[From Roll Call, Jan. 28, 1959] REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER The character of Representative GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER, Missouri Democrat, was clearly revealed several hours before he died of a heart attack Friday night. He phoned a Republican Congressman to offer his help on any action needed to help flood-stricken sections of Ohio. Representative CHRISTOPHER's desire for service crossed party lines not only in this instance, but throughout his distinguished career in the Congress. Courageous, good-natured even after undergoing a leg amputation, able and kind, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER will be missed by all who had the good fortune to cross his path. [From the Nevada (Mo.) Daily Mail, Jan. 26, 1959] GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER The American farmers, particularly the farmers of Missouri, lost a good friend and a champion of their cause Friday night when Congressman GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER, of Amoret, was called to his rewards by his Maker. Congressman CHRISTOPHER, a battling Democratic lawmaker, was proud of the fact that he was a dirt farmer. He was also proud of the fact he grew up in the true American way-hard work, honesty and the burning desire to be of service to his country and his fellow men. Mr. CHRISTOPHER knew hard times and tragedy during his lifetime but he kept right on working toward the ideals which guided him through life. He became strengthened by the setbacks he encountered and used the experience to be a better servant to his neighbors and his Government. History records the acts of many more famous men than Mr. CHRISTOPHER, but to his legion of farm friends, supporters and to his numerous acquaintances in all walks of life, GEORGE CHRISTOPHER was a great man. He was a wise, energetic and competent politician and lawmaker. He prided himself in the role of champion of the farmers' cause and well he should because the farmers of Missouri and America are the people he fought for in the Halls of Congress. He wanted his fellow farmers to get a fair deal from the Government and he died continuing that difficult task. Mr. CHRISTOPHER was also a champion for the laboring man. Always alert and sympathetic to their cause, he was interested in legislation which would insure them better working conditions and a fair wage for their efforts. He was also an advocate for honesty in the upper echelons of organized labor as a means of protection for the workers. We pride ourselves in having been numbered amongst Mr. CHRISTOPHER'S friends and confidants. Oftentimes he called us from his Washington office to keep us informed about something of interest in this, the Fourth Congressional District, which he represented so well. His many appointments of Vernon County young men to our military academies is but one evidence of his service to this area. GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER was truly a representative of the people of his district and State in Congress and he will be greatly missed. His successor, in our opinion will be required to possess a lengthy stride to be able to walk in Mr. CHRISTOPHER'S footsteps. [From the Kansas City (Mo.) Times, Jan. 24, 1959] CHRISTOPHER IS DEAD AT AGE 70-MISSOURI FOURTH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN SUFFERS HEART ATTACK IN WASHINGTON-VOTE IN 1958 AN UPSET-LEGISLATOR, WITH VIRTUALLY NO ORGANIZED SUPPORT, WON IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY WASHINGTON, January 23.-Representative GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER, Democrat, Missouri, died of a heart ailment tonight at his Washington home. He was 70. CHRISTOPHER complained of feeling ill while watching television, lay down to rest and died a few minutes later at about 10:50 p.m. BORN NEAR BUTLER CHRISTOPHER was born near Butler, Mo., and lived there almost all his life. He was a farmer with a special interest in soil conservation. At the time of his death his 975-acre farm at Butler was operated by a son, a daughter, and a son-in-law. He had seven sons and two daughters. His wife died in 1952. CHRISTOPHER served in the 81st Congress, then became assistant to the director of the agricultural conservation program of the Department of Agriculture. He was returned to Congress in the 84th Congress, and reelected to the 85th Congress. The present Congress is the 86th. From 1948 to 1950 CHRISTOPHER served from the old sixth district but there was a redistricting and when he returned to Congress in 1954 he represented the fourth district. PRAISE FOR RECORD CHRISTOPHER was often lauded by labor for his voting record and received strong support from the farmers and rural people, to whom he was extremely close. In the last primary campaign, often ill and recovering from a leg amputation, he fought the battle of his political life, virtually alone. The Jackson County coalition threw its support to Robert P. Weatherford, Jr., former mayor of Independence. The Jackson County faction leaders said CHRISTOPHER had gone back on his promise not to seek reelection. The State and National committee of the AFL-CIO and the local committee of the CIO stuck by him but the powerful AFL political club headed by John J. Kopp, presiding judge of the county court, supported Weatherford. Former President Harry S. Truman gave his support