Conrad Burns
United States Senator from Montana
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	John Melcher
Succeeded by	Jon Tester
Born	January 25, 1935 (1935-01-25) (age 72) Gallatin, Missouri
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Phyllis Burns
Religion	Lutheran

Conrad Ray Burns (born January 25, 1935) is a former United States Senator from Montana. He was only the second Republican to represent Montana in the Senate since the passage in 1913 of the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution and is the longest-serving Republican senator in Montana history, despite an earlier pledge to serve only two terms. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x1875, 1565 KB) http://sbc. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Politics Portal      The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral United States Congress, the... Official language(s) English Capital Helena Largest city Billings Area  Ranked 4th  - Total 147,165 sq mi (381,156 km²)  - Width 255 miles (410 km)  - Length 630 miles (1,015 km)  - % water 1  - Latitude 44°26N to 49°N  - Longitude 104°2W to 116°2W Population  Ranked... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... John Melcher (born September 6, 1924) is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative and a U.S. Senator from Montana. ... Jonathan Jon Tester (born August 21, 1956) is the Democratic Senator-elect from Montana. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... Gallatin is a city located in Daviess County, Missouri. ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis Metro[1] Area  Ranked 21st  - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 300 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... The Republican Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States of America, along with the Democratic Party. ... LCMS redirects here. ... is the 25th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Politics Portal      The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral United States Congress, the... Official language(s) English Capital Helena Largest city Billings Area  Ranked 4th  - Total 147,165 sq mi (381,156 km²)  - Width 255 miles (410 km)  - Length 630 miles (1,015 km)  - % water 1  - Latitude 44°26N to 49°N  - Longitude 104°2W to 116°2W Population  Ranked... The Republican Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States of America, along with the Democratic Party. ... Official language(s) English Capital Helena Largest city Billings Area  Ranked 4th  - Total 147,165 sq mi (381,156 km²)  - Width 255 miles (410 km)  - Length 630 miles (1,015 km)  - % water 1  - Latitude 44°26N to 49°N  - Longitude 104°2W to 116°2W Population  Ranked... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Politics Portal      The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral United States Congress, the... Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Amendment XVII in the National Archives Amendment XVII (the Seventeenth Amendment) of the United States Constitution was passed by the Senate on June 12, 1911 and by the House on May 13, 1912. ...

While in the Senate, Burns sat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and was the chairman of its Subcommittee on the Interior. He was also chairman of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee's Communications subcommittee. Senator Burns' folksy style is a sharp contrast to his outspokenness on issues concerning technology, broadcasting, and the Internet. The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations is a standing committee of the United States Senate. ... The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is a standing committee of the United States Senate in charge of all senate matters related to the following subjects: Coast Guard Coastal zone management Communications Highway safety Inland waterways, except construction Interstate commerce Marine and ocean navigation, safety, and transportation Marine... The term communications is used in a number of disciplines: Communications, also known as communication studies is the academic discipline which studies communication, generally seen as a mixture between media studies and linguistics. ... By the mid 20th century humans had achieved a mastery of technology sufficient to leave the surface of the Earth for the first time and explore space. ... Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and/or video signals which transmit programs to an audience. ...

Burns was defeated for re-election in the 2006 Montana U.S. Senate election by the Democratic candidate, Montana State Senate President Jon Tester. For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... Jonathan Jon Tester (born August 21, 1956) is the Democratic Senator-elect from Montana. ...

Early life and career

Burns was born on a farm near Gallatin, Missouri, to Russell and Mary Frances (Knight) Burns. He graduating from Gallatin High School in 1952 and then enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri–Columbia. He was also a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Two years later Burns left without graduating, and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served in Japan and Korea as a small-arms instructor. Gallatin is a city located in Daviess County, Missouri. ... Official language(s) English Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St Louis Metro[1] Area  Ranked 21st  - Total 69,709 sq mi (180,693 km²)  - Width 240 miles (385 km)  - Length 300 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The University of Missouri–Columbia is a public land-grant university and is Missouris largest university and public research institution. ... Alpha Gamma Rho (ΑΓΡ) is a social-professional fraternity in the United States, with over 65 university chapters. ... The terms fraternity and sorority (from the Latin words and , meaning brother and sister respectively) may be used to describe many social and charitable organizations, for example the Lions Club, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Rotary International, Optimist International, or the Shriners. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... Korea (Korean: 한국 in South Korea or ì¡°ì„  in North Korea, see below) is a geographic area, civilization, and former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. ...

