How to Pronounce Ralph Yarborough
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Jun 08, 1903 Chandler, Texas, United States Died on 27 Jan 1996 (aged 92)
Texas politician
GeminiRalph Yarborough - Place of Birth, Date of Birth, Age, Wiki, Facts, Net Worth, Birthday, Biography and Family
Ralph Yarborough, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Family, Facts, Age, Net Worth, Biography and More in FamedBorn.com
About Ralph Yarborough
- Ralph Webster Yarborough (June 8, 1903 – January 27, 1996) was a Texas Democratic politician who served in the United States Senate from 1957 to 1971 and was a leader of the progressive wing of his party.
- He was the only Southern senator to vote for all civil rights bills from 1957 to 1970, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Yarborough was known as "Smilin' Ralph" and used the slogan "Let's put the jam on the lower shelf so the little people can reach it" in his campaigns. Born in Chandler, Texas, he practiced law in El Paso after graduating from the University of Texas School of Law.
- He became an assistant to Texas Attorney General James Allred in 1931 and specialized in prosecuting major oil companies.
- Allred was later elected governor of Texas and appointed Yarborough to a judgeship in Travis County.
- After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Yarborough repeatedly ran for governor, opposing the conservative faction of Democrats led by Allan Shivers.
- Price Daniel resigned from the Senate after winning the 1956 gubernatorial election, and Yarborough won the special election to serve the remainder of Daniel's term.
- He won election to a full term in 1958 and was reelected again in 1964, defeating Harris County Republican Party Chairman George H.
- W.
- Bush in the latter race. Unlike most Southern Congressmen, Yarborough refused to support the Southern Manifesto, which called for resistance to the racial integration of schools and other public places.
- He staunchly supported the "Great Society" legislation that encompassed Medicare and Medicaid, the War on Poverty, federal support for higher education and veterans, and other programs.
- He also co-wrote the Endangered Species Act and was the most powerful proponent of the Big Thicket National Preserve.
- Yarborough criticized the Vietnam War and supported Robert F.
- Kennedy in the 1968 presidential election until the latter's assassination. In 1970, Yarborough lost re-nomination to Lloyd Bentsen, who campaigned to Yarborough's right.
- He attempted to win the 1972 Democratic primary for Texas's other Senate seat, but lost the primary to Barefoot Sanders.
- Yarborough did not seek public office after 1972.
