Lee, Dr. Arthur M., 1918-2000

Paul Jones Fannin served as Arizona’s governor from 1959 to 1965. Born in Ashland, Kentucky on January 29, 1907, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona as a small child. After graduating from Phoenix Union High School, he studied at the University of Arizona and graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Business Administration. He soon became involved with his brother in the Fannin Gas and Supply Company, a petroleum and equipment distribution company doing business in the Southwest and Mexico.

A conservative Republican, Fannin ran for governor in 1958 and although the majority of registered voters at that time were Democrats, he won by over 30,000 votes. Fannin later ran two more times and won. As Governor, Fannin worked to attract industry to the state, fought for better schools and the creation of a junior college system. During his tenure, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to allocate the Colorado River between Arizona and California. This decision led to the creation of the Central Arizona Project. In 1959, Fannin created the Arizona Mexico West Coast Trade Commission to facilitate economic and social interaction. Fannin also served as Chairman of the Western Governor’s Conference, functioned as a three-term member of the executive committee of the national Governor’s Conference, and was a member of the President’s Civil Defense Advisory Council from 1963 to 1964. In 1964, he campaigned and won Barry Goldwater’s vacated Senate seat. Fannin served in the United State Senate until 1977.

Dr. Arthur M. Lee was born in Wisconsin in 1918 and moved to Phoenix in 1951 after earning his PhD. in History at Syracuse University. He taught as Professor of History and Government at Grand Canyon University before serving as Administrative Assistant to Arizona Congressman John Rhodes (1959-1961) and then Executive Secretary to Governor Fannin from 1961 to 1965.

From the guide to the Governor's Office, Governor Paul Fannin, Executive Secretary Dr. Arthur M. Lee, RG 1 SG 18 S 16, 1958-1964, (Arizona State Archives)