Robert E. Jones Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 5th district
In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1977
Preceded by	Walter Flowers
Succeeded by	Ronnie Flippo
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 8th district
In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1973
Preceded by	District inactive
Succeeded by	District inactive
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's at-large district
In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965 all representatives elected at-large on a general ticket
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 8th district
In office January 28, 1947 – January 3, 1963
Preceded by	John J. Sparkman
Succeeded by	District inactive
Personal details
Born	Robert Emmett Jones Jr. (1912-06-12)June 12, 1912 Scottsboro, Alabama
Died	June 4, 1997(1997-06-04) (aged 84)
Political party	Democratic

Robert Emmett Jones Jr. (June 12, 1912 – June 4, 1997) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from the 8th district of Alabama. He was the last to represent that district before it was removed as a result of the 1970 United States Census. Presently there are seven U.S. House districts in Alabama.

Early life[edit]

Congressman Robert Jones and Wernher von Braun review a huge map illustrating the layout for a Research Institute at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. (1961)

Wernher von Braun's 50th Birthday Party was celebrated at the Officers Club at Redstone Arsenal on March 23, 1962. Dr. von Braun cuts his birthday cake while Congressman Bob Jones looks on.

Robert Emmett Jones Jr. was born on June 12, 1912 in Scottsboro, Alabama in Jackson County. He attended public schools and the University of Alabama. He graduated from the University of Alabama law department on January 7, 1937, and was admitted to the bar the same year. His early years saw much legal work in Scottsboro. Jones was elected judge of Jackson County Court in July 1940 then reelected in absentia in May 1945 where he served until October 1946. Jones served in the United States Navy as a gunnery officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters from December 1943 until February 1946.^[1]

Congressional career[edit]

Jones first entered the United States Congress by special election in 1947 when he was elected as a Democrat to the seat vacated by John Sparkman who had been elected to the U.S. Senate. In 1957, the congressman voted against HR 6127, the Civil Rights Act of 1957.^[2] He also voted against the 1960 and 1964 Civil Rights Acts.^[3] Jones served 14 consecutive terms until his retirement on January 3, 1977.^[4] Jones was not a candidate for reelection in 1976. Jones served as Chairman of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee.^[1] His papers are housed at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Achievements[edit]

Among his legislative achievements was his principal sponsorship of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. He was also instrumental in passage of the 1965 Appalachian Regional Development Act.^[4]

Honors and memorials[edit]

Bob Jones High School in Madison, Alabama, is named in his honor, as is the Bob Jones Bridge over the Tennessee River in his native Scottsboro.

After Congress[edit]

Jones died June 4, 1997.^[1]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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  United States Congress. "Robert E. Jones Jr. (id: J000248)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.