Robert E. Jones Jr.
Jones in 1965
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama
In office
January 28, 1947 – January 3, 1977
Preceded byJohn J. Sparkman
Succeeded byRonnie Flippo
Constituency8th District (1947-1963)
At-large (1963-1965)
8th District (1965-1973)
5th District (1973-1977)
Personal details
Born
Robert Emmett Jones Jr.

(1912-06-12)June 12, 1912
Scottsboro, Alabama
DiedJune 4, 1997(1997-06-04) (aged 84)
Florence, Alabama
Political partyDemocratic

Robert "Bob" Emmett Jones Jr. (June 12, 1912 – June 4, 1997) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from the 8th district of Alabama. He was the last to represent that district before it was removed as a result of the 1970 United States Census. Presently there are seven U.S. House districts in Alabama.

Early life

Congressman Robert Jones and Wernher von Braun review a huge map illustrating the layout for a Research Institute at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. (1961)
Wernher von Braun's 50th Birthday Party was celebrated at the Officers Club at Redstone Arsenal on March 23, 1962. Dr. von Braun cuts his birthday cake while Congressman Bob Jones looks on.

Robert Emmett Jones Jr. was born on June 12, 1912, in Scottsboro, Alabama, in Jackson County. He attended public schools and the University of Alabama. He graduated from the University of Alabama law department on January 7, 1937, and was admitted to the bar the same year. His early years saw much legal work in Scottsboro. Jones was elected judge of Jackson County Court in July 1940 then reelected in absentia in May 1945 where he served until October 1946. Jones served in the United States Navy as a gunnery officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters from December 1943 until February 1946.[1]

Congressional career

Jones first entered the United States Congress by special election in 1947 when he was elected as a Democrat to the seat vacated by John Sparkman who had been elected to the U.S. Senate. In 1949, he actively supported the Housing Act of 1949, and played a key role in Section V of the bill which provided money for rural farm housing. He also supported the renewal of the act in 1961.[2] He advocated legislation that led to the Federal Highway Act of 1956, which helped create the modern interstate system. Having been a signatory to the 1956 Southern Manifesto[3] that opposed the desegregation of public schools ordered by the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education. Jones voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957,[4] 1960,[5] 1964,[6] and 1968[7] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution[8] and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.[9]

Jones was an advocate for the economic development of north Alabama, and supported military, NASA, and Tennessee Valley Authority projects in his district. Jones served as Chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee.[1] Jones served 14 consecutive terms until his retirement on January 3, 1977.[10] Jones was not a candidate for reelection in 1976. His papers are housed at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.[11]

Achievements

Among his legislative achievements was his principal sponsorship of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. He was also instrumental in passage of the 1965 Appalachian Regional Development Act.[10]

Honors and memorials

Bob Jones High School in Madison, Alabama, is named in his honor, as is the Bob Jones Bridge over the Tennessee River in his native Scottsboro.

After Congress

Jones died June 4, 1997, in Florence, Alabama.[1][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
  2. ^ Housing Act of 1961 Housing Act of 1961, p. 697.
  3. ^ "Southern Manifesto" (PDF). Congressional Record - Senate: 4459–4461.
  4. ^ "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957. -- House Vote #42 -- Jun 18, 1957". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  5. ^ "HR 8601. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1960. APPROVAL BY THE … -- House Vote #106 -- Apr 21, 1960". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  6. ^ "H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A … -- House Vote #182 -- Jul 2, 1964". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  7. ^ "TO PASS H.R. 2516, A BILL TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES FOR … -- House Vote #113 -- Aug 16, 1967". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  8. ^ "S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF … -- House Vote #193 -- Aug 27, 1962". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  9. ^ "TO AGREE TO CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1564, THE VOTING … -- House Vote #107 -- Aug 3, 1965". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  10. ^ a b Baker, Michael E., Robert E. Jones Jr. at "Robert e Jones, Jr". Archived from the original on 2007-11-02. Retrieved 2007-10-23. As of April 7, 2007
  11. ^ Guide to the Robert "Bob Jones Collection Robert E. Jones, Jr Finding Aid
  12. ^ "Robert Jones, 84, Ex-Alabama Congressman". The New York Times. 1997-06-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-31.

External links

U.S. House of Representatives Preceded byJohn Sparkman Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 8th congressional district 1947–1963 Succeeded byDistrict eliminated Preceded byDistrict inactive Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's at-large congressional district 1963–1965 all representatives elected at-large on a general ticket Succeeded byDistrict inactive Preceded byDistrict inactive Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 8th congressional district 1965–1973 Succeeded byDistrict inactive Preceded byWalter Flowers Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 5th congressional district 1973–1977 Succeeded byRonnie Flippo Political offices Preceded byJohn BlatnikMinnesota Chairman of House Transportation Committee 1975–1977 Succeeded byJames J. HowardNew Jersey
Chairs of the United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Alabama's delegation(s) to the 80th–94th United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)
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