After his military service, Burns began working for Trans World Airlines and Ozark Air Lines. In 1962, he traveled the state as a field representative for Polled Hereford World magazine in Billings, Montana. He married Phyllis Jean Kuhlmann in 1967; they have two children, Keely and Garrett. Trans World Airlines (IATA: TW, ICAO: TWA, and Callsign: TWA), commonly known as TWA, was an American airline company that was acquired by American Airlines in April 2001. ... Ozark Air Lines is a former commercial airline that operated in the United States from 1950 until 1986, when it was purchased by Trans World Airlines. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hereford World is a trade publication about the Hereford breed of cattle. ... Motto: Star of the Big Sky Country Location in Montana Coordinates: County Yellowstone County Founded 1877 Incorporated 1882 Government  - Mayor Ronald Tussing Area  - City 106 km²  (41 sq mi)  - Water 0. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ...

In 1968, he turned down a transfer to Iowa and became a cattle auctioneer for the Billings Livestock Commission. He became the first manager of the Northern International Livestock Expo. He also began reporting on agricultural market news, started a radio show and later working as a farm reporter for KULR-TV. Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1968 Gregorian calendar. ... Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 199 miles (320 km)  - % water 0. ... KULR-TV is a television station broadcasting on channel 8 (Cable channel 9) in Billings, Montana. ...

In 1975, Burns founded the Northern Agricultural Network with four radio stations. The NAN had grown to serve thirty-one radio stations and six television stations by 1986, when he sold it to enter politics. Angry at a local politician, he won a seat on the Yellowstone County Commission, where he served for two years. Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Yellowstone County is a county located in the state of Montana. ...

Senate

1988 election and first term

Though a political novice, from his previous jobs, Burns had a great deal of name recognition, and the Republican Party recruited him to run against Democrat and incumbent Senator John Melcher, a popular veterinarian. Burns portrayed Melcher as "a liberal who is soft on drugs, soft on defense and very high on social programs." At the time a strong supporter of term limits, Burns said Melcher had been in Washington, D.C. too long. Melcher was also hurt by public opposition to policies in Yellowstone National Park regarding naturally occurring fires and by President Ronald Reagan's pocket veto of Melcher's bill, which would have made 1.4 million acres (5,700 km²) of Montana forest off-limits to logging and mineral development. Burns defeated Melcher in a close race, 51-48 percent. He was helped by the success in Montana of Vice President George H. W. Bush, the Republican presidential nominee. Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... John Melcher (born September 6, 1924) is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative and a U.S. Senator from Montana. ... Look up veterinarian in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. ... Nickname: Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., in relation to the states Maryland and Virginia Coordinates: , Country United States Federal District District of Columbia Government  - Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D)  - City Council Chairperson: Vincent C. Gray (D) Ward 1: Jim Graham (D) Ward 2: Jack... Yellowstone National Park is the centerpiece of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the Earths northern temperate zone. ... Yellowstone National Park is the centerpiece of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest intact ecosystem in the Earths northern temperate zone. ... The presidential seal is a well-known symbol of the presidency. ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981 – 1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967 – 1975). ... A pocket veto is a legislative maneuver in American federal lawmaking. ... Seal of the office of the Vice-President of the United States The Vice President of the United States is the first in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death, resignation, or removal of the President. ... George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989 to 1993. ...

Following the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Burns invited a group of racially-mixed lobbyists to a "slave auction." Following criticism, Burns responded that in such events "you have an auction and you sell the kids and they perform a day's work for whoever buys them" and said they were "rather common in Montana."^[1] The Civil Rights Act of 1991 is a United States statute that was passed in response to a series of United States Supreme Court decisions limiting the rights of employees who had sued their employers for discrimination. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ... Lobbying is a concerted effort designed to achieve some result, typically from government authorities and elected officials. ...

1994 election and second term

Former Senator Melcher was among the candidates in the Democratic primary, but that race was won by Jack Mudd, former dean of the University of Montana law school in Missoula. Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... The University of Montana campus, 1999. ... Missoula, Montana viewed from the top of Mount Sentinel in 1999. ...

During a visit to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Burns told one of the editors an anecdote about an elderly Montana rancher who asked him about life in Washington. The rancher asked "Conrad, how can you live back there with all those niggers?" and Burns replied that it was "a hell of a challenge." After his remarks were criticized, Burns issued an apology saying "Such views are inappropriate and belong in the past and that was the context in which the story was told...they are views which I do not condone and do not share." But when asked why he did not condemn the story at the time he heard it, Burns replied, "I don't know, I never give it much thought."^[2] The Bozeman Daily Chronicle is a daily newspaper printed in Bozeman, Montana. ... // Nigger is a racial slur used to refer to dark-skinned people, especially those of African ancestry. ...

