Barton Family Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Barton Family Foundation is a charity established in 2005 by United States Congressman Joe Barton
to provide support to "select charitable organizations" in , which Barton represents. His daughter-in-law, Amy Barton, is the Foundation's Executive Director. The foundation spent $130,000 on overhead between 2005 and 2008 and made $90,000 in donations.
The foundation drew page one attention from the New York Times when it was revealed that major energy corporations, such as the Chicago-based nuclear energy producer, Exelon Corporation
, make large gifts to the Foundation. In June 2008, at a time when Barton had introduced legislation to assist corporations with the recycling of spent nuclear fuel, Barton solicited a $25,000 donation to the Foundation from Exelon. Exelon has also donated $80,000 to Barton's campaign funds.
According to a 2008 New York Times story, the foundation pledged $400,000 to the local Boys and Girls Club to help build a $1.2 million clubhouse. The Washington Times reported in 2009 that the foundation gave only $90,000 for the clubhouse. The foundation also pledged $500,000 for a local Meals on Wheels
group. Although the foundation made no direct gifts to that charity, Energy Future Holdings and BNSF Railway
gave $35,000 in the foundation's name. Both companies have also supported Barton election campaigns.
The donations by major energy corporations led to an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics
in 2009. Barton was cleared of unethical conduct charges.
Joe Barton
Joseph Linus "Joe" Barton is a Republican politician, representing in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1985, and a member of the Tea Party Caucus...
to provide support to "select charitable organizations" in , which Barton represents. His daughter-in-law, Amy Barton, is the Foundation's Executive Director. The foundation spent $130,000 on overhead between 2005 and 2008 and made $90,000 in donations.
The foundation drew page one attention from the New York Times when it was revealed that major energy corporations, such as the Chicago-based nuclear energy producer, Exelon Corporation
Exelon
Exelon Corporation is an electricity generating and distributing company headquartered in the Chase Tower in the Chicago Loop area of Chicago. It was created in October, 2000 by the merger of PECO Energy Company and Unicom, of Philadelphia and Chicago respectively. Unicom owned Commonwealth Edison...
, make large gifts to the Foundation. In June 2008, at a time when Barton had introduced legislation to assist corporations with the recycling of spent nuclear fuel, Barton solicited a $25,000 donation to the Foundation from Exelon. Exelon has also donated $80,000 to Barton's campaign funds.
According to a 2008 New York Times story, the foundation pledged $400,000 to the local Boys and Girls Club to help build a $1.2 million clubhouse. The Washington Times reported in 2009 that the foundation gave only $90,000 for the clubhouse. The foundation also pledged $500,000 for a local Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels are programs that deliver meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals. The name is often used generically to refer to home-delivered meals programs, not all of which are actually named "Meals on Wheels"...
group. Although the foundation made no direct gifts to that charity, Energy Future Holdings and BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
gave $35,000 in the foundation's name. Both companies have also supported Barton election campaigns.
The donations by major energy corporations led to an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics
Office of Congressional Ethics
The Office of Congressional Ethics , established by the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2008, is an independent, non-partisan entity charged with reviewing allegations of misconduct against members of the House of Representatives and their staff and, when appropriate, referring matters to...
in 2009. Barton was cleared of unethical conduct charges.