24 Facts About Homer Thornberry

William Homer Thornberry was an American politician and judge.

Homer Thornberry served as the United States representative from the 10th congressional district of Texas from 1949 to 1963.

Homer Thornberry's parents were teachers in the State School for the Deaf and were themselves deaf.

Homer Thornberry attended public schools in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1927.

Homer Thornberry received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1932 from the University of Texas at Austin and his Bachelor of Laws in 1936, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the Acacia fraternity.

Homer Thornberry was in private practice of law in Austin from 1936 to 1941.

Homer Thornberry was a Member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1937 to 1941.

Homer Thornberry was district attorney of Travis County, Texas from 1941 to 1942.

Homer Thornberry was a United States Navy Lieutenant Commander from 1942 to 1946.

Homer Thornberry was in private practice of law in Austin from 1946 to 1948.

Homer Thornberry was a Member of the Austin City Council from 1946 to 1948.

Homer Thornberry was a member of the Rules Committee of the United States House of Representatives from January 1955 to his 1963 resignation, when he was appointed by Johnson, now President, to the federal bench.

Homer Thornberry was one of the majority of the Texan delegation to decline to sign the 1956 Southern Manifesto opposing the desegregation of public schools ordered by the Supreme Court in Brown v Board of Education.

Homer Thornberry voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1957 but in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 and the 24th Amendment to the US Constitution.

Homer Thornberry was present on Air Force One and witnessed Lyndon Johnson taking the oath of office following the assassination of President Kennedy.

Homer Thornberry would move into the Elms, the Johnson's home to help in the difficult transition to the new president.

Homer Thornberry was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 15,1963, and received his commission from President Lyndon B Johnson on December 17,1963.

Homer Thornberry's service was terminated on July 2,1965, due to elevation to the Fifth Circuit.

Homer Thornberry was nominated by President Johnson on June 22,1965, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated by Judge Joseph Chappell Hutcheson Jr.

Homer Thornberry was confirmed by the Senate on July 1,1965, and received his commission the same day.

Homer Thornberry's service was terminated on December 12,1995, due to his death.

Homer Thornberry died on December 12,1995, at his home in Austin and was interred at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.

Homer Thornberry was first married to the former Eloise Engle.

Homer Thornberry received an honorary doctorate degree from Gallaudet University in 1954.