Despite the controversy, Burns was re-elected in a landslide, 62-38 percent over Mudd, whose campaign observers described as "underfunded and puzzling".^[3]

2000 election and third term

Burns faced a surprisingly difficult reelection campaign in 2000. In February 1999, he announced that he would break his 1988 promise to only hold office for two terms, claiming "Circumstances have changed, and I have rethought my position."^[4] Later that same month, while giving a speech about U.S. dependence on foreign oil to the Montana Equipment Dealers Association, he referred to Arabs as "ragheads". Burns soon apologized, saying he "became too emotionally involved" during the speech.^[5] 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... North American energy independence is a goal of many advocates of enhanced North American economic and physical security seeking primarily to reduce U.S. reliance on (what is to Americans) foreign oil, without increasing fuel taxes. ... Languages Arabic other minority languages Religions Predomiantly Sunni Islam, as well as Shia Islam, Greek Orthodoxy, Greek Catholicism, Alawite Islam, Druzism, Ibadi Islam, and Judaism Footnotes a Mainly in Antakya. ...

Burns faced Brian Schweitzer, a rancher from Whitefish, Montana. While Burns attempted to link Schweitzer with presidential candidate Al Gore, whom Schweitzer never met, Schweitzer "effectively portrayed himself as nonpolitical".^[6] Schweitzer primarily challenged Burns on the issue of prescription drugs, organizing busloads of senior citizens to take trips to Canada and Mexico for cheaper medicine.^[7] Burns charged that Schweitzer favored "Canadian-style government controls"^[6] and claimed that senior citizens went to doctors to have "somebody to visit with. There's nothing wrong with them."^[7] Burns also faced trouble regarding deaths from asbestos in Libby, Montana. While he initially supported a bill to limit compensation in such cases, he withdrew his support for the bill, under public criticism, and added $11.5 million for the town to an appropriations bill.^[6][8] Brian David Schweitzer (born September 4, 1955) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Montana. ... View from top of Big Mountain, near Whitefish, in winter Whitefish is a city located in Flathead County, Montana. ... Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. ... A prescription drug is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can be obtained. ... Fibrous asbestos on muscovite Asbestos Asbestos Blue asbestos (crocidolite) from Wittenoom, Western Australia. ... Libby is a city in Lincoln County, Montana, United States. ... ISO 4217 Code USD User(s) the United States, the British Indian Ocean Territory,[1] the British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the insular areas of the United States Inflation 2. ...

Burns spent twice as much money as Schweitzer on the election^[6] and only defeated him by a slim margin, 51-47 percent, while the state voted 58-33 percent for Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush. Schweitzer went on to become governor in 2004. George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... List of Montana Governors See also Governors of Montana Territory Exteral link governors of Montana Categories: Governors of Montana | Lists of United States governors ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In December 2003, Burns and Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, were pleased that their legislation to combat spam, the CAN-SPAM Act, had been signed into law.^[9] Burns said "Senator Wyden and I have worked during this time to come up with common-sense legislation to deal with spam and I think we've been successful." However, anti-spam organization Spamhaus indicated in April 2005 that they were far from satisfied that the problem of spam coming from the U.S. had been addressed. Steve Linford, who heads Spamhaus, said "Until America makes changes, everyone will still be plastered with spam."^[10] 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ronald Lee Wyden (born May 3, 1949) to German American parents, is Oregons senior United States Senator. ... Official language(s) (none)[1] Capital Salem Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 9th  - Total 98,466 sq mi (255,026 km²)  - Width 260 miles (420 km)  - Length 360 miles (580 km)  - % water 2. ... The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (15 U.S.C. 7701, et seq. ... The Spamhaus Project is a completely volunteer effort founded by Steve Linford in 1998 that aims to track e-mail spammers and spam-related activity. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to improve its verifiability. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Steve Linford, also nicknamed Stiff Linefeed following a fairly catastrophic Chinese mistranslation of his name [1], is the anti-spammer who founded Spamhaus. ...

One of Burns' more notable political blunders was blaming Canada for lax immigration policies. He asserted that one or more of the organizers of the September 11, 2001 attacks entered the U.S. from Canada, a statement that was later rebutted and proven untrue by the Canadian ambassador.^[11] The September 11, 2001 attacks were carried out by 19 hijackers, with planning and organization of the attacks involving numerous additional members of al-Qaeda. ... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly...

In mid-2006, Burns told the Associated Press, which was doing an article on Congressional caucuses, that he had joined the Sweetener Caucus at the behest of sugar beet growers in his state. "I don't think I've ever attended," Burns said of caucus meetings. "I do what my growers tell me. I know we grow a lot of sugar beets in Montana."^[12] For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups (as of November 7, 2006 elections) Democratic Party Republican... A Congressional caucus is a group of members of the United States Congress which meets to pursue common legislative objectives. ... Two sugar beets - the one on the left has been cultivated to be smoother than the traditional beet, so that it traps less soil. ...

2006 re-election campaign

Main article: Montana United States Senate election, 2006

Because of his narrow win in 2000, the Democratic takeover over of Montana's state government in 2004, polls in 2006 putting his support in the state at around 40 percent, and high disapproval ratings from the Jack Abramoff scandal,^[13] Burns had been singled out as one of the most vulnerable senators facing re-election in 2006. The 2006 U.S. Senate Election for the state of Montana was held November 7, 2006. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jack Abramoff (born February 28, 1958) is an American political lobbyist, a Republican political activist and businessman who is a central figure in a series of high-profile political scandals. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... The 2006 U.S. Senate Election for the state of Montana was held November 7, 2006. ...

