James EastlandJames Eastland

1904 1986

Background Background InformationInformation

►Born in Doddsville, MS to cotton planter Born in Doddsville, MS to cotton planter parentsparents

►Took over the plantation in Sunflower Took over the plantation in Sunflower County and helped it grow to over 6,000 County and helped it grow to over 6,000 acresacres

►Attended Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and the Attended Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and the University of AlabamaUniversity of Alabama

CareerCareer►Worked as a lawyer in rural MississippiWorked as a lawyer in rural Mississippi►Served one term in the Mississippi House of Served one term in the Mississippi House of

RepresentativesRepresentatives►Was appointed as a U.S. Senator in 1941Was appointed as a U.S. Senator in 1941►Was elected in 1943 and served for 35 Was elected in 1943 and served for 35

years until his retirement in 1978years until his retirement in 1978 When he retired he was the highest ranking When he retired he was the highest ranking

Senator in the nationSenator in the nation

Famous QuoteFamous Quote► ““The Southern institution of racial segregation or The Southern institution of racial segregation or

racial separation was the correct, self-evident truth racial separation was the correct, self-evident truth which arose from the chaos and confusion of the which arose from the chaos and confusion of the Reconstruction period. Separation promotes racial Reconstruction period. Separation promotes racial harmony. It permits each race to follow its own harmony. It permits each race to follow its own pursuits, and its own civilization. Segregation is pursuits, and its own civilization. Segregation is not discrimination… Mr. President, it is the law of not discrimination… Mr. President, it is the law of nature, it is the law of God, that every race has nature, it is the law of God, that every race has both the right and the duty to perpetuate itself. All both the right and the duty to perpetuate itself. All free men have the right to associate exclusively free men have the right to associate exclusively with members of their own race, free from with members of their own race, free from governmental interference, if they so desire.”governmental interference, if they so desire.”