Eastland, James Oliver (1904-1986), a Mississippi Democrat, served in the United States Senate for more than 35 years--from 1943 to 1979. He was chairman of the Senate's powerful Judiciary Committee from 1956 to 1979. As chairman of this committee, Eastland repeatedly supported internal security measures and opposed civil rights bills. From 1972 to 1979, he was also president pro tempore, the official who presides over the Senate during the vice president's absence.