G. William Whitehurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
G. William Whitehurst
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Porter Hardy Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Owen B. Pickett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 12, 1925 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Washington and Lee University (B.A.) University of Virginia (M.A.) West Virginia University (Ph.D.) |
| Profession | Journalist, Professor |
George William Whitehurst (born March 12, 1925) is an American who was a journalist, professor, and politician. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1987. Before becoming a politician, he was a professor and Dean of Students at what is now Old Dominion University. After leaving politics, he returned to teaching at the university.
Early Life and Education
George William Whitehurst, also known as "Dr. Bill," was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 12, 1925. He finished Maury High School in 1942. From 1943 to 1946, he served in the United States Navy during World War II. He worked as an aviation radioman in the Pacific Ocean area.
After the war, Whitehurst went to college. He earned his first degree in history from Washington and Lee University in 1950. He then got his master's degree, also in history, from the University of Virginia in 1951. In 1962, he earned his Ph.D. (a very high degree) in American Diplomatic History from West Virginia University.
Whitehurst started teaching at the Norfolk Division of William & Mary in 1950. This school later became Old Dominion University in 1962. He was the Dean of Students there from 1963 to 1968.
A Career in Congress
In 1968, Whitehurst decided to run for a seat in the United States Congress. He was elected as a Republican to represent the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. This was a big deal because he was the first Republican from that area to serve in Congress since the Great Depression.
He was re-elected eight more times, serving a total of nineteen years. In 1974, even when many other Republicans lost their elections, Whitehurst still won easily. For several elections between 1978 and 1984, he ran without anyone running against him. In 1986, he supported allowing Filipinos who served in the United States Navy to become U.S. citizens. He decided not to run for a tenth term and retired from Congress in 1987.
Important Work in Congress
During his time in Congress, Whitehurst worked on several important committees. He spent most of his time on the United States House Committee on Armed Services. This committee deals with issues related to the military and national defense.
He also served on the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. This committee oversees the country's intelligence agencies, like the CIA. Whitehurst was also a member of the United States House Committee on Ethics, which handles rules of conduct for members of Congress.
After Congress
After leaving the United States Congress in 1987, Whitehurst returned to Old Dominion University. He continued to teach there as a faculty member. He also worked as an analyst for WTKR, a television station in Norfolk, for many years.
