John Donald Fuqua (born August 20, 1933) is a former U.S. Democratic politician from Florida. He represented Florida in the United States House of Representatives from 1963 to 1987.

Don Fuqua
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida
In office
January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1987
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byJames W. Grant
Constituency9th district (1963–1967)
2nd district (1967–1987)
Chair of the House Committee on Science and Technology
In office
January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1987
Preceded byOlin E. Teague
Succeeded byRobert A. Roe
Personal details
Born (1933-08-20) August 20, 1933 (age 91)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Florida

Early years and Education

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Don Fuqua was born in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida in 1933. His parents were John D and Lucille Fuqua. He had two brothers, Harry Fuqua and Kenneth Fuqua [1] Fuqua attended the University of Florida at Gainesville from 1951 to 1953. After serving in the Korean war, he returned to the university to graduate in 1957. Fuqua served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1958 to 1962.[1]

Politics

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He was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives from Florida and served from January 3, 1963, to January 3, 1987. Fuqua was chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee.[2]

Fuqua is one of the last living four people who voted on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (along with Lucien N. Nedzi, Alec Olsen and William J. Green III). In addition, he is the last living member who voted 'nay' on the landmark legislation. Although, he later said that he only voted nay because he was expecting to be challenged by a segregationist in the 1964 elections.[3][4]

Personal life

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Fuqua served in Korea with the United States Army Medical Corps during and after the Korean War. During most of his congressional career, Fuqua maintained his legal residence on a farm near Altha in Calhoun County, Florida, where he became a seasoned dairy farmer. He currently resides in Gainesville, Florida.[1]

After leaving Congress, Fuqua became president of the Aerospace Industries Association.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "FUQUA, Don, (1933 - )". United States Congress. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Gadsden Times - Google News Archive Search".
  3. ^ "50 Years Later, Former Congressman Describes Context Of March on Washington". WUFT | News and public media for north central Florida. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  4. ^ "H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A … -- House Vote #182 -- Jul 2, 1964". GovTrack.us. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  5. ^ "INDUSTRY PLEA DON'T MAKE THINGS WORSE". Washington Post. 1988-12-18. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
District created
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 9th congressional district

1963–1967
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 2nd congressional district

1967–1987
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Chairman of House Science Committee
1979–1987
Succeeded by
Robert A. Roe
New Jersey
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative