Burton Barr (1917–1997) was an American Army colonel, businessman and politician. He served as a Republican member of the

Arizona House of Representatives The Arizona House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature (United States), state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The upper house is the Arizona Senate, Senate. The House convenes in the le ...

from 1964 to 1986, and as its Republican Majority Leader from 1966 to 1986.

Biography

Early life

Burton S. Barr was born in 1917.

Career

During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, he served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany.Arizona legislature: On the Death of the Honorable Burton S. Barr.
/ref> He received the two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star for his service. He became a lieutenant colonel in 1946 and a colonel in 1964, when he resigned from the army. During his service in World War II, Barr commanded three men who won the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

, one of them being

Audie Murphy Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was an American soldier, actor, and songwriter. He was widely celebrated as the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II, and has been described as the most highly decorated enli ...

. In 1964, he was elected as a Republican member of the

, representing District 18, where he served until 1986. Additionally, he served as the Republican Majority Leader in the House from 1966 to 1986. In 1986, he ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Arizona, losing the Republican primary to

Evan Mecham Evan Mecham ( ; May 12, 1924 – February 21, 2008) was an American businessman and the List of governors of Arizona, 17th governor of Arizona, serving from January 5, 1987, until his Impeachment by state and territorial governments of the United ...

. He was defeated after he voted for a tax increase after saying he would vote against it, that was followed by a press conference where he was asked why he said he was going to vote against the tax increase, Barr said, "I lied. Next question." Barr was known as one of the most effective political leaders in state history. His colleagues in the legislature referred to him as "Mister Magic". Barr helped pass legislation promoting such things as vehicle inspections, health care, education, prison reform, child care, and freeway funding.

Death

He died on January 13, 1997.

Legacy

* The Burton Barr Central Library in

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...

, was named in his honor. * The ''Burton S. Barr Memorial Scholarship'' at

Arizona State University Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public university, public research university in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the university is o ...

was also named in his honor.

Secondary source

* Philip R. VanderMeer. ''Burton Barr: Political Leadership and the Transformation of Arizona''. Tucson, Arizona: The University of Arizona Press. 2014.The University of Arizona Press
/ref>

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barr, Burton 1917 births 1997 deaths United States Army personnel of World War II Republican Party members of the Arizona House of Representatives Businesspeople from Arizona 20th-century American businesspeople United States Army colonels 20th-century members of the Arizona State Legislature