On June 6, 2006, Burns easily won the Republican primary. In the November general election, his Democratic opponent was Montana State Senate President and organic farmer Jon Tester, who won his primary by an even more comfortable margin. In early August, CQPolitics changed its rating on the race from "Leans Republican" to "No Clear Favorite."^[14] According to some polls, Senator Burns' approval rating had fallen as low as 39 percent, lower than any other U.S. Senator.^[15] June 6 is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Jonathan Jon Tester (born August 21, 1956) is the Democratic Senator-elect from Montana. ...

Since at least August the Montana Democratic Party had paid staffer Kevin O'Brien to follow Burns around the nation. O'Brien continuously filmed the senator at all his public events, which have included Senate committee hearings and various campaign appearances. The content of these tapes were used for a variety of "gotcha" press releases and even a YouTube music video. During the 2000 race against Brian Schweitzer, cameraman Matt McKenna was paid to trail Burns. McKenna again worked as a spokesman for the Tester campaign.^[16] YouTube is a popular free video sharing website which lets users upload, view, and share video clips. ...

In an October election debate with Tester, regarding the Iraq War, Burns said that Tester "says our president doesn't have a plan. I think he's got one. He's not going to tell everyone in the world" and later told Tester "We're not going to tell you what our plan is, Jon, because you're just going to go out and blow it."^[17] For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ...

On November 9, 2006, Burns conceded the election to Tester. is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

On November 15, 2006, Burns angrily responded to questions concerning his time as a lame duck senator, saying, “I’m not going to negotiate my problems with the goddamn press... Goodbye! Goodbye! Goodbye!" [2] is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A lame duck is a bird which has trouble walking, usually due to astraxaphysis, a crippling leg condition affecting waterfowl. ...

Congressional record

Burns was perhaps most noted for his ability to obtain appropriations for his home state.^[18]

In April 2006, Burns was selected by Time as one of "America's Five Worst Senators." The magazine dubbed him "The Shock Jock" and called him "serially offensive" for his many controversial statements during his career, such as a 1999 remark in which he called Arabs "ragheads." The magazine also criticized his "meager" legislative record and his legal problems involving Jack Abramoff.^[19] Senator Burns’s ratings from interest groups indicate a conservative Republican voting record. According to Project Vote Smart, Burns' rating by major think tanks and political action committees are as follows:^[20] For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Time (whose trademark is capitalized TIME) is a weekly American newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. ... Conservatism in the United States comprises a constellation of political ideologies including fiscal conservatism, free market or economic liberalism, social conservatism,[1] bioconservatism and religious conservatism,[2][3] as well as support for a strong military, opposition to internationalism,[4] and promotion of states rights. ... Project Vote Smart (PVS) is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States. ... This article is about the institution. ... In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group organized to elect or defeat government officials in order to promote legislation, often supporting the groups special interests. ...

• NARAL Pro-Choice America: 0%
• National Right to Life Committee 100%
• American Conservative Union : 91%
• American Civil Liberties Union: 0%
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: 94%
• National Education Association: 0%
• League of Conservation Voters: 5%
• Christian Coalition of America: 100%
• Cato Institute: 70%
• National Rifle Association: A
• American Public Health Association: 10%
• American Land Rights Association: 100%
• AFL-CIO: 29%
• National Taxpayers Union: 67%

NARAL Pro-Choice America (pronounced NAY-ral) is a pro-choice organization in the United States that engages in political action to oppose restrictions on abortion and expand access to abortion. ... The National Right to Life Committee is a right to life/pro-life organization, that was founded in in Detroit as a non-sectarian, non-partisan group, opposed to abortion, euthanasia and infanticide. ... The American Conservative Union (ACU) is a large conservative political lobbying group in the United States. ... The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a major American non-profit organization with headquarters in New York City, New York, whose stated mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States... The United States Chamber of Commerce is the worlds largest not-for-profit business federation, representing 3,000,000 businesses (via its Federation of local chambers and association members. ... The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest labor union in the United States, representing many of the countrys teachers along with other school personnel. ... The League of Conservation Voters is an American environmentalist lobby. ... This article is about the organization presently operating in the United States. ... The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Institutes stated mission is to broaden the parameters of public policy debate to allow consideration of the traditional American principles of limited government, individual liberty, free markets, and peace by seeking greater involvement of the... This article concerns the National Rifle Association of the USA. For the UK organisation, see National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom The National Rifle Association, or NRA, is a non-profit group for the promotion of marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection of hunting and personal protection firearm rights... The American Public Health Association (APHA) is a professional organization for public health professionals in the United States. ... American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL-CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 54 national and international unions (including Canadian), together representing more than 10 million workers. ... National Taxpayers Union (NTU) is an pro-taxpayers advocacy organization in the United States, founded in 1969 by James Dale Davidson. ...

