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| − | '''Orval Eugene Faubus''' (1910-1994) was a [[Democrat]] who served as the governor of the U.S. state of [[Arkansas]] from 1955 to 1971, best known for his unsuccessful attempt in 1957 to halt the federally-authorized desegregation of Central High School in the capital city of [[Little Rock]]. Faubus thrust himself into direct conflict with [[U.S. President]] [[Dwight Eisenhower]], who federalized the National Guard to compel the admission of nine [[African American]] children into the school. | + | '''Orval Eugene Faubus''' (1910-1994) was a [[Democrat]] who served as the governor of the U.S. state of [[Arkansas]] from 1955 to 1971, best known for his unsuccessful attempt in 1957 to halt the federally-authorized desegregation of Central High School in the capital city of [[Little Rock]]. Faubus thrust himself into direct conflict with [[U.S. President]] [[Dwight Eisenhower]], who federalized the [[National Guard]] to counter local resistance to the admission of nine [[African American]] children into the school. |
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| | Faubus was born in rural Combs near Huntsville in Madison County. His father, Sam, an admirer of the [[Socialism|Socialist Party]] standard bearer [[Eugene Debs]], gave Orval the middle name of "Eugene" from the railroad union president and Socialist presidential candidate Eugene Victor Debs. Faubus served in the [[United States Army]] during [[World War II]] and thereafter was a spokesman for veterans' causes. | | Faubus was born in rural Combs near Huntsville in Madison County. His father, Sam, an admirer of the [[Socialism|Socialist Party]] standard bearer [[Eugene Debs]], gave Orval the middle name of "Eugene" from the railroad union president and Socialist presidential candidate Eugene Victor Debs. Faubus served in the [[United States Army]] during [[World War II]] and thereafter was a spokesman for veterans' causes. |
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| | Faubus sought comeback attempts in 1970, 1974, and 1986, but each time he lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary elections to [[Dale L. Bumpers]], David Hampton Pryor, and [[Bill Clinton]], respectively. | | Faubus sought comeback attempts in 1970, 1974, and 1986, but each time he lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary elections to [[Dale L. Bumpers]], David Hampton Pryor, and [[Bill Clinton]], respectively. |
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| − | In 1981-1982, Faubus served as the state's veterans affairs director under Republican Governor [[Frank D. White]], who served between the first two terms of Bill Clinton. Democrats and some liberal Republicans strongly criticized White for naming Faubus to the position. | + | In 1981-1982, Faubus served as the state's veterans affairs director under Republican Governor [[Frank D. White]], who served between the first two terms of Bill Clinton. Democrats and some [[liberal]] Republicans strongly criticized White for naming Faubus to the position. |
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| | Faubus and his first wife, the former Alta Haskins, from whom he was divorced after leaving the governorship, had one son, Farrell Faubus (1939-1976), who died in [[Washington]] State under unusual circumstances. His second wife, the former Elizabeth Westmoreland, was murdered in 1983 in [[Houston]], [[Texas]]. His third wife, the former Jan Wittenburg, survived him. | | Faubus and his first wife, the former Alta Haskins, from whom he was divorced after leaving the governorship, had one son, Farrell Faubus (1939-1976), who died in [[Washington]] State under unusual circumstances. His second wife, the former Elizabeth Westmoreland, was murdered in 1983 in [[Houston]], [[Texas]]. His third wife, the former Jan Wittenburg, survived him. |
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| | In the late 1970s, Faubus penned his "scrapbook" memoirs under the title ''Down from the Hills'', a reference to the highland area of northwestern Arkansas where he was born and reared. Faubus is interred at the Combs Cemetery. | | In the late 1970s, Faubus penned his "scrapbook" memoirs under the title ''Down from the Hills'', a reference to the highland area of northwestern Arkansas where he was born and reared. Faubus is interred at the Combs Cemetery. |
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| | + | Faubus was a target for critics from the [[Civil Rights]] movement. The [[jazz]] bassist and composer [[Charles Mingus]] wrote "Fables of Faubus" in response to Faubus's support of [[segregation]]: {{cquote|Why is he so sick and ridiculous? He won't permit integrated schools. Then he's a fool!}} |
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