Jim L. Barker | |
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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 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | (aged 69)
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.