John Wiley Price facts for kids
John Wiley Price (born April 24, 1950) is a Democratic politician from Dallas, Texas. He has served as the Dallas County Commissioner for District 3 since January 1, 1985. He is known for his long career in public service.
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Early Life and Education
John Wiley Price was born on April 24, 1950, in San Augustine County, Texas. He grew up in the small town of Forney with his siblings. He often talks about his experiences during the time schools were becoming desegregated there. His father, Rev. Holman Colman Price, worked as a truck driver and was also a Baptist preacher. His mother, Willie Faye McCoy Price, was a homemaker.
After finishing high school, Price moved to Dallas. He attended El Centro College, where he studied computer programming. In the 1970s, he married Vivian Pauline Salinas Price, and they had one child.
In 1972, John Wiley Price began his political journey. He ran for and won the position of chair for his Dallas Precinct. The next year, at age 23, he was appointed to his first civic role. This was on the advisory board of the Crossroads Community Center. In 1975, he became the Chief Clerk for Judge Cleo Steele. He later divorced in 1983 and adopted two more children, John Nicholas and Angelina Monique.
Political Career and Advocacy
John Wiley Price has been a Dallas County Commissioner for many years. In this role, he helps make important decisions for the county. He has often been a strong voice for racial equality in the Dallas area.
Advocating for Change
During the 1980s and 1990s, Price led many protests. These protests focused on racial issues in Dallas. He was very passionate about ensuring fair treatment for all people. Sometimes, his strong opinions led to public disagreements. He believed it was important to speak up for minority communities.
In the 2010s, Price continued to be a vocal leader. He often expressed his views strongly during county meetings. He sometimes had heated discussions with others. These moments showed his deep commitment to the issues he cared about. He always pushed for what he believed was right for the community.
Important Investigations
In 2011, John Wiley Price faced an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This investigation looked into claims of public corruption. The FBI searched his home and seized some of his belongings. Price was arrested in 2014.
His trial began in February 2017. John Wiley Price stated that he was not guilty of the charges. On April 28, 2017, a jury found him not guilty on most of the charges. For the remaining charge, the jury could not agree on a verdict. In May 2017, the United States Attorney's Office decided not to continue prosecuting him. This meant the case was closed.
Honors and Recognition
John Wiley Price has been honored for his work. A school in a village in Kenya was named after him. This school was built by a U.S.-based group called Build African Schools. This organization helps electrify schools and provides computers in Africa. The school was named after Price because of a suggestion from a contributor named Russell Fish.
