Dan Burton
Dan Burton | |
---|---|
Thomas M. Davis | |
Member of the Indiana Senate from the 31st district | |
In office December 4, 1980[1] – November 3, 1982 | |
Preceded by | John Mutz[2] |
Succeeded by | William Vobach[3] |
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the 44th district | |
In office November 3, 1976 – December 5, 1980 | |
Preceded by | Stanley Clark Boyer[4] |
Succeeded by | Lawrence Buell |
Member of the Indiana Senate from the 19th district | |
In office November 6, 1968 – November 4, 1970 | |
Preceded by | Willie Warren Hill Jr[5] |
Succeeded by | Willie Warren Hill Jr[6] |
Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the 26th district | |
In office November 9, 1966 – November 6, 1968 | |
Preceded by | Multi-member district[7] |
Succeeded by | Multi-member district |
Personal details | |
Born | Danny Lee Burton June 21, 1938 Indianapolis, Indiana, US |
Political party | Republican |
Spouses | Barbara Logan (died 2002)Samia Tawil (m. 2006) |
Children | 4 |
Education | Indiana University, Indianapolis Cincinnati Christian University |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1956–1962 |
Danny Lee Burton (born June 21, 1938) is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for Indiana's 5th congressional district, and previously the 6th district, serving from 1983 until 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party and was part of the Tea Party Caucus.[8]
Early life, education, and early career
Burton was born in Indianapolis, the son of Bonnie L. (née Hardesty) and Charles W. Burton. His father, a former policeman,[9] was abusive to his mother,[10] and never held a job for very long. The family moved constantly, living in trailer parks, cabins, and motels. In June 1950, some years after the couple divorced,[9] his mother went to the police and got a restraining order against his father. He responded by kidnapping Burton's mother. Burton and his younger brother and sister were briefly sent to the Marion County Children's Guardian Home.[11] After his mother escaped, Burton's father went to jail for two years. Burton's mother remarried, and Burton and his younger brother and sister had happier teenage years.[12][13]
Burton worked as a caddy at a local country club in order to make ends meet, where he learned the golf skills that led to his winning a statewide golf championship in high school.[9] He graduated from Shortridge High School in 1957, and attended Indiana University (1958–59) and the Cincinnati Bible Seminary (now known as Cincinnati Christian University) (1959–60). He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1957, before leaving active duty to return to college but remained in the Army Reserves from 1957 to 1962. After school, Burton became a real estate broker and he founded the Dan Burton Insurance Agency in 1968.[11]
Indiana legislature
Burton was a member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
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Burton first ran for Congress in 1970, losing to
After the
- 2008
In 2008, Burton faced a reasonably well-funded challenger in the Republican primary for the first time since his initial run for the seat in former Marion County Coroner John McGoff. Burton defeated McGoff 52% to 45% in the closest Republican primary election of his career.[17]
- 2010
In 2010, he faced six challengers in the Republican primary. He won the primary with a plurality of 30%. He defeated State Representative Luke Messer (28%), McGoff (19%), State Representative Mike Murphy (9%), Brose McVey (8%), Andy Lyons (4%), and Ann Adcock (3%). Burton only carried a majority in one county (55%): Huntington.[18][19]
- 2012
In 2012, Burton was due to face a number of challengers in the Republican primary including McGoff, former
Tenure
- Helms–Burton bill
In 1995, Burton authored legislation targeting foreign companies that did business with Cuba. The bill allowed foreign companies to be sued in American courts if, in dealings with the government of Fidel Castro, they acquired assets formerly owned by Americans. In February 1996, Cuba shot down two small Brothers to the Rescue planes piloted by anti-Castro Cuban-Americans. As part of the White House response to crack down on Cuba, President Clinton signed the Helms–Burton Act into law.[11]
- Conservative voting record
Burton was a consistently conservative vote in the US House. In the 109th Congress, he had a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee.[22] He also has an A rating with the Gun Owners of America.[23]
Burton has received a number of awards from conservative groups, including a Friend of the Farm Bureau Award in 2004 from the
- Government Performance and Results Act
Burton was the primary sponsor for a 1998 effort,[25] opposed by the Clinton administration,[25] to require federal government agencies to do more strategic planning, establish more accountability measurements, and do more reporting on their performance. H.R. 2883, the "Government Performance and Results Act Amendments", was not enacted into law.
