Allen J. Ellender
Allen J. Ellender | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, c. 1971 | |
| President pro tempore of the United States Senate | |
| In office January 21, 1971 – July 27, 1972 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Russell Jr. |
| Succeeded by | James Eastland |
| United States Senator from Louisiana | |
| In office January 3, 1937 – July 27, 1972 | |
| Preceded by | Rose McConnell Long |
| Succeeded by | Elaine Edwards |
| 54th Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1932–1936 | |
| Governor | Alvin Olin King Oscar K. Allen |
| Preceded by | John B. Fournet |
| Succeeded by | Lorris M. Wimberly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 24, 1890 Montegut, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | July 27, 1972 (aged 81) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Helen Calhoun Donnelly
(m. 1917; died 1949) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Tulane University |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1918 |
| Rank | Private |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Allen Joseph Ellender (September 24, 1890 – July 27, 1972) was an American politician and lawyer who was a U.S. senator from Louisiana from 1937 until his death. He was a Democrat who was originally allied with Huey Long. As Senator he had a generally conservative record, voting 77% of the time with the Conservative Coalition on domestic issues. A staunch segregationist, he signed the Southern Manifesto in 1956, voted against the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and opposed anti-lynching legislation in 1938. Unlike many Democrats he was not a "hawk" in foreign policy and opposed the Vietnam War.
Ellender served as President Pro Tempore, and the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He also served as the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee for over 18 years.