born Jan. 4, 1896, Pekin, Ill., U.S.
died Sept. 7, 1969, Washington, D.C.
U.S. politician.
After serving in World War I, he returned to Illinois to pursue business interests. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1932–48), where he voted against most New Deal measures and remained an isolationist until the U.S. entered World War II. He later served in the U.S. Senate (1950–69), becoming minority leader in 1959. He was noted for his oratorical style. Though a conservative, he helped secure passage of the Civil Rights Act , and the {{link=Voting Rights Act">Voting Rights Act .