John P. Yates

John Phillip Yates (November 24, 1921 – December 11, 2017) was an American Republican politician who served as a Member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing the 73rd District from 1993 until 2016. He was the chairman of the House Defense & Veterans Affairs committee and also served on the Appropriations, Motor Vehicles, and Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment committees.[1]

Representative
John P. Yates
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 73rd district
In office
January 11, 1993 – January 8, 2017
Succeeded byKaren Mathiak
Personal details
Born
John Phillip Yates

(1921-11-24)November 24, 1921
Griffin, Georgia, U.S.
DiedDecember 11, 2017(2017-12-11) (aged 96)
Griffin, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAnnie
Children3
Residence(s)Griffin, Georgia
Alma materGeorgia State University

Biography

Yates was born in Griffin, Georgia. After attending school in Spalding County, Georgia, he attended Georgia State University where he graduated with a BPA. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army, having fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He flew over 200 missions during his service, attaining the rank of second lieutenant. After the war, Yates worked for the Ford Motor Company for 35 years.[2] He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1989, the first Republican to be elected from the 73rd district, in 1988. After his defeat at the next election, he was re-elected again in 1992. Yates died of December 11, 2017.[3][4]

Border Patrol controversy

In 2010, Yates generated controversy when he stated at a debate that agents of the United States Border Patrol should be able to shoot and kill people attempting to cross illegally into the United States. The Anti-Defamation League and Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials were strongly condemning of the remarks, referring to them as "outrageous", "hate speech", and as "grossly offensive".[5] Yates later defended his comments in an interview with a news station, stating that "[illegal immigrants] have to [be stopped] some way", drawing the comparison to enemies of the country.[6]

References
  1. "Members of the General Assembly of Georgia, Senate and House of Representatives, first session of 2009-2010 term". Georgia General Assembly. January 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  2. "Yates, John P". Gpb.org. Archived from the original on 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  3. "Georgia Technical Colleges Delegations". Ciclt.net. 1921-11-24. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  4. John P. Yates-obituary
  5. Wheatley, Thomas (2010-10-15). "State Rep. John Yates: Border guards should 'shoot to kill' | Atlanta News & Opinion Blog | Fresh Loaf | Creative Loafing Atlanta". Clatl.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  6. "Georgia Lawmaker Defends 'Shoot To Kill' Solution To Immigration: 'They're Invading Us'". ThinkProgress. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
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