- Exposing the Winter Hill Gang/FBI Corruption
In his role as chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee, Burton helped expose FBI corruption that led to the wrongful conviction of Joseph Salvati, Peter Limone, Henry Tameleo and Louis Greco for the murder of Edward "Teddy" Deegan. The three-year investigation that Burton spearheaded helped exonerate the four, who were eventually awarded $102 million by Judge Nancy Gertner of the District of Massachusetts.[26]
- Republican Study Committee
Burton served as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of conservative House Republicans, during the 101st Congress. After Newt Gingrich yanked funding for the group in 1995, Burton joined fellow congressmen John Doolittle of California, Ernest Istook of Oklahoma and Sam Johnson of Texas in refounding it as the Conservative Action Team. The three men shared the chairmanship from 1994 to 1999. In 2001, the CAT regained its original name, the RSC.[27]
- Pro-Pakistan and Anti-India
Congressman Burton is a founding member and co-chair of Pakistan Caucus in House of Congress.
Burton has received at least $10,000 in campaign donations from Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, who runs the Kashmir Center, a pro-Pakistan advocacy group.[31] Burton was the chief supporter in Congress of the Kashmiri American Council, until it was revealed to be a front of Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate engaging in illegal lobbying activities on US soil.[32]
- Support for Bahrain's monarchy
Burton has been noted for his vocal support of Bahrain's
Committee assignments
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific
- Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia(Chairman)
- Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
- Subcommittee on Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and the National Archives
- Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense and Foreign Operations
Post-Congressional career
On February 13, 2013, the Azerbaijan America Alliance announced his appointment as Chairman of the group.[34] Burton is listed as chairman on the organization's web site as well.[35]
In October 2015, it was reported that Burton registered as a lobbyist on behalf of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), an organization established by the Church of Scientology. CCHR advocates against psychiatry and psychiatric medicine, and is critical of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It has been described by critics as a Scientology front group. While not a member of the Church, Burton attended the opening of the Church's national office in 2012 and has praised CCHR's work in the past.[36]
Controversies
![]() | This article's "criticism" or "controversy" section may compromise the article's neutrality. (July 2021) |
Tainted funds from Pakistan
In July 2011, Burton was revealed by an
Vince Foster murder claims
Burton led the House inquiry into the 1993 death of Vince Foster, the deputy White House counsel to President Bill Clinton who committed suicide, but who Burton believed was murdered. He urged extensive investigation into the possible involvement of the Clintons and gained attention for re-enacting the alleged crime in his backyard with his own pistol and a cantaloupe[39] standing in for Foster's head. In 1998, Burton said of Clinton, "If I could prove 10 percent of what I believe happened [regarding the death of Foster], he'd be gone. This guy's a scumbag. That's why I'm after him."[9]
After hearings into Democratic fundraising (see section below) began, a Democratic National Committee staffer appeared in a pumpkin suit with a button that read, "Don't shoot".[40] Burton's information during the Whitewater controversy was based on research conducted by Floyd Brown, who founded Citizens United in 1988. Due to problems with the quality of Brown's research and testimony, the investigation was closed.[41]
Golfing
In 1990, The New York Times reported that in 1989, Burton had been a "celebrity player" at the Bob Hope Classic in Palm Springs, California, the Kemper Open in Potomac, Maryland, the Larry Bird Golf Classic in Indianapolis, the Danny Thompson Memorial Tournament in Sun Valley, Idaho, the Sugarloaf Invitational tournament in Maine and the Arte Johnson Tournament in Chicago. Such players received free airline flights, free meals, and free lodging from tournament sponsors and, often, free merchandise.[42]
In November 1995, the House voted to prohibit members and their staffs from receiving gifts, including free meals and free travel to charity sports events. Burton, who led the effort to exempt charity trips, said that he played in two golf tournaments each year, and, "We get more of these lobbyists in our office than we do on the golf course."[43]
In January 1997, Burton played in the
In December 2004, Burton and two aides flew to the island of Guam. The trip was paid for by the Guam government and tourism industry. In addition to some official events, including touring a military facility, Burton played in a charity golf tournament. After he returned, he tried to help Guam's tourism industry get a sought-after change in visa rules.[45]
In January 2007, the House passed a measure by a vote 430–1 that banned members from accepting gifts and free trips from lobbyists and discounted trips on private planes. Burton cast the sole nay vote.[46]
In February 2007, a review by
