Spessard Holland

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Spessard Holland

Spessard Lindsey Holland (born July 10, 1892 in Bartow , Florida , † November 6, 1971 ibid) was an American politician and from 1941 to 1945 the 28th governor of Florida. Between 1946 and 1971, Holland was a senator in the US Congress .

Early years and political advancement

Holland as a football player in Emory.

Spessard Holland attended Emory University until 1912 , then he was a teacher in Warrenton , Georgia for four years before studying law at the University of Florida . After his admission to the bar in 1916, he wanted to pursue a legal career with a law firm. In April 1917, the United States entered the First World War and Holland enlisted in the armed forces, where he rose to become a captain. During the war he fought in various units. In December 1918 he was awarded a high medal for his services. After returning to civilian life, he initially continued his legal career. But now he also took over public offices. In 1919 he became a prosecutor for Polk County . Between 1921 and 1929 he worked as a judge in the same district. From 1932 to 1940 he was a member of the Florida Senate . Here he was particularly committed to a better education policy. He also supported social legislation such as unemployment insurance. In 1940 he was a delegate to the national convention of the Democratic Party , on which President Franklin D. Roosevelt was nominated for the third consecutive time Democratic presidential candidate.

Florida governor

Also in 1940, Holland was nominated by his party as the top candidate for the gubernatorial election in Florida. After the subsequent successful election, he took up his new office on January 7, 1941. His four-year tenure was overshadowed by the events of World War II . The United States had been at war since December 7, 1941, the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor . As governor of Florida, Holland also had to contribute to the war effort. It was about the provision of land for training camps for the armed forces, the recruitment of soldiers and the conversion of industrial production to war needs. In addition to these war-related requirements, Holland did not lose sight of Florida’s interests. The state's tax system was reformed and a uniform pension system for teachers was introduced. The petroleum tax was increased and 1,500 miles of new roads were built with the additional revenue. The conditions for the later establishment of the Everglade National Park were also created in these years. According to the provisions of the state constitution, Holland could not be re-elected in 1944. Therefore, he resigned from his office on January 2, 1945.

Holland in the US Senate

After the death of Senator Charles O. Andrews , Holland was appointed his successor in Congress in Washington, DC in 1946 . Between 1946 and 1971, Holland represented his state in the US Senate in Washington . Like almost all senators from the southern states, Holland signed the so-called " Southern Manifesto " which condemned a court judgment in terms of racial equality. Ten years later, in 1964, he supported the 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution , which abolished the election tax that had been common in many states. (With this now abolished tax poor citizens and in the south especially African Americans should be kept away from elections). In 1970 Holland decided not to stand for re-election to the Senate. He died of a heart attack in November 1971. Holland was married to Mary Agnes Groover, with whom he had four children.

literature

  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport Conn. 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Holland, Spessard
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Holland, Spessard Lindsey
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician, governor of Florida
DATE OF BIRTH July 10, 1892
PLACE OF BIRTH Bartow Florida
DATE OF DEATH November 6, 1971
Place of death Bartow Florida