# James H. Morrison

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American politician (1908–2000)

James H. Morrison Jimmy Morrison in 1939 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th district In office January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1967 Preceded by Jared Y. Sanders Jr. Succeeded by John Rarick Personal details Born James Hobson Morrison (1908-12-08)December 8, 1908 Hammond, Louisiana, U.S. Died July 20, 2000(2000-07-20) (aged 91) Hammond, Louisiana, U.S. Resting place Episcopal Church Cemetery in Hammond, Louisiana Party Democratic Spouse Marjorie Abbey Morrison (married 1940–2000, his death) Children James Hobson Morrison, Jr. Benjamin Abbey Morrison Alma mater Tulane University School of Law Occupation Attorney

**James Hobson Morrison** (December 8, 1908 – July 20, 2000) was an American lawyer and politician who served twelve terms as a [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) member of the [United States House of Representatives](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives) from [Louisiana](/source/Louisiana) from 1943 to 1967.[1]

## Early life and career

James H. Morrison was born in [Hammond, Louisiana](/source/Hammond%2C_Louisiana) on December 8, 1908. He attended the public schools[2] and graduated from the [Tulane University](/source/Tulane_University) School of Law in [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans%2C_Louisiana) in 1934.[3] He passed the bar and began a private legal practice in Hammond. He supported better treatment for strawberry pickers and founded a labor newspaper.[4]

### Gubernatorial campaigns

He ran unsuccessfully for [governor](/source/Governor_of_Louisiana) in [1939](/source/1939_Louisiana_gubernatorial_election) and again in [1944](/source/1944_Louisiana_gubernatorial_election).[5]

## Tenure in Congress

In 1942, he ran as a [Democrat](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) for a seat in the [U.S. House](/source/United_States_House_of_Representatives), seeking to represent [Louisiana's 6th congressional district](/source/Louisiana's_6th_congressional_district). He won election and would serve in [Congress](/source/United_States_Congress) for the next 24 years.[6][7]

He was initially assigned to serve on five committees, but after only a few days he stepped down from those committees because they dealt with issues less directly impactful to his district than the agricultural concerns he sought to represent.[8] He quickly gained a reputation as a populist and supporter of federal highway funding in his district.[9][10]

He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in both [1956](/source/1956_Democratic_National_Convention) and [1960](/source/1960_Democratic_National_Convention).[11]

Based on certain criteria, Morrison developed a mostly liberal voting record during the course of his congressional career.[12]

### Civil rights

In 1956, Morrison was a signatory of the [Southern Manifesto](/source/Southern_Manifesto). He voted against the Civil Rights Acts of [1957](/source/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1957), [1960](/source/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1960), and [1964](/source/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964).[13][14][15] However, in 1965, he voted for the [Voting Rights Act](/source/Voting_Rights_Act_of_1965), which many believe cost him his seat.[16]

## Defeat and later career

In 1966, he was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Louisiana judge [John R. Rarick](/source/John_Rarick).[17]

After leaving Congress, he returned to Hammond to take up his law practice.[18] He became a prolific fundraiser and supporter of [Southeastern Louisiana University](/source/Southeastern_Louisiana_University), to which he had also steered federal contracts during his time in office.[19][20]

## Death

James Morrison died in Hammond on July 20, 2000, following a series of health problems, including two heart attacks and a stroke. His body is interred at Episcopal Church Cemetery in Hammond.

