Alton Asa Lennon (August 17, 1906 – December 28, 1986) was an American Democratic politician who represented North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He first served as an interim appointment to the Senate from 1953 to 1954, unsuccessfully sought re-election, and later represented the Cape Fear region in the House from 1957 to 1973. Lennon is one of very few former senators in modern times to serve in the House after leaving the Senate.[a]
Lennon was born in Wilmington, North Carolina August 17, 1906. He was the son of Rosser Yates Lennon and Minnie (High) Lennon. He attended the public schools, and graduated from Wake Forest College in 1929. He was admitted to the bar in 1929 and began practice in Wilmington. He married Karine Welch on October 12, 1933.
Political careeredit
Lennon served as the judge of New Hanover County Recorder's Court from 1934 to 1942. He was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 1947, and served until 1951. Lennon was appointed on July 10, 1953, as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Willis Smith and served from July 10, 1953, to November 28, 1954. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination in 1954 to fill the vacancy. He resumed law practice, then was elected as a Democrat to the 85th Congress, and was reelected to the seven succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1973).[1]
He declined to seek reelection in 1972. Although he was a Democrat, Lennon campaigned for the re-election of Senator Jesse Helms, the conservative Republican, in 1978.
Personal life and legacyedit
He was a resident of Wilmington, N.C., until his death there December 28, 1986.
alton, lennon, alton, lennon, august, 1906, december, 1986, american, democratic, politician, represented, north, carolina, house, representatives, senate, first, served, interim, appointment, senate, from, 1953, 1954, unsuccessfully, sought, election, later, . Alton Asa Lennon August 17 1906 December 28 1986 was an American Democratic politician who represented North Carolina in the U S House of Representatives and Senate He first served as an interim appointment to the Senate from 1953 to 1954 unsuccessfully sought re election and later represented the Cape Fear region in the House from 1957 to 1973 Lennon is one of very few former senators in modern times to serve in the House after leaving the Senate a Alton Asa LennonMember of the U S House of Representatives from North Carolina s 7th districtIn office January 3 1957 January 3 1973Preceded byFrank Ertel CarlyleSucceeded byCharlie RoseUnited States Senatorfrom North CarolinaIn office July 10 1953 November 28 1954Appointed byWilliam B UmsteadPreceded byWillis SmithSucceeded byWilliam Kerr ScottMember of the North Carolina Senate from the 9th districtIn office 1947 1951Preceded byRoy RowePersonal detailsBorn 1906 08 17 August 17 1906Wilmington North Carolina U S Died 1986 12 28 December 28 1986Wilmington North Carolina U S Political partyDemocraticSpouseKarine WelchProfessionPolitician Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Political career 3 Personal life and legacy 4 Notes 5 ReferencesEarly life and education editLennon was born in Wilmington North Carolina August 17 1906 He was the son of Rosser Yates Lennon and Minnie High Lennon He attended the public schools and graduated from Wake Forest College in 1929 He was admitted to the bar in 1929 and began practice in Wilmington He married Karine Welch on October 12 1933 Political career editLennon served as the judge of New Hanover County Recorder s Court from 1934 to 1942 He was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 1947 and served until 1951 Lennon was appointed on July 10 1953 as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Willis Smith and served from July 10 1953 to November 28 1954 He was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination in 1954 to fill the vacancy He resumed law practice then was elected as a Democrat to the 85th Congress and was reelected to the seven succeeding Congresses January 3 1957 January 3 1973 1 Lennon voted in Congress against civil rights and social legislation although about half of the constituents in his district were African Americans or Native Americans Lennon voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 2 1960 3 1964 4 and 1968 5 as well as the 24th Amendment to the U S Constitution 6 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 7 In 1966 he was the only Southerner to vote against citing seven Ku Klux Klan leaders for contempt of Congress He said I never heard it said that Klansmen were subversive or affiliated with any foreign government to overthrow the United States In 1966 Lennon urged that North Vietnamese ports be bombed and in 1967 he called for the Justice Department to prosecute Stokely Carmichael the black activist for making statements against the military draft 8 He declined to seek reelection in 1972 Although he was a Democrat Lennon campaigned for the re election of Senator Jesse Helms the conservative Republican in 1978 Personal life and legacy editHe was a resident of Wilmington N C until his death there December 28 1986 In 1976 the Federal Building and Courthouse at Wilmington was named in his honor Notes edit The others are James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr of New York Claude Pepper of Florida Hugh Mitchell of Washington Garrett Withers of Kentucky Magnus Johnson from Minnesota Matthew M Neely of West Virginia and Charles A Towne Only Wadsworth Pepper Neely and Johnson were ever elected to the Senate the rest like Lennon were interim appointments References edit LENNON Alton Asa 1906 1986 Retrieved 2018 05 14 HR 6127 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957 House Vote 42 Jun 18 1957 GovTrack us Retrieved 2024 01 12 HR 8601 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1960 APPROVAL BY THE House Vote 106 Apr 21 1960 GovTrack us Retrieved 2024 01 12 H R 7152 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 ADOPTION OF A House Vote 182 Jul 2 1964 GovTrack us Retrieved 2024 01 12 TO PASS H R 2516 A BILL TO ESTABLISH PENALTIES FOR House Vote 113 Aug 16 1967 GovTrack us Retrieved 2024 01 12 S J RES 29 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF House Vote 193 Aug 27 1962 GovTrack us Retrieved 2024 01 12 TO AGREE TO CONFERENCE REPORT ON S 1564 THE VOTING House Vote 107 Aug 3 1965 GovTrack us Retrieved 2024 01 12 Alton Asa Lennon Dies at 80 Was a Carolina Congressman The New York Times 30 December 1986 Retrieved 2018 05 14 U S Senate Preceded byWillis Smith U S senator Class 2 from North CarolinaJuly 10 1953 November 28 1954 Served alongside Clyde Roark Hoey Sam Ervin Succeeded byWilliam Kerr Scott U S House of Representatives Preceded byFrank Ertel Carlyle Member of the U S House of Representatives from North Carolina s 7th congressional district1957 1973 Succeeded byCharlie Rose Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alton Lennon amp oldid 1208968883, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
