Jim Barker (politician)

Jim L. Barker
Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
In office September 19, 1983 – May 17, 1989
Preceded by	Daniel Draper
Succeeded by	Steve Lewis
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 13th district
In office January 1977 – January 1991
Preceded by	Drew Edmondson
Succeeded by	Bill Settle
In office January 1969 – January 1971
Preceded by	Mike Frix
Succeeded by	Jan Eric Cartwright
Personal details
Born	June 20, 1935 Muskogee, Oklahoma
Died	April 25, 2005(2005-04-25) (aged 69) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kay
Alma mater	Northeastern Oklahoma State University
Occupation	Businessman

Jim L. Barker (June 20, 1935 – April 25, 2005) was an Oklahoma politician. During his tenure he was the only state representative to be elected four times as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.^[1]

Barker authored several bills that became national models and addressed a fiscal crisis in the state during his time as speaker.

Among these was the establishment of the Rainy Day fund, Victims Bill of Rights, which became a national model, safe homes for women and children, and increased funding for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, He was ousted from office during his fourth term, due to political infighting. He died April 25, 2005, of a stroke in Oklahoma City. Although he had not been a member of the Oklahoma legislature for over 15 years, the House of Representatives and the Senate both recessed for his funeral.