George Ross

George Edmund Ross (April 10, 1928 - January 28, 1976) was an American Politician, who served as the 39th President of the United States, and served as the 92nd Speaker of the House.

## Early Life

    George Edmund Ross was born April 10, 1928. He was the only child of Louis and Claire Ross, in Austin Texas. He worked on his Parent milking farm up until the age of 15, when they moved to Houston in order to open a new store, selling general amenities.

In 1942, Ross would attend Milby High School from 1942-1946, and would join the school Basketball team in his Senior year. He attended the University of Houston and was apart of the Class of 1950.

Nearly a month after Graduating, He would join the United States Navy, and graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 1951. He would be stationed aboard the USS Antitem, where he would mainly stay for 6 years until being Honorably discharged in 1956.

After Being discharged from the Military he would get a job as the clerk for the Houston City Council from 1957 to 1965. He would be hired by Lee Boyd to be his Chief of Staff, a position he would stay in until 1969.

## Early Political Career

In 1968, after strong persuasion from Lee Boyd, after announcing his retirement in late 1967, Ross would decide to announce his candidacy for Southwest’s At Large District. He would run on a campaign for Civil rights, and restoring the connection between the people and its government.

He would win the primary for the congressional district, he would face off against Republican Frank Crowley, he would defeat Crowley with 55.8% of the vote, to 44.2%. He would assume office on January 3, 1969.

## Congressional Career

After assuming office in 1969, Ross would run for Speaker of the House and face off against Nino Fortuna, although losing due to the Republican Majority at the time. Ross would assume the role as House Minority Leader.

He would lead the democrats to taking the House Majority in the  1970 Midterms. And would be re-elected the same year. In the House Leadership elections, Ross would run for House Speaker Un-Opposed, and would take the roll of Speaker on January 3, 1971.

### **Assassination Attempt**

*See: 1971 Washington D.C Car Bombings*

In the summer of 1971, an attempt would be made on Ross's life, as well as other high ranking political figures. In June, under direct order of President Kennedy, he would attempt to take the life of Majority Leader Trenton Xavier, and President of Ewing Oils J.R Ewing. A car bomb would be used to kill Trenton Xavier, a sniper rifle would be used to shoot and kill J.R. Ewing, and ricin would be used to poison Ross.

Although the plot did not go to plan, the car bomb meant for Trenton Xavier, exploded early, resulting in the deaths of 21 people, and injuring 31. The other assassination attempts were also failed, sniper bullet missed Ewing, and the ricin poisoning was not carried out.

The events did, however lead to the death and suicide of Michael Kennedy, resulting in-then Vice President Henry Jefferson, to assume the role of President. The resulting events would also lead to testifications to the House, from then CIA Director Simon Falluso, and other witnesses of the events, as well as the Saxbe report, released by special council W. Saxbe.

## Presidential Campaign

*See 1972 Democratic Party presidential primaries*

In June of 1971, in front of a crowd of 2,000 people in Austin Texas. Ross would make his official candidacy announcement for President of the United States, likely due to the recent events with the Kennedy Administration, Ross’s main campaign goal is to restore the trust between America, and its Government, promising to have a transparent administration.

Since July of 1971, Ross has been the current democratic party front runner, being the likely nominee, with small opposition. Ross has made many campaigns stops around the country, and poll numbers continue to rise in his favor.

    Throughout the democratic primaries, Ross held a very comfortable lead. And on the June - July Primaries, Ross secured enough delegates to win the nomination. At the time of the Democratic National Convention, Ross had accumulated 1,159 electoral delegates and choose Pennsylvania Governor Theodore Hanson.

     Ross ran a campaign on delivering opportunities, assist to veterans, spreading awareness for the ERA amendment, and unemployment, amongst other important issues. He campaigned primarily on the East Coast, while his Running mate Theodore Hanson, campaigned on the West coast, and in the Midwest.

Dewey Bartlett ran as an Independent Democrat, primarily running a campaign in Oklahoma, and in the South. Although he did not gain many electoral votes, he made a similar showing to George Wallace’s independent campaign in 1968.

On November 7, 1972 Ross would win the election in an electoral landslide, and will be assuming office in January 20, 1973, to replace outgoing President Henry Jefferson.

## Presidency (1973-1977)

Ross was inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States in January 20, 1973. His first week included signing executive orders which created Presidential Committees on improving Infrastructure, Veteran Wellness, and Equality.

