Thomas A. Jenkins

For other people named Thomas Jenkins, see Thomas Jenkins (disambiguation).

Thomas Albert Jenkins (October 28, 1880 – December 21, 1959) was a member of the Ohio state senate and a long-serving U.S. Representative from Ohio's 10th District (from 1925 to 1959). He was born in Oak Hill, Jackson County, Ohio.

Thomas Albert Jenkins
Jenkins at a TVA committee hearing, November 23, 1938, Washington, D.C.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 10th district
In office March 4, 1925 – January 3, 1959
Preceded by	Israel M. Foster
Succeeded by	Walter H. Moeller
Member of the Ohio Senate
In office 1923-1924
Personal details
Born	(1880-10-28)October 28, 1880 Oak Hill, Ohio
Died	December 21, 1959(1959-12-21) (aged 79) Ironton, Ohio
Resting place	Woodland Cemetery, Ironton, Ohio
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Ohio State University College of Law

Background

Jenkins graduated from Providence College, Oak Hill, Ohio, in 1901 and received a law degree from Ohio State University at Columbus in 1907.

Career

Jenkins was admitted to the bar that same year (1907) and commenced practice in Ironton, Ohio. He was prosecuting attorney of Lawrence County, Ohio, from 1916 to 1920. In 1923 and 1924, Jenkins served in the Ohio Senate and was a delegate to the Republican State convention in 1920 and 1924.

Congress

He was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-ninth and to the sixteen succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1925 – January 3, 1959). Jenkins was a delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio in 1940, 1944. In 1947, he served on the Herter Committee. After the Dunkirk evacuation and during the Battle of Britain Jenkins spoke out in favor of giving aid to the British and campaigned against isolationism. He had a reputation for being so outspokenly pro-British that in the 1940 election, his opponent, isolationist Democrat John P. Kelso referred to him as the "Congressman from London." Jenkins responded by calling his opponent a "Craven stooge for Herr Hitler." In March 1941, he discussed the outcome of the British raid into Norway known as Operation Claymore when news of it played on American news reels, and argued this was proof that Britain could win if only we gave them the help they needed.^{[1][2][3] [4]} He was not a candidate for renomination in 1958. Jenkins voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.^[5]

Death

Jenkins died in 1959 and was interred at Woodland Cemetery, in Ironton, Ohio.