Dennis DeConcini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis DeConcini
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| Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | David Boren |
| Succeeded by | Arlen Specter |
| United States Senator from Arizona |
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| In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Paul Fannin |
| Succeeded by | Jon Kyl |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Dennis Webster DeConcini
May 8, 1937 Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Patty |
| Education | University of Arizona (BA, LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1959–1960 (active) 1960–1967 (reserve) |
| Rank | Army Judge Advocate General's Corps |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Dennis Webster DeConcini (born May 8, 1937) is an American lawyer, charity worker, and former U.S. Senator from Arizona. He is the son of Evo Anton DeConcini, who was a judge on the Arizona Supreme Court. Dennis DeConcini represented Arizona in the Senate as a Democrat from 1977 until 1995.
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Early Life and Education
Dennis DeConcini was born in Tucson, Arizona. His father, Evo Anton DeConcini, was a judge for the state of Arizona for many years. He also served as the Arizona Attorney General.
Dennis DeConcini studied at the University of Arizona. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1959 and his law degree in 1963. After finishing his studies, he worked as a lawyer for the Arizona Governor's team from 1965 to 1967. He also joined the U.S. Army JAG Corps, which is a group of lawyers who serve in the military.
After leaving the Senate in 1995, Dennis DeConcini returned to the law firm he and his father had started in 1968. He is also a member of an advisory group for the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.
Political Career
Before becoming a senator, Dennis DeConcini served as the Pima County Attorney from 1973 to 1976. In this role, he was the main lawyer for the county and its school districts.
In 1976, he was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat. He won the election against Republican representative Sam Steiger. DeConcini served three terms as a senator, which means he was in office for 18 years.
Panama Canal Treaty
Senator DeConcini played a part in the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977. He added an amendment, or change, to the treaty. This change, known as the DeConcini Reservation, allowed the United States to take action, including using military force, to keep the Panama Canal open or restore its operations if needed.
This amendment was a very important part of the treaty discussions. It showed how seriously the U.S. took the security of the Canal.
Senate Committees
During his time in the Senate, Dennis DeConcini served on several important committees. These committees help the Senate do its work.
He was a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. This committee decides how the government's money is spent. He also led a special group within this committee that focused on the Treasury and Postal Service.
DeConcini also served on the Senate Judiciary Committee. This committee deals with laws and the justice system. He led a group that focused on patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
In 1993 and 1994, Senator DeConcini was the chairman of the Select Intelligence Committee. This committee oversees the intelligence agencies of the U.S. government.
Other Appointments
After leaving the Senate, Dennis DeConcini continued to serve the public in different ways. In 1995, President Bill Clinton appointed him to the board of directors for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). He served there until 1999.
In 2006, the Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, chose him to be on the Arizona Board of Regents. This board oversees Arizona's public universities.
Business Activities
Dennis DeConcini also served on the board of directors for a company called CoreCivic (formerly Corrections Corporation of America) from 2008 to 2014. This company operates private prisons.
Charity Work
Dennis DeConcini is involved in charity work. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC). This organization works to find missing children and protect children from exploitation around the world.
Book
Dennis DeConcini co-wrote a book about his experiences. It is called Senator Dennis DeConcini: From the Center of the Aisle. The book was published in 2006.
Images for kids
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Dennis DeConcini as a Goldwater Foundation Trustee.
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Official portrait of U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini.
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Dennis DeConcini with the Board of Directors of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children.
