James R. Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Jones
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| United States Ambassador to Mexico | |
| In office September 10, 1993 – June 25, 1997 |
|
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | John Negroponte |
| Succeeded by | Jeffrey Davidow |
| Chair of the House Budget Committee | |
| In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1985 |
|
| Preceded by | Robert Giaimo |
| Succeeded by | William H. Gray III |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 1st district |
|
| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1987 |
|
| Preceded by | Page Belcher |
| Succeeded by | Jim Inhofe |
| White House Chief of Staff | |
| De facto April 26, 1968 – January 20, 1969 |
|
| President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | W. Marvin Watson (de facto) |
| Succeeded by | H. R. Haldeman |
| White House Appointments Secretary | |
| In office April 26, 1968 – January 20, 1969 |
|
| President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | W. Marvin Watson |
| Succeeded by | Dwight Chapin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Robert Jones
May 5, 1939 Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Oklahoma (BA) Georgetown University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1964–1965 (active) 1961–1968 (reserve) |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | Army Intelligence Corps Army Reserve |
James Robert Jones, born on May 5, 1939, is an American lawyer and diplomat. He is also a politician from the Democratic Party. Jones served as a U.S. Congressman for Oklahoma and later as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico under President Bill Clinton.
Jones grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He became interested in politics at a young age. He worked for U.S. Representative Ed Edmondson. Later, he was an Appointments Secretary for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.
In 1972, Jones returned to Oklahoma. He successfully ran for Congress in Oklahoma's 1st congressional district. He was re-elected six times. During his time in Congress, which lasted until 1987, Jones led the House Budget Committee for four years.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Jones was born and went to school in Muskogee, Oklahoma. When he was just 12 years old, he helped with Ed Edmondson's campaign for Congress. He earned his first college degree, a B.A., in 1961 from the University of Oklahoma.
After that, Jones attended Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.. He graduated with a law degree (an LL.B.) in 1964.
Military Service and Law Career
Jones joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1961 and served until 1968. He also served briefly in the Army Counterintelligence Corps. During his active service from 1964 to 1965, he held the rank of captain.
In 1964, Jones was also allowed to practice law in Oklahoma. He started his law career in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Political Journey
Working in the White House
Jones's first major political role was as a legislative assistant. He worked for Congressman Ed Edmondson from 1961 to 1964. In 1965, Jones moved to the White House. There, he became the Appointments Secretary for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. He also acted as the de facto Chief of Staff. At that time, Jones was the youngest person to hold the position of Appointments Secretary.
Serving in Congress
After President Johnson left office, Jones went back to Oklahoma. He continued his law practice in Tulsa. In 1970, he ran for Congress against Page Belcher, who had been in office for 10 terms. Jones made the election very close.
Jones planned to run against Belcher again in 1972. However, Belcher decided not to run. Jones then won the election against Jim Hewgley, the mayor of Tulsa. This was a surprising win because Richard Nixon won the presidential election in that area by a lot. Jones was the first and only Democrat to represent Tulsa in Congress since 1951. He was re-elected six times and served until January 1987.
As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which deals with taxes, Jones helped pass a tax cut in 1978. In 1979, he joined the House Budget Committee. He also helped bring more financially conservative members to the Budget Committee.
In 1986, Jones decided not to run for his House seat again. Instead, he ran for the Senate against Republican Senator Don Nickles. He lost this election.
Life After Congress
In 1987, Jones returned to practicing law. He joined a law firm in Washington. He then served as the Chairman of the American Stock Exchange from 1989 to 1993.
After Bill Clinton became President, Jones was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Mexico. He served in this role from 1993 to 1997. In 2003, he became the Chairman of the World Affairs Councils of America.
Today, Jones lives in both Tulsa and Washington, D.C. He is a partner at the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. He also serves on the board of directors for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Jones is also a member of the advisory board for the Mexico Institute.
In 1994, James Jones was honored by being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
The Constitution Project
In December 2010, Jones joined The Constitution Project's Guantanamo Task Force. This group worked on important legal issues.
See also
- Politics of Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Democratic Party
- Oklahoma Congressional Districts
- United States Ambassador to Mexico
