James Robert Mann (South Carolina)
Encyclopedia
James Robert Mann was a soldier, lawyer and a United States Representative
from South Carolina
.
to Alfred Cleo Mann (1889–1956) and Nina Mae (Griffin) Mann and he graduated from Greenville High School in 1937. He then went to Charleston
to receive his bachelors degree at The Citadel
in 1941. With the outbreak of World War II
, Mann enlisted in the U.S. Army
and served on active duty until 1946, when he became a reservist
with the rank of colonel
. After the war, Mann enrolled at the University of South Carolina School of Law
and graduated magna cum laude in 1947. He was admitted to the state bar the same year and established a private practice in Greenville.
and he served for two terms until Governor
James F. Byrnes
appointed him as the circuit solicitor for the 13th judicial circuit of South Carolina. He was re-elected twice to that post and served until 1962. Afterwards, he became the secretary for the Greenville County Planning Commission and a trustee of the Greenville Hospital System. In 1968, Mann successfully won election to the U.S. House of Representatives
as a Democrat
to represent the 4th congressional district
. While in the House, Mann was a member of the Judiciary Committee
that voted to recommend the impeachment
of President Nixon
. Mann did not seek re-election in 1978 and left Congress to resume his law practice in Greenville.
, South Carolina's highest civilian award.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
Early life and career
Mann was born in GreenvilleGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
to Alfred Cleo Mann (1889–1956) and Nina Mae (Griffin) Mann and he graduated from Greenville High School in 1937. He then went to Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
to receive his bachelors degree at The Citadel
The Citadel (military college)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also known simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, comprehensive college located in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States...
in 1941. With the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Mann enlisted in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and served on active duty until 1946, when he became a reservist
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
with the rank of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. After the war, Mann enrolled at the University of South Carolina School of Law
University of South Carolina School of Law
The University of South Carolina School of Law, also known as South Carolina Law or SC Law, is one of the professional schools of the University of South Carolina. South Carolina Law was founded in 1867 in Columbia, South Carolina and is the only public and non-profit law school in the state of...
and graduated magna cum laude in 1947. He was admitted to the state bar the same year and established a private practice in Greenville.
Political career
In 1948, Mann was elected to the South Carolina House of RepresentativesSouth Carolina House of Representatives
The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the upper house being the South Carolina Senate. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time as US Congressional elections...
and he served for two terms until Governor
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
James F. Byrnes
James F. Byrnes
James Francis Byrnes was an American statesman from the state of South Carolina. During his career, Byrnes served as a member of the House of Representatives , as a Senator , as Justice of the Supreme Court , as Secretary of State , and as the 104th Governor of South Carolina...
appointed him as the circuit solicitor for the 13th judicial circuit of South Carolina. He was re-elected twice to that post and served until 1962. Afterwards, he became the secretary for the Greenville County Planning Commission and a trustee of the Greenville Hospital System. In 1968, Mann successfully won election to the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to represent the 4th congressional district
South Carolina's 4th congressional district
The 4th Congressional District of South Carolina is a congressional district in upstate South Carolina bordering North Carolina. It includes all of Greenville, Spartanburg and Union counties and a part of Laurens county. The district is characterized by the two major cities of Greenville and...
. While in the House, Mann was a member of the Judiciary Committee
United States House Committee on the Judiciary
The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also called the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is charged with overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts, administrative agencies and Federal law enforcement...
that voted to recommend the impeachment
Impeachment
Impeachment is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as other punishment....
of President Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. Mann did not seek re-election in 1978 and left Congress to resume his law practice in Greenville.
Accomplishments
Mann was a recipient of the Order of the PalmettoOrder of the Palmetto
The Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina. It is awarded to persons who make contributions of statewide significance. An auxiliary honor is "The Order of the Silver Crescent." Today it is awarded to persons who make community or professional...
, South Carolina's highest civilian award.