Martin Dies Jr. (politician, born 1921) explained

Martin Dies Jr.
Image Name:Image of Martin Dies Jr. (born 1921).jpg
Office:Secretary of State of Texas
Term Start:January 23, 1969
Term End:September 1, 1971
Governor:Preston Smith
Predecessor:Roy R. Barrera Sr.
Successor:Bob Bullock
State Senate1:Texas
District1:3rd
Term Start1:January 13, 1959
Term End1:January 10, 1967
Predecessor1:Ottis Elmer Lock
Successor1:Charlie Wilson
Office2:Chief Justice of the Ninth Court of Appeals of Texas
Term Start2:September 1971
Term End2:August 31, 1989
Party:Democratic
Birth Date:21 December 1921
Father:Martin Dies Jr.

Martin Dies Jr. (December 21, 1921 – May 14, 2001) was an American politician and jurist from Texas.

Early life

Dies was the son of Myrtle McAdams and Martin Dies Jr., and the grandson of Martin Dies Sr. He was technically Martin Dies III. He grew up in Orange, Texas, and Washington, D.C., where his father was a congressman. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and then earned a law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1947. He then practiced law with his father.[1]

Political and judicial career

Dies was elected to the Texas Senate in 1958, and served from 1959 through 1967. He was appointed Secretary of State of Texas in 1969, and served until 1971. After his term expired, he was appointed to Texas's Ninth Court of Appeals of Texas, and he served as its chief justice until 1989.[1]

Legacy

Dam B State Park was renamed Martin Dies Jr. State Park in his honor in 1965.[2]

He died on May 14, 2001.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A State of Remembrance. The Senate of Texas. 2003. 2022-01-09.
  2. Web site: Martin Dies, Jr. State Park History. Texas Parks & Wildlife. 2022-01-09.
  3. News: A jurist, a lawmaker, Dies championed parks, disabled. Austin American-Statesman. 2001-05-17. 2022-01-09.