John Mark Slack Jr. (March 18, 1915 – March 17, 1980) was an American politician from West Virginia. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
John M. Slack Jr.
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 3rd district | |
In office January 3, 1963 – March 17, 1980 | |
Preceded by | Cleveland M. Bailey |
Succeeded by | John G. Hutchinson |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 6th district | |
In office January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1963 | |
Preceded by | Robert C. Byrd |
Succeeded by | District eliminated |
Personal details | |
Born | (1915-03-18)March 18, 1915 Charleston, West Virginia, U.S. |
Died | March 17, 1980(1980-03-17) (aged 64) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
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Slack was born in Charleston, where he attended the public schools. He later studied at the Virginia Military InstituteinLexington, Virginia.
Slack's public service career began in 1948, when he became a member of Kanawha County Court, where he sat until 1952. He subsequently served as Kanawha County Assessor from 1952 to 1958.
When three-term 6th district Representative Robert Byrd decided against seeking re-election in order to run for the U.S. Senate, Slack won the Democratic nomination and was easily elected that November. He went on to be re-elected 11 times, never facing serious opposition. His district was renumbered as the 3rd District in 1963, after West Virginia lost a district as a result of the 1960 Census. Slack voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1960,[1] 1964,[2] and 1968,[3] and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.[4]
Slack served until his death of a heart attack in Alexandria, Virginia on March 17, 1980.[5] He was replaced by John G. Hutchinson, then mayor of Charleston, after a special election, who served until the end of the term. He was interred in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, West Virginia.
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 6th congressional district 1959–1963 |
District eliminated |
Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 3rd congressional district 1963–1980 |
Succeeded by |