Andrew Biemiller
Encyclopedia
Andrew John Biemiller was a prominent leader of American liberalism in the 20th century.
After graduating from Cornell University
in 1926, Biemiller became active in the Socialist Party of America
and was a key leader of its "militant" faction, which favored unity of action with the Communist Party USA
. In 1932 he went to Milwaukee to work for the Socialist mayor of that city, Daniel Hoan
. In 1936 he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly
as a Socialist, caucusing with the majority Progressive Party
who elected him speaker, making him the only minor party
speaker of a state legislature in the 20th century.
Biemiller resigned from the Socialist Party when they supported the efforts of Philip La Follette
to form a new national party, whom he regarded as a fascist, thus still at that late a date acting in concert with the Communist Party line. He was then elected as a Democrat to congress in 1944, defeated for re-election in 1946 but re-elected again in 1948. During this period Biemiller joined most of the other former Socialist "militants" in helping to found Americans for Democratic Action
. He cooperated with Hubert Humphrey
in successfully calling for a strong civil rights plank at the 1948 Democratic National Convention
.
After serving in Congress, Biemiller served until his death as the chief lobbyist for the AFL-CIO
.
After graduating from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1926, Biemiller became active in the Socialist Party of America
Socialist Party of America
The Socialist Party of America was a multi-tendency democratic-socialist political party in the United States, formed in 1901 by a merger between the three-year-old Social Democratic Party of America and disaffected elements of the Socialist Labor Party which had split from the main organization...
and was a key leader of its "militant" faction, which favored unity of action with the Communist Party USA
Communist Party USA
The Communist Party USA is a Marxist political party in the United States, established in 1919. It has a long, complex history that is closely related to the histories of similar communist parties worldwide and the U.S. labor movement....
. In 1932 he went to Milwaukee to work for the Socialist mayor of that city, Daniel Hoan
Daniel Hoan
Daniel Webster "Dan" Hoan was a United States lawyer and politician. He became the second Socialist mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and his tenure is generally considered to be the longest continuous socialist administration in U.S. history...
. In 1936 he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly
Wisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
as a Socialist, caucusing with the majority Progressive Party
Progressive Party (United States, 1924)
The Progressive Party of 1924 was a new party created as a vehicle for Robert M. La Follette, Sr. to run for president in the 1924 election. It did not run candidates for other offices, and it disappeared after the election except in Wisconsin. Its name resembles the 1912 Progressive Party, which...
who elected him speaker, making him the only minor party
Third party (United States)
The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a...
speaker of a state legislature in the 20th century.
Biemiller resigned from the Socialist Party when they supported the efforts of Philip La Follette
Philip La Follette
Philip Fox La Follette was an American politician from the US state of Wisconsin. He served three terms as the Governor of Wisconsin and helped create the Wisconsin Progressive Party.-Early life and family:...
to form a new national party, whom he regarded as a fascist, thus still at that late a date acting in concert with the Communist Party line. He was then elected as a Democrat to congress in 1944, defeated for re-election in 1946 but re-elected again in 1948. During this period Biemiller joined most of the other former Socialist "militants" in helping to found Americans for Democratic Action
Americans for Democratic Action
Americans for Democratic Action is an American political organization advocating progressive policies. ADA works for social and economic justice through lobbying, grassroots organizing, research and supporting progressive candidates.-History:...
. He cooperated with Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. , served under President Lyndon B. Johnson as the 38th Vice President of the United States. Humphrey twice served as a United States Senator from Minnesota, and served as Democratic Majority Whip. He was a founder of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and...
in successfully calling for a strong civil rights plank at the 1948 Democratic National Convention
1948 Democratic National Convention
The 1948 Democratic National Convention was held at Convention Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 12 to July 14, and resulted in the nominations of incumbent Harry S Truman for President and U.S. Senator Alben W...
.
After serving in Congress, Biemiller served until his death as the chief lobbyist for the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
.