Donald M. Fraser
Encyclopedia
Donald MacKay Fraser is an American politician from Minneapolis, Minnesota
.
in 1920. Donald Fraser graduated from University High School in 1941 and that year entered the University of Minnesota. During college, he was a member of the varsity swimming team and earned a BA during his naval studies. Having joined the Navy
ROTC, he was placed on active duty in July 1942 and continued his naval studies on campus until February 1944 when he was commissioned an officer and sent to the Pacific Theater
during World War II
and worked as a radar
officer into the peacetime that followed, ending in 1946. Following his service, in June 1946 Fraser returned to Minneapolis to study law at the University of Minnesota Law School
. Fraser served as a member of the Minnesota Law Review and wrote a law review article on the illegality of racial covenants to land – a position that was supported by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948. Fraser earned his law degree in 1948 and was admitted to the bar the same year. He joined the politically active firm of Larson, Loevinger, Lindquist, Freeman, and Fraser. Fraser engaged in general law practice and served as municipal attorney for the suburban community of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Fraser married Arvonne Skelton in 1950 and they welcomed the first of their six children the following year.
In 1954, Fraser was elected to the Minnesota Senate
and served for eight years ending in 1962 when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives
from Minnesota's Fifth District. He served there in the 88th
, 89th
, 90th
, 91st
, 92nd
, 93rd
, 94th
, and 95th congresses
, from January 3, 1963 until January 3, 1979, after giving up his seat to run for the U.S. Senate. He narrowly lost in the 1978 primary election to Bob Short
(who then lost in the general election to David Durenberger
).
When President Gerald Ford
requested $222 million in foreign aid for Cambodia
to combat the Khmer Rouge
, during Congressional debate acting Secretary of State
Robert Ingersoll
asked Fraser if he were "demanding that the Lon Nol
government surrender to the Khmer Rouge
," and Fraser said: "Yes, under controlled circumstances to minimize the loss of life."
Fraser served as president of Americans for Democratic Action
1974–1976. He was elected mayor
of Minneapolis in 1979, taking office on January 1, 1980. His first mayoral term was two years in length, and he was subsequently re-elected to three four-year terms. He was the longest-serving mayor in Minneapolis history. Fraser left office on December 31, 1993, succeeded by the city's first female and first African-American mayor, Sharon Sayles Belton
.
Fraser served as a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
. He was married in 1950 to the former Arvonne Skelton, a longtime political activist who ran for lieutenant governor of Minnesota in 1986. The Frasers had six children: Thomas, Mary, John, Lois, Anne, and Jean (oldest to youngest).
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
.
Early life
Donald Fraser played a critical role in making human rights an important part of U.S. policy. Fraser was born on 20 February 1924 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Everett and Lois Fraser. His parents were émigrés from Canada. His father studied law at Harvard, began teaching at George Washington University, and became dean of the University of Minnesota Law SchoolUniversity of Minnesota Law School
The University of Minnesota Law School, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, is a professional school of the University of Minnesota. The school offers a Juris Doctor , Masters of Law for Foreign Lawyers, and joint degrees with J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.P.A, J.D./M.A., J.D./M.S., J.D./Ph.D.,...
in 1920. Donald Fraser graduated from University High School in 1941 and that year entered the University of Minnesota. During college, he was a member of the varsity swimming team and earned a BA during his naval studies. Having joined the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
ROTC, he was placed on active duty in July 1942 and continued his naval studies on campus until February 1944 when he was commissioned an officer and sent to the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and worked as a radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
officer into the peacetime that followed, ending in 1946. Following his service, in June 1946 Fraser returned to Minneapolis to study law at the University of Minnesota Law School
University of Minnesota Law School
The University of Minnesota Law School, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, is a professional school of the University of Minnesota. The school offers a Juris Doctor , Masters of Law for Foreign Lawyers, and joint degrees with J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.P.A, J.D./M.A., J.D./M.S., J.D./Ph.D.,...
