David Pryor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Pryor
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Pryor in 1974
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| Chair of the Arkansas Democratic Party | |
| In office September 5, 2008 – January 28, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Gwatney |
| Succeeded by | Todd Turner |
| Secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Leader | George J. Mitchell |
| Preceded by | Daniel Inouye |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Mikulski |
| Chair of the Senate Aging Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | John Melcher |
| Succeeded by | William Cohen |
| United States Senator from Arkansas |
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| In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Kaneaster Hodges Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Tim Hutchinson |
| 39th Governor of Arkansas | |
| In office January 14, 1975 – January 3, 1979 |
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| Lieutenant | Joe Purcell |
| Preceded by | Bob Riley (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Joe Purcell (acting) |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 4th district |
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| In office November 8, 1966 – January 3, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | Oren Harris |
| Succeeded by | Ray Thornton |
| Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from the Ouachita County district |
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| In office January 9, 1961 – January 9, 1967 |
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| Preceded by | William S. Andrews |
| Succeeded by | None - Redistricted |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Hampton Pryor
August 29, 1934 Camden, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | April 20, 2024 (aged 89) Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Barbara Lunsford
(m. 1957) |
| Children | Mark Pryor |
| Education | Henderson State University (BA) University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (LLB) |
David Hampton Pryor (born August 29, 1934 – died April 20, 2024) was an American politician from Arkansas. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Pryor served in many important roles throughout his career. He was a United States Representative and a United States Senator. He also served as the 39th Governor of Arkansas from 1975 to 1979. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1960 to 1966. Later, he briefly served as the leader of the Democratic Party of Arkansas from 2008 to 2009.
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Early Life and Education
David Pryor was born in Camden, Arkansas, which is in southern Arkansas. His parents were William Edgar Pryor and Susan Newton Pryor. His family had lived in Arkansas for a long time. His father owned a successful car dealership in Camden. His father also served as the Sheriff of Ouachita County.
David Pryor went to public schools in Camden. He then attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1957. Before becoming a politician, Pryor started and published a newspaper called the Ouachita Citizen from 1957 to 1960. He later went to law school at the University of Arkansas and became a lawyer in 1964.
Political Career Highlights
David Pryor began his political career in 1960. He was elected to represent Ouachita County in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He won reelection twice and served until 1966.
Serving in Congress
In 1966, Pryor was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He served in Congress until 1973. After this, he became the Governor of Arkansas.
Governor of Arkansas
Pryor was the 39th Governor of Arkansas. He served as governor from 1975 to 1979. As governor, he was the chief executive of the state.
United States Senator
After being governor, David Pryor was elected as a United States Senator for Arkansas. He served in the Senate from 1979 to 1997. During his time in the Senate, he held important leadership positions.
- He was the chairman of the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging. This committee focuses on issues affecting older people.
- He was also the Secretary of the Democratic Conference. This made him one of the top leaders among the Democratic senators.
- Pryor was known for supporting the rights of taxpayers and advocating for older Americans.
Life After the Senate
After leaving the Senate, David Pryor continued to be involved in public service and education.
- In 2000, he became the Director of the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School in Massachusetts.
- From 2004 to 2006, he served as the dean of the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, Arkansas.
- In 2006, President George W. Bush nominated him to the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The Senate approved his nomination.
- He also taught a political science course at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
David Pryor's son, Mark Pryor, also became a United States Senator for Arkansas. He held the same Senate seat that his father had.
In 2004, David Pryor was a member of the board of directors for the Clinton Foundation. This foundation works on global issues like health and economic development.
In 2006, Pryor had heart surgery and recovered well. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his wife tested positive for the virus. He was hospitalized but later recovered.
Personal Life
David Pryor married Barbara Jean Lunsford in 1957. They had a son, Mark Pryor. David Pryor passed away on April 20, 2024, at the age of 89.
Images for kids
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Pryor as governor.
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