People, Locations, Episodes

George W. Collins, Politician born

GeorgeW. Collins

*George Washington Collins was born on this date in 1925. He was a Black lawyer and politician.

Collins was born in Chicago and enlisted in the army after graduating high school. In 1946, after discharge, he attended Central Y.M.C.A. College, graduating in 1954. He worked with the Chicago Municipal Court while earning a business law degree from Northwestern University.  For three years, until 1961, Collins was a deputy sheriff of Cook County. In 1969, he was elected to fill the remaining term of Daniel Ronan, who had died.  As a member of Congress, Collins was a member of the Public Works and Operations Committees.

He supported some of Richard Nixon’s policies but criticized others. On December 8th, a month after his reelection to a second term, Collins was killed in an airplane crash while traveling in support of the fourth wards-annual Christmas party.

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