Griffin, Robert P. (Robert Paul), 1923-

Born Nov. 6, 1923, Griffin graduated from Dearborn (Mich.)'s Fordson High School (1941) and Central Michigan University (CMU) (1947). He served in World War II in the 71st Infantry Division. In 1950, Griffin earned the degree of Juris Doctor from the School of Law at the University of Michigan. He served as U.S. Representative from Michigan, 1956-1966; as U.S. Senator from Michigan, 1966-1979; Senate Minority Whip, 1969-1976; and as a justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan, 1986-1995. Griffin is most known for co-authoring the Landrum-Griffin Act in 1959. He successfully led the opposition against Justice Abe Fortas being promoted to the position of Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Griffin was a political force in the careers of Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Richard M. Nixon, and the Watergate Affair. In 1947, Griffin married Marjorie (Marge) Anderson. Together they have four children. Both Marge and Sen. Griffin have received CMU's Distinguished Alumni Awards. The Griffin Endowed Chair in CMU's Political Science Dept. honors both Senator and Marge Griffin. If seeks to elevate political awareness and activity among students, faculty, and citizens. (Information is from the collection.).