US Congressman. He received a law degree from the University of Alabama in 1937 and became an attorney in Scottsboro. In 1940 he was elected Judge of the Jackson County Court, and he was reelected in absentia in 1945, holding the office until October, 1946. During World War II Jones served in the United States Navy as a gunnery officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, remaining in uniform from December, 1943 to February, 1946. In 1947 he was the successful Democratic nominee for the US House of Representatives in the special election held to fill the vacancy created when John Sparkman resigned to become a US Senator. Jones was reelected fourteen times and served from January, 1947 to January, 1977. In his final term he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Jones was instrumental in moving the Army's rocket and guided missile programs to Alabama's Redstone Arsenal, and in 1949 he authored the first Rural Housing Act. In the 1950s Jones played a key role in the creation of the Interstate Highway System, and throughout his career he oversaw the creation and expansion of the Tennessee Valley Authority and other river, harbor and flood control projects. He did not run for reelection in 1976 and lived in retirement in Scottsboro. Bob Jones Auditorium at Redstone Arsenal, Bob Jones Bridge in Scottsboro and Bob Jones High School in Madison are all named for him.
US Congressman. He received a law degree from the University of Alabama in 1937 and became an attorney in Scottsboro. In 1940 he was elected Judge of the Jackson County Court, and he was reelected in absentia in 1945, holding the office until October, 1946. During World War II Jones served in the United States Navy as a gunnery officer in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, remaining in uniform from December, 1943 to February, 1946. In 1947 he was the successful Democratic nominee for the US House of Representatives in the special election held to fill the vacancy created when John Sparkman resigned to become a US Senator. Jones was reelected fourteen times and served from January, 1947 to January, 1977. In his final term he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Jones was instrumental in moving the Army's rocket and guided missile programs to Alabama's Redstone Arsenal, and in 1949 he authored the first Rural Housing Act. In the 1950s Jones played a key role in the creation of the Interstate Highway System, and throughout his career he oversaw the creation and expansion of the Tennessee Valley Authority and other river, harbor and flood control projects. He did not run for reelection in 1976 and lived in retirement in Scottsboro. Bob Jones Auditorium at Redstone Arsenal, Bob Jones Bridge in Scottsboro and Bob Jones High School in Madison are all named for him.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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