George C. Rawlings
Encyclopedia
George Chancellor Rawlings Jr. (November 7, 1921 – April 22, 2009) was an American
politician
, a former member of the Democratic National Committee
, and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
(1964 to 1970).
Rawlings was active in Virginia during the Civil Rights Movement
, as an advocate for repeal of the poll tax
, and as an opponent of the segregationist policies of the Harry F. Byrd
political establishment.
and raised in Ashland, Virginia
, Rawlings began his law practice in Fredericksburg in 1947. In 1951, he ran unsuccessfully for Commonwealth's Attorney
for Spotsylvania County. During the 1950s and 1960s, first as local President of the Fredericksburg Jaycees, and later as President of the Virginia State Jaycees, Rawlings was a leader in the Jaycees campaign for the repeal of the poll tax in Virginia.
Rawlings was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1963 and served until 1970.
In 1966, he defeated Byrd ally Howard W. Smith
in a Democratic primary. Smith, then chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee, had been known for his use of procedural tactics to keep legislation such as the Civil Rights Act
from coming to a vote in the House.
Rawlings and his wife Rosalie had two sons, Chance and Chris. Both sons died of cystic fibrosis in their 20s. In 1975 he and Rosalie divorced after he determined to live openly as a gay man. Rosalie died in 1994.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, a former member of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
, and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
(1964 to 1970).
Rawlings was active in Virginia during the Civil Rights Movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
, as an advocate for repeal of the poll tax
Poll tax
A poll tax is a tax of a portioned, fixed amount per individual in accordance with the census . When a corvée is commuted for cash payment, in effect it becomes a poll tax...
, and as an opponent of the segregationist policies of the Harry F. Byrd
Harry F. Byrd
Harry Flood Byrd, Sr. of Berryville in Clarke County, Virginia, was an American newspaper publisher, farmer and politician. He was a descendant of one of the First Families of Virginia...
political establishment.
Biography
Born in Fredericksburg, VirginiaFredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
and raised in Ashland, Virginia
Ashland, Virginia
Originally known as Slash Cottage, Ashland is located on the Old Washington Highway U.S. Route One and the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, a busy north-south route now owned by CSX Transportation...
, Rawlings began his law practice in Fredericksburg in 1947. In 1951, he ran unsuccessfully for Commonwealth's Attorney
Commonwealth's Attorney
Commonwealth's Attorney is the title given to the elected prosecutor of felony crimes in Kentucky and Virginia. Other states refer to similar prosecutors as District Attorney or State's Attorney....
for Spotsylvania County. During the 1950s and 1960s, first as local President of the Fredericksburg Jaycees, and later as President of the Virginia State Jaycees, Rawlings was a leader in the Jaycees campaign for the repeal of the poll tax in Virginia.
Rawlings was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1963 and served until 1970.
In 1966, he defeated Byrd ally Howard W. Smith
Howard W. Smith
Howard Worth Smith , Democratic U.S. Representative from Virginia, was a leader of the conservative coalition who supported both racial segregation and women's rights.-Early life and education:...
in a Democratic primary. Smith, then chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee, had been known for his use of procedural tactics to keep legislation such as the Civil Rights Act
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed major forms of discrimination against African Americans and women, including racial segregation...
from coming to a vote in the House.
Rawlings and his wife Rosalie had two sons, Chance and Chris. Both sons died of cystic fibrosis in their 20s. In 1975 he and Rosalie divorced after he determined to live openly as a gay man. Rosalie died in 1994.