James A. McClure
Encyclopedia
James Albertus "Jim" McClure (December 27, 1924 February 26, 2011) was an American
politician from the state
of Idaho
, most notably serving as a Republican in the U.S. Senate
.
McClure attended public schools in Payette. Upon turning 18, he joined the U.S. Navy
, having served during World War II
, from 1942 to 1946. McClure graduated from the Navy Program at the University of Idaho-Southern Branch (now Idaho State University
) in 1943. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended the University of Idaho
's College of Law
, graduating in 1950.
From 1950 to 1956, he served as prosecuting attorney for Payette County
; he also served as city attorney for Payette from 1953 to 1966. During this span, he was also a member of the Idaho State Senate
, serving from 1961 to 1966.
In the 1966 election, McClure ran for the U.S. House
from Idaho's first Congressional district
. He won the race, defeating incumbent
Compton I. White, Jr.
, and was reelected in 1968 and 1970.
In 1972, McClure ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retiring Len Jordan
. In the general election he defeated the Democratic
nominee, Idaho State University President William E. Davis
. McClure was reelected by wide margins in 1978 and 1984.
In 1981, McClure joined Republican colleagues Jesse Helms
of North Carolina
and Steve Symms
of Idaho in an unsuccessful fight to return to a purchase requirement for participation in the food stamp program
. Helms cited a Congressional Budget Office
study which showed that 75 percent of the increase in food stamp usage had occurred since the purchase requirement was dropped in 1977. Senators voted 33 to 66 against the Helms-McClure position. "It's obvious the majority of the Senate is not really concerned about constraining the growth of the food-stamp program," McClure said.
In 1984 McClure ran for Senate Majority Leader
, but was defeated by Senator Bob Dole
of Kansas
, who three years earlier had led the intraparty opposition to the Helms-McClure position on reinstating the purchase requirement for food stamps.
During his 18 years in the Senate, McClure served as the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from 1981 to 1987. In this capacity McClure emerged as an early proponent of electric car
s and energy independence. He also chaired of the Senate Republican Conference from 1981 to 1985.
At age 65, McClure declined to run for a fourth term in 1990. Republican congressman Larry Craig
of Midvale
easily won McClure's Senate seat in November 1990.
After leaving the Senate, McClure became a mining consultant and lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
, founding the firm of McClure, Gerard, & Neuenschwander. Up until his death McClure maintained a residence in McCall
.
In September 1995, the new home of the College of Mines and Earth Resources at the University of Idaho
was dedicated as James A. McClure Hall.
On December 12, 2001, the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Boise
was renamed for McClure.
and was sent to the intensive care unit at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise
. Although initially he was expected to recover, McClure died at the age of 86 on February 26, 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, most notably serving as a Republican in the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
McClure attended public schools in Payette. Upon turning 18, he joined the U.S. 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...
, having served 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...
, from 1942 to 1946. McClure graduated from the Navy Program at the University of Idaho-Southern Branch (now Idaho State University
Idaho State University
Idaho State University is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. It has outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls....
) in 1943. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
's College of Law
University of Idaho College of Law
The University of Idaho College of Law is the law school of the University of Idaho, with its main campus in Moscow and a third-year program in Boise. The College of Law was established in 1909 and is the only law school located in the state of Idaho...
, graduating in 1950.
From 1950 to 1956, he served as prosecuting attorney for Payette County
Payette County, Idaho
Payette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1917, and at the 2000 Census the county had a population of 20,578 . The county seat is Payette....
; he also served as city attorney for Payette from 1953 to 1966. During this span, he was also a member of the Idaho State Senate
Idaho Legislature
The Idaho Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Idaho. It consists of the upper Idaho Senate and the lower Idaho House of Representatives. The Idaho Senate contains 35 Senators, who are elected from 35 districts...
, serving from 1961 to 1966.
In the 1966 election, McClure ran for the U.S. House
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 Idaho's first Congressional district
Congressional district
A congressional district is “a geographical division of a state from which one member of the House of Representatives is elected.”Congressional Districts are made up of three main components, a representative, constituents, and the specific land area that both the representative and the...
. He won the race, defeating incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Compton I. White, Jr.
