The ability of Johnson and Dirksen to cooperate for the betterment of the nation in the 1960s is a model that should be utilized in the present.īarry Goldwater of Arizona (1909-1998), the epitome of American conservatism after the death of Senator Robert Taft of Ohio in 1953, served in the US Senate from 1953-1965 and again, after his overwhelming defeat for the Presidency in 1964 to Lyndon B. Johnson on the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, while retaining his strong conservative viewpoints. He is remembered for his talented and dramatic oratory, and for working with President Lyndon B. She became a true model for future women Senators, and would be seen as a moderate centrist in her views and votes.Įverett McKinley Dirksen of Illinois (1896-1969) served in the Senate from 1951-1969, and was Senate Minority Leader from 1959-1969, after having earlier served in the US House of Representatives. She stands out as a lady of principle, who defied Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy during the infamous Red Scare, with her “Declaration of Conscience” speech in the Senate chamber in 1950, challenging him openly for his lies and deceptions. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine (1897-1995) was the first woman to serve in the Senate for a long time (1949-1973), first running to replace her husband in the House of Representatives, but then serving 24 years in the upper chamber. With all of the men and women who have served in the US Senate who were members of the Republican Party, this author believes the following fifteen stand out as giant figures in the history of the upper body.īy date of first service, these US Senators who honored their party and the chamber they served in so well would be as follows: As the nation commemorates and honors Senator John McCain after his passing on August 25, 2018, giving him the kind of attention and reverence often only given to former Presidents of the United States, this is a good time to reflect on the Republican Party and the US Senate since 1950.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |