Clark W. Thompson (Texas politician)

For other uses, see Clark W. Thompson.

Clark W. Thompson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas
In office June 24, 1933 – January 3, 1935
Preceded by	Clay Stone Briggs
Succeeded by	Ned Patton
Constituency	7th district
In office August 23, 1947 – December 30, 1966
Preceded by	Joseph J. Mansfield
Succeeded by	Jack Brooks
Constituency	9th district
Personal details
Born	Clark Wallace Thompson (1896-08-06)August 6, 1896 La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
Died	December 16, 1981(1981-12-16) (aged 85) Galveston, Texas, US
Resting place	Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Libbie Moody
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1917–1946
Rank	Colonel
Commands	Division of Reserve

Clark Wallace Thompson (August 6, 1896 – December 16, 1981) was a United States Marine Corps veteran of World War I and World War II, who served 11 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in the mid-20th century.

Early life and education

Thompson was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin on August 6, 1896, and moved to Oregon in 1901 with his parents, who settled in Cascade Locks. Thompson attended the common schools and the University of Oregon at Eugene.

World Wars

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the First World War serving from 1917 to 1918. He remained a United States Marine Corps reservist until 1946 except when he again served on active duty during World War II from 1940 to 1942.

From 1943 to 1945 he was the officer in charge, United States Marine Corps Reserve, and held the rank of colonel.[1]

Family

On November 16, 1918, he married Libbie Moody, daughter of William Lewis Moody, Jr. of Galveston, Texas.

Career

Thompson was treasurer of the American National Insurance Company.

Congress

He was a Democratic member of the House of Representatives from the 7th district of Texas from 1933 to 1935, having been elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of United States Representative Clay Stone Briggs.

Following World War II, he represented Texas's 9th district from 1947 until he retired in 1966.[2] He was one of the majority of the Texan delegation to decline to sign the 1956 Southern Manifesto opposing the desegregation of public schools ordered by the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education. However, Thompson voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960,[3][4] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,[5] while voting present on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and not voting on the Voting Rights Act of 1965.[6][7]

Death and burial

Thompson died on December 16, 1981, in Galveston, Texas and was buried in Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery.

References

1. The Marine Corps Reserve – A History. Washington, DC: Division of Reserve, Headquarters Marine Corps. 1966. p. 274.
2. Handbook of Texas: Clark W. Thompson
3. "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.
4. "HR 8601. PASSAGE".
5. "S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF POLL TAX AS A REQUIREMENT FOR VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS". GovTrack.us.
6. "H.R. 7152. PASSAGE".
7. "TO PASS H.R. 6400, THE 1965 VOTING RIGHTS ACT".

External links

• United States Congress. "Clark W. Thompson (id: T000198)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Clay Stone Briggs	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 7th congressional district 1933–1935	Succeeded by Nat Patton
Preceded by Joseph J. Mansfield	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 9th congressional district 1947–1966	Succeeded by Jack Brooks
Military offices
Preceded by Littleton W. T. Waller Jr.	Officer in Charge of the Division of Reserve 1943–1945	Succeeded by Franklin A. Hart