Draft:Howard McDonnell

Howard Andre McDonnell (June 13, 1909 - February 19, 1992) was an American politician from Mississippi. He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1940 to 1944 and was member of the Mississippi State Senate from 1944 to 1948, 1952 to 1956, and 1964 to 1968.

Early life and education
McDonnell was born on June 13, 1909 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His family moved to Biloxi, Mississippi after he was born and he attended both the Gulf Coast Military Academy and Biloxi High School. McDonnell studied criminology at Loyola University, graduating in 1935. He earned a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law and was admitted to the state bar in 1937. For a time, McDonnell studied business at Draughons College and eventually earned a PhD in Criminologal Research at Walden University.

Career
McDonnell started his career in Biloxi, where he was a practicing attorney and criminologist. McDonnell was an advocate for prisoners' rights and worked to establish a juvenile court system in Mississippi. McDonnell publicly argued in the Sun Herald that such a court would prevent youth offenders from falling into a cycle of violence. In February 1938, he presented a plan for the system to the Mississippi Legislature. While a bill to create the system was introduced, it failed in the House and McDonnell directed his attention towards creating a local version of the system in Biloxi. Also in 1938 he was involved in the creation of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

In 1939, McDonnell mounted a campaign for the Mississippi House of Representatives. His campaign focused on the promotion of his proposed juvenile court and on offering pensions to public employees. He won the election and took office in 1940.

While serving in the Mississippi Senate, McDonnell sponsored legislation banning the use of bullwhips in the Mississippi State Penitentiary.

In 1963, he served on an American Bar Association committee researching how access to legal services differed across class divides in Mississippi.

Doctor and civil rights activist Gilbert R. Mason pushed for McDonnell to be nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in 1965, however, President Lyndon B. Johnson ultimately nominated James P. Coleman.

McDonnell wrote the book In The Throes of Criminal Justice, which was published in 1988 by Dorrance Publishing Company. The book was a lengthy explanation of his views on the American criminal justice system.

He also helped create the state parole system.

Personal life
McDonnell was a high school and college football player, for Biloxi High School and Loyola University.

McDonnell married Ethel Ruth in 1948. They had a son, Howard Andre McDonnell Jr., and a daughter, Susan Oustalet. McDonnell was a Lutheran when first elected to office but became an Episcopalian later in life.

He died on February 19, 1992.