Texas congressman famed for warning of communist dangers
Martin Dies was born in Colorado City, but grew up in Beaumont
and Greenville. His father, also named Martin Dies, served in
the House of Representatives from the Second Congressional District.
Dies followed in his father's footsteps and was elected to his
father's House seat in 1930 where he served until 1944. Dies achieved
national fame during these years when he served as first chairman
of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Although
the Committee probed Communist, Fascist, Nazi, and other subversive
groups, the Committee and Dies himself were best known for speaking
out against the dangers of Communism and the Soviet Union. While
the Dies Collection does not contain the complete archives of
the HUAC, it does include correspondence about HUAC and card files
on people who were investigated. Each card includes an individual's
name, address, group affiliation, and his or her role in the group.
Between 1944 and 1952, Dies remained active. He joined a law
firm in Lufkin. His most famous case during those years was his
defense of the "Marshall Housewives," women who protested collecting
and paying social security on their domestic servants. Dies retained
a lively interest in politics, corresponding with individuals
throughout Texas discussing public figures such as Dwight Eisenhower
and Price Daniel, as well as his own political future. He traveled
the country speaking on patriotic and political issues, including
his experiences as chairman of HUAC.
In 1952, Dies was once again elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
He served as Congressman-at-Large from Texas from 1953 to 1958.
His papers document the multifaceted demands of congressional
service. Committee work was only one responsibility. One important
task was helping constituents deal with government agencies, such
as obtaining social security benefits or bringing home foreign
war brides. Dies formulated legislation on topics including the
Communist party and civil rights. Like all political figures,
he continuously campaigned for office. Although always succcessfully
in his races for the House, Dies was twice defeated in elections
to the Senate, once in 1941 and again in 1957. In 1958, his position
of Congressman-at-Large was abolished.
After his congressional service, Dies wrote magazine articles
and a book, "The Martin Dies Story," published in 1963. Dies and
his wife Myrtle were the parents of three sons, Martin Jr., Robert
and Jack. He died in 1972 and is buried in Lufkin.
