Sam L. Collins

Collins was born in Fortville, Indiana, attended public schools in Indiana and California, and graduated from Chaffey Union High School, Ontario, California, in 1915. He served as a private in the Hospital Corps, Seventh Infantry, California National Guard on the Mexican border in 1916. ==World War I service ==

From 1917 to 1919, he served in the United States Army overseas as a sergeant in Co. C, 364th Infantry, 91st Division. After discharge from the Army, Collins studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1921, and practiced in Fullerton, California. ==Legal career==

He was assistant district attorney of Orange County, California, 1926–1930 and district attorney 1930–1932. ==Political career ==

In 1932 Collins was elected to the 73rd Congress, and reelected, serving during 1933–1937. He lost his bid for reelection to a third term in 1936. Collins served as member of the California State Assembly for the 75th district from 1941 to 1953, serving as speaker 1947–1952. Collins was the longest-serving Speaker in California history until the record was broken by Jesse M. Unruh, who was speaker from 1961 to 1969. Collins is the fifth-longest-serving Speaker behind Leo T. McCarthy (1974–1980), Anthony Rendon (2016–2023), Unruh, and Willie Brown (1980–1995). Collins is the longest-serving Republican Speaker. After serving in the Assembly, he resumed the practice of law. ==Death==

Collins died at the age of 69 in Fullerton and is buried at Loma Vista Memorial Park. == Electoral history ==