Post-Senate career

After leaving office, Burns joined the lobbying firm of Gage, founded by his former chief of staff Leo Giacometto, as an advisor and strategist. He also founded a communications company called Rural Solutions. He still has his auction business where he arranges his speaking engagements.[3] In politics, a chief of staff is the primary aide to a political leader or position. ...

Controversies

In September 2006, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its second annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress, titled "Beyond DeLay: The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and five to watch)." Burns was included as one of the twenty most corrupt members of Congress^[21] (he was also listed in the first annual report, the list being in alphabetical order). The organization said, "His ethics issues stem from campaign contributions he accepted in apparent exchange for exercising his authority as chairman of an appropriations subcommittee and on a trip some of his staff members took to the 2001 Super Bowl."^[22] Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a Washington, DC-based advocacy organization which professes to fight corruption by U.S. government officials. ... Date January 28, 2001 Stadium Raymond James Stadium City Tampa, Florida MVP Ray Lewis, Linebacker Favorite Ravens by 3 National anthem Backstreet Boys Coin toss Marcus Allen, Ottis Anderson, Tom Flores, Bill Parcells Referee Gerald Austin Halftime show Aerosmith, Britney Spears, Nelly, Mary J. Blige and *NSYNC Attendance 71,921...

Abramoff and tribal contributions

Main article: Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal

This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

Contributions and connections

Between 2001 and 2004, while the chair of the Interior Subcommittee on Appropriations, Burns received nearly $150,000 in campaign contributions from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Abramoff's clients, and other donors connected to Abramoff.^[23] According to a 2006 report by PoliticalMoneyLine.com, published in Roll Call, between 2001 and 2005, Burns received $192,090 in campaign contributions from tribal entities. In addition, a friend of Abramoff's said in October 2006 that Burns' staff ate so many free meals at Abramoff's restaurant that people joked they would have "starved to death" without the lobbyist.^[24] Burns later returned the money. [4] The U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies is one of twelve subcommittees of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. ... Lobbying is the practice of private advocacy with the goal of influencing a governing body, in order to ensure that an individuals or organizations point of view is represented in the government. ... Jack Abramoff (born February 28, 1958) is an American political lobbyist, a Republican political activist and businessman who is a central figure in a series of high-profile political scandals. ...

In December 2005, a leader of a tribe that gave $22,000 in campaign contributions to Burns in 2002 said the tribe had done so solely at the request of Abramoff and believed the senator was part of "Abramoff's group."^[25]. In a 2006 Vanity Fair article, Abramoff was quoted as saying, "Every appropriation we wanted from Senator Conrad Burns' committee we got." Burns has denied that he was influenced by Abramoff.

Since 2001, Mark Baker, a former Burns aide who was the chief lobbyist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in 2003 and 2004, and Burns 2006 campaign chairman, has donated $9,000 to Burns and his Friends of the Big Sky Leadership PAC. Baker is also affiliated with the D.C. lobbying firm Denny Miller Associates Inc.,^[26] whose individuals have donated at least $27,000 to Burns and his PAC during the same time period.^[27]

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Conrad Burns

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Tribal school

In January 2003, an attempt by the two senators from Michigan to get money for a school of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, an Abramoff client and one of the wealthiest tribes in the country (each member gets $70,000 per year from gambling profits), was unsuccessful. The Bureau of Indian Affairs said the tribe's school wasn't eligible, based on the authorizing statute for the program. The tribe, and Abramoff, its lobbyist, then began working with Burns. Abramoff's lobbying team had strong connections with Burns's staff. Among their ranks was Shawn Vasell, an Appropriations aide who shuttled back and forth between jobs on Burns's staff and Abramoff's shop. Ryan Thomas, another Burns appropriations staffer, and Burns's chief of staff, Will M. Brooke, were treated to a trip to the 2001 Super Bowl in Florida on a corporate jet leased by Abramoff's team.^[28] Saginaw is the name of several places in the United States of America: Saginaw, Michigan Saginaw, Texas This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... For other uses of Chippewa, see Chippewa (disambiguation). ... The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the Department of the Interior charged with the administration and management of 55. ... The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ...

In May 2003, Burns and his counterpart, Charles Taylor, the chairman of the House Interior Subcommittee, sent a letter to the Interior Department, arguing the Saginaw Chippewa's case.^[29] But the department and the bureau remained firm in their refusal. In late October of 2003, just before the final vote on the Interior appropriations bill, Burns inserted a paragraph — an earmark — in the bill's conference report. It lifted previous restrictions and directed that the Saginaw Chippewa Indians be given $3 million for their tribal school.^[30] After initially claiming credit for the appropriation Burns subsequently denied knowledge of it, "A lot of things happened that I didn't know about. It shouldn't have happened, but it did." Charles Hart Taylor is an American politician; a Republican, he represents North Carolinas 11th Congressional district (map) in the United States House of Representatives. ...

