George W. Collins

George W. Collins
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 6th district
In office November 3, 1970 – December 8, 1972
Preceded by	Daniel J. Ronan
Succeeded by	Cardiss Collins
Personal details
Born	March 5, 1925 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	December 8, 1972(1972-12-08) (aged 47) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Cardiss Collins (m. 1958–72)

George Washington Collins (March 5, 1925 – December 8, 1972) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois.

Biography

Collins was born in Chicago, and served with the Army engineers in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, Collins held positions with the Cook County sheriff’s department, the municipal court system, and the Board of Health, and as administrative assistant to health commissioner prior to being sent to Congress.

Political career

From 1964–1970, Collins served as a member of the Chicago city council. Collins was then elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of U.S. Rep. Daniel J. Ronan and reelected to the succeeding Congress and served until his death.

Death and legacy

Collins died on December 8, 1972 when United Airlines Flight 553 crashed on approach to Chicago Midway International Airport. Collins was a passenger on the flight. His wife Cardiss Collins was elected to his seat (which had been redistricted to the 7th district) shortly thereafter. Cardiss Collins was the first African American woman to represent a midwestern district in Congress, and served in the House of Representatives from 1973 until her retirement in 1997, a tenure of over 33 years. 1976, The Chicago Public Schools opened Collins Academy High School, a public high school in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood in his honor. ^[1]

References

External links

• George W. Collins at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress