Thomas Dale Alford

Democrat Representative of Arkansas's 5th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1916 (84 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 2000

Death

Served as a U.S. Representative from 1959 to 1963.
Elected as a write-in candidate during a contentious election following the Little Rock Crisis.
Defeated an incumbent representative who supported school integration.
Achieved a significant victory in his second term election, receiving over 82% of the vote.
Ran for governor of Arkansas twice, finishing third in 1962 and fourth in 1966.
Had a medical career as an ophthalmologist and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II.
Worked as an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine after the war.
His political career was marked by a commitment to conservative Democratic values, particularly regarding education and integration.
Passed away in 2000, just days before his 84th birthday.