The tribe donated $32,000 to Burns from 2001 to 2003.^[31]

National Bison Range

In the 1990s, Burns opposed the transfer of management of the National Bison Range (NBR) in Moiese, Montana, to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), introduced a draft bill opposing tribal jurisdiction, and supported Senator Slade Gorton's S. 1691, which called Tribal Sovereign Immunity into question.^[32][33] At the time, Burns said that tribal sovereign immunity interfered with citizens' Fifth Amendment rights.

In 2001 and 2002, Senator Burns' policies changed, and his DC staff told citizens of western Montana that he would not support any legislation concerning tribal government unless all 500+ tribes agree to it.

In 2003, the CSKT renewed negotiations over the NBR. Fish and Wildlife officials in Denver stated at the time that Burns had the authority to stop the management transfer. On March 14, 2005, the day before a new NBR agreement went into effect with the tribes, CSKT Chairman Fred Matt wrote in a Missoulian guest column, "Sen. Burns has been a positive and aggressive advocate for Indian Country..." and "Burns fully understands and appreciates consultation with Indian country, our sovereignty, and our right to self-determination." March 14 is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Burns Amendment

Burns added the Burns amendment to the Appropriations act of 2005, without discussion or agreement of the public or the rest of Congress. The Burns Amendment overruled the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, which protected America's wild mustangs and burros from slaughter. The amendment was added into the hundreds of pages of the Appropriation act, effectively hiding it, and allowing President Bush to sign the act without knowing that the amendment was in there. It was signed into law on December 3, 2004. When the public found out, they were outraged, and demanded an explanation. All that Senator Burns said was, "I think what we should do is put some language in this thing that allows the BLM to sell excess wild horses. I'd prefer to sell 'em to whomever. Maybe some of them will end up going to slaughter." Mustang can refer to: The word mustang, from Spanish animalia mixta, mesteño or mestengo, an ownerless beast: Mustang, a feral horse living on the western or southwestern plains of the US. P-51 Mustang, a World War II military aircraft. ...

Involvement of staffers and aides

Less than two months after a key earmark by Burns in October 2003, Burns's chief of staff, Will Brooke, went to work for Abramoff at the lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig.^[30] Greenberg Traurig LLP is an international law firm with approximately 1,400 attorneys and governmental professionals in 31 locations in the United States, Europe and Asia, including strategic alliances. ...

In June 2005, former Burns staffer Shawn Vasell was called as a witness at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.^[34] Vasell was registered as a lobbyist for the Choctaw and Coushatta tribes in 2001, joined Burns's staff in 2002, then rejoined Abramoff's team as a lobbyist for the tribes in 2003.^[28] He refused to testify, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.^[35] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Shawn M. Vasell, is a former senior aide to Senator Conrad Burns (R-Montana), who was part of Team Abramoff and worked for Greenberg Traurig LLC both before and after his one year stint with Burns. ...

Mark Baker, a former legislative director for Burns, and currently Burn's 2006 campaign chairman, was paid $60,000 to be the chief lobbyist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in 2003 and 2004. Working through his Helena firm, Anderson and Baker, Baker also made $120,000 lobbying for CSKT business venture S&K Technologies during those same years, and another $40,000 working for the CSKT through the Giacmetto Group. Leo Giacometto was Burns' chief of staff from 1995 to 1999.^[36][37] Nickname: Queen City Location in Montana Coordinates: County Lewis and Clark County Founded October 30, 1864 Government  - Mayor James E. Smith Area  - City 36. ...

Returning of "tainted" campaign contributions

Burns returned the entirety of Abramoff's personal donations to charity. When possible, Burns has returned contributions to the tribes where they originated.

His attempt to make a $111,000 donation to the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council was rejected; the council said the money was tainted because it originally came from Abramoff and his clients. Julia Doney, president of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Council and a member of the tribal leaders council, said that the tribes are "tired of being used" and didn't want to help Burns with his political troubles.^[38] Fort Belknap Agency is a census-designated place (CDP) in Blaine County, Montana, in the United States. ...

The Blackfeet Community College also refused to accept money from Burns because it came from Jack Abramoff. James St. Goddard, a Blackfeet council member, told Great Falls Tribune that taking the money "would have made it look like the money is clean. We do not want Mr. Burns to use the tribes any more for his political gain."^[39] Sahpo Muxika, also known as Crowfoot, former Head Chief of the Blackfeet Nation The Piegan Blackfeet (Pikuni in Blackfoot) are a tribe of Native Americans based in Montana. ...

