John B. Orr Jr. (c. 1920 – July 25, 1974) was an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives and as the Mayor of Metropolitan Dade County from 1972 to 1974.
Background
Orr earned a Bachelor of Laws from the Fredric G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida. In 1954, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. During his tenure in the House, Orr was the only member who voted against school segregation in 1956. He was defeated for re-election in 1958.[1]
Orr was a mentor to Janet Reno during her early career in Miami-Dade County politics.[2]
In 1972, Orr was elected the third mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida. Orr died of cancer in 1974 and was succeeded by Stephen P. Clark.[3] Orr is the namesake of the Jack Orr Plaza in front of the Main Library and the Jack Orr Plaza Apartments, a public housing complex.[4]
References
- ^ "John B. Orr Jr., 54, Dead; Dade County Mayor Since ' 72 (Published 1974)". The New York Times. 1974-07-26. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
- ^ "Former U.S. attorney general Janet Reno dies". POLITICO. Associated Press. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
- ^ Powell, Robert Andrew (1995-12-21). "The Reports of My Death Are Greatly Exaggerated". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
- ^ "Jack Orr Plaza Property Profile". www.miamidade.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-16.