James O. Eastland

A Senator from Mississippi. Born in Doddsville, Sunflower County, Miss. , November 28, 1904. Moved with his parents to Forest, Miss. , in 1905. Attended the public schools, the University of Mississippi at Oxford, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. , and the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Studied law. Admitted to the bar in 1927 and commenced practice in Forest, Miss. Also engaged in agricultural pursuits. Member, State house of representatives 1928-1932. Moved to Ruleville, Miss. , in 1934. Appointed on June 30, 1941, as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Pat Harrison and served from June 30, 1941, to September 28, 1941. Was not a candidate for election to the vacancy. Elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1942. Reelected in 1948, 1954, 1960, 1966, and again in 1972, and served from January 3, 1943, until his resignation December 27, 1978. Was not a candidate for reelection in 1978. Served as President pro tempore of the Senate during the Ninety-second through the Ninety-fifth Congresses. Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary (Eighty-fourth through Ninety-fifth Congresses). Was a resident of Doddsville, Miss. , until his death on February 19, 1986. Interment in Forest Cemetery, Forest, Miss.