Inland Northwest Space Alliance

In May 2006, a University of Montana spinoff that had federal funding of more than $4 million, through efforts by Burns, became part of an investigation by the NASA Office of Inspector General. The Inland Northwest Space Alliance, a non-profit company, paid $270,000 in 2004 to a software company, Compressus, for "project management," via a no-bid contract.^[40] In the same year, Compressus paid the firm of Burns' former chief of staff, Leo Giacometto, $220,000 in lobbying fees; INSA also paid Giacometto $20,000 in fees that year. Burns' daughter, Keely Burns, was invited to join the INSA board, but said she had no involvement other than to attend one organizational meeting. She also served on the Compressus board of advisers for a year.^[41] In 2005, Giamcometto's was the lobbyist for the University of Montana, for which he was paid $79,750. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States federal government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... University of Montana The University of Montana campus, 1999. ...

In October 2006, the Missoulian reported further problems with IMSA and with the University of Montana's Northern Rockies Center for Space Privatization, which has a history of sharing employees with INSA, some of whom are related. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... University of Montana The University of Montana campus, 1999. ...

Earlier in October 2006, the Washington D.C. newspaper Roll Call reported that Montana legislative auditors gave the FBI evidence not included in their June report indicating “there was clear criminal activity" involved in the alliance between INSA, Burns and Giacometto. State officials say Roll Call's report was incorrect. "I have talked with an FBI agent and an investigator with the NASA Office of Inspector General," Missoula County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg said. "They are doing some interviewing of witnesses and have not completed their work. Until they do, I won't proceed any further."^[42]

Comments about firefighters

In July 2006, Burns met up serendipitously with a group of firefighters waiting for their flight home in the Billings airport. According to a state report, he told the firefighters that they had done a "piss-poor job."^[43] They had been working to put out a 92,000-acre fire near Billings. Burns had been speaking earlier with some local ranchers who were unhappy about the way the firefighters had done their job. According to a spokesperson, Burns had not yet spoken about this with anyone in authority in the fire service, or heard a point of view from the firefighters. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

The Billings Gazette put it this way: "U.S. Senator Conrad Burns pointed across the Billings airport Sunday and accused a member of an elite firefighting team of not doing "a God damned thing" and charged that crew members just "sit around" on the job, the original version of a state report said."^[44][45]

He was also surprised when told by an employee of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation that the firefighters in question made about $8–12/hour.^[46]

On August 14, 2006 a reporter from the Daily Press of Newport News, Virginia called Burns' office for comment on the firefighter comment. A young staffer who answered, erroneously believing the reporter to be a friend, proceeded with a host of obscenity-laced comments not intended for public consumption. The aide at one point even allegedly said, "...you can tell Senator George Allen of Virginia to [vulgarity deleted]."^[47] The Democratic Party called on Burns to apologize. August 14 is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Daily Press is a newspaper published in Newport News, Virginia. ... Location in the State of Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia County Independent city Incorporated 1896 Government  - Mayor Joe Frank Area  - City  119. ... Categories: People stubs | Politics stubs | 1952 births | Governors of Virginia | United States Senators ... This article contains a trivia section. ...

Sleeping in Congress

In August 2006, the Montana Billings-Gazette reported that when "Burns briefly struggled to keep his eyes open at a Montana farm bill hearing ... a state Democratic party operative was right there filming it. Within hours, the tape of Burns was on YouTube.com, set to 'Happy Trails to You' and available to site visitors around the world." The paper also reported that "When viewing the video of an apparently sleepy Burns, YouTube visitors are given a menu of several other videos posted by the Democrats. One is a recent tape of Burns saying 'that's the way to shut that down' after a conference call with reporters questioning him about his recent criticism of federal firefighters."^[48] YouTube is a popular free video sharing website which lets users upload, view, and share video clips. ... Happy Trails by Dale Evans Rogers Theme song for 1950s tv show staring Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Rogers. ...

Immigration comments

During a debate in 2006 against Democratic opponent Jon Tester, Burns commented that he was on the telephone with his contractor when he saw an interview with an illegal immigrant on television. The immigrant featured in the interview said he was a roofer and was headed north. Burns said that he told the contractor, "you better go out and get your help or you won't get my house roofed."^[49]

At a June meeting, Burns said "The other day, the little fella who does our maintenance work around the house, he’s from Guatemala, and I said, 'Could I see your green card?' And Hugo says, 'No.' I said, 'Oh gosh.'" (Burns spokesman Jason Klindt said the worker is legally in the United States, owns a painting company, and that Burns "never had any doubt" that he was legal resident.)^[49]

In August, at a campaign event, Burns interrupted his speech to take a cell phone call. After speaking a bit and hanging up, he told the audience "Hugo is a nice little Guatemalan man who is doing some painting for me ... in Virginia." After some laughter by the audience, Burns said "No, he’s terrific, love him."^[49]

