G. Alvin Massenburg | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 48thSpeaker of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office January 6, 1947 – January 11, 1950 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas B. Stanley |
| Succeeded by | E. Blackburn Moore |
| Member of theVirginia House of Delegates forElizabeth City andHampton | |
| In office January 13, 1926 – January 11, 1950 | |
| Preceded by | Harry R. Houston |
| Succeeded by | Victor P. Wilson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Alvin Massenburg ( 1894 -09-19)September 19, 1894 Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | November 25, 1968(1968-11-25) (aged 74) Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Carrie Wood |
| Occupation | Maritime pilot |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | U.S. Coast Guard Reserve |
George Alvin Massenburg (September 19, 1894 – November 25, 1968) was anAmerican politician. ADemocrat, he served in theVirginia House of Delegates from 1926 to 1950 and served as itsSpeaker from 1947 to 1950.[1]
Massenburg was born inHampton, Virginia, to Virginius and Virginia Massenburg. He left high school after two years for anelectricalengineering apprenticeship. He became amaritime pilot in the area ofHampton Roads and the mouth of theChesapeake Bay, eventually becoming president of the Virginia Pilot Association. He held a commission in theUnited States Coast Guard Reserve, rising to the rank of captain during theWorld War II era.[1]
He married Carrie Wood of Hampton October 19, 1918.[1]
Massenburg first entered the Virginia House of Delegates in 1926. In January of the same year he introduced a bill that required any public area to be segregated by race.[2] Passing the house 63-3 then the senate 30-5 this would become one of the strongest segregation legislation in the country.[3][4] He became Democratic floor leader from 1936, succeedingAshton Dovell when he became speaker, and served until becoming speaker himself. By 1940 he had become chair of the Privileges and Elections committee. He succeededThomas B. Stanley as Speaker in 1947, after Stanley's election to theUnited States House of Representatives. He retired from the House in 1950.[1][5]
From 1948–52 Massenburg was chair of theState Democratic Committee. He was a delegate to the1948 and1952 Democratic National Conventions. In 1956, he was an unsuccessful candidate forpresidential elector in support ofAdlai Stevenson andEstes Kefauver.[1][6]
Massenburg died in Hampton November 25, 1968. He was interred in the cemetery ofSt. John's Episcopal Church in Hampton.[1]
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