He was survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie Abbey Morrison and their two sons, James Jr. and Benjamin.[21][22]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Bioguide Search"](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000995).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Bioguide Search"](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000995).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Morrison obituary"](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/us/j-h-morrison-91-louisiana-congressman.html). *New York Times*. July 29, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/07/23/longtime-la-rep-james-morrison-dies/ab9853fc-6626-4261-bcd8-24b6672e8239/). *The Washington Post*. July 23, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Bioguide Search"](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000995).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Bioguide Search"](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000995).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/07/23/longtime-la-rep-james-morrison-dies/ab9853fc-6626-4261-bcd8-24b6672e8239/). *The Washington Post*. July 23, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Morrison obituary"](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/us/j-h-morrison-91-louisiana-congressman.html). *New York Times*. July 29, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Morrison obituary"](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/us/j-h-morrison-91-louisiana-congressman.html). *New York Times*. July 29, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/07/23/longtime-la-rep-james-morrison-dies/ab9853fc-6626-4261-bcd8-24b6672e8239/). *The Washington Post*. July 23, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Bioguide Search"](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000995). *Congressional Biographical Directory*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [RightDataUSA Ideology Data for James H. Morrison](https://www.rightdatausa.com/bio?id=morrija02)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957. -- House Vote #42 -- Jun 18, 1957"](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/85-1957/h42). *GovTrack.us*. Retrieved 2024-06-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["HR 8601. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1960. APPROVAL BY THE … -- House Vote #106 -- Apr 21, 1960"](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/86-1960/h106). *GovTrack.us*. Retrieved 2024-06-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A … -- House Vote #182 -- Jul 2, 1964"](https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/88-1964/h182). *GovTrack.us*. Retrieved 2024-06-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Longtime La. Rep. James Morrison Dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/07/23/longtime-la-rep-james-morrison-dies/ab9853fc-6626-4261-bcd8-24b6672e8239/). *Washington Post*. 2024-03-03. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0190-8286](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0190-8286). Retrieved 2024-06-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Morrison obituary"](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/us/j-h-morrison-91-louisiana-congressman.html). *New York Times*. July 29, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/07/23/longtime-la-rep-james-morrison-dies/ab9853fc-6626-4261-bcd8-24b6672e8239/). *The Washington Post*. July 23, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Morrison obituary"](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/us/j-h-morrison-91-louisiana-congressman.html). *New York Times*. July 29, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/07/23/longtime-la-rep-james-morrison-dies/ab9853fc-6626-4261-bcd8-24b6672e8239/). *The Washington Post*. July 23, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Morrison obituary"](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/us/j-h-morrison-91-louisiana-congressman.html). *New York Times*. July 29, 2000.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Longtime Louisiana Rep. James Morrison Dies"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/07/23/longtime-la-rep-james-morrison-dies/ab9853fc-6626-4261-bcd8-24b6672e8239/). *The Washington Post*. July 23, 2000.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [James H. Morrison](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:James_H._Morrison).

- [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000995](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000995)

- [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000667](http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000667)

- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070603034246/http://www.selu.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/morrison_lecture_ser/index.html](https://web.archive.org/web/20070603034246/http://www.selu.edu/acad_research/programs/csls/morrison_lecture_ser/index.html)

- [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/morrison.html](http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/morrison.html)

*Congressional Quarterly's Guide to Elections*, Gubernatorial primary elections, 1940, 1944, 1948; Congressional general elections, 1960 and 1964

- [United States Social Security Death Index](https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1202535)

- [http://www2.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/MorrisonLecture_Blossman.html](http://www2.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/MorrisonLecture_Blossman.html)

U.S. House of Representatives Preceded by Jared Y. Sanders Jr. Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 6th congressional district 1943–1967 Succeeded by John Rarick

v t e United States representatives from Louisiana 1st district E. Livingston White H. Johnson White Slidell La Sére St. Martin Dunbar Eustis Bouligny Sypher Lawrence Gibson Hunt St. Martin Wilkinson Meyer Estopinal O'Connor Fernández Hébert Tonry B. Livingston Vitter Jindal Scalise 2nd district Gurley Thomas Ripley Chinn Dawson la Branche Thibodeaux Conrad Bullard J. A. Landry Hunt Taylor Mann Sheldon Ellis Hahn Wallace Lagan Coleman Lagan Davey Buck Davey Gilmore Dupré Spearing Maloney H. Boggs Maloney H. Boggs L. Boggs Jefferson Cao Richmond Carter 3rd district Brent Overton Bullard Garland J. Moore Dawson Harmanson Penn Perkins Davidson Newsham Darrall Acklen Darrall Kellogg Gay Price Broussard Martin Montet Mouton Domengeaux Willis Caffery Treen Tauzin Melançon J. M. Landry Boustany Higgins 4th district Bossier Morse J. Moore Jones Sandidge Landrum Vidal Newsham McCleery Boarman Smith Levy Elam Blanchard Ogden Breazeale Watkins Sandlin Brooks Waggonner Leach Roemer McCrery Fields McCrery Fleming M. Johnson 5th district Blackburn Morey Spencer Leonard Young King Newton Boatner Baird Ransdell Elder Wilson Mills McKenzie Passman Huckaby McCrery Cooksey Alexander McAllister Abraham Letlow 6th district Nash E. Robertson Lewis Irion E. Robertson S. Robertson Favrot Wickliffe Morgan Sanders Sr. Favrot Kemp Sanders Jr. Griffith Sanders Jr. Morrison Rarick H. Moore Baker Cazayoux Cassidy Graves Fields 7th district Pujo Lazaro De Rouen Plauché Larcade Thompson Edwards Breaux Hayes John Boustany 8th district Aswell Overton Dear Allen G. S. "Doc" Long McSween G. W. Long S. Long G. W. Long C. Long Holloway At-large Robertson Butler Johnston Sheridan Territory Clark Poydras

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [James H. Morrison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H._Morrison) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H._Morrison?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.