Taxicab terrorists

On August 25, 2006 at a campaign event in Miles City, Burns said of the military: "We thank god for those young people that do it every day and every night to fight this enemy that's a taxicab driver in the daytime but a killer at night." is the 237th day of the year (238th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Burns went on to repeat his "taxicab driver" analogy several times over the next few days. On August 27, 2006 in Butte, Burns said: "This campaign is about the next generation; it is if we have a safe world and a secure world where our kids can go to bed at night and not worry about a guy that drives a taxicab in the daytime and kills at night." August 27 is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Again, at a campaign event on August 30, 2006, Burns, while discussing the War on Terrorism, spoke of a "faceless enemy" of terrorists who "drive taxicabs in the daytime and kill at night." August 30 is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... This article is about United States actions after the September 11, 2001 attacks. ...

A spokesman for Burns' campaign said "The point is there are terrorists that live amongst us. Not only here, but in Britain and the entire world. Whether they are taxi drivers or investment bankers, the fact remains that this is a new type of enemy."^[50]

Kazakhstan

In May 2004, Senator Burns and then-Montana Representative Denny Rehberg took a trip to Astana, the capital of the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, leading a Montana group on a trade mission. During the trip, reporters and embassy personnel reported that the two individuals "drank like frat boys" and made embarassing comments in front of the Kazakhstani delegation. In one instance, Representative Rehberg was so drunk he fell off his horse and was trampled by it, breaking one rib and cracking two others.^[51] A spokesman for the two congressmen stated that the stories were political dirty tricks and "laughable." Official language(s) English Capital Helena Largest city Billings Area  Ranked 4th  - Total 147,165 sq mi (381,156 km²)  - Width 255 miles (410 km)  - Length 630 miles (1,015 km)  - % water 1  - Latitude 44°26N to 49°N  - Longitude 104°2W to 116°2W Population  Ranked... Dennis R. Denny Rehberg (born October 5, 1955) is an American politician who has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing Montana at-large (map). ... Coordinates: Government  - Mayor Askar Mamin Population (estimated)  - City 600,000 Time zone BTT (UTC+6) This article is about the capital of Kazakhstan; for the article on the palace in Sarawak, see Astana (Sarawak); for the professional road-cycling team see Astana Team; for the Iranian city, see Astaneh-e... Soviet redirects here. ...

References

... ... Michael Barone is a political expert and commentator. ... National Journal is a weekly magazine about American politics and government, published by National Journal Group, Inc. ... George Frederick Will (born May 4, 1941) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning, conservative American newspaper columnist, journalist, and author. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. ... ... The Almanac of American Politics is a reference work published biennially by the National Journal Group. ... National Journal is a weekly magazine about American politics and government, published by National Journal Group, Inc. ... ... The Billings Gazette is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper printed in Billings, Montana. ... (Clockwise from upper left) Time magazine covers from May 7, 1945; July 25, 1969; December 31, 1999; September 14, 2001; and April 21, 2003. ... Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a Washington, DC-based advocacy organization which professes to fight corruption by U.S. government officials. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 60 days remaining. ...

External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Federal Election Commission — Conrad Burns campaign finance reports and data
• On the Issues — Conrad Burns issue positions and quotes
• OpenSecrets.org — Conrad Burns campaign contributions
• SourceWatch Congresspedia — Conrad Burns profile
• Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Conrad Burns voting record
• Differences on the issues between Conrad Burns and Jon Tester at whereIstand.com

The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress is a biographical dictionary of all members of both houses of the United States Congress, past and present. ...

Criticism

• "Beyond DeLay — Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT)" from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
• "Always Having To Say He's Sorry" by Bob Herbert, The New York Times, March 2, 2006
• "Conrad Burns: The Face Of Republican Corruption," from the DSCC, April 4, 2006

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a Washington, DC-based advocacy organization which professes to fight corruption by U.S. government officials. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City by Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. ... Deep Space Comunications Complex [1]Deep Sea Conservation Coalition Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Defense Supply Center, Columbus. ...

Articles

• The New York Times — Times Topics: Conrad Burns collected news and commentary
• U.S. Politics Today — Conrad Burns collected news
• Kurt Brungardt, "Galloping Scared", Vanity Fair, November 2006
• "Montana Senator in Fight of Political Life," Associated Press, October 15, 2006
• Charles S. Johnson, "Report: Burns called firefighters lazy", Billings Gazette, July 28, 2006
• "10 things about Conrad Burns," U.S. News & World Report June 16, 2006
• "Conrad Burns: Shock Jock" Time, April 14, 2006
• Matt Taibbi, "How to Be a Lobbyist Without Trying: A personal journey into Washington's culture of greed", Rolling Stone, March 24, 2006
• Steve Thompson, "A political outsider wages a clever campaign" High Country News, July 5, 1999, profile of 2000 campaign opponent