George Robert Watkins (May 21, 1902 – August 7, 1970), also known as G. Robert Watkins, was an American politician from Pennsylvania. He served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania Senate 9th district from 1949 to 1960, the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district from 1965 to 1967 and the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district from 1967 to 1970. Early life George Watkins was born on May 21, 1902 in Hampton, Virginia. He learned the trade of shipfitter in Newport News, Virginia. In 1920, he moved to Chester, Pennsylvania and organized the Chester Stevedoring Company, which he sold in 1931. In the 1920s, he was known to ship bootleg alcohol for the Delaware County Republican political boss, John J. McClure. In 1932, he and a partner founded the Blue Line Transfer Company and operated hundreds of trucks in the eastern United States. Watkins was president and board chairman of the Blue Line Transfer Company. Political career In 1945, Watkins was elected Sheriff of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and served one term through 1948. In 1948, Watkins was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate, 9th district, where he served from 1949 to 1960. He was succeeded by Clarence D. Bell. Watkins served one term as county commissioner for Delaware County, from 1960 to 1964. In 1964, Watkins was elected to the 89th United States Congress as a representative for Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district and served from 1965 to 1967. Watkins was reelected to the 90th United States Congress and the 91st United States Congress. Watkins served on the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce during the 89th and 90th Congresses. He was appointed a member on Oct. 19, 1966, upon the resignation of vice Willard S. Curtin. At his death, he was succeeded on the committee on Sept. 23, 1970 by Republican John G. Schmitz of California. Redistricting controversy On February 17, 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court rendered a long-awaited decision on congressional redistricting. By a six to three vote, the Court, in Wesberry v. Sanders that "as nearly as practicable, one man's vote in a congressional election it to be worth as much as another's." The effect of this ruling meant that the redistricting in Pennsylvania and many other states based on the 1960 census was nullified and would need to be redone. In regard to his opposition to reapportionment and