George W. Collins
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George Washington Collins (March 5, 1925 – December 8, 1972) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois. Collins was born in Chicago, and served with the Army engineers in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, Collins held positions with the Cook County sheriff’s department, the municipal court system, and the Board of Health, and as administrative assistant to health commissioner prior to being sent to Congress. From 1964–1970, Collins served as a member of the Chicago city council. Collins was then elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of U.S. Rep. Daniel J. Ronan and reelected to the succeeding Congress and served until his death.
Collins died on December 8, 1972 when United Airlines Flight 553 crashed on approach to Chicago Midway International Airport. Collins was a passenger on the flight. His wife Cardiss Collins was elected to his seat shortly thereafter.
Categories: 1925 births | 1972 deaths | American military personnel of World War II | African American politicians | People from Chicago | People from Illinois | Plane crash victims | African Americans in the United States Congress | Members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois
