PROFILPELAJAR.COM

James H. Morrison
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

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]

Early life and career

James 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

In 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

In 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

In 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

James 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

^ "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

Congressional Quarterly's Guide to Elections", Gubernatorial primary elections, 1940, 1944, 1948; Congressional general elections, 1960 and 1964

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Jared Y. Sanders Jr.	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th congressional district 1943–1967	Succeeded by John Rarick