Chester E. Holifield | |
|---|---|
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's19th district | |
| In office January 3, 1943 – December 31, 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Harry R. Sheppard |
| Succeeded by | Robert J. Lagomarsino |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Chester Earl Holifield (1903-12-03)December 3, 1903 Mayfield, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | February 6, 1995(1995-02-06) (aged 91) Redlands, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park, Redlands |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Vernice Caneer (marriage 1922–1991)[1] |
Chester Earl Holifield (December 3, 1903 – February 6, 1995) was a 20th-century American businessman and politician, aUnited States representative fromCalifornia's 19th congressional district. Holifield became known as "Mr. Atomic Energy" for his legislation promoting the development of nuclear power.[2]
He was born inMayfield, Kentucky. He moved with his family toSpringdale, Arkansas in 1912. After attending public schools, he moved toMontebello, California in 1920. There he worked in the manufacture and selling of men's apparel from 1920 to 1943.
Becoming active in Democratic Party politics, Holifield was chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Central committee of the 51st District from 1934 to 1938. He was chair of the California State Central committee of the12th congressional district from 1938 to 1940. He was also a delegate to eachDemocratic National Convention from 1940 to 1964.
In 1942 Holifield was elected as aDemocrat representing the 19th congressional district in California.[3] He was one of the few congressmen in California who objected to theinternment of Japanese Americans during World War II.[1]
Holifield was subsequently re-elected to the fifteen succeeding Congresses.
While in Congress he was chair of theU.S. House Committee on Government Operations (91st through 93rd Congresses) and theJoint Committee on Atomic Energy (87th, 89th, and 91st Congresses). He was a member of the President's Special Evaluation Commission onAtomic Bomb Tests atBikini Atoll, 1946.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, as a member of the House Military Operations Subcommittee, he was a strong advocate offallout shelters and said that the United States should "build a nationwide system of underground shelters".[4] Holifield was also a congressional adviser to international conferences on uses ofatomic energy,nuclear weapons testing, water desalinization, anddisarmament.
Alvin M. Weinberg, who advocatedinherent safety in reactor design, recounted an incident from 1972, where Holifield said: "if you are concerned about thesafety of reactors, then I think it may be time for you to leave nuclear energy."[5]
He served from January 3, 1943, until his resignation on December 31, 1974. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1974 to the 94th Congress.
After leaving Congress, Holifield resumed the manufacture and selling of men's apparel.
In 1922,[6] Holifield married Vernice Caneer with whom he would have four daughters.[3][7] Following his retirement from politics, he lived in a beach house inBalboa, California.[8] Vernice Holifield died in 1991.[1] He died of pneumonia on February 6, 1995, inRedlands, California.[8]
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's 19th congressional district January 3, 1943 – December 31, 1974 | Succeeded by |
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