Russell, Richard Brevard (1897-1971), a Georgia Democrat, was one of the most influential people ever to serve in the United States Senate. He served as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee in 1951 and 1952 and again from 1955 until 1969, when he became chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. In 1969, he also was elected president pro tempore of the Senate. As chairman of the appropriations group, Russell had great influence on the nation's spending, especially in gaining Senate approval of military budgets.