William J. Randall

William Joseph Randall (July 16, 1909 – July 7, 2000) was a member of the United States House of Representatives. He was a member of the Democratic Party from Missouri.[1]

For the American football coach, see W. J. Randall.
William J. Randall
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 4th district
In office
March 3, 1959 – January 3, 1977
Preceded byGeorge H. Christopher
Succeeded byIke Skelton
Personal details
Born(1909-07-16)July 16, 1909
Independence, Missouri
DiedJuly 7, 2000(2000-07-07) (aged 90)
Independence, Missouri
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Missouri
Kansas City School of Law
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Ranksergeant
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life and early career

Randall was born in Independence, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri and later the Kansas City School of Law, from which he earned his Juris Doctor. Randall served as a private attorney for seven years until being drafted into the United States Army in 1943. He served in The Philippines during World War II, and he eventually reached the rank of sergeant.[2]

Political career

After returning home for the war, Randall was elected as a Jackson County, Missouri judge in 1946 and served until 1959. Following the death of Congressman George H. Christopher, Randall won election to the House. Randall voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1960 and 1964,[3][4] and the Voting Rights Act of 1965,[5] but voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1968.[6]

Randall was considered a close ally of Harry Truman. He served on the Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Government Operations. In 1975, he became the first chair of the House Select Committee on Aging. In 1977, Randall retired from the House to resume the practice of law.[7]

Death

He died on July 7, 2000.[8]

Sources
  • United States Congress. "William J. Randall (id: R000041)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • December 1949 photograph of Judge Randall

References
  1. "Truman Library - William J. Randall Oral History Interview, November 14, 1989". www.trumanlibrary.org. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  2. "RANDALL, William Joseph - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  3. "HR 8601. PASSAGE".
  4. "H.R. 7152. PASSAGE".
  5. "TO PASS H.R. 6400, THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT".
  6. "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".
  7. Randall, William J. "William J. Randall". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  8. "RANDALL, William Joseph - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
George H. Christopher		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 4th congressional district
1959–1977		 Succeeded by
Ike Skelton
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.