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George W. Collins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois's6th district | |
| In office November 3, 1970 – December 8, 1972 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel J. Ronan |
| Succeeded by | Harold R. Collier (6th district)Cardiss Collins (7th district) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | George Washington Collins March 5, 1925 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 8, 1972(1972-12-08) (aged 47) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Education | Waller High School Northwestern University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
George Washington Collins (March 5, 1925 – December 8, 1972) was an Americanpolitician. Collins was aDemocratic member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIllinois. Collins served from November 1970 until he was killed in a plane crash on December 8, 1972, inChicago, Illinois at age 47.
Collins was born inChicago, grew up on the near-north side, and attended Waller High School (now known asLincoln Park High School).[1] After high school, Collins served with theArmy engineers in the South Pacific duringWorld War II. After the war, Collins held positions with theCook Countysheriff's department, theMunicipal Court system, and the Board of Health, and as administrative assistant to health commissioner prior to being sent to Congress. Collins studied business law atNorthwestern University before entering into politics. From 1964 to 1970, Collins served as a member of the Chicago city council, becoming an alderman in the 24th ward to replace the murderedBenjamin F. Lewis. Collins was then elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of U.S. Rep.Daniel J. Ronan and reelected to the succeeding Congress and served until his death.
Collins died on December 8, 1972, whenUnited Airlines Flight 553 crashed on approach toChicago Midway International Airport. Collins was a passenger on the flight. His wifeCardiss Collins was elected to his seat (which had been redistricted to the 7th district) shortly thereafter. Cardiss Collins was the firstAfrican Americanwoman to represent aMidwestern district in Congress, and served in the House of Representatives from 1973 until her retirement in 1997, a tenure of over 23 years. In April 1976, TheChicago Public Schools openedCollins Academy High School, a public neighborhood high school in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood in his honor.[2]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | U.S. Representative of Illinois's 6th Congressional District 1970–1972 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
