George Aiken

George Aiken

George David Aiken (born August 20, 1892 in Dummerston , Vermont , † November 19, 1984 in Montpelier , Vermont) was an American politician and governor of the state of Vermont from 1937 to 1941 . From 1941 to 1975 he represented his state in the US Senate .

Early years and political advancement

George Aiken attended public schools in Putney and Brattleboro . Then he occupied himself with fruit growing and gardening. Between 1920 and 1937 he was headmaster in Putney. Politically, he became a member of the Republican Party . From 1931 to 1935 he was a member of the House of Representatives of Vermont , where he was its president since 1933. From 1935 to 1937 he was Deputy Governor of Governor Charles Manley Smith , succeeding him in 1936.

Vermont governor

George Aiken took up his new office on January 7, 1937. After re-election in 1938, he remained governor until January 9, 1941. In this capacity he fought the monopoly positions of some firms, including banks and railways. He encouraged the farmers to form cooperatives and market their products together. He also called for electrification to be completed in Vermont, which at the time had not yet reached all households. Governor Aiken also championed state rights vis-à-vis the federal government. So he opposed the federal flood protection measures because the state of Vermont should provide floodplains.

Aiken in the US Senate

After the death of US Senator Ernest Gibson on June 20, 1940, Aiken was elected as his successor to Congress . Gibson's term would have run until January 3, 1945. Since George Aiken did not take up his mandate in the Senate until January 10, 1941, the son of the late Senator, Ernest William Gibson , was appointed Senator. This then bridged the time until Aiken took office. The younger Gibson would also become governor of Vermont between 1947 and 1950.

After he was confirmed in the following elections, George Aiken could exercise his mandate in Congress between January 10, 1941 and January 3, 1975. He was from 1947 to 1949 Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in Executive Departments and from 1953 to 1955 a member of the Forest and Agriculture Committee. Aiken advocated progressive politics and was often at odds with the Republican party ideology. Aiken advocated an end to the Vietnam War , among other things . At the time of his resignation from the Senate, he was the senior senator.

After his time in Washington ended , Aiken withdrew from politics. He died in 1984. He had four children with his wife, Beatrice M. Howard.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 4, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

Wikiquote: George Aiken  - Quotes

• George Aiken in the National Governors Association (English)
• George Aiken in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
• George Aiken in the database of Find a Grave (English)