The Indianapolis Star review also found that in 2006, Burton ranked last in voting among members of Congress from Indiana, missing 11 percent of the 541 recorded votes.[45] In 2007, The Indianapolis Star rated his voting record as "one of the strongest in the House, with an attendance record consistently above 95%."[47]
"... off the coast of Bolivia"
On March 29, 1995, during congressional hearings on the US
Investigation of Democratic Party fund-raising
In 1997, Burton headed an investigation into possible Democratic Party campaign finance abuse, focusing on the 1996 presidential election. The committee investigation ran for several years and issued over 1,000
In March 1997, as the investigation began, Burton was accused of demanding a $5,000 contribution from a Pakistani lobbyist. The lobbyist said that when he was unable to raise the funds, Burton complained to the Pakistani ambassador and threatened to make sure "none of his friends or colleagues" would meet with the lobbyist or his associates.[28]
In May 1998, Burton apologized for releasing edited transcripts of prison audiotapes of Webster Hubbell, a former associate of President Bill Clinton. The edited transcripts omitted substantial information and differed significantly from the original recordings. Burton was harshly criticized by members of his own party, including Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who called the investigation a "circus" and chided Burton for initially refusing to admit any error.[54]
David Bossie, the staff member who arranged the editing and release of the tapes, resigned on Burton's request. Noting that Burton had personally released the tapes and had supported Bossie's plans over the objections of other committee staffers and attorneys, Democrats urged Burton to step down as well. Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt said, "A committee staff member should not be made the scapegoat for Chairman Burton's mistakes, missteps, and misdeeds."[54] Burton said, "I take responsibility for those mistakes", but never resigned nor faced any consequences for his actions.[54]
In President Clinton's final year in office, Burton was mentioned in a short film for the White House Correspondent's Dinner. President Clinton: Final Days, which depicted Clinton as a lonely man closing down a nearly-deserted White House. Clinton is shown hitting golf balls from the South Lawn, and gets excited when he hits a car parked in a spot near the U.S. Capitol that says "Reserved for Chairman Burton".
Autism
Burton has been an outspoken critic of what he terms the failure of government to determine the cause of an alleged
Burton was instrumental in pressuring the National Institutes of Health to launch a five-year, $30 million study of chelation therapy for cardiovascular disease.[56]
In an October 25, 2000, letter to the
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not agree that vaccines containing mercury caused autism, and the US FDA refused to ban the vaccines. Most manufacturers removed the preservatives from their vaccines anyway, with no resulting decrease in autism rates.[58]
Burton maintained a page on his Congressional website called House.gov "Autism" which includes his speeches, transcripts from hearings, and newspaper articles on the relationship of autism and vaccines.
In a June 2017 episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver a C-SPAN 2 clip from 2002 of Dan Burton was used to highlight Burton's position on vaccines in relation to autism. In the clip Burton says, "I have yet to find any scientist who will say that there is no doubt, no doubt, that the mercury in vaccines does not contribute to autism. Now they'll say there's no scientific evidence, there's no studies or anything that proves that yet. But turn that around. There are no studies that disprove it either." John Oliver correctly highlights this as Burton's demand for "proving a negative" which he calls "an impossible standard".[59]
Constituent mailings
An Arizona newspaper study ranked Burton as the fifth-biggest user of free congressional mail, sending constituents more than $190,000 worth of mail in 2007.[60]
Daughter
In June 2007, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington reported that during the 2001–2006 period, Burton's campaign fund had paid $143,900 to his daughter Danielle Sarkine, who manages his campaign office. It is not illegal for federal candidates to pay family members for political work, as long as they are paid fair market value, the Federal Election Commission has ruled.[61]
Sibel Edmonds testimony
On January 6, 2008,
ADA
On October 2, 1989, Representative Dan Burton took to the floor of the house to argue against the
Personal life
Burton's first wife, Barbara (Logan) Burton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993[66] at the age of 56. She died in 2002 from breast and colon cancer. They had three children together: Kelly, Danielle and Danny.[citation needed] In August 2006, Burton married Dr. Samia Tawil in Park City, Utah.[11] She was the internist who cared for Burton's wife during her cancer treatment. Tawil and her first husband had divorced in 2005.[67]
In 1995 speaking of the then recent affairs of Republican
Burton's brother, Woody Burton, is a former Republican member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing District 58.[69][70]
Burton is a member of the board of advisors of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy. Burton is a 33° Scottish Rite Freemason, and a member of Evergreen-Oriental Lodge No. 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana.[71]
References
- ^ "Indiana Senate (District 31)". March 5, 2015. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019.
