John C. Watts

John Clarence Watts (July 9, 1902 – September 24, 1971) was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.

John C. Watts
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 6th district
In office April 4, 1951 – September 24, 1971
Preceded by	Thomas R. Underwood
Succeeded by	William P. Curlin Jr.
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
In office 1947–1948
Personal details
Born	July 9, 1902 Nicholasville, Kentucky
Died	September 24, 1971 (aged 69) Lexington, Kentucky
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	University of Kentucky

Born in Nicholasville, Kentucky, Watts attended the public schools. He was graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1925 and from its law school in 1927. He was admitted to the bar in 1927 and commenced the practice of law in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Also operated a farm. Police judge of Nicholasville, Kentucky from 1929 to 1933. County attorney of Jessamine County, Kentucky from 1933 to 1945. He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1947 and 1948, serving as floor leader. He served as commissioner of motor transportation for State of Kentucky 1948-1951.

Watts was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-second Congress, by special election, April 4, 1951, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas R. Underwood. He was reelected to the ten succeeding Congresses and served from April 4, 1951, until his death from a stroke in Lexington, Kentucky on September 24, 1971.[1] He was interred in Maple Grove Cemetery, Nicholasville, Kentucky. Watts did not sign the 1956 Southern Manifesto, and voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1960 and 1968,[2][3] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965,[4][5] but voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964.[6][7]

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1950–99)

References

1. "Rep. John Walts, Kentucky, Dies". Lincoln Star. September 26, 1971.
2. "HR 8601. PASSAGE".
3. "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".
4. "S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF POLL TAX AS A REQUIREMENT FOR VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS". GovTrack.us.
5. "TO PASS H.R. 6400, THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT".
6. "H.R. 7152. PASSAGE".
7. "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.

• United States Congress. "John C. Watts (id: W000212)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• John C. Watts at Find a Grave

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.