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Show Volume III, Issue I THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 5 November 1, 2000 McKAY cont’d from page 4 1950. Gunn also took the challenge to work for a farmer down in Fairview, Utah, where Gunn and Donna started their family. There Gunn operated a large farming operation. Later, he worked at the Ogden Egg Company warehousing and delivering cartons of eggs. He worked at the packing plant doing one of the most physically challenging and undesirable jobs of shaking and stacking hides. Soon Gunn decided to take charge of the rest of his life. With the encouragement of his younger brother who was now home from his mission and in college, Gunn, with the support of his wife Donna, tightened up his belt so to speak, and with a wife and six children entered his first day of college at age 35. He worked fulltime at Ogden Knitting Mills, and went to school fulltime for three years at Weber State College. At that time it could not give him a four-year degree; therefore, he had to go to Utah State. He would drive from Huntsville to Logan with a friend early each Monday morning, live in a small basement apartment during the week, and then return Friday evening to take care of his family and do the things around the house, and with the children, that needed doing, and maybe work a day. With what little work he could do and living on their food storage that the church had encouraged them to get previously, and with some financial help from his brothers and sisters, which was the pattern developed by their mother after their father died, Gunn managed to continue this routine Lon McKay, son for a year and of Gunn and received his bacheDonna, who lor’s degree and died at nine began teaching at months of age. Washington Jr. High School, then at Ben Lomond Jr. High School and finally at Ogden High School. Teaching had all of the challenges in those days that it does today with low pay and undisciplined children. Gunn was positive and tried to have a good affect upon his students’ lives and tried to give them something to live for and goals to achieve, both from his teaching as well as from his example. Gunn again got involved in local and state politics. He ran for the Huntsville Town Council and was defeated. He ran for other local offices and was defeated. He ran for the state legislature and was defeated. But with his character of determination that he had developed over the years, he continued until he was finally elected to the state legislature. Then he was reelected a second term and gained great respect from his peers, serving on the Little Hoover Commission for the state to reorganize the state administration. His integrity and ability was acknowledged by Governor Rampton, selecting Gunn as his administrative assistant. Gunn left teaching and left the legislature and served with the Governor for a time. Politics was within him and when asked by the Democratic Party to run for U. S. First Congressional District in the U. S. House of Representatives for the seat vacated by Lawrence Burton, Gunn accepted the determinedly campaigned and his unassuming personality and his interest and fairness to all won over Catholics and other nonMormons, as well as Mormons, and enough of the Republicans and independents that he pulled off one The McKay family, from left to right. Bottom row: Ruth, Donna, Gunn, and of the biggest political Rachel. Top row: Mavis, Mark, Chad, Ruston, Gunn, Kolene, and Carla. upsets and challenge against great odds. His won the seat in the U. S. Congress in opponent, Richard Richards, had been 1970. the National Chairman of the Gunn went to Congress as an Republican Party and was well known unknown from a small state. He was and highly favored. But here again very uncomfortable with the highly Gunn’s character shined through and publicized congressional leaders with he would not be discouraged. He great power. Gunn’s unassuming ways, with his background, integrity and trustworthiness, won over congressional leaders like Carl Albert, Speaker of the House, in a short period of time. Gunn was appointed to the powerful Appropriations Committee, one of the few in the history of the United States, to receive such a powerful position during their first term in Congress, and the only one from the State of Utah to do so. Gunn did not betray the trust given to him and worked with the leaders. Because of his trustworthiness and his position and ability, he was able to obtain many things for Utah, including funding for the Central Utah Project, which had been approved years before but little money had been appropriated. He was able to preserve Hill Field as a major base for the Air Force. He retained the Indian School in Brigham City which Gunn felt was needed to give the young people of the various Indian tribes a chance to gain an education, as he had; an education that would open new opportunities in their lives, as it McKAY cont’d on page 8 Vote on Tuesday November 7th It has been my honor and privilege to serve you and your family in the State Legislature. A lot of good things have been accomplished and we are headed in the right direction, but there is still more we can do. The two things I always take with me to the legislature are a strong work ethic and plain old common sense. A prime example of this is when I voted NO on House Bill 320, the so-called utility company rate bill. Simply put, it was bad legislation and not in your best interest. Joe Murray ★ ★ ★ Schools and Education Joe will continue to work hard to make sure every child receives the best education possible. The Legislature took a giant step in 2000 with new funding and accountability, but there is still more to be done. Joe is supported by the Ogden and Weber Teacher’s Associations. Roads and Growth Joe will continue to work hard to prepare for the projected 1 million new people we know are coming. He sponsored legislation for street reconstruction in Ogden, and I-15 is ahead of schedule and within budget. Open Space Joe will continue to work hard to protect our way of life and preserve our open lands. He co-sponsored and passed legislation that protects our agriculture areas and manages our growth. Putting you and your family first. Representative ★★★ Joe Murray For more information call Joe at 393-7062 or write me at 1030 Peach Dr. Ogden, UT 84404 Paid for by People to Reelect Joe Murray |