James H. Morrison | |
|---|---|
 Jimmy Morrison in 1939 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's6th 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 (1908-12-08)December 8, 1908 Hammond, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 20, 2000(2000-07-20) (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 aDemocratic member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromLouisiana from 1943 to 1967.[1]
James H. Morrison was born inHammond, Louisiana on December 8, 1908. He attended the public schools[2] and graduated from theTulane University School of Law inNew 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 forgovernor in1939 and again in1944.[5]
In 1942, he ran as aDemocrat for a seat in theU.S. House, seeking to representLouisiana's 6th congressional district. He won election and would serve inCongress 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 both1956 and1960.[11]
In 1956, Morrison was a signatory of theSouthern Manifesto. He voted against the Civil Rights Acts of1957,1960, and1964.[12][13][14] However in 1965, he voted for theVoting Rights Act, which many believe cost him his seat.[15]
In 1966, he was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Louisiana judgeJohn R. Rarick.[16]
After leaving Congress, he returned to Hammond to take up his law practice.[17] He became a prolific fundraiser and supporter ofSoutheastern Louisiana University, to which he had also steered federal contracts during his time in office.[18][19]
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]
Congressional Quarterly's Guide to Elections, Gubernatorial primary elections, 1940, 1944, 1948; Congressional general elections, 1960 and 1964
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's 6th congressional district 1943–1967 | Succeeded by |
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