Changes

====Anti-communism, opposition to both civil rights and KKK====

====Anti-communism, opposition to both civil rights and KKK====

Willis held the congressional seat for ten terms. Through his chairmanship of the House Un-American Activities Committee, he supported anti-communist [[Cold War]] laws, such as the [[McCarran-Walter Act|McCarran-Walter Internal Security Act]] of 1950.<ref name=dict>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-w/|title=Willis Edwin|publisher=Louisiana Historical Association "A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography''|accessdate=August 18, 2021}}</ref> Willis was in effect the last chairman of the HUAC, which was reconstituted as the U.S. House Committee on Internal Security in 1969. During the 1960s, Willis viewed both the [[civil rights movement]] and opposition to the [[Vietnam War]] as reflections of communist influences.<ref>[https://library.louisiana.edu/collections/collection-46 Willis, Edwin E. (1904-1972). Papers, 1949-1969]. ''University of Louisiana''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref> He signed the 1956 [[Southern Manifesto]] in opposition to [[Segregation|desegregation]]. He voted with all eight members at the time from Louisiana against the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]] and the [[Voting Rights Act]] of 1965. He also spoke out against the radicalism of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]<ref name=dict/> and led an investigation against the terrorist group which resulted in the conviction of a Klan leader.<ref>[https://history.house.gov/Collection/Detail/30729 Edwin Edward Willis]. ''Us House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref> The KKK in turn burned effigies of Willis throughout the South.<ref>October 25, 1972. [https://www.nytimes.com/1972/10/25/archives/edwin-willis-68-excongressmkn-louisianian-in-the-house-20-years-eed.html EDWIN WILLIS, 68, EX CONGRESSMAN]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref>

Willis held the congressional seat for ten terms. Through his chairmanship of the House Un-American Activities Committee, he supported anti-communist [[Cold War]] laws, such as the [[McCarran-Walter Act|McCarran-Walter Internal Security Act]] of 1950.<ref name=dict>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-w/|title=Willis Edwin|publisher=Louisiana Historical Association "A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography''|accessdate=August 18, 2021}}</ref> Willis was in effect the last chairman of the HUAC, which was reconstituted as the U.S. House Committee on Internal Security in 1969. During the 1960s, Willis viewed both the [[civil rights movement]] and opposition to the [[Vietnam War]] as reflections of communist influences.<ref>[https://library.louisiana.edu/collections/collection-46 Willis, Edwin E. (1904-1972). Papers, 1949-1969]. ''University of Louisiana''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref> He signed the 1956 [[Southern Manifesto]] in opposition to public school [[Segregation|desegregation]] ordered by the [[United States Supreme Court]] in ''[[Brown v. Board of Education]]''.<ref>[https://www.congress.gov/84/crecb/1956/03/12/GPO-CRECB-1956-pt4-3.pdf GPO-CRECB-1956-pt4-3.pdf]. ''Congressional Record''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref> He voted with all eight members at the time from Louisiana against the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]]<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/88-1964/h182 H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION (H. RES. 789) PROVIDING FOR HOUSE APPROVAL OF THE BILL AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref> and the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]].<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/89-1965/h87 TO PASS H.R. 6400, THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref> He also spoke out against the radicalism of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]<ref name=dict/> and led an investigation against the terrorist group which resulted in the conviction of a Klan leader.<ref>[https://history.house.gov/Collection/Detail/30729 Edwin Edward Willis]. ''Us House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref> The KKK in turn burned effigies of Willis throughout the South.<ref>October 25, 1972. [https://www.nytimes.com/1972/10/25/archives/edwin-willis-68-excongressmkn-louisianian-in-the-house-20-years-eed.html EDWIN WILLIS, 68, EX CONGRESSMAN]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 18, 2021.</ref>

In Congress, Willis sought to secure subsidies for [[sugar]] planters. He successfully sponsored legislation to obtain federal funds for the protective levee in the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish. With his colleagues, he fought for federal royalty payments to the State of Louisiana from tidelands [[petroleum]] revenues.<ref name=dict/>

In Congress, Willis sought to secure subsidies for [[sugar]] planters. He successfully sponsored legislation to obtain federal funds for the protective levee in the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish. With his colleagues, he fought for federal royalty payments to the State of Louisiana from tidelands [[petroleum]] revenues.<ref name=dict/>