Robert P. Griffin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert P. Griffin
Griffin c. mid 1970s
Senate Minority Whip
In office September 24, 1969 – January 3, 1977
Leader	Hugh Scott
Preceded by	Hugh Scott
Succeeded by	Ted Stevens
United States Senator from Michigan
In office May 11, 1966 – January 3, 1979
Preceded by	Patrick McNamara
Succeeded by	Carl Levin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 9th district
In office January 3, 1957 – May 10, 1966
Preceded by	Ruth Thompson
Succeeded by	Guy Vander Jagt
Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
In office January 1, 1987 – January 1, 1995
Preceded by	G. Mennen Williams
Succeeded by	Elizabeth Weaver
Personal details
Born	Robert Paul Griffin (1923-11-06)November 6, 1923 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	April 16, 2015(2015-04-16) (aged 91) Traverse City, Michigan, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Marjorie Anderson ​ (m. 1947)​
Children	4, including Richard
Education	Central Michigan University (BA) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1943–1946
Unit	71st Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War II

Robert Paul Griffin (born November 6, 1923 – died April 16, 2015) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. He represented the state of Michigan in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Later, he also served as a judge on the Michigan Supreme Court. He helped create a law called the Landrum-Griffin Act. This law set rules for how labor unions work. During the Watergate scandal, when he was a leader in the Senate, he bravely asked President Richard Nixon to resign.

Robert Griffin's Early Life

Robert Griffin was born in Detroit, Michigan. He went to public schools in Garden City and Dearborn.

Military Service in World War II

During World War II, Griffin joined the 71st Infantry Division in 1943. He spent 14 months serving in Europe.

Education and Law Career

After the war, he went to college. He graduated from Central Michigan College in 1947. This school is now known as Central Michigan University. He then earned a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He became a lawyer in 1950 and started his law practice in Traverse City.

Robert Griffin's Political Career

Robert Griffin began his political career in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected as a Republican from Michigan's 9th congressional district in 1956. He served in the House from January 3, 1957, until May 10, 1966.

The Landrum-Griffin Act

During his time in the House, a special committee investigated problems in labor unions. After this, Griffin and another representative, Phil Landrum, worked together. They created the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959. This important law is also known as the Landrum-Griffin Act. It helped make sure labor unions were run fairly.

Supporting Civil Rights

Griffin supported several important laws during his time in the House. He voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1960 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These laws aimed to end discrimination. He also supported the 24th Amendment, which banned poll taxes. He voted for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protected the right to vote for all citizens.

Moving to the Senate

On May 10, 1966, Griffin left the House to join the United States Senate. He was appointed by Michigan Governor George Romney to fill a Senate seat. This seat became open after Senator Patrick V. McNamara passed away.

Winning Senate Elections

In the 1966 election, Griffin won a full term in the Senate. He defeated former Governor Soapy Williams. He was re-elected for a second term in 1972, defeating Attorney General Frank J. Kelley.

Role in the Supreme Court Nomination

In 1968, Griffin played a key role in stopping a Supreme Court nomination. President Lyndon B. Johnson wanted to make Abe Fortas the Chief Justice. Griffin led a filibuster against this. A filibuster is a tactic used to delay or block a vote. Griffin argued that Fortas was too close to the President. Fortas later resigned from the Supreme Court in 1969.

Griffin also voted to approve the Civil Rights Act of 1968. He supported the confirmation of Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court. Marshall became the first African American Supreme Court Justice.

Republican Whip in the Senate

On September 24, 1969, Griffin became the Republican Whip in the Senate. This is a leadership role where he helped gather votes for his party's goals. He served in this position until 1977.

Watergate Scandal and President Nixon

In 1974, the Watergate scandal was a major issue. The United States Senate Watergate Committee asked President Richard Nixon to release special tapes. Griffin, who had supported Nixon, wrote to the President. He told Nixon that if the tapes were not released, Nixon could face impeachment. Impeachment is a process to remove a president from office. Griffin said that not giving the tapes was an impeachable offense.

End of Senate Career

Griffin decided not to run for re-election in 1978. He said he was tired and that Washington needed new leaders. However, he later changed his mind and ran again. He was narrowly defeated by Carl Levin.

Later Career as a Judge

After his time in the Senate, Robert Griffin continued to serve the public. He became a judge on the Michigan Supreme Court. He served as a justice from 1987 to 1994.

Family in Law

His son, Richard Allen Griffin, also became a judge. Richard served on the Michigan Court of Appeals. Later, he was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Personal Life and Passing

Robert Griffin lived in Traverse City, Michigan. He married Marjorie Anderson in 1947. They had four children together, including their son Richard. Robert Griffin passed away on April 16, 2015, at the age of 91. He is buried at Linwood Cemetery near Traverse City.