John Burton | |
|---|---|
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| Chair of the California Democratic Party | |
| In office April 13, 2009 – May 20, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Art Torres |
| Succeeded by | Eric C. Bauman |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 3rd district | |
| In office December 2, 1996 – December 6, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Milton Marks |
| Succeeded by | Carole Migden |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California | |
| In office June 4, 1974 – January 3, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | William S. Mailliard |
| Succeeded by | Phillip Burton |
| Constituency | 6th district (1974–1975) 5th district (1975–1983) |
| Member of the California State Assembly | |
| In office April 14, 1988 – December 2, 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Art Agnos |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Shelley |
| Constituency | 16th district (1988–1992) 12th district (1992–1996) |
| Chair of the California Democratic Party | |
| In office 1973–1974 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Manatt |
| Succeeded by | Bert Coffey |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 20th district | |
| In office January 4, 1965 – June 4, 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Phillip Burton |
| Succeeded by | Dixon Arnett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Lowell Burton December 15, 1932 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Kimiko Burton (daughter) |
| Relatives | Phillip Burton (brother) Sala Burton (sister-in-law) |
| Education | San Francisco State College (BA) University of San Francisco (JD) |
John Lowell Burton (born December 15, 1932) is an American politician who served in both the California State Assembly and the United States House of Representatives. He was a member of the Democratic Party and represented California's 5th and 6th congressional districts.
Burton served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1974 to 1983, during which time he was a strong advocate for civil rights, environmental protection, and healthcare reform. He co-authored the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, which imposed economic sanctions on South Africa in protest of its system of racial segregation known as apartheid. In 1988, Burton was elected to the California State Assembly (where he had previously served from 1965 to 1974), and served until forced out by term limits in 1996. At that time he was elected to the California State Senate, serving until reaching his term limit in 2004. During his time in the state Legislature, he championed progressive causes such as expanding access to healthcare, protecting the environment, and advancing civil rights.
After leaving the Legislature, Burton continued his involvement in politics and advocacy, serving as the chairman of the California Democratic Party from 2009 to 2017. He also established the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes, which works to improve the lives of foster children in California. Throughout his career, Burton has been recognized for his contributions to public service and advocacy, receiving numerous awards and honors, including the Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.