58th Governor of Mississippi. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the Governor of Mississippi from 1980 until 1984. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi, prior to his service as an infantry man with the United States Army during World War II. He was reactivated to serve during the Korean War and rose to the rank of major. Following his return home, he resumed his studies at the University of Mississippi and attained his law degree in 1949. He practiced law while serving in the Mississippi State House of Representatives and went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor (1971 to 1976) under Governor Bill Waller. He succeeded Cliff Finch as Governor of Mississippi and during his tenure, he took a Progressive approach to policy making and was a proponent of a sound education system and spearheaded the Mississippi State Education Reform Act of 1982 which provided statewide public kindergarten. In addition, throughout his career he was a strong supporter for Civil Rights and racial equality. He was succeeded by William Allain as Mississippi Governor and had an unsuccessful bid for a U.S. Senate seat from Mississippi. He resumed practicing law.
58th Governor of Mississippi. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the Governor of Mississippi from 1980 until 1984. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi, prior to his service as an infantry man with the United States Army during World War II. He was reactivated to serve during the Korean War and rose to the rank of major. Following his return home, he resumed his studies at the University of Mississippi and attained his law degree in 1949. He practiced law while serving in the Mississippi State House of Representatives and went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor (1971 to 1976) under Governor Bill Waller. He succeeded Cliff Finch as Governor of Mississippi and during his tenure, he took a Progressive approach to policy making and was a proponent of a sound education system and spearheaded the Mississippi State Education Reform Act of 1982 which provided statewide public kindergarten. In addition, throughout his career he was a strong supporter for Civil Rights and racial equality. He was succeeded by William Allain as Mississippi Governor and had an unsuccessful bid for a U.S. Senate seat from Mississippi. He resumed practicing law.
Bio by: C.S.
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