George H. Mahon | |
|---|---|
 Mahon,c. 1965 | |
| 41st Dean of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office March 7, 1976 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Wright Patman |
| Succeeded by | Jamie Whitten |
| Chair of theHouse Appropriations Committee | |
| In office April 12, 1964 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Clarence Cannon |
| Succeeded by | Jamie Whitten |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromTexas's19th district | |
| In office January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1979 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Weldon Bailey Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Kent Hance |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1900-09-22)September 22, 1900 |
| Died | November 19, 1985(1985-11-19) (aged 85) San Angelo, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Hardin–Simmons University University of Texas School of Law |
| Occupation |
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George Herman Mahon (September 22, 1900 – November 19, 1985) was an American politician and attorney. ADemocrat, he served 22 consecutive terms as a member theUnited States House of Representatives fromTexas.
Born nearHaynesville, Louisiana, Mahon's family moved to Texas when he was a child. He graduated fromHardin–Simmons University inAbilene, Texas, in 1924, and from theUniversity of Texas School of Law inAustin in 1925. Mahon was electedcounty attorney forMitchell County, Texas, in 1926, and he served as district attorney of the 32nd judicial district of Texas from 1927 to 1933.
Mahon was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1934. He was a delegate to eachDemocratic National Convention from 1936 to 1964.
Mahon voted against theCivil Rights Acts of 1957,[1] theCivil Rights Acts of 1960,[2] theCivil Rights Acts of 1964,[3] and theCivil Rights Acts of 1968,[4] which were directed at enforcing constitutional rights for African Americans and other minorities. He also opposed ratification of the24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution[5] and passage of theVoting Rights Act of 1965,[6] which gave the federal government oversight and enforcement over state practices that discriminated against minority voters.
He was the chairman of theAppropriations committee from 1964 until his retirement from the House in 1979, as well as theDean of the House for his last three years. Mahon was also appointed on the panel for theManhattan Project.[citation needed]
After his years in the House, Mahon stayed in Washington to work with theSmithsonian Institution, for which he had served as a regent from 1964 to 1978.[citation needed]
Mahon died on November 19, 1985, inSan Angelo, Texas, due to complications from surgery. He is interred in the Loraine City Cemetery inLoraine, Texas.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Representative from the 19th Congressional District of Texas 1935–1979 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations 1964–1979 | Succeeded by |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by | Dean of the House 1976–1979 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
