Dennis DeConcini

Dennis Webster DeConcini (born May 8, 1937 Tucson, Arizona) is a former Democratic U.S. Senator from Arizona. Son of former Arizona Supreme Court Judge Evo Anton DeConcini, he represented Arizona in the United States Senate from 1977 until 1995.

Early life

His father was the Arizona Attorney General for one two-year term from 1948 to 1949. DeConcini graduated from the University of Arizona and attended law school there. He worked as a lawyer from 1963, as a member of the Arizona Governor's staff 1965–1967 and as Pima County attorney 1973–1976. He was elected to the Senate in 1976 as a Democrat, having defeated Republican Party (GOP) U.S. Representative Sam Steiger for the open seat left by retiring GOP Senator Paul Fannin. DeConcini served until he retired in 1995. Steiger had first won a bruising primary in 1976 against the more conservative U.S. Representative John B. Conlan.

Political life

DeConcini is perhaps best remembered as a member of the Keating Five, a banking and political contribution scandal in the 1980s that was part of the U.S. Savings and Loan Crisis. This scandal involving Charles Keating and Lincoln Savings contributed to his retirement in 1994.

Senator Dennis DeConcini is also known for sponsoring the critical amendment to the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 that allowed the Senate to come to a consensus on returning Panama control of the Canal. Those opposed to returning the Canal to Panama were concerned that the United States would lose control of a major economic and military asset. Senator DeConcini's amendment to the treaty allowed the United States "to take such steps as each [the U.S. or Panama] deems necessary, in accordance with its constitutional processes, including the use of military force in the Republic of Panama, to reopen the Canal or restore the operations of the Canal, as the case may be." This came to be known as the DeConcini Reservation. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian Chief of Government Omar Torrijos signed the Panama Canal Treaty and Neutrality Treaty on September 7, 1977. This agreement relinquished American control over the canal by the year 2000 and guaranteed its neutrality. On May 4, 1904, Panama granted the United States the right to build and operate the canal and control the five miles of land on either side of the water passage in exchange for annual payments.

In his tenure, Senator DeConcini served on the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he chaired the Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government, and served on the Subcommittees on Defense, Energy and Water Development, and Foreign Operations. Senator DeConcini also served on the Senate Judiciary Committee and chaired the Subcommittee on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks. He also served on the Subcommittees on Antitrust, Monopolies and Business Rights, the Constitution and the Courts. In addition, the Senator served on the Select Intelligence Committee and was Chairman of the Committee in 1993 and 1994. Senator DeConcini also chaired the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission).

Senator DeConcini served one elected term prior to coming to the United States Senate as Pima County Attorney. This office is the chief prosecutor and civil attorney for the county and school districts within the county. Prior to this, he served as legal counsel and administrative assistant to the Governor of Arizona and founded the law firm of DeConcini, McDonald, Yetwin & Lacy (where he is currently a partner) with offices in Tucson, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C.

Senator DeConcini received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Arizona in 1959 and his LLD from the University of Arizona in 1963. Senator DeConcini is a recognized expert in the appropriations, budget and authorization process in the Congress.

Senator DeConcini was appointed by President Bill Clinton in February 1995 to the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, where he served until May 1999.

In 2006, Senator DeConcini was selected by Governor of Arizona Janet Napolitano to serve as a member of the Arizona Board of Regents.

Realestate Involvement

Manager, Shopping Centers, Inc. Tucson, AZ, 1963-64; 1967-73 Managed family corporation and partnerships involved in Arizona and California real estate development projects of various kinds with values in the multi-millions of dollars, including commercial real estate ventures and management.

Serves on Numerous Boards

Board of Directors

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) Served 2/95 thru 5/99, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Center for Criminal Justice Studies, Global Health Science, Inc., Schuff Steel Company, Arizona Board of Regents, Greater Arizona Savings Bank, Served as Special Legal Counsel and Administrative Assistant to the Governor with responsibility for directing the Governor's legislative programs and staff Office of Arizona Governor Sam Goddard Tucson, AZ: 1965-1966

Elections

Arizona Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate

Writings by DeConcini

Books

• Senator Dennis DeConcini: From the Center of the Aisle by Dennis DeConcini & Jack L. August Jr., (University of Arizona Press February 1, 2006) ISBN 9780816525690

Piracy Maersk Alabama 2009 Events

United States Merchant Marine Able Seaman David Jason Silver, who is an former United States Navy sailor that served on USS Simpson (FFG-56) e-mailed the former US Senator regarding the piracy issues and here is what he had to say about it:

"David: Thank you. I agree we need some strong leadership right away". Dennis DeConcini, United States Senator, Ret.

Silver who was reported by numerous Arizona television news agencies on April 12, 2009 about the pirate situation of Merchant vessels and how he thought they should be armed, for the protection of the crew [1], [2]. From the lastest report out of Washington, D.C first reported by the Associated Press April 24, 2009 that 4 star general David Petraeus stated that "the global shipping industry should consider placing armed guards on its boats to ward off pirates who have become increasingly violent", the U.S. military commander who oversees the African coastline said Friday. The Pentagon is starting to study how to better protect merchant shipping, but hasn't yet come up with a formal plan. Vorlage:Start box

External links

Wikiquote: Dennis DeConcini – Zitate

• Speaking about President Carter and Senate on KJZZ Radio
• Vorlage:Imdb name
• Parry, Romani, DeConcini & Symms
• Deconcini Mcdonald Law Firm
• Deconcini on Panama Canal
• Book Award
• Congressional Biography
• NNDB Tracking the World
• Deconcini, Biden Expose McCain for 2008 Election
• DeCONCINI & Warner
• DeConcini Backs Senator Obama

Notes

Vorlage:Reflist Vorlage:USSenAZ de:Judge Advocate General's Corps de:Dennis DeConcini