LeRoy Collins, one of Florida's most noted Democratic politicians, was born in Tallahassee March 10, 1909. After serving as a state representative for six years, in 1940 he not only won election to the state senate but also joined the U.S. Navy, where he served the duration of World War II. In 1954, he left the state senate to run a successful campaign for governor, a position he held from 1955-1961. One of the first "New South" politicians, Governor Collins advocated strong civil rights legislation, pushed the legislature to create a junior college program, and launched a public television network covering the entire state. His record and his chairmanship of the 1960 Democratic convention prompted his critics to nickname him "Liberal LeRoy." After leaving politics, he became president of the National Broadcasters Association and then chief officer of the Community Relations Service, where he acted as both
Source: "Ex-Governor of Florida LeRoy Collins Dies at 82,"