Robert Harris (Utah politician)

Last updated
Robert Harris
Member of the Utah House of Representatives
In office
1976–1978
Personal details
Died2005 (2006)
Political party Democratic
Residence Ogden, Utah
OccupationPolitician, activist, businessman

Robert Harris (died 2005) was an American politician and civil rights activist who was the first African American to serve in the Utah State Legislature. [1] A Democrat from Ogden, Utah, he was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in November 1976 and served one term before losing reelection in 1978. He marched in dozens of protests for peace and civil rights and was arrested over 97 times. [2]

Life and career

Harris arrived in Ogden, Utah, in 1956, when he opened the town's first Black-owned grocery store and a barbecue restaurant. He was a minister of the Church of God in Christ and preached every other Sunday at the Utah State Prison. He marched in dozens of protests for peace and civil rights in Utah and California, including 39 antiwar protests in the 1960s and 1970s. In November 1976, he became the first Black person elected to the Utah State Legislature. He was elected to represent Weber County in the Utah House of Representatives and served one term before losing reelection in 1978. On November 14, 1979, he conducted a solo protest against the Ku Klux Klan at the state capitol. Harris died in 2005. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Young</span> American politician, diplomat, activist and pastor (born 1932)

Andrew Jackson Young Jr. is an American politician, diplomat, and activist. Beginning his career as a pastor, Young was an early leader in the civil rights movement, serving as executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and a close confidant to Martin Luther King Jr. Young later became active in politics, serving as a U.S. Congressman from Georgia, United States Ambassador to the United Nations in the Carter Administration, and 55th Mayor of Atlanta. He was the first African American elected to Congress from Georgia since Reconstruction, as well as one of the first two African Americans elected to Congress from the former Confederacy since Reconstruction, alongside Barbara Jordan of Texas. Since leaving office, Young has founded or served in many organizations working on issues of public policy and political lobbying.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Americans in the United States Congress</span>

From the first United States Congress in 1789 through the 116th Congress in 2020, 162 African Americans served in Congress. Meanwhile, the total number of all individuals who have served in Congress over that period is 12,348. Between 1789 and 2020, 152 have served in the House of Representatives, 9 have served in the Senate, and 1 has served in both chambers. Voting members have totaled 156, with 6 serving as delegates. Party membership has been 131 Democrats and 31 Republicans. While 13 members founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 during the 92nd Congress, in the 116th Congress (2019-2020), 56 served, with 54 Democrats and 2 Republicans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John T. Harris</span> American politician (1823–1899)

John Thomas Harris was a nineteenth-century politician, lawyer and judge from Virginia. He was often referred to after the American Civil War as "Judge Harris", even after his election to Congress. He was the first cousin of John Hill.

The 1st Utah Senate District is located in Salt Lake County, which includes Salt Lake City, and includes Utah House Districts 20, 22, 23, 26, 29, 31 and 33.

The civil rights movement in Omaha, Nebraska, has roots that extend back until at least 1912. With a history of racial tension that starts before the founding of the city, Omaha has been the home of numerous overt efforts related to securing civil rights for African Americans since at least the 1870s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Clausen</span> American politician

Donald Holst Clausen was an American businessman, World War II veteran, and politician who served ten terms as a U.S. Representative from California from 1963 to 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Sikes</span> American politician

Robert Lee Fulton Sikes was an American politician of the Democratic Party who represented the Florida Panhandle in the United States House of Representatives from 1941 to 1979, with a brief break in 1944 and 1945 for service during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. Blaine Peterson</span> American congressman (1906–1985)

Morris Blaine Peterson was a U.S. Representative from Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurence J. Burton</span> American politician

Laurence Junior Burton was a U.S. Representative from Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William G. Enloe</span> Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina

William Gilmore "Bill" Enloe was an American businessman and politician who served as the Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina from 1957 to 1963. Enloe was born in South Carolina and sold popcorn before moving to North Carolina and taking up work with North Carolina Theatres, Inc. In 1953 he was elected to the City Council of Raleigh. Four years later he was elected Mayor. During his tenure the American South was permeated by civil unrest due to racial segregation. Considered a moderate on civil rights, Enloe criticized black demonstrators and resisted efforts to integrate the theaters he managed, but he eventually compromised and appointed a committee to oversee the desegregation of Raleigh businesses. He left office in 1963, but returned to the city council in 1971. He died the following year. William G. Enloe High School in Raleigh was named in his honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Mississippi</span> Government of the U.S. state of Mississippi

The Government of Mississippi is the government of the U.S. state of Mississippi. Power in Mississippi's government is distributed by the state's Constitution between the executive and legislative branches. The state's current governor is Tate Reeves. The Mississippi Legislature consists of the House of Representatives and Senate. Mississippi is one of only five states that elects its state officials in odd numbered years. Mississippi holds elections for these offices every four years in the years preceding Presidential election years. Thus, the last year when Mississippi elected a Governor was 2019, and the next gubernatorial election will occur in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Singleton</span> American politician

Mary Littlejohn Singleton was a Florida teacher and politician, serving on the Jacksonville, Florida City Council before and after the consolidation in 1968 with Duval County. In 1967 she was one of the first two black women elected to the council. She was re-elected after consolidation and served until 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Wilcox</span> American politician

Ryan D. Wilcox is an American politician who serves as a Representative in the Utah House of Representatives for District 7. Recently re-elected to the position in 2021, he previously held the same seat from 2009 to 2015.

Nathan John Harris was an early Utah lawyer and district judge who served as a member of the first legislature of the State of Utah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of African Americans in Utah</span> African Americans in Utah

The first African Americans to arrive in Utah were fur trappers in the early 19th century. The second influx consisted of both freedmen who were converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and slaves belonging to white converts. Later, most African American immigrants to Utah would migrate out for labor-related motivations. African Americans have traditionally been composed only a small part of the total population in Utah, with the 2010 census placing the percentage of African Americans at 1.06%. Utah ranks 40th in the United States for total African American population and 43rd in percentage of residents who are African American.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Talbot Ross</span> American politician from Maine

Rachel Talbot Ross is an American politician and activist. A Democrat from Portland, Talbot has been the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives since December 2022. When she was first elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2016, Talbot Ross became the first Black woman to serve in the Maine Legislature. Talbot Ross represents District 40, consisting of the Parkside, Bayside, East Bayside, and Oakdale neighborhoods of Portland as well as the University of Southern Maine campus. She became Maine's first African-American House Speaker, and the highest-ranking African-American politician in Maine history, when she was elected speaker on December 7, 2022.

Terry Lee Williams is an American retired politician. A Democrat from Salt Lake City, he was the first African American to serve in the Utah State Senate, from 1983 to 1986. He had previously served in the Utah House of Representatives from 1981 through 1982. He was the second African American to serve in the Utah State Legislature, following the 1976 election of state representative Robert Harris.

References

  1. Coleman, Ronald G. (1994). "African Americans in Utah". Utah History Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2023-04-20. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
  2. 1 2 "Rev. Robert Harris, 1976 · 50 Stories for 50 Years Digital Exhibit". Weber State University Stewart Library Special Collections. Archived from the original on 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2023-11-24.