Jimmy Phillips (politician)

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Jimmy Phillips (May 13, 1913 – January 14, 2002) was a Texas State Senator from Angleton, Texas in the 1940s and 1950s.

Early life

Phillips was born in

University of Texas Law School
.

Political service

In 1940, Phillips was elected to the

President Pro Tem of the Texas Senate
.

In his obituary, the newspaper wrote, "As a state senator, Jimmy was extremely cautious about spending the money paid into the state treasury by Texas citizens. During his years serving the people of Texas, it was not uncommon to see newspaper headlines like "Phillips makes lone stand against more spending." Jimmy believed in spending money wisely and carefully, in the right place and at the right time, and had the reputation for being an ardent champion of the poor. During his years in the Senate, the Houston Post once said of him: "He is a warm-hearted, even sentimental individual who has a sincere sympathy for the poor and unfortunate. His eyes sometimes fill with tears when he talks about the need for more charity beds to treat children with cleft palates and twisted legs, and for years he has resisted fiercely any effort by the Legislature to raise college tuition." His varied occupational background proved valuable in connection with all types of legislation, but he concentrated his efforts on improving the state hospital system and controlling the cost of state college tuition and keeping the state colleges growing to keep them open to new students. He conducted what amounted to a single-handed investigation of the veterans land scandal while he was a member of the Senate's general investigating committee.[1]

Private life

After Phillips' discharge from the Army, he became active in the American Legion. He served as the Brazoria County chairman for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Phillips also started the Brazoria County 100 Club.

References

Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
unknown
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District unknown (Angleton)

1940–1943
Succeeded by
unknown
Texas Senate
Preceded by Texas State Senator
from District 17 (Galveston)

1948–1960
Succeeded by