Marion Berry

This page is about the U.S. House member from Arkansas; the former mayor of Washington, DC is Marion Barry.

Marion 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

He was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and grew up in Bayou Meto in Arkansas County in the Delta. The son of a rice farmer, his parents encouraged him 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 until 1967. He then returned to the family business and became a farmer in his own right in soybeans and rice, the business which he carries on today, the holdings of which have a net worth in excess of a $1 million.

We 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, now 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 annouced 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 Novemeber. 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 positon 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 visted 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 is Cabot Mayor Mickey Stumbaugh.

Committees and Subcommittees

• House Committee on Appropriations (29th of 29 Democrats)
  • Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Homeland Security

Electoral History

Marion Berry addressing over 200 pharmacists at a press conference on Medicare in 2006

2004 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Vernon Humphrey (R)	81,556	33
	Marion Berry (D)	162,388	67
	Marion Berry (D) re-elected for 2nd term

2002 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Tommy Robinson (R)	64,357	33
	Marion Berry (D)	129,701	67
	Marion Berry (D) elected for 1st term

• General Election 2000: Marion Berry (D) - 60%
• General Election 1998: Marion Berry (D) - 100%
• General Election 1996: Marion Berry (D) - 53%

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

• Official website
• Voting record maintained by the Washington Post
• United States Congress. "Marion Berry (id: B000420)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.