James H. Weaver
Encyclopedia
James Howard "Jim" Weaver (b. August 8, 1927, in Brookings, South Dakota
) is a former Democratic
U.S. congressman
from Oregon
.
at the age of seventeen and served in World War II
on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Weaver moved to Oregon from Des Moines, Iowa
, in 1947 to attend the University of Oregon
.
Prior to entering Congress, Weaver worked for a publishing company. In 1959, he was hired as a staff member for the Oregon Department of Agriculture
. In 1960, Weaver was hired by a real estate development company, eventually becoming a developer of apartment and office buildings. He was a delegate to the 1960 and 1964 Democratic National Convention
s.
In 1974
, Weaver defeated incumbent Republican
congressman John R. Dellenback
to become the United States Representative from Oregon's 4th congressional district
. Weaver's victory over the moderate Dellenback is attributed at least in part to the anti-Republican sentiment among voters in the wake of the Watergate scandal
. Weaver served six terms in the House, where he was known for his opposition to the Vietnam War, pro-environmental views, and opposition to the proliferation of nuclear power plants.
He was also well known for conducting the only filibuster in the modern history of the House of Representatives by adding 112 amendments to a Northwest power bill in 1980. After the filibuster, the House passed "The Weaver Rule" to "limit" the use of such tactics.
In 1986, Weaver was selected as the Democratic nominee for United States Senate
and was to face incumbent Republican Bob Packwood
. However, after receiving the nomination, Weaver was the subject of a House Ethics Committee probe into his campaign finances, and withdrew his candidacy. Oregon State Representative
Rick Bauman
was selected to replace Weaver on the ballot, and lost handily to Packwood. The House Ethics Committee ruled that Weaver had used campaign money for personal investments, in violation of House rules. Eventually it was discovered that the report had included errors. The House Ethics Committee later stated that Weaver had not violated the law. Weaver served out his term and was succeeded by his aide, Peter DeFazio
.
In 2008, a trail around Oregon's Waldo Lake was named after the former Congressman.
Weaver lives in Eugene, Oregon
.
Brookings, South Dakota
Brookings is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of 22,056 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brookings County, and home to South Dakota State University, the largest institution of higher...
) is a former Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
U.S. congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
from Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
Early life
Weaver enlisted in the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
at the age of seventeen and served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Weaver moved to Oregon from Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, in 1947 to attend the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
.
Prior to entering Congress, Weaver worked for a publishing company. In 1959, he was hired as a staff member for the Oregon Department of Agriculture
Oregon Department of Agriculture
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is the agency of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon responsible for promoting and regulating food production and safety. It is headed by the Director of Agriculture, appointed by the Governor of Oregon subject to senate confirmation, advised by a board...
. In 1960, Weaver was hired by a real estate development company, eventually becoming a developer of apartment and office buildings. He was a delegate to the 1960 and 1964 Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
s.
Political career
United States House election, 1974
The U.S. House election, 1974 was an election for the United States House of Representatives in 1974 that occurred in the wake of the Watergate scandal, which had forced President Richard M. Nixon to resign in favor of Gerald Ford...
, Weaver defeated incumbent Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
congressman John R. Dellenback
John R. Dellenback
John Richard Dellenback was a Republican U.S. congressman from Oregon.Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dellenback graduated from Yale University...
to become the United States Representative from Oregon's 4th congressional district
Oregon's 4th congressional district
Oregon's 4th congressional district represents the southern half of Oregon's coastal counties, including Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, and Linn counties and most of Benton and Josephine counties...
. Weaver's victory over the moderate Dellenback is attributed at least in part to the anti-Republican sentiment among voters in the wake of the Watergate scandal
Watergate scandal
The Watergate scandal was a political scandal during the 1970s in the United States resulting from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement...
. Weaver served six terms in the House, where he was known for his opposition to the Vietnam War, pro-environmental views, and opposition to the proliferation of nuclear power plants.
He was also well known for conducting the only filibuster in the modern history of the House of Representatives by adding 112 amendments to a Northwest power bill in 1980. After the filibuster, the House passed "The Weaver Rule" to "limit" the use of such tactics.
In 1986, Weaver was selected as the Democratic nominee for United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and was to face incumbent Republican Bob Packwood
Bob Packwood
Robert William "Bob" Packwood is a U.S. politician from Oregon and a member of the Republican Party. He resigned from the United States Senate, under threat of expulsion, in 1995 after allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and assault of women emerged.-Early life and career:Packwood was born in...
. However, after receiving the nomination, Weaver was the subject of a House Ethics Committee probe into his campaign finances, and withdrew his candidacy. Oregon State Representative
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
Rick Bauman
Rick Bauman
Richard H. "Rick" Bauman is a former Democratic politician from the US state of Oregon who served in the Oregon House of Representatives and on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners in the 1980s. He was also the Democratic nominee for United State Senator from Oregon in 1986...
was selected to replace Weaver on the ballot, and lost handily to Packwood. The House Ethics Committee ruled that Weaver had used campaign money for personal investments, in violation of House rules. Eventually it was discovered that the report had included errors. The House Ethics Committee later stated that Weaver had not violated the law. Weaver served out his term and was succeeded by his aide, Peter DeFazio
Peter DeFazio
Peter Anthony DeFazio is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1987. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes Eugene, Springfield, Roseburg and part of Corvallis. As Oregon's most senior member of Congress, he is the dean of Oregon's House of Representatives delegation...
.
In 2008, a trail around Oregon's Waldo Lake was named after the former Congressman.
Weaver lives in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
.