to the coalltion candidate. Weatherford banked on piling up a huge majority in heavily populated Jackson County to win. CHRISTOPHER concentrated on the farm vote that had been faithful to him in his other political battles. When the votes were counted CHRISTOPHER had won by more than 1,100 to the surprise of city politicians. BEATS GOP CANDIDATE In the November election he won by 30,000 votes over James Rahm, Warrensburg lawyer, the Republican candidate. James L. Williams, chairman of the Jackson County Democratic committee, said last night he was shocked and sorry to hear of CHRISTOPHER's death. Williams said the Governor would make an appointment to fill out the term. The Congressman's farm was near Amoret in Bates County, near the Kansas line. His farm, and agriculture in general, were his prime interests. He served as community committeeman in the first corn-hog program and held many other local agricultural positions in Bates County. He had long urged aid to farmers and was a strong supporter of all farm legislation. He attributed last November's Democratic sweep to farm unrest. In Congress he served on the Interior and Insular Affairs and Veterans' Affairs committees. LOST LEG IN 1957 In November 1957, CHRISTOPHER's right leg was amputated above the knee because of an arterial ailment. "I never really made up my mind to run again until I knew I was going to lose my leg," he said a few weeks after the operation. "That will give me something to worry about which will make me forget my missing leg." Upon hearing of the death of Mr. CHRISTOPHER, Weatherford issued this statement in Phoenix, Ariz., where he is executive director of plans for progress, a metropolitan area planning organization: "The passing of a great Missourian is a loss to his State and Nation. I always held a warm affection and deep respect for 'Mr. GEORGE.' Never was a more high-level campaign conducted than by him, and not an unkind word came from his lips. Our last visit was at a party given for me by President Truman at the Hotel Muehlebach in Kansas City, and I was deeply honored that my good friend, Mr. GEORGE, attended. His passing has taken a good friend, a great orator, and an able statesman from the American scene." The Congressman, born in 1888, was a member of the Methodist church, the Shrine, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was educated in Butler and Sedalia and in 1913 married Miss Lelia Poore of Bowling Green, Mo. The fourth district, represented by CHRISTOPHER, covers the eastern part of Kansas City, the rest of Jackson County, and Barton, Bates, Cass, Henry, Johnson, Lafayette, and Vernon Counties in western Missouri. [From the Washington (D.C.) Star, Jan. 24, 1959] GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER, HOUSE MEMBER, DIES Representative GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER, 70, Democrat, of Missouri, died of a heart ailment last night at his home, 1912 R Street SE. He lived here with his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ray J. Ratliff. Mr. CHRISTOPHER, whose leg was amputated some time ago, complained of feeling ill while watching television. He lay down to rest and died a few minutes later. The death of the Missouri Congressman, an expert on soil conservation, made the new House lineup 282 Democrats and 153 Republicans. Mr. CHRISTOPHER represented the district that included Independence, the home of Harry S. Truman. He first came to Congress in 1949, served in the 1954 session and was reelected in 1956 and last year. He was a farmer with a special interest in soil conservation, which led to his participation in various House agricultural affairs. ONE-TIME U.S. OFFICIAL After one term, Mr. CHRISTOPHER left Congress to become assistant to the director of the Agricultural Conservation Program of the Agriculture Department. A firm believer in the use of lime, sweet clover, and alfalfa for preserving soil, he was himself the owner of a 975-acre farm near his native Butler, Mo. While in the House, Mr. CHRISTOPHER served on the Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, and Interior Committees. FATHER WAS A FARMER Mr. CHRISTOPHER was a graduate of the public schools in Bates County, Mo., and of Hill's Business College in Sedalia in 1907. The son of a farmer, he repeatedly preached the urgency of widespread adoption of scientific erosion control methods. It was the responsibility of every farmer to do his part, he insisted, but the city dweller also could not ignore the land problems. Mr. CHRISTOPHER was a Mason and a Shriner. He spent his life in Bates County except for brief periods as a young man spent in Oklahoma and Illinois. He was known among his congressional associates for his humor. [From the Kansas City (Mo.) Star, Jan. 24, 1959] A CHRISTOPHER ATTACK FATAL-THE MISSOURI FOURTH DISTRICT MEMBER OF CONGRESS DIES IN WASHINGTON-BETTER SOIL HIS GOAL-BATES COUNTY FARMER, 70, PUT SPECIAL STRESS ON NEED FOR CONSERVATION WASHINGTON, January 23.-Representative GEORGE H. CHRISTOPHER, Democrat, of Missouri, died of a heart ailment tonight at his Washington home. He was 70. CHRISTOPHER complained of feeling ill while watching television, lay down to rest and died a few minutes later at about 10:50 p.m. BORN NEAR BUTLER CHRISTOPHER was born near Butler, Mo., and lived there almost all of his life. He was a farmer with a special interest in soil conservation. |