. Fraser served as a member of the Minnesota Law Review and wrote a law review article on the illegality of racial covenants to land – a position that was supported by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1948. Fraser earned his law degree in 1948 and was admitted to the bar the same year. He joined the politically active firm of Larson, Loevinger, Lindquist, Freeman, and Fraser. Fraser engaged in general law practice and served as municipal attorney for the suburban community of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Fraser married Arvonne Skelton in 1950 and they welcomed the first of their six children the following year.
Political career
Minnesota Senate
The Minnesota Senate is the upper house in the Minnesota Legislature. There are 67 members, half as many as are in the Minnesota House of Representatives. In terms of membership, it is the largest upper house of any state legislature. Each Senate district in the state includes an A and B House...
and served for eight years ending in 1962 when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Minnesota's Fifth District. He served there in the 88th
88th United States Congress
The Eighty-eighth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1963 to January 3, 1965, during the last year of...
, 89th
89th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Senate :* President of the Senate: Hubert Humphrey , starting January 20, 1965* President pro tempore: Carl Hayden - Majority leadership :* Majority Leader and Democratic Conference Chairman: Mike Mansfield...
, 90th
90th United States Congress
The Ninetieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1967 to January 3, 1969, during the last two years of...
, 91st
91st United States Congress
The Ninety-first United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1969 to January 3, 1971, during the first two years...
, 92nd
92nd United States Congress
The Ninety-second United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives...
, 93rd
93rd United States Congress
The Ninety-third United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1973 to January 3, 1975, during the end of Richard...
, 94th
94th United States Congress
The Ninety-fourth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1975 to January 3, 1977, during the administration...
, and 95th congresses
95th United States Congress
The Ninety-fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1977 to January 3, 1979, during the first two years...
, from January 3, 1963 until January 3, 1979, after giving up his seat to run for the U.S. Senate. He narrowly lost in the 1978 primary election to Bob Short
Bob Short
Robert Earl Short was an American sport teams owner and politician.-Biography:A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Short bought the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball Association in the late 1950s and moved the team to Los Angeles in 1960...
(who then lost in the general election to David Durenberger
David Durenberger
David Ferdinand Durenberger is an American politician and a former Republican member of the U.S. Senate from Minnesota.- Early life :...
).
When President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
requested $222 million in foreign aid for Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
to combat the Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
, during Congressional debate acting Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
Robert Ingersoll
Robert S. Ingersoll
Robert Stephen Ingersoll was an American businessman and former diplomat. Ingersoll was Chief executive officer and Chairman of the Board of BorgWarner and his international business experience was an important factor in his selection as United States Ambassador to Japan from 1972 to 1973, and...
asked Fraser if he were "demanding that the Lon Nol
Lon Nol
Lon Nol was a Cambodian politician and general who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice, as well as serving repeatedly as Defense Minister...
government surrender to the Khmer Rouge
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
," and Fraser said: "Yes, under controlled circumstances to minimize the loss of life."
Fraser served as president of Americans for Democratic Action
Americans for Democratic Action
Americans for Democratic Action is an American political organization advocating progressive policies. ADA works for social and economic justice through lobbying, grassroots organizing, research and supporting progressive candidates.-History:...
1974–1976. He was elected mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Minneapolis in 1979, taking office on January 1, 1980. His first mayoral term was two years in length, and he was subsequently re-elected to three four-year terms. He was the longest-serving mayor in Minneapolis history. Fraser left office on December 31, 1993, succeeded by the city's first female and first African-American mayor, Sharon Sayles Belton
Sharon Sayles Belton
Sharon Sayles Belton is an American community leader, politician and activist. She is currently the VP of Community Relations and Government Affairs for Thomson Reuters Legal business.-Early years:...
.
Fraser served as a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
. He was married in 1950 to the former Arvonne Skelton, a longtime political activist who ran for lieutenant governor of Minnesota in 1986. The Frasers had six children: Thomas, Mary, John, Lois, Anne, and Jean (oldest to youngest).
External links
- Fraser, Donald MacKay, (1924– ). Biographical Directory of the United States CongressBiographical Directory of the United States CongressThe Biographical Directory of the United States Congress is a biographical dictionary of all present and former members of the United States Congress as well as its predecessor, the Continental Congress...
.