Barry Goldwater, Jr.

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Barry Goldwater Jr.
Barry Goldwater, Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 27th, 20th district
In office
April 29, 1969 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by Ed Reinecke
Succeeded by Bill Thomas
Born July 15, 1938 (1938-07-15) (age 69)
Flag of the United States Los Angeles, California
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Spouse Sylvia Delucia
Profession Congressman, Political activist, Public Speaker,

Humanitarian, Businessman
Religion Christian

Barry Morris Goldwater, Jr. (born July 15, 1938), is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from California, 1969-1983. He is the son of the late Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, the Republican nominee who ran against Lyndon B. Johnson for President of the United States during the 1964 Presidential election.

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[edit] Early life

Goldwater was born on July 15, 1938. He graduated from Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia in 1957. Goldwater attended the University of Colorado and graduated from Arizona State University in 1962. He then worked as a stockbroker, public relations executive and in import-export business before being elected to Congress.

[edit] Political career

In April of 1969 Goldwater ran his first race for Congress representing northern Los Angeles County. He won that race for the 91st Congress and was reelected for six consecutive terms. During his time in Washington Goldwater served on several committees such as the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, the Joint Committee on Energy, the Committee on Science and Technology, and also served on the Special Committee that reviewed the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

During his tenure Goldwater drafted legislation that addressed issues that are still topics of debate today. The Privacy Act of 1974, that prevents the distribution of private information from government and businesses, is one of the best known laws of which he drafted.

In 1980 Goldwater campaigned for family friend and Governor of California Ronald Reagan who won the presidential election against Jimmy Carter. Ironically Goldwater would later publicly debate Reagan's son Ron Reagan who did not support Goldwater friend and then California Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger went on to win the 2003 recall election to replace Gray Davis as Governor of California.

Goldwater ran for the Republican nomination to the United States Senate in 1982. Goldwater lost that race to Pete Wilson due to what Goldwater labeled "partisan mudslinging" which linked his name to a congressional drug use scandal that Goldwater was found not to be involved in. Goldwater during that time did seek help from a treatment center in Wickenburg, Arizona for an admitted drinking problem which he overcame. His term in office expired in January 1983 when the congressional seat he had vacated was filled after the November 1982 general election.

On November 16, 2007, Goldwater publicly endorsed Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul of Texas for the GOP nomination in 2008.[1]

On January 5, 2008, Goldwater announced his decision to go to New Hampshire to campaign for Ron Paul[2], after his 10% showing in the Iowa caucuses, held on January 3, 2008. His efforts helped Paul garner 8% of the vote in New Hampshire. He also spoke in support of Ron Paul at the Kansas GOP caucus.

[edit] Subsequent career

After retiring from politics Goldwater moved to Los Angeles and pursued a career in the financial sector specializing in security law and underwriting. Goldwater's clients were major US banks and insurance companies. Goldwater became a member of the New York Stock Exchange and a partner in what is now Wedbush Morgan Securities (formerly Noble Cook, Inc.)

Goldwater now lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his second wife, Sylvia Goldwater, and near his son Barry M. Goldwater, III.

He has served on the board of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. He is also currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Goldwater Institute. The Goldwater Institute is a nonprofit political think tank which studies and publishes findings on public policies that align with the conservative values promoted by Goldwater’s father. Goldwater supported legislation and policies generally embrace economic independence, individual rights, and a restriction of governmental powers.

Goldwater maintains his contact with Republican and Democratic leaders, as well as celebrity activists, while he continues to champion the conservative political movement started by his father. He is a member of the American Numismatic Association and is currently director of the National Collector's Mint.

[edit] Awards and honors

Goldwater, Jr., has won several awards including the Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; an award from the President’s Commission on Employment of the Handicapped; the Distinguished Service Award of the A.C.A.; and the Conscience of the Congress Award of the American Conservative Union.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ron Paul Endorsed by Barry Goldwater, Jr. — Ron Paul 2008
  2. ^ Barry Goldwater, Jr. to Campaign for Ron Paul in NH — Ron Paul 2008

[edit] External links