Gary Franks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gary Franks
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 5th district |
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| In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | John G. Rowland |
| Succeeded by | James H. Maloney |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gary Alvin Franks
February 9, 1953 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Donna Williams |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Yale University (BA) |
Gary Alvin Franks, born on February 9, 1953, is an American politician. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Connecticut from 1991 to 1997. This means he was a lawmaker in the United States Congress for six years.
Franks made history in several ways. He was the first African-American person elected to the U.S. Congress from Connecticut. He was also the first modern black Republican elected to the House of Representatives. Before him, the last black Republican elected was Oscar De Priest in 1932.
After his time in the House, Franks ran for the United States Senate in 1998. He lost that election to Chris Dodd, who was already a Senator. Today, Gary Franks hosts a podcast called We Speak Frankly with his son, Gary. He also writes articles for the Boston Herald newspaper.
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Early Life and Education
Gary Franks was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He grew up as one of six children. His father worked in a brass mill, and his mother was a hospital aide. In high school, he was elected president of his class at Sacred Heart High School.
Franks went on to attend Yale University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975. While at Yale, he was the captain of the basketball team. After college, he worked in labor relations for about 10 years.
Political Career
Gary Franks began his political career in his hometown. He served on the Waterbury board of aldermen from 1986 to 1990. Aldermen are local government officials who help make decisions for the city. In 1986, he also ran for Comptroller of Connecticut, but he did not win that election.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
How Gary Franks Was Elected
In 1990, Gary Franks won his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. He ran against Toby Moffett, who had been a congressman before. Franks suggested that Moffett's political ideas were too liberal for their district. Both President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush supported Franks during his campaign.
Franks' election was very important. He was the first African-American Republican to be elected to the House since Oscar Stanton De Priest in 1932. Another African-American Republican, J. C. Watts from Oklahoma, also served in the House during the 1990s.
In 1992, Franks won re-election in a race with three candidates. He defeated James Lawlor and Lynn Taborsak. In 1994, James H. Maloney, a Democrat, challenged Franks but Franks won again. However, in 1996, Franks lost a rematch to Maloney. This was also the year that President Bill Clinton was re-elected, and many people in Connecticut voted for Democrats.
What Gary Franks Did in Congress
While in Congress, Gary Franks was a member of the Armed Services Committee. This committee deals with military and defense matters. During his time, Connecticut received many defense contracts. These included projects like building the ‘Seawolf Submarine’ and ordering M16 rifles for Colt Manufacturing.
Franks also led a special group called the Panel for Defense Conversion. This group worked on changing old defense sites for new uses. For example, $20 million were approved to clean up an old defense factory in his hometown of Waterbury. This site later became a large shopping mall.
He also helped make Weir Farm National Historic Site in Ridgefield, Connecticut, a protected place under the National Park Service. Franks also worked on a program called the SBA's New Markets Program. This program aimed to help businesses in certain areas. While it didn't become law during his time, many of its ideas were included in another law signed by President Clinton in 2000.
1998 Campaign for Senate
Because Gary Franks was well-known from his time in Congress, many people thought he might run for a higher office. In 1998, he decided to run for the United States Senate. He challenged the Senator at the time, Chris Dodd. Franks was the only Republican candidate for the nomination. However, he lost the election to Dodd, receiving 32 percent of the votes.
After Congress
In 1999, Gary Franks started his own public affairs company called Gary Alvin Associates, LLC. This company is based in Washington, D.C. He has also taught at universities, including Georgetown University, Hampton University, and the University of Virginia. For a time, he was also the president of a group that recycled scrap metal from America to China.
In 2015, Franks was featured in an article in the Wall Street Journal. He talked about how the Republican Party could gain more support from black voters. He explained that it's important to show up and explain the differences between what Democrats and Republicans have done. He mentioned issues like school choice and faith-based programs.
Political Views
Gary Franks is known for his conservative political views. He supported changes to the welfare system. He also opposed affirmative action, which aims to help groups that have faced discrimination. Franks was a strong supporter of Clarence Thomas becoming a Supreme Court Justice.
He also believed in lower taxes. He supported reducing the capital gains tax. Franks also wanted an amendment to the Constitution to ban the desecration of the American flag.
Franks was the first Republican to join the Congressional Black Caucus. This group is made up of African-American members of Congress.
Personal Life
Gary Franks married Donna Williams in 1990. They have two daughters and one son. He is a Baptist.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- List of African-American United States Senate candidates
