September 2005

Who is Richard B. Russell, Jr.?

Richard B. Russell, Jr. grew up just a few miles from Walton EMC service territory near Winder in the hamlet of what is now Russell. He came very close to being President of the United States.

Born in 1897, he served his entire adult life in public office, being first elected as State Representative at age 23.

President Roosevelt and Senator Russell

He ascended to speaker of the Georgia House at age 28 and was elected governor in 1930. When US Senator William Harris died in office, Russell ran for his unexpired term and easily won. He was re-elected six more times.

He served as chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee for years and was elected as president pro tem of the Senate in 1969, meaning he was third in line for the presidency.

But he had an even better chance of reaching the political pinnacle.

Russell had actually won the New Hampshire presidential primary in 1952 and had a good chance at the nomination. The Democrats ultimately chose Adlai Stevenson and offered Russell the vice presidency, but he had no interest in that office.

Harry Truman said “Russell might have been elected president if he had lived in Indiana, Missouri or Kentucky, but the country was not ready to nominate a Georgian.”

Richard B. Russell. . .

Just some of the things named for Senator Richard B. Russell:

. . .State Park, Elberton, Georgia

. . .Senate Office Building, Washington, DC

. . .Airport, Rome, Georgia

. . .Attack Submarine, US Navy

. . .Agricultural Research Center, Athens, Georgia

. . .Dam, Georgia-South Carolina Border

. . .Lake, Georgia-South Carolina Border

. . .UGA Dorm, Athens, Georgia

. . .Scenic Parkway, Brasstown Bald, Georgia

. . .UGA Library, Athens, Georgia

. . .Federal Building, Atlanta, Georgia

<back>