| William Jackson Edwards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| U.S. Representative from Alabama's 1st Congressional District From: January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1985 | |||
| Predecessor | Frank W. Boykin | ||
| Successor | Sonny Callahan | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Republican | ||
| Spouse(s) | Jolane Edwards | ||
| Religion | Presbyterian | ||
| Military Service | |||
| Allegiance | United States | ||
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps | ||
| Service Years | 1946–1948 1950–1951 | ||
| Rank | Sergeant | ||
| Battles/wars | Korean War | ||
William Jackson “Jack” Edwards (September 20, 1928 – September 27, 2019) was a Republican from Alabama elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1964,[1][2] coinciding with the presidential race where Barry Goldwater lost to Democrat incumbent Lyndon Johnson. He served for two decades in Congress, retiring in 1984.
Edwards died in late September 2019 at the age of ninety-one from pancreatic cancer complications.[3][4] Gov. Kay Ivey ordered state capitol flags to be lowered to half-staff in his honor.[5]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elected in 1964, Edwards was re-elected nine times before deciding to retire.[6]
Edwards had a mixed record on civil rights. He voted against the Voting Rights Act of 1965[7] and the Civil Rights Act of 1968,[8] though supported the Jury Selection and Service Act of 1968[9] and worked on the local level to register blacks to vote after the passage of the 1965 legislation.[10] His votes were likely attributed to his viewpoints on states' rights,[11] as there's little to no evidence that suggests he was a racist.[4]
Edwards was mostly a conservative who supported a smaller government and increased national defense.[4] Five of his sponsored bills were enacted during his congressional tenure.[12]
See also
- John H. Buchanan, Jr., also a "Goldwater Republican" elected in 1964
References
- ↑ AL District 1. Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ Goldwater Sweep In Alabama Carries 5 in House Contests. The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ Two references:
- Former Alabama congressman Jack Edwards dies at 91. Associated Press. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- Kirby, Brenden (September 27, 2019). Supporters celebrate legacy of former Congressman Jack Edwards, who helped erode ‘Solid South’. Fox 10 News. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- Cason, Mike (September 27, 2019). Longtime Alabama Congressman Jack Edwards dies. al.com. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Two references:
- Gizzi, John (September 29, 2019). Remembering Ex-Rep. Jack Edwards: Goldwater Republican, Gentleman of the House. Newsmax. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- Hillyer, Quin (September 27, 2019). Former Rep. Jack Edwards, defense policy stalwart, RIP. Washington Examiner. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ Gov. Ivey releases statement on the passing of former Congressman Jack Edwards. Fox 10 News. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ Edwards, William "Jack". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ TO PASS H.R. 6400, THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ TO PASS H.R. 2516, A BILL TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES FOR INTERFERENCE WITH CIVIL RIGHTS. INTERFERENCE WITH A PERSON ENGAGED IN ONE OF THE 8 ACTIVITIES PROTECTED UNDER THIS BILL MUST BE RACIALLY MOTIVATED TO INCUR THE BILL'S PENALTIES.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ 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 20, 2021.
- ↑ 1965 Voting Rights Act. history.house.gov. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ The Movement. history.house.gov. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ↑ Rep. William “Jack” Edwards. GovTrack.us. Retrieved April 27, 2021.