Clair Engle

Clair Engle (September 21, 1911–July 30, 1964) was an American politician.

Related Topics:
September 21 - 1911 - July 30 - 1964 - American

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Born in Bakersfield, California, he attended public school and graduated from Chico State College in 1930 and from the University of California Hastings College of Law in 1933.

Related Topics:
Bakersfield, California - Public school - Chico State College - 1930 - University of California Hastings College of Law - 1933

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He was admitted to the bar in 1933 and commenced practice in Corning, California, and served as district attorney of Tehama County, California from 1934 until 1942, when he was elected to the California Senate, serving in that body in 1943.

Related Topics:
Bar - Corning, California - District attorney - Tehama County, California - 1934 - 1942 - California Senate - 1943

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He was elected on August 31, 1943, as a Democrat to the 78th Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Harry L. Englebright and was reelected to the following six Congresses, serving, in toto, from 1943 until 1959. While in the United States House of Representatives he was chairman of the U.S. House Committee on War Claims for the 79th Congress and chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs for the 84th and 85th Congresses.

Related Topics:
August 31 - 1943 - Democrat - 78th Congress - Harry L. Englebright - 1959 - United States House of Representatives - U.S. House Committee on War Claims - 79th Congress - U.S. House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs - 84th - 85th Congress

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He was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1958 and began serving in 1959.

Related Topics:
United States Senate - 1958 - 1959

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On June 10, 1964, during the roll call for the historic, successful effort to break the filibuster on what would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when the clerk reached "Mr. Engle," there was no reply. A brain tumor had robbed Senator Engle of his ability to speak. Slowly lifting a crippled arm, he pointed to his eye, thereby signaling his affirmative vote ("aye"). Few who witnessed Engle's brave act forgot it. Nine days later the Senate approved the act itself—producing one of America's towering 20th century legislative achievements.

Related Topics:
June 10 - Filibuster - Civil Rights Act of 1964 - Brain tumor - 20th century

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Engle died in Washington, D.C. a month and a half later.

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