JFK+50: Volume 6, No. 1986
TENNESSEE CONGRESSMAN HAS MET 8 PRESIDENTS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) In a front page story by Michael Collins in today's Knoxville News Sentinel, Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr.'s life-long encounters with presidents of the United States are recounted.
Mr. Duncan, who represents JFK+50's own Second District here in Tennessee, met President Dwight D. Eisenhower during a visit at the Knoxville airport. The Congressman was only nine years old at the time.
Michael Collins writes...
"The Knoxville Republican has dined with presidents, ridden with them aboard Air Force One and chatted with them about everything from Tennessee politics to University of Tennessee basketball."
John J. Duncan, Jr. has served in Congress for 