Wayne Owens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Douglas Wayne Owens
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | David Smith Monson |
| Succeeded by | Karen Shepherd |
| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Sherman P. Lloyd |
| Succeeded by | Allan Turner Howe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 2, 1937 Panguitch, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | December 18, 2002 (aged 65) Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37.92″N 111°51′28.8″W / 40.7772000°N 111.858000°W |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Marlene Wessel |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | University of Utah |
| Profession | Attorney |
Douglas Wayne Owens (born May 2, 1937 – died December 18, 2002) was an American politician. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Utah's 2nd congressional district. He held this position from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1987 to 1993. After he passed away, he was honored by being added to the Hinckley Institute of Politics Hall of Fame.
Early Life and Education
Wayne Owens grew up in Panguitch, Utah, a small town. He finished high school in 1955. Then, he went to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He earned his first degree in 1961 and later got his law degree in 1964.
Before finishing college, Owens took a break. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France from 1957 to 1960. While in France, he met his future wife, Marlene, who was also a missionary.
Owens worked many jobs to pay for his college and law school. One of his jobs was being a night-watchman at the Beehive House. After law school, he worked as a lawyer. He also worked for three United States Senators: Frank Moss of Utah, Robert F. Kennedy of New York, and Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. He helped with the presidential campaigns of Robert Kennedy in 1968 and Edward Kennedy in 1980. He also attended the Democratic National Convention in those years.
Political Career
In 1972, Wayne Owens was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He won by "walking for Congress," which meant he walked all over his district to meet voters. He defeated the person who held the seat before him, Republican Sherman P. Lloyd. Owens won with 55% of the votes. During his time in Congress, he was on the House Judiciary Committee. This committee voted on whether to remove President Richard M. Nixon from office.
After his first term, Owens ran for the U.S. Senate in 1974 but did not win. Then, from 1975 to 1978, he served as a mission president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montreal, Canada. After that, he returned to Salt Lake City to work as a lawyer again.
In 1984, Owens ran for governor of Utah but lost to Republican Norman H. Bangerter. However, he was elected to the House of Representatives again in 1986. He served until 1992, when he ran for the U.S. Senate once more. He was defeated by Bob Bennett.
Working for Peace
On December 18, 2002, Wayne Owens had a fatal heart attack in Tel Aviv, Israel. He was on a trip to help bring peace to the Middle East.
At his funeral, Gordon B. Hinckley, a leader of his church, spoke about Owens. He called him "a man of achievement" and someone who worked for peace. Hinckley said Owens always wanted to make the world better. When he passed away, Owens was still working to improve the world. He was leading the Center for Middle East Peace & Economic Cooperation.
Wayne Owens' son, Doug Owens, also ran for election to Utah's 4th congressional district in 2014 and 2016. He was defeated by Republican candidate Mia Love in both elections.
