Dawson Mathis

Marvin Dawson Mathis (November 30, 1940 – April 17, 2017) was an American politician. A Democrat, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia.

Early life Mathis was born on November 30, 1940, in Nashville, Georgia, the son of Marvin W. Mathis and Nell Dawson (née Abel) Mathis. Educated at public schools in Nashville, he studied at South Georgia State College. From 1964 to 1970, he was director of WALB.

Career Mathis was a Democrat. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1971, to January 3, 1981, representing Georgia's 2nd district.

Mathis unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate in 1980, Ideologically, he was conservative. He supported low taxes, small government spending, and national defense.

After serving in Congress, Mathis became a lobbyist, as which he represented MassMutual, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the United Parcel Service, and the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, among other clients. He retired in 2009. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the National Fraternal Order of Police, and Toastmasters International. He died on April 17, 2017, aged 76, in Tifton, from heart failure.