Ross would hire Caroline Atwood as his Chief of Staff, and Professer Ahmad Hassani as his Senior Advisor, His Cabinet would be unanimously approved by the Senate,

### Domestic Policy

#### **Unemployment**

Ross took office during a period of mistrust in America, as well as a high rise in unemployment. On his first day in office, a big issue was, Veterans not being able to afford homes due to job shortages and inability to find jobs, nor were they able to afford health care. Ross would respond with Executive Order 11553, creating the Presidential Committee on Veterans wellness with the Secretary of Housing and Urban, as of February 1, 1973 the committee had an effectivity rate of 99%.

#### **Civil Rights**

Earlier in the year aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, a race riot was instigated involving in many injuries, and can be related to Anti-African American hate in the military. This lead to Ross creating the Presidential Committee on “Equality within the Armed forces” leaded by the Secretary of Defense. As of the most recent cabinet meeting on February 1, 1973 the committee had an effectivity rate of 73%, leading the committee to continue its work.

#### **Infrastructure**

Since Eisenhower’s highway system was completed, many roads in America was still ignored and were in desperate need of repair. Not only roads, but dams, bridges, railroads, and other important infrastructures. He would create the Presidential Committee on Infrastructure, lead by the Secretary of Interior. The committee had an effectivity rate of 29%, although the committee hasn’t had much success. There is still potential for the committee with approvements to be made and will still continue to operate.

#### **American Indian Movement**

On February 28, 1973, 980 members of the American Indian Movement occupied Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Ross would respond with attempting to contact leaders of the Movememt, but was denied, the crowd however grew to 1,786 people on February 30th.

Soon, Vice President Theodore Hansons and Secretary of the Interior Judy Chen would fly out to Wounded Knee, and meet with protest leaders. The meeting would result in a list of demands, as Native Americans have been victim to rape, and Police Brutality. As well as not having access to Housing, Food, Water, Elecricty or Plumbing.

Following the meetings, Ross would declare a state of national emergency in Reservations, while simultaneously sending 500 US Army troops, to all reservations, to keep the peace, under the basis of Civl unrest.

     On November 5th, 1973. Ross would hold a Joint Address to congress, asking for a Native American funding package, to provide funding to Native American reservations, for Housing, Electirictiy, Food, Water, and Plumbing, stating that we "give back to Native Americans" for the crimes done many years ago.

### Foreign Policy

#### Soviet Union

Since the Kennedy Administration, the United States relations with the USSR, China, and other countries have been in decline, although some minor improvements were made by Henry Jefferson, Ross’s main goal as President was to re-establish relations with foreign countries.

On his first day in office, in an attempt to re-establish trust with the Soviet Union, Ross signed an executive order which would withdraw U.S Nuclear ships that contained Nuclear warheads back to the United States, and halt United States nuclear testing.

     On April 18th 1973, Ross would travel to Oslo, Norway for the 1973 Strategic Arms Limitation talks with the USSR. Both would talk about nuclear arm reduction, with both agreeing to an arms reduction in both the United Nations, and Warsaw pact. As well as a reduction in Nuclear submarines.

#### Yom Kippur Wars

The "Yom Kippur Wars" lasted from October 6, 1973 to October 25, 1973 when the Arab Coalition would suddenly attack Israel on the holiday of Yom Kippur. Ross would initially announce support for Israel, although the support would not come until October 20th. At the beginning of the war,

Presidential Advisor Ahmad Hassani would announce his support for Israel, protesting against their occupation of arabian land, as well as atrocities committed. A statement following his original one, would result in his termination from the position, when asked Ross would say "I do believe in everyone’s opinion and respect it equally, but the statements he made reflect my administration and we do support Israel to the fullest extent." Many people would say this was in violation of the first amendment, and the presidents attempt at denying freedom of speech.

Talks would begin with th Arab Coalitions main and largest ally, the Soviet Union, between those talks a Cease Fire would be established until a negotiation can be met. The following week Ross spoke with yeh Israeli Prime Minister, and the leader of Egypt. Egypt would agree to meet in Egypt, while Israel would not travel outside of israeli land. After convincing from President Ross after his visit to Israel, they would agree to travel to Geneva.

At the 1973 Geneva Conference Talks, Israel and Egypt would agree to returning territory before the war, both sides would agree to work on ending discrimination against both sides, the final agreement would be Egypt paying 25% of total war damage, and 75% of the damage caused by the initial attack. While the US didn't contribute much to the actual resolution, the war would be ended as a result on October 25th.

Ross would be critized by many members of congress for his inability to act quicker, and provide support faster to Israel, of which the President would take responsibility for.

## Electoral History

***House of Representative***

Southwest’s At Large district election, 1968
 Total votes

Southwest’s At Large district election, 1970
 Total votes

### Leadership Elections

Template:Election box total flip Republican

1969 House Speakership Election

Template:Election box total flip Democrat

1971 House Speakership Election

### Presidential Elections

1972 Presidential Election (Edition II; Season I)
 Total votes