Compton I. White, Jr.
Compton Ignatius White, Jr. was a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of Idaho. Most prominently, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1963 to 1967...
, and was reelected in 1968 and 1970.
In 1972, McClure ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the retiring Len Jordan
Leonard B. Jordan
Leonard Beck "Len" Jordan was the 23rd Governor of Idaho and United States Senator from Idaho.Jordan served in World War I as an Army officer. He was a sheep rancher in Hell's Canyon during the Great Depression...
. In the general election he defeated the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee, Idaho State University President William E. Davis
William E. Davis
- Glory Colorado! :While working on his doctoral degree and coaching the football team Davis was writing his thesis. He received special permission from the doctoral thesis committee to bypass the standard format and write the historical narrative book about the history of the University of...
. McClure was reelected by wide margins in 1978 and 1984.
In 1981, McClure joined Republican colleagues Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and Steve Symms
Steve Symms
Steven Douglas Symms was a four-term congressman and two-term U.S. senator from Idaho. He was among the most conservative members of the Republican Party...
of Idaho in an unsuccessful fight to return to a purchase requirement for participation in the food stamp program
Food Stamp Program
The United States Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , historically and commonly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal-assistance program that provides assistance to low- and no-income people and families living in the U.S. Though the program is administered by the U.S. Department of...
. Helms cited a Congressional Budget Office
Congressional Budget Office
The Congressional Budget Office is a federal agency within the legislative branch of the United States government that provides economic data to Congress....
study which showed that 75 percent of the increase in food stamp usage had occurred since the purchase requirement was dropped in 1977. Senators voted 33 to 66 against the Helms-McClure position. "It's obvious the majority of the Senate is not really concerned about constraining the growth of the food-stamp program," McClure said.
In 1984 McClure ran for Senate Majority Leader
Party leaders of the United States Senate
The Senate Majority and Minority Leaders are two United States Senators who are elected by the party conferences that hold the majority and the minority respectively. These leaders serve as the chief Senate spokespeople for their parties and manage and schedule the legislative and executive...
, but was defeated by Senator Bob Dole
Bob Dole
Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole is an American attorney and politician. Dole represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1996, was Gerald Ford's Vice Presidential running mate in the 1976 presidential election, and was Senate Majority Leader from 1985 to 1987 and in 1995 and 1996...
of Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, who three years earlier had led the intraparty opposition to the Helms-McClure position on reinstating the purchase requirement for food stamps.
During his 18 years in the Senate, McClure served as the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources from 1981 to 1987. In this capacity McClure emerged as an early proponent of electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
s and energy independence. He also chaired of the Senate Republican Conference from 1981 to 1985.
At age 65, McClure declined to run for a fourth term in 1990. Republican congressman Larry Craig
Larry Craig
Larry Edwin Craig is a former Republican politician from the U.S. state of Idaho. He served 18 years in the U.S. Senate , preceded by 10 years in the U.S. House, representing Idaho's first district . His 28 years in the Congress rank as the second-longest in Idaho history, trailing only William...
of Midvale
Midvale, Idaho
Midvale is a city in Washington County, Idaho, United States. The population was 176 at the 2000 census.Midvale is the hometown of former U.S. Senator, Larry Craig.-History:...
easily won McClure's Senate seat in November 1990.
After leaving the Senate, McClure became a mining consultant and lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, founding the firm of McClure, Gerard, & Neuenschwander. Up until his death McClure maintained a residence in McCall
McCall, Idaho
McCall is a resort town on the western edge of Valley County, Idaho, United States. Named after its founder, Tom McCall, it is situated on the southern shore of Payette Lake, near the center of the Payette National Forest...
.
In September 1995, the new home of the College of Mines and Earth Resources at the University of Idaho
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
was dedicated as James A. McClure Hall.
On December 12, 2001, the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
was renamed for McClure.
Death
In December 2008, the 83-year-old McClure suffered a strokeStroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
and was sent to the intensive care unit at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
. Although initially he was expected to recover, McClure died at the age of 86 on February 26, 2011.
External links
- Congressional Biographical James A. McClure
- Federal Bldg. (1968) Boise, Idaho renamed for James A. McClure, 2001