Owens, Wayne, 1937-2002

Douglas Wayne Owens (1937-2002) was born in Panguitch, Utah. He received his education in the Utah public schools and attended the University of Utah, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 1961 and from the Law School, J. D. in 1964. From 1957 to 1960 he served a mission to France for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He married Marlene Wessel in 1961, and the couple raised five children. An active Democrat, Wayne Owens was a field representative for Utah United States Senator Frank E. Moss from 1965 to 1968; Rocky Mountain States coordinator, Robert F. Kennedy for President, 1968; administrative assistant to United States Senate Majority Whip Senator Edward Kennedy, 1969-1970; and administrative assistant to Senator Frank E. Moss, 1971-1972. Owens practiced law in Salt Lake City from 1965 to 1968 and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Utah's Second Congressional District and served from 1972-1974. His most signigicant service at this time was as a member of the Committee on the Judiciary which heard the evidence on whether to impeach President Richard M. Nixon. Owens joined the majority of the committee when he voted for impeachment. Wayne Owens was unsuccessful in his bid for the United States Senate in 1974, but was elected to the House again in 1986 and served until 1992. Throughout his career, Owens was an advocate for the environment and for the "downwinders," persons who had been exposed to radiation during the Nevada atomic testing in the 1950s. Owens suffered a fatal heart attack in December 2002, while in Tel Aviv, Israel.

From the guide to the Wayne Owens papers, 1950-2000, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)

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