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Edwin E. Willis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edwin Edward Willis
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Louisiana's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1969
Preceded byJames R. Domengeaux
Succeeded byPatrick T. Caffery
Member of the Louisiana State Senate
from Lafayette Parish
In office
1948–1948
Preceded byTwo-member district:

Edward P. Burguieres

Cornelius P. Voorhies
Succeeded byBernard Trappey
Personal details
Born(1904-10-02)October 2, 1904
Arnaudville, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedOctober 24, 1972(1972-10-24) (aged 68)
St. Martinville, Louisiana, U.S.
Resting placeSt. Michael's Cemetery in St. Martinville, Louisiana
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEstelle Bulliard Willis
Children1
Alma materSt. Martinville High School
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
OccupationAttorney; Planter

Edwin Edward Willis (October 2, 1904 – October 24, 1972) was an American politician and attorney from the U.S. state of Louisiana who was affiliated with the Long political faction.[1] A Democrat, he served in the Louisiana State Senate during 1948 and in the United States House of Representatives from 1949 to 1969.[2]

Biography

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Willis was born in 1904 in Arnaudville, Louisiana, Louisiana of Joseph Olinder Willis and Julia Marie Hardy.[3][4][5][2]

Willis received his law degree from Loyola University in 1926 and was admitted to the bar that same year.[6]

House of Representatives

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House Un-American Activities Committee

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Willis served on the U.S. House of Representatives' Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) from 1957 to 1968, becoming chair of the committee in 1963 following the death of Francis E. Walter.[7]

KKK Inquiries

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In 1965 and 1966, Willis lead an inquiries into the Ku Klux Klan as chair of HUAC.[4][8] These investigations led to seven Klan leaders, including Robert Shelton being cited for Contempt of Congress. Shelton was found guilty and sentenced to one year in prison, plus a $1,000 fine. Three other Klan leaders, Robert Scoggin, Bob Jones, and Calvin Craig, pleaded guilty.[9] Scoggin and Jones were each sentenced to one year in prison, while Craig was fined $1,000. The charges against the others were later dropped.[7]

Leaving Office

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In 1966 Willis suffered a series of stokes, which contributed to his defeat by his successor Patrick Caffery in the 1968 Democratic primary.[5] Willis left office in 1969.

References

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  1. ^ "Congressman Edwin Willis, 1957-1968: HUAC, Civil Rights, and the Ku Klux Klan - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
  2. ^ a b "WILLIS, Edwin Edward | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". history.house.gov. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
  3. ^ "Edwin Edward Willis". FamilySearch.
  4. ^ a b "EDWIN WILLIS, 68, EX CONGRESSMAN". The New York Times. The New York Times. 25 October 1972. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Willis, Edwin E. (1904-1972). Papers, 1949-1969". archives.louisiana.edu. Retrieved 2025-04-30.
  6. ^ "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Congressman Edwin Willis, 1957-1968: HUAC, Civil Rights, and the Ku Klux Klan - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
  8. ^ Stephens, David Chase. "Congressman Edwin Willis, 1957-1968: HUAC, Civil Rights, and the Ku Klux Klan - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. University of Louisiana at Lafayette ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  9. ^ "Article clipped from Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. 1966-11-19. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Louisiana's 3rd congressional district
1949–1969 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Two-member district:
Edward P. Burguieres
Cornelius P. Voorhies
 Louisiana State Senator from Lafayette Parish
1948–1948 		Succeeded by
Bernard Trappey
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