Marion Berry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 1st district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Blanche Lincoln |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Carolyn Berry |
Robert Marion Berry (born August 27 1942) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing Arkansas's 1st congressional district.
Life and Political Career
Born in Stuttgart, Arkansas, Berry was raised in nearby Bayou Meto, Arkansas County in the Arkansas Delta. The son of a rice farmer, he was encouraged by his parents to work towards a career outside the farm. Moving to Little Rock, he earned a pharmacy degree at the University of Arkansas and then ran a pharmacy for two years. In 1967, he returned to the family business and became a farmer in his own right, harvesting soybeans and rice, establishing a business that he carries on today. The family farm holding have a reported net worth in excess of a $1 million.
He was appointed as a member of the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission by Governor Bill Clinton in 1986, and continued in that role until 1994. In 1993, then President Bill Clinton went on to appoint Berry as a member of the White House Domestic Policy Council (1993–1996) and special assistant to the President for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance (1993–1996). Returing to Arkansas in 1996 he announced his intention to run for the 1st District being vacated by now Senator Blanche Lincoln.
With tough opposition from other candidates, Berry narrowly won the primary with 52% of the vote. In a district that has never elected a Republican, and with Berry outspending his opponent two-to-one in the general election, attorney Warren Dupwe, he claimed a moderate victory 53%-44% that November. He has declined to run for statewide office, citing health and family responsibilities. However, he has enjoyed easy relection since 1996, carrying the district 67%-33% in 2004.
He resides in Gillett, Arkansas, with wife Carolyn and identifies as a Methodist.
House Record
Berry is a Blue Dog Democrat with a moderate voting record, opposing legal abortion and same-sex marriage while also voting against making the Patriot Act's provisions permanent. He has supported numerous balanced budget amendments and is a vocal proponent of greater fiscal responsibility from the federal government. He voted against the Republican tax cuts stating "they are just borrowing from our children and our grandchildren".
His cooperation with Democratic leaders has earned him a position on the appropriations committee. He co-founded the Democrats' Prescription Drug Task Force and has pursued his interests in health care policy while in the Congress. As one of the three House Democrats that sat on the House-Senate conference committee on the Medicare/prescription drug bill in 2003, he voiced many complaints about the administration's healthcare policies.
He visited Cuba with Blanche Lincoln to promote the removal of the trade embargo to create more markets for Arkansas agricultural products. He drew some controversy when he supported the dumping of nuclear waste from Entergy Corporation reactors into the Arkansas River.
In the House, Berry has had somewhat of a reputation for his jovial and witty style: "a pharmacist and a farmer, and the owner of a large laugh", profiled the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Berry made headlines when he called Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Florida) a "Howdy Doody looking nimrod" while on the House floor. [1]
Berry's opponent in 2006 was Cabot Mayor Mickey Stumbaugh. Berry soundly defeated the Republican.
On October 10, 2002, Marion Berry was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq.
Committees and Subcommittees
- House Committee on Appropriations (29th of 29 Democrats)
- Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Homeland Security
Group Ratings (108th Congress)
- National Journal
- Economic: 57% Liberal, 42% Conservative
- Social: 52% Liberal, 48% Conservative
- Foreign: 68% Liberal, 30% Conservative
- Americans for Democratic Action: 60
- American Civil Liberties Union: 37
- Chamber of Commerce of the United States: 45
- Christian Coalition: 53
- American Conservative Union: 36
- National Taxpayers Union: 11
- League of Conservation Voters: 45
External links
- U.S. Congressman Marion Berry official House site
- United States Congress. "Marion Berry (id: b000420)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Federal Election Commission — Marion Berry campaign finance reports and data
- On the Issues — Marion Berry issue positions and quotes
- OpenSecrets.org — Marion Berry campaign contributions
- Project Vote Smart — Representative Robert Marion Berry (AR) profile
- SourceWatch Congresspedia — Marion Berry profile
- Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Marion Berry voting record