- ^ "8 Jan 1981, Page 8 - The Indianapolis Star at Newspapers.com". The Indianapolis Star.
- ^ "5 May 1982, Page 10 - The Indianapolis Star at Newspapers.com". The Indianapolis Star.
- ^ "Indiana House (District 44)". capitolandwashington.com. March 5, 2015. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019.
- ^ "Indiana Legislator Database". Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Indiana Senate (District 19)". March 5, 2015. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019.
- ^ "State Representatives from Marion County". Archived from the original on February 21, 2019.
- ^ "Who is the Tea Party Caucus in the House?". Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Baker, Russ (December 22, 1998). "Portrait of a political 'pit bull'". Salon.com.
- ^ Nicole Kidman Speaks on the Hill, October 21, 2009, Politico.Com. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Rep. Dan Burton – Member of Congress representing Indiana's 5th District" Archived May 23, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, "Library Factfiles", The Indianapolis Star, updated 1/2007. Retrieved February 25, 2007.
- Family Violence Prevention Fund.
- ^ "Congressman Burton speaks out on domestic violence" Archived February 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, TV Station WTHR, Indianapolis, July 12, 2007
- ^ "Rep. Dan Burton Official Biography". Republicans.oversight.house.gov. Archived from the original on October 11, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - IN District 06 - R Primary Race - May 04, 1982". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "IN District 6 Race – Nov 02, 1982". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ McFeely, Dan (May 7, 2008). "Burton holds off challenger". The Indianapolis Star. Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "2010 primary results". Indiana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
- ^ "IN District 05 – R Primary Race – May 04, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ "Democrat Joins Crowded 5th District Congressional Race". WRTV. September 30, 2011. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2011.
- ^ Davies, Tom (January 31, 2012). "GOP Rep. Dan Burton of Ind. won't seek re-election". Associated Press. Retrieved February 12, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Action Center". www.votervoice.net.
- ^ "Gun Owners of America Scorecard". Archived from the original on February 16, 2008.
- ^ Awards Received By Congressman Dan Burton Archived October 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 2883 - Government Performance and Results Act Amendments | The American Presidency Project". www.presidency.ucsb.edu.
- ^ "Gov't to pay $102M for mob convictions" USA Today.
- ^ ""Republican Study Committee website"". Archived from the original on July 1, 2007.
- ^ a b Babcock, Charles R. (March 19, 1997). "Pakistan Lobbyist's Memo Alleges Shakedown by House Probe Leader". Washington Post. p. A01. Retrieved May 12, 2007.
- ^ Dan Burton withdraws anti-India amendment, Indian Express, August 4, 2009.
- ^ Dan Burton Withdraws Anti-India Measure. Rediff.com, August 3, 1999.
- ^ Tau, Byron (July 19, 2011). "Rep. Burton may have received Pakistani cash". Politico. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ "The Man Behind Pakistani Spy Agency's Plot to Influence Washington". The Atlantic, October 3, 2011.
- ^ Elliott, Justin (July 31, 2012). "Lobbyist-linked Group Footed Bill for Rep. Burton's Bahrain Trip". ProPublica. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
- ^ Iqbal, Anwar (February 13, 2013). "The Azerbaijan America Alliance Announces Former Congressman Dan Burton as Chairman of the Board". azerbaijanamericaalliance.org. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ^ Iqbal, Anwar (February 13, 2013). "Leadership". azerbaijanamericaalliance.org. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- ^ "Caught Our EyeEx-Rep. Dan Burton now lobbying for Scientology organization". Legistorm. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
- ^ Iqbal, Anwar (July 21, 2011). "Pro-Pakistan American lawmakers in trouble". Dawn.com. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ Williams, Pete; Windrem, Robert (July 19, 2011). "Pakistan accused of masking contributions to US politicians". NBC News. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- ^ Akers, Mary Ann (June 19, 2009). "The Sleuth - Dan Burton, Protecting the House From Terrorists (Alone)". voices.washingtonpost.com.
