Charles Longstreet Weltner

Charles Longstreet Weltner (December 17, 1927 – August 31, 1992) was an American jurist and politician from the U.S. state of Georgia who served as a Representative from Georgia in the United States Congress from 1963 to 1967. A member of the Democratic Party, he served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives during a significant period in American history, contributing to the legislative process and representing the interests of his constituents.

Born on December 17, 1927, Weltner came of age in the American South during a time of profound social and political change. His early life in Georgia exposed him to the region’s evolving attitudes on civil rights, politics, and public service, influences that would later shape his career in law and government. Details of his family background and upbringing are less extensively documented, but his subsequent professional path reflects a strong commitment to public life and the legal profession.

Weltner pursued higher education and legal training before entering public service, preparing for a career as a jurist and attorney. After completing his studies and being admitted to the bar, he established himself in the legal community in Georgia. His work as a lawyer, combined with his interest in public affairs, positioned him for entry into electoral politics at a time when the Democratic Party dominated the political landscape of the South but was increasingly divided over national issues, particularly civil rights.

Building on his legal and civic experience, Weltner was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. House of Representatives, taking office in 1963. He served two consecutive terms, remaining in Congress until 1967. His tenure coincided with a transformative era in American politics, marked by the civil rights movement, the administration of President John F. Kennedy and later Lyndon B. Johnson, and major legislative initiatives on voting rights, civil rights, and social welfare. As a member of the House of Representatives, Charles Longstreet Weltner participated in the democratic process, engaged in debate and lawmaking, and contributed to the legislative work of the 88th and 89th Congresses. During these years he represented his Georgia constituents in Washington, D.C., while navigating the complex political currents affecting both the South and the nation.

Weltner’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, and his role as a Southern Democrat placed him at the crossroads of regional tradition and national change. His participation in the House reflected both his legal training and his sensitivity to the shifting political and social climate of the 1960s. Although specific committee assignments and sponsored legislation are not detailed here, his record in Congress formed an important part of his broader career as a public servant and jurist.

After leaving Congress in 1967, Weltner continued to be active in public life and legal affairs. He remained engaged with contemporary issues affecting the South and the nation, drawing on his experience as both a legislator and a lawyer. On March 22, 1968, he delivered a notable speech about “the Southerner at the crossroads” at The University of Alabama’s Emphasis Symposium on Contemporary Issues, an address that reflected his ongoing concern with the moral and political challenges facing the region during the civil rights era and its aftermath. This appearance underscored his continuing role as a public intellectual and commentator on Southern politics and society.

In his later years, Weltner’s reputation rested on his combined record as a jurist and former member of Congress from Georgia. He remained identified with the Democratic Party and with the generation of Southern politicians who confronted the profound changes of mid‑twentieth‑century America. Charles Longstreet Weltner died on August 31, 1992, closing a career that spanned law, elective office, and public discourse during one of the most consequential periods in modern American political history.