Roger Rawson
Encyclopedia
Roger Rawson was an American
teacher
and politician
from Utah
.
Rawson was born in 1939 in Weber County, Utah
. He attended Utah State University
on a basketball scholarship. Before entering politics, he taught history, political science and economics at Roy High School, where he was named outstanding faculty member of the year.
In 1972, Rawson was elected as a Democrat
to the Utah House of Representatives
at the age of 33. He served from 1973 until 1983 where he rose to become majority whip and subsequently as majority leader. Due to his educational background, he was a strong advocate for public and higher education and helped create a master's of education program at what was then called Weber State College
in 1978.
After the Republicans
won control of the House in 1978, Rawson served as the minority leader. He did not seek re-election in 1982. After his retirement from the legislature, he served a single four-year term as a Weber County Commissioner.
As of 2009, Rawson was the last Democrat to serve as the majority leader in the Utah House of Representatives due to the rise of Republican dominance since the late 1970s.
Rawson died on December 19, 2009 from liver disease
. He was survived by his wife, Sheryl, his mother, six children and 25 grandchildren.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
.
Rawson was born in 1939 in Weber County, Utah
Weber County, Utah
Weber County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah, occupying a stretch of the Wasatch Front, part of the eastern shores of Great Salt Lake, and much of the rugged Wasatch Mountains. As of the 2000 census, the population was 196,533, an increase of 24.1% over its population in 1990. By...
. He attended Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
on a basketball scholarship. Before entering politics, he taught history, political science and economics at Roy High School, where he was named outstanding faculty member of the year.
In 1972, Rawson was elected as a Democrat
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...
to the Utah House of Representatives
Utah House of Representatives
The Utah House of Representatives is the lower house of the Utah State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Utah. The House is composed of 75 representatives elected from single member constituent districts. Each district contains an average population of 35,000 people...
at the age of 33. He served from 1973 until 1983 where he rose to become majority whip and subsequently as majority leader. Due to his educational background, he was a strong advocate for public and higher education and helped create a master's of education program at what was then called Weber State College
Weber State University
Weber State University is a public university located in the city of Ogden in Weber County, Utah, USA. It was founded in 1889 and is a coeducational, publicly supported university offering professional, liberal arts and technical certificates, as well as associate, bachelor's and master's degrees...
in 1978.
After the Republicans
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...
won control of the House in 1978, Rawson served as the minority leader. He did not seek re-election in 1982. After his retirement from the legislature, he served a single four-year term as a Weber County Commissioner.
As of 2009, Rawson was the last Democrat to serve as the majority leader in the Utah House of Representatives due to the rise of Republican dominance since the late 1970s.
Rawson died on December 19, 2009 from liver disease
Liver disease
Liver disease is a broad term describing any single number of diseases affecting the liver.-Diseases:* Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, caused mainly by various viruses but also by some poisons , autoimmunity or hereditary conditions...
. He was survived by his wife, Sheryl, his mother, six children and 25 grandchildren.