born Sept. 8, 1900, Dudleyville, Ala., U.S.
died May 30, 1989, Washington, D.C.
U.S. politician.
He practiced law in Florida before being elected to the U.S. Senate (193751), where he supported legislation that created Social Security , a minimum wage , and medical assistance for the elderly. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (196389), he chaired the committee on aging and sponsored legislation abolishing mandatory retirement in federal agencies and raising the retirement age to 70 in the private sector (1968). In 1989 he was awarded the Medal of Freedom.