Martin Dies, Jr.

Martin Dies, Jr. (November 5, 1900 - November 14, 1972) was a Texas politician and a member of the Democratic Party.

Related Topics:
November 5 - 1900 - November 14 - 1972 - Texas - Democratic Party

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Dies was born in Colorado City, Texas. Dies was elected to Texas's 2nd District in the House of Representatives in 1930. Originally, Dies supported the New Deal, but he turned against it by 1937. Dies along with Samuel Dickstein created the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and Dies was its first chairman, serving from 1937 to 1944. He has been critized for his failue to have the Committee properly investigate the Ku Klux Klan. At the time, the Klan was especially strong in Dies' District and he had spoken at several of its rallies.

Related Topics:
Colorado City, Texas - 2nd District - House of Representatives - 1930 - New Deal - 1937 - Samuel Dickstein - House Un-American Activities Committee - Ku Klux Klan

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Dies was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate in 1941. Dies was a critic of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, having found 280 salaried CIO organizers within its ranks funded by the Soviet backed CPUSA. Dies retired from the House in 1944 after the CIO began a voter registration drive in his district and found a candidate to oppose him. Dies supported the Texas Regulars in the 1944 presidential election.

Related Topics:
United States Senate - 1941 - Congress of Industrial Organizations - CPUSA - 1944 - Texas Regulars - 1944 presidential election

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Dies returned to the House in 1952 in an at-large district. Dies ran for the Senate again in 1957, finishing second to Ralph Yarborough. Dies retired again from the House in 1958.

Related Topics:
1952 - 1957 - Ralph Yarborough - 1958

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