- ^ "Fool on the Hill", Time, May 8–10, 1998.
- ^ Thomas G. Wells, "Witness Denies Fabricating Clinton Story", Dallas Morning News, April 6, 1996.
- ^ Richard L. Burke, "For Congress, Golfing Is Working on the Green By", New York Times, September 3, 1990
- ^ Adam Clymer, "House Approves Rule to Prohibit Lobbyists' Gifts", New York Times, November 17, 1995
- ^ Don van Natta Jr., " Critic of White House Ethics Let AT&T Give Him Favor", New York Times, March 9, 1997
- ^ a b c Maureen Groppe, "To golf, Burton missed 19 votes", The Indianapolis Star, February 5, 2007
- ^ "Democrat-Led House Changes Budget, Ethics Rules", Associated Press, January 5, 2007
- ^ "Star Library Fact Files" Archived May 23, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, The Indianapolis Star, January 2007
- ^
Youngers, Coletta (April 1995). "Fueling Failure: U.S. Drug Control Efforts in the Andes". The Washington Office on Latin America. Archived from the original on June 6, 2007. Retrieved May 12, 2007.
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: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ Kawell, JoAnn (May 2001). "Closing the Latin American Air-Bridge: A Disturbing History". Foreign Policy In Focus. Archived from the original on October 7, 2007. Retrieved May 12, 2007.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ "The Raw Story: Arkansas Senator happy to see top Rove aide end term as US Attorney". Archived from the original on June 1, 2007. Retrieved June 13, 2007.
- ^ Lacey, Marc (May 2, 1998). "House Probe of Campaign Fund-Raising Uncovers Little, Piles Up Partisan Ill Will". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Editorial, The New York Times, March 20, 1997
- ^ Editorial, The Washington Post, April 12, 1997
- ^ a b c Lardner Jr., George; Juliet Eilperin (May 7, 1998). "Burton Apologizes to GOP". Washington Post. p. A01. Retrieved May 12, 2007.
- ^ "Dan Burton, opening statement before the Committee on Government Reform hearing on The Status of Research into Vaccine Safety and Autism". Archived from the original on March 16, 2006. Retrieved March 16, 2006.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link), June 19, 2002 - PMID 18596934.
- ^ "Chairman Burton Requests Vaccine Recall". Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link), press release, October 26, 2000 - ^ Paulson, Tom. "Autism experts bring insights to Seattle Scientists, parents work together to unravel mystery". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved May 12, 2007.[dead link]
- ^ "Vaccines: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)". June 25, 2017. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Challengers Claim Rep Abused Free Mail Privileges". TheIndyChannel.com. August 31, 2009. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
- ^ Matt Kelley, "Lawmakers used campaign funds to pay relatives", USA Today, June 17, 2007
- ^ "Sibel Edmonds Launches 'State Secrets Privilege Gallery'". History Commons. Archived from the original on April 10, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ^ "Case No. 2009E-003" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 9, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- Huffington Post. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ^ Colker, R (2004). "Homophobia, AIDS Hysteria, and the Americans with Disabilities Act". Journal of Gender, Race Justice. 8 (1): 33–56.
- ^ "Living treasures: Dan Burton". Mothering. Gale Group. November–December 2001. Archived from the original on November 5, 2004. Retrieved May 12, 2007.
- ^ Susan Guyett, [1], The Indianapolis Star, September 13, 2006
- ^ Edward Walsh, Washington Post Staff Writer (September 5, 1998). "Burton Fathered Child In Extramarital Affair". washingtonpost.com.
- Project Vote Smart. Accessed October 22, 2009.
- YouTube, YouTube.com. Accessed October 22, 2009.
- ^ Hodapp, Christopher (June 2009). "A Great Day in Indianapolis". Indiana Freemason's Hall. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/38px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Archive.org – Congressman Dan Burton official U.S. House website
- Archive.org – Dan Burton for Congress
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearance on 'Top Story'; February 28, 1993
- Appearances on C-SPAN