George J. Bates

George J. Bates
George J. Bates as a Massachusetts State Representative in the early 1920s
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 6th district
In office January 3, 1937 – November 1, 1949
Preceded by	A. Piatt Andrew
Succeeded by	William H. Bates
41st Mayor of Salem, Massachusetts
In office 1924–1937
Preceded by	Denis J. Sullivan
Succeeded by	Edward A. Coffey
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives Eighteenth Essex District
In office 1918–1924
Preceded by	Denis J. Sullivan
Succeeded by	Francis E. Rafter
Personal details
Born	George Joseph Bates February 25, 1891 Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	November 1, 1949(1949-11-01) (aged 58) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Resting place	St. Mary's Cemetery in Salem
Party	Republican
Spouse	Nora Jennings
Relations	John Mulaney (great grandson)
Alma mater	Bentley University

George Joseph Bates (February 25, 1891 – November 1, 1949) was a 20th-century American politician who served seven terms as a member of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Massachusetts from 1937 to 1949.

Early life

Bates was born in Salem, Massachusetts, the son of Annie (Burns) and Thomas F. Bates. His first immigrant ancestor was Increase Bates who migrated from Buckinghamshire, England and settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1629.

Early political career

He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1918 to 1924. He was then elected Mayor of Salem in 1924 at the age of 33. He served the remainder of his as mayor after he took his seat in Congress. While he was away in Washington, D.C., he did not take a salary from the city and acting mayor H. Francis Dolan handled most of the routine duties.

Congress

After winning election in 1936, he was sworn in as a Republican member of the House in the 75th Congress on January 3, 1937.

World War II policies

During World War II, he was an interventionist. After the fall of France and before the Nazi invasion of Soviet Russia, Britain was effectively fighting the Nazis alone, throughout this time period Bates was outspokenly pro-British, and he advocated aiding Britain in any way possible, to help in their war against the Nazis.

In 1941 he was one of the few Republicans to abstain from voting on the 1941 Lend Lease Act. Bates voted in favor of arming merchant ships. Bates made good on his campaign promises and voted to increase lend-lease funding to the British military as well as food aid for British civilians during the Blitz.

Remaining career and succession

Bates was subsequently re-elected six times.

Following his death, Bates was succeeded in the House by his son, William Henry Bates.

Death and burial

Bates died in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 537 outside of Washington, D.C. on November 1, 1949. He was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Salem. Bates Elementary School in Salem is named after George J. Bates and his son.

Family

His daughter, Carolyn (Bates) Stanton, is the maternal grandmother of comedian John Mulaney.

See also

• 1918 Massachusetts legislature
• 1919 Massachusetts legislature
• 1920 Massachusetts legislature
• 1921–1922 Massachusetts legislature
• 1923–1924 Massachusetts legislature
• List of members of the United States Congress who died in office (1900–1949)

External links

• United States Congress. "George J. Bates (id: B000232)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

"Memorial services held in the House of Representatives of the United States, together with remarks presented in eulogy of George Joseph Bates, late a representative from Massachusetts frontispiece 1950"