Sidney R. Yates | |
|---|---|
 Yates in 1983 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 9th district | |
| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Edward R. Finnegan |
| Succeeded by | Jan Schakowsky |
| In office January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1963 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Twyman |
| Succeeded by | Edward R. Finnegan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 27, 1909 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | October 5, 2000 (aged 91) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Adeline Holleb (1937–2002) |
| Children | Stephen R. Yates (1940–2000) |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago (B Ph, JD) |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | Judge Advocate General's Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Sidney Richard Yates (August 27, 1909 – October 5, 2000) was an American politician from the state of Illinois. A native of Chicago, he graduated from Lake View High School in 1928. He received bachelor's (1931) and law (1933) degrees from the University of Chicago, was admitted to the bar, and practiced law in Chicago. In addition to working as an attorney, Yates also played semiprofessional basketball in the 1930s. He gained his initial experience in government as an attorney for the state bank receiver (1935–1937), and an assistant state attorney general specializing in traction railroads for the Illinois Commerce Commission (1937–1940). During World War II, Yates served in the United States Navy for two years (1944–1946) as an attorney based in Washington, D.C.
In 1948, Yates was elected to Congress, and he served from 1949 to 1963. After an unsuccessful run against Everett Dirksen for the United States Senate in 1962, in 1964 Yates was again elected to the House. He served from 1965 to 1999, and did not run for reelection in 1998. He was a longtime member of the House Appropriations Committee, where he became known for staunch U.S. support of Israel, and federal funding for parks, historical conservation, and the arts. Yates was also an advocate for several liberal causes, including opposition to discrimination based on age. At the time he concluded his service, he was third oldest person to ever serve in the House (age 89) behind Charles Manly Stedman and Isaac R. Sherwood, and one of the longest-tenured members in the history of Congress (total House service of 48 years).
Yates died in Washington in 2000. He was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois.