Clair Burgener

Clair Burgener (left) in conversation with the priest Joe Carroll, 2006

Sinclair Walter "Clair" Burgener (born December 5, 1921 in Vernal , Utah , †  September 9, 2006 in Encinitas , California ) was an American politician ( Republican Party ).

Early years and political career in California

During World War II and the Korean War (1951), he served in the United States Army Air Corps . He then graduated from California State University in 1950 .

From 1953 to 1957 he was a councilor in San Diego and vice-mayor from 1955 to 1956. 1962-1966 Burgener sat first in the California State Assembly , then then from 1967 to 1972 in the California State Senate . In 1960 and 1964 he represented the Republican Party of California at the Republican National Conventions .

Member of the US House of Representatives

Clair Burgener was a member of the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1973 to January 3, 1983, representing the constituency of San Diego. During this time he partially voted against official party interests in order to shape politics in the interests of the city with the Democratic MP for San Diego, Lionel Van Deerlin . At the end of 1982 he decided not to run again.

Commitment to the mentally handicapped

After his son Rod was diagnosed with an intellectual disability, he began to work with mentally retarded children, including serving as President of the Association for the Child Disappeared of California (1959-1961) and Vice President of the National Association for Children Left Behind ( 1961 to 1962). In 1970 US President Richard Nixon appointed him deputy chairman of the Presidential Committee for the mentally retarded. Burgener held this office until 1973. He was also the founder of the "Clair Burgener Foundation".

Other activities

After retiring from active politics, Burgener was a member of the board of directors of the International Broadcasting Authority from 1983 to 1988 and at the same time president of the California State Personnel Authority until 1993.

Web links

• Clair Burgener in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
• Article in the North County Times San Diego on the death of Clair Burgener