Colonel William A. Phillips

James Vear Hansen (August 14, 1932 – November 14, 2018) was an American politician from Utah, who was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 2003.

Early life and education

Hansen was born in Salt Lake City, graduating from the city's East High School. From 1951 until 1955, he served in the United States Navy. He attended the University of Utah, receiving a business degree from the school in 1961.

Career

The same year that he left college, Hansen was elected to the Farmington City Council. He also worked as an insurance agent.

From 1973 until 1980, Hansen was a member of the Utah House of Representatives, serving as speaker of the house from 1979 until 1980. In 1980, he defeated K. Gunn McKay to represent Utah's 1st congressional district.[1] He faced off against McKay two more times, in 1986 and 1988, prevailing in both races.[2][3]

Hansen retired on January 3, 2003. Hansen served as chairman of the Committee on Resources in his last term in the 107th Congress. Hansen ran for the governorship in 2004, but was defeated at the Republican convention by Jon Huntsman Jr. who went on to win the election. He was appointed a commissioner on the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

When a portion of U.S. Route 89 in Weber County, Utah was upgraded to freeway standards, it was named the James V. Hansen Highway.[4] The federal building in Ogden, Utah was renamed the James V. Hansen Federal Building in his honor in 2004.[5]

Personal life

Hansen died on November 14, 2018, at the age of 86.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Jim Hansen, southwestern Utah's congressman for 20 years, dies at age 86". Deseret News. 2018-11-14.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Groups Fined for Illegal Contributions". Deseret News. 1994-07-15.
  3. ^ "The Elections: West; Utah-Bush". New York Times. 1988-11-10.
  4. ^ "Utah Code Section 72-4-208". Utah State Legislature. Archived from the original on 2008-07-11. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  5. ^ Federal Judicial Center Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
  6. ^ "James Hansen, Long-Serving Utah Republican Dies at 86". Archived from the original on 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2018-11-14.

External links

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Utah's 1st congressional district

January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2003
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Nancy Johnson
Connecticut
Chairman of House Ethics Committee
1997–1999
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Don Young
Alaska
Chairman of House Resources Committee
2001–2003
Succeeded by
Richard Pombo
California