A. L. Philpott
Encyclopedia
Albert Lee 'A. L.' Philpott (July 29, 1919–September 28, 1991) was an American politician of the Democratic Party
. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates
for 33 years starting in 1958, and was its Speaker from 1980 until his death.
to John Elkanah Philpott and Mary Gertrude Prillaman Philpott. He attended public schools in Henry County, graduating from Bassett High School
. He went on to the University of Richmond
, getting a BA degree in 1941. After service in the United States Army Air Forces
in World War II
, he resumed legal studies at Richmond
, obtaining a JD degree in 1947.
In August 1941 Philpott married Katherine Apperson Spencer of Lynchburg, Virginia
. They had three children, Albert Jr., Judy and Carole. Carole Philpott died in 1955.
of Henry County, in 1951 and 1955. In 1957, midway through his second term, he won election to the House of Delegates. Philpott and another freshman, Robert L. Clark, were elected to a two-member district representing Henry and Patrick
Counties and the city of Martinsville
, replacing two two-term veterans, William F. Stone (who was elected to the Senate of Virginia
) and William F. Carter. This election took place during the period of massive resistance
to racial desegregation in Virginia, led by United States Senator Harry F. Byrd
. Philpott established himself as a supporter of continued segregation.
In 1972, Philpott's district, now numbered the 13th, was expanded to a three-member district that also included Pittsylvania County
. In 1978, he became Majority Leader
and chair of the Corporations, Insurance and Banking Committee. Two years later, he succeeded the retiring John Warren Cooke
as Speaker.
of Richmond
to create a state holiday to honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
. Later that year, he publicly referred to five African-American legislators as "boys", a statement for which he apologized the next day. In 1985, when Wilder was elected the state's first African-American Lieutenant Governor
, Philpott provided an early endorsement that Wilder later called a "turning point" in the campaign.
for nearly twenty years. On September 24, 1991 he announced he would not continue serving in the House of Delegates. He died at his home on September 28.
Philpott was buried in Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville.
In 1992, the Virginia General Assembly created the A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Center, initially charged with various responsibilities for retraining displaced workers and developing manufacturing technologies in Southside Virginia. In 1997, it was renamed Virginia's A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership (VPMEP) and its mission was expanded to help create and maintain industrial and manufacturing jobs throughout the Commonwealth as part of the NIST MEP network.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
for 33 years starting in 1958, and was its Speaker from 1980 until his death.
Early life; career outside politics
Philpott was born in Philpott, Henry County, VirginiaHenry County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 57,930 people, 23,910 households, and 16,952 families residing in the county. The population density was 152 people per square mile . There were 25,921 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile...
to John Elkanah Philpott and Mary Gertrude Prillaman Philpott. He attended public schools in Henry County, graduating from Bassett High School
Bassett High School
Bassett High School is a comprehensive public high school in Bassett, Virginia, USA. The school currently enrolls about 1,300 students in grades 9-12...
. He went on to the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
, getting a BA degree in 1941. After service in the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he resumed legal studies at Richmond
University of Richmond School of Law
The University of Richmond School of Law , a school of the University of Richmond, is located in Richmond, Virginia...
, obtaining a JD degree in 1947.
In August 1941 Philpott married Katherine Apperson Spencer of Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
. They had three children, Albert Jr., Judy and Carole. Carole Philpott died in 1955.
Political career
Philpott was elected to two terms as Commonwealth's AttorneyCommonwealth's Attorney
Commonwealth's Attorney is the title given to the elected prosecutor of felony crimes in Kentucky and Virginia. Other states refer to similar prosecutors as District Attorney or State's Attorney....
of Henry County, in 1951 and 1955. In 1957, midway through his second term, he won election to the House of Delegates. Philpott and another freshman, Robert L. Clark, were elected to a two-member district representing Henry and Patrick
Patrick County, Virginia
Patrick County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 18,490. Its county seat is Stuart. It is located within both the rolling hills and valleys of the Piedmont Region of Virginia and mountainous Southwest Virginia....
Counties and the city of Martinsville
Martinsville, Virginia
Martinsville is an independent city which is surrounded by Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 13,821 in 2010. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Martinsville with Henry County for statistical purposes...
, replacing two two-term veterans, William F. Stone (who was elected to the Senate of Virginia
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
) and William F. Carter. This election took place during the period of massive resistance
Massive resistance
Massive resistance was a policy declared by U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr. on February 24, 1956, to unite other white politicians and leaders in Virginia in a campaign of new state laws and policies to prevent public school desegregation after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision...
to racial desegregation in Virginia, led by United States Senator Harry F. Byrd
Harry F. Byrd
Harry Flood Byrd, Sr. of Berryville in Clarke County, Virginia, was an American newspaper publisher, farmer and politician. He was a descendant of one of the First Families of Virginia...
. Philpott established himself as a supporter of continued segregation.
In 1972, Philpott's district, now numbered the 13th, was expanded to a three-member district that also included Pittsylvania County
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,745 people, 24,684 households, and 18,216 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 people per square mile . There were 28,011 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
. In 1978, he became Majority Leader
Majority leader
In U.S. politics, the majority floor leader is a partisan position in a legislative body.In the federal Congress, the role differs slightly in the two houses. In the House of Representatives, which chooses its own presiding officer, the leader of the majority party is elected the Speaker of the...
and chair of the Corporations, Insurance and Banking Committee. Two years later, he succeeded the retiring John Warren Cooke
John Warren Cooke
John Warren Cooke was an American politician and newspaper publisher. A Democrat, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1942–1979 and was its Speaker from 1968 until his retirement....
as Speaker.
Speaker of the House
Philpott blocked a 1982 bill by Senator Douglas WilderDouglas Wilder
Lawrence Douglas "Doug" Wilder is an American politician, the first African American to be elected as governor of Virginia, and the second to serve as governor of a U.S. state. Wilder served as the 66th Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. When earlier elected as Lieutenant Governor, he was...
of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
to create a state holiday to honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
. Later that year, he publicly referred to five African-American legislators as "boys", a statement for which he apologized the next day. In 1985, when Wilder was elected the state's first African-American Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor and Attorney General. The office is currently held by Republican William T. Bolling. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected...
, Philpott provided an early endorsement that Wilder later called a "turning point" in the campaign.
Death
Philpott suffered from various forms of cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
for nearly twenty years. On September 24, 1991 he announced he would not continue serving in the House of Delegates. He died at his home on September 28.
Philpott was buried in Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville.
In 1992, the Virginia General Assembly created the A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Center, initially charged with various responsibilities for retraining displaced workers and developing manufacturing technologies in Southside Virginia. In 1997, it was renamed Virginia's A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership (VPMEP) and its mission was expanded to help create and maintain industrial and manufacturing jobs throughout the Commonwealth as part of the NIST MEP network.