Voting Station

Martin Dies, Jr.

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U.S. Congressman

The Resume

    (November 5, 1900-November 14, 1972)
    Born in Colorado City, Texas
    Congressman from Texas (1931-45,1953-59)
    Chair of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC, 1938-44)
    Democrat

Why he might be annoying:

    He was criticized for using HUAC to further his personal campaign against FDR's New Deal.
    Time magazine called him 'a big political windbag' and noted, 'Mr. Dies knows chiefly how to bellow.'
    He twice ran unsuccessfully for the Senate (1941,1957).
    He famously included Shirley Temple on a list of Hollywood figures who sent greetings to a left-wing French newspaper, leading Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes to quip, 'They have found dangerous radicals there, led by Shirley Temple.'
    An attempt to question Gypsy Rose lee for running a clothing drive for refugees from Spain proved equally farcical, with Lee joking it was first time she had joint billing with Shirley Temple and saying 'With my act and Dies' publicity, we could bring back vaudeville.'
    When he was returned to the House in 1952, HUAC declined to take him back, as its members felt he had harmed the anti-Communist cause.

Why he might not be annoying:

    Time wrote that he had 'an impressive physique [and] a durable voice.'
    He was married to Myrtle Adams for 52 years until his death.
    He was a staunch anti-Communist.
    HUAC also investigated pro-fascist groups during WWII. (Although critics said they weren't nearly as enthusiastic about it as they had been about hunting Reds.)

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 13 Votes: 23.08% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 23 Votes: 56.52% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 26 Votes: 53.85% Annoying