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Phillip Mitchell Landrum (September 10, 1907 – November 19, 1990) was an American lawyer, World War II veteran, and politician who served twelve terms as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Georgia from 1953 to 1977.
Phillip M. Landrum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 9th district | |
| In office January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1977 | |
| Preceded by | John S. Wood |
| Succeeded by | Ed Jenkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Phillip Mitchell Landrum September 10, 1907 Martin, Georgia |
| Died | November 19, 1990 (aged 83) Jasper, Georgia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Piedmont College, Atlanta Law School |
Biography
editBorn in Martin, Georgia, Landrum attended the public schools and Mercer University, in Macon, Georgia. He graduated from Piedmont College, in Demorest, Georgia (A.B., 1939) and from the Atlanta Law School (LL.B., 1941). While in college and law school, Landrum worked as Superintendent of Nelson (Georgia) High School (1937–1941). He was admitted to the bar in 1941 and commenced the practice of law in Canton, Georgia.
World War II
editDuring the Second World War, Landrum enlisted as a private in the United States Army Air Corps on October 2, 1942. He served in Europe and was discharged on June 1, 1945, as a first lieutenant.
Early career
editAfter his discharge from the military, Landrum was briefly employed by the Veterans' Administration. He then served as assistant attorney general of the State of Georgia in 1946-1947, and as Executive secretary to Governor Melvin E. Thompson in 1947-1948.
Congress
editHe returned to the practice of law in Jasper, Georgia until he was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-third and to the eleven succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1977). While he easily won twelve general elections, he faced strong opposition in several primary elections, including from a young Zell Miller in 1964 and 1966.
Landrum was one of the primary sponsors of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, also known as the Landrum-Griffin Act. He was also the author of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, one of the key pieces of legislation of President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty.[1]
A staunch segregationist, in 1956, Landrum signed "The Southern Manifesto."[2] Landrum voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957,[3] 1960,[4] 1964,[5] and 1968[6] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution[7] and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.[8]
Retirement and death
editHe was not a candidate for re-election in 1976. He was a resident of Jasper until his death on November 19, 1990.
Legacy
editInterstate 575 is named in his honor.
Notes
edit- ^ Lyndon B. Johnson: Remarks in Franklin D. Roosevelt Square, Gainesville, Georgia, May 8th, 1964
- ^ "Southern Manifesto" (PDF). Congressional Record - Senate: 4459–4461.
- ^ "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957. -- House Vote #42 -- Jun 18, 1957". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "HR 8601. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1960. APPROVAL BY THE … -- House Vote #106 -- Apr 21, 1960". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A … -- House Vote #182 -- Jul 2, 1964". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "TO PASS H.R. 2516, A BILL TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES FOR … -- House Vote #113 -- Aug 16, 1967". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF … -- House Vote #193 -- Aug 27, 1962". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "TO AGREE TO CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1564, THE VOTING … -- House Vote #107 -- Aug 3, 1965". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
References
edit- United States Congress. "Phillip M. Landrum (id: L000054)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- New York Times obituary
- OurCampaigns.com
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress