Representative George Meader

George Meader (September 13, 1907 – October 15, 1994) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a Republican U.S. Representative from Michigan’s 2nd congressional district from 1951 to 1965.

Early Life and Education

Meader was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and attended public schools in various cities across Michigan. He studied at Ohio Wesleyan University from 1923 to 1925 before transferring to the University of Michigan, where he earned his A.B. in 1927. He then attended the University of Michigan Law School, graduating with a J.D. in 1931. He was admitted to the bar in 1932.

Legal and Government Career

Meader commenced the practice of law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He served as prosecuting attorney of Washtenaw County from 1941 to 1943. During World War II, he served as assistant counsel to the United States Senate special committee investigating the national defense program from July 1943 to October 1945, and as chief counsel from October 1945 to July 1947. He practiced law from 1948 to 1950 and served as chief counsel of the United States Senate Banking and Currency subcommittee investigating the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in 1950.

Congressional Career

In 1948, Meader made an unsuccessful run to defeat incumbent U.S. Representative Earl C. Michener in the Republican primary. In 1950, after Michener retired, Meader won both the Republican primary and the general election to represent Michigan’s 2nd congressional district. He was subsequently re-elected to the six succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1951, to January 3, 1965.

During his time in Congress, Meader voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which banned poll taxes in federal elections. However, he voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1960 and 1964.

In 1964, Meader lost the general election to Democrat Weston E. Vivian. In 1966, he lost in the Republican primary to Marvin L. Esch, who went on to defeat Vivian in the general election.

Later Career and Death

After leaving Congress, Meader served as associate counsel on the Joint Committee on the Organization of the Congress from March 1965 to April 1967, and as chief counsel until September 1968. He resumed the private practice of law and served as staff counsel of the Joint Committee on Congressional Operations from 1971 to 1975.

Meader died on October 15, 1994, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor.