| In office January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Jared Y. Sanders Jr. |
| Succeeded by | John Rarick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Hobson Morrison December 8, 1908 Hammond, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 20, 2000 (aged 91) Hammond, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Episcopal Church Cemetery in Hammond, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Marjorie Abbey Morrison (married 1940–2000, his death) |
| Children | James Hobson Morrison, Jr. Benjamin Abbey Morrison |
| Residence(s) | Hammond, Louisiana Loranger Tangipahopa Parish |
| Alma mater | Tulane University School of Law |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Early life and career
editJames H. Morrison was born in Hammond, Louisiana on December 8, 1908. He attended the public schools[2] and graduated from the Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans in 1934.[3] He passed the bar and began a private legal practice in Hammond. He supported better treatment for strawberry pickers and founded a labor newspaper.[4]
He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1939 and again in 1944.[5]
Tenure in Congress
editIn 1942, he ran as a Democrat for a seat in the U.S. House, seeking to represent Louisiana's 6th congressional district. He won election and would serve in Congress for the next 24 years.[6][7]
He was initially assigned to serve on five committees, but after only a few days he stepped down from those committees because they dealt with issues less directly impactful to his district than the agricultural concerns he sought to represent.[8] He quickly gained a reputation as a populist and supporter of federal highway funding in his district.[9][10]
He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in both 1956 and 1960.[11]
Civil rights
editIn 1956, Morrison was a signatory of the Southern Manifesto. He voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964.[12][13][14] However in 1965, he voted for the Voting Rights Act, which many believe cost him his seat.[15]
Defeat and later career
editIn 1966, he was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Louisiana judge John R. Rarick.[16]
After leaving Congress, he returned to Hammond to take up his law practice.[17] He became a prolific fundraiser and supporter of Southeastern Louisiana University, to which he had also steered federal contracts during his time in office.[18][19]
Death
editJames Morrison died in Hammond on July 20, 2000, following a series of health problems, including two heart attacks and a stroke. His body is interred at Episcopal Church Cemetery in Hammond.
He was survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie Abbey Morrison and their two sons, James Jr. and Benjamin.[20][21]
References
edit- ^ "Bioguide Search".
- ^ "Bioguide Search".
- ^ "Morrison obituary". New York Times. July 29, 2000.
- ^ "Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies". The Washington Post. July 23, 2000.
- ^ "Bioguide Search".
- ^ "Bioguide Search".
- ^ "Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies". The Washington Post. July 23, 2000.
- ^ "Morrison obituary". New York Times. July 29, 2000.
- ^ "Morrison obituary". New York Times. July 29, 2000.
- ^ "Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies". The Washington Post. July 23, 2000.
- ^ "Bioguide Search". Congressional Biographical Directory.
- ^ "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957. -- House Vote #42 -- Jun 18, 1957". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "HR 8601. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1960. APPROVAL BY THE … -- House Vote #106 -- Apr 21, 1960". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A … -- House Vote #182 -- Jul 2, 1964". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "Longtime La. Rep. James Morrison Dies". Washington Post. 2024-03-03. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ "Morrison obituary". New York Times. July 29, 2000.
- ^ "Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies". The Washington Post. July 23, 2000.
- ^ "Morrison obituary". New York Times. July 29, 2000.
- ^ "Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies". The Washington Post. July 23, 2000.
- ^ "Morrison obituary". New York Times. July 29, 2000.
- ^ "Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies". The Washington Post. July 23, 2000.
External links
edit- http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000995
- http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000667
- https://web.archive.org/web/20070603034246/http://www.selu.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/morrison_lecture_ser/index.html
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/morrison.html
Congressional Quarterly's Guide to Elections", Gubernatorial primary elections, 1940, 1944, 1948; Congressional general elections, 1960 and 1964