Overton Brooks

Democrat Representative of Louisiana's 4th district

  • Representative

    Louisiana, district 4

    January 3, 1961 - January 3, 1963

13

Congresses Served

13

House Terms

December 21, 1897 (63 years old)

Birthday

September 16, 1961

Death

  • Served as a U.S. Representative for 25 years, from 1937 until his death in 1961.
  • Chaired the House Science and Astronautics Committee at the time of his death.
  • Was a veteran of World War I, serving in the U.S. Army.
  • Graduated from Louisiana State University Law Center and practiced law in Shreveport.
  • Married Mary Fontaine “Mollie” Meriwether in 1932 and had one daughter.
  • Elected twelve times to Congress, indicating strong electoral support.
  • Signed the Southern Manifesto in 1956, opposing desegregation efforts.
  • Advocated for national defense, rural electrification, and fair pricing for agricultural products.
  • Proposed a civilian space program, influencing the direction of U.S. space policy.
  • The Veterans Administration Hospital in Shreveport is named in his honor.
  • Involved in various fraternal and veterans organizations, including the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion.
  • Died of a heart attack at Bethesda Naval Hospital.