Last modified on September 30, 2021, at 00:05

Charles R. Jonas

Charles Raper Jonas, Sr.
Charles R. Jonas congressional picture.jpg
Former U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 9th Congressional District
From: January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1973
Predecessor James T. "Jim" Broyhill
Successor James G. "Jim" Martin
Former U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 8th Congressional District
From: January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1969
Predecessor Alvin P. Kitchin
Successor Earl B. Ruth
Former U.S. Representative from North Carolina's 10th Congressional District
From: January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1963
Predecessor Hamilton C. "Ham" Jones
Successor Basil Whitener
Information
Party Republican
Spouse(s) Annie Elliott Lee
Religion Methodist[1]
Military Service
Allegiance United States
Service/branch • North Carolina National Guard
• United States Army
Service Years 1927–1946
Rank • Captain
• Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars World War II

Charles Raper Jonas, Sr. (December 9, 1904 – September 28, 1988) was a conservative Republican from North Carolina who was the first member of his party in twenty-two years to be elected from the state into the U.S. House of Representatives since the departure of his father Charles A. Jonas along with George M. Pritchard from Congress in 1931. Serving in the House for two decades, he was known as "Mr. Republican."[2]

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1952, Jonas was elected to the U.S. House amidst the Eisenhower landslide in the concurrent presidential race that year, defeating incumbent Democrat Hamilton C. "Ham" Jones by over 20,000 votes.[3][4] He easily won re-election in 1954 and 1956, though returned to the House by a much narrower margin in the 1958 midterms.[5] Due to redistricting, the seat was renumbered twice during Jonas' tenure.

In June 1970, Jonas, along with several other congressman and senators, met with President Richard Nixon and textile industry leaders in the White House at the request of Strom Thurmond.[6] They discussed concerns over the raising of imports and the outcomes, and legislation during the time to establish quotas on textile importations was pending.

Conservatism

Jonas was early on a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where he was known for his fiscal conservatism and efforts to achieve a balanced budget.[3] He frequently introduced legislation requiring a reduction of the national debt by one percent every year, though such bills were consistently defeated. Jonas nonetheless earned a "Watchdog of the Treasury" title.[7]

During the 1964 presidential election, Jonas supported the nomination of strongly conservative Barry Goldwater to head the GOP ticket against President Lyndon B. Johnson.[8] However, following a Goldwater address in North Carolina during the spring that year, the state GOP convention failed to pass a resolution committing its delegates to the Arizona senator due to being outmaneuvered. Jonas in turn introduced a resolution which "endorsed" Goldwater; it passed by a voice vote.[8]

In October 1971, Jonas voted against the House passage of the liberal Equal Rights Amendment,[7] being one of only twenty-four U.S. representatives to do so.[9] Although the ERA received heavy bipartisan support from the D.C. establishment, it was ultimately defeated by a grassroots conservative movement activist Phyllis Schlafly led.

Civil rights

Jonas' civil rights record was mixed; he voted against major civil rights legislation from 1957 to 1968, though supported the 24th Amendment which outlawed poll taxes in all federal-level elections.[7] He did not sign the 1956 Southern Manifesto, which opposed the United States Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education ordering the swift desegregation of all U.S. public schools.[10]

Jonas voted for the 1968 Jury Selection and Service Act which eliminated racial discrimination in the selection of federal juries.[7][11]

His stances on civil rights-related was considered to have further moderated during the Nixon Administration,[7] which was notable for its accomplishment integrating Southern schools.[12] Jonas, however, also pushed for a "freedom of choice" amendment in 1970[13] to prohibit federal funds for any education plans which impede upon parents' rights to choose appropriate public schools for their children.[14]

Retirement

Jonas announced his retirement from the House in 1971, stating:[15]

“ The end of 20 years seems to be a good time to go. ”

Legacy

Jonas has the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building named after him.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Joice to Jonelle. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ Charles Raper Jonas. Prabook. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 October 1, 1988. CHARLES JONAS DIES. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  4. ↑ NC - District 10 Race - Nov 04, 1952. Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  5. ↑ Candidate - Charles Raper Jonas. Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  6. ↑ June 4, 1970. PRESIDENT TO MEET WITH TEXTILE MEN. Associated Press via The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Fascinating Politics (September 29, 2021). The Republican Families of Old North Carolina. Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 March 1, 1964. GOLDWATER LOSES DELEGATES’ TEST; North Carolina Rejects Vote Pledge but Backs Him. The New York Times. Archived version available here. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  9. ↑ TO PASS H.J. RES. 208.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  10. ↑ GPO-CRECB-1956-pt4-3.pdf. Congressional Record. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  11. ↑ TO PASS S. 989, A BILL TO PROVIDE IMPROVED JUDICIAL MACHINERY FOR THE SELECTION OF FEDERAL JURIES. THE BILL AUTHORIZES SELECTION OF JURORS AT RANDOM FROM VOTER LISTS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION IN THE SELECTION OF JURIES.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  12. ↑ Shultz, George P. (January 8, 2003). How a Republican Desegregated the South's Schools. The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  13. ↑ February 22, 1970. ‘Deep And Basic’ Reversal On Rights. The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  14. ↑ February 17, 1970. SCHOOL FUND VETO FOR NIXON BACKED IN HOUSE MEASURE. The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  15. ↑ October 6, 1971. Rep. Jonas to Retire. The New York Times. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  16. ↑ Charles R. Jonas Federal Building, Charlotte, NC. U.S. General Services Administration.

External links

  • Profile at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
  • Profile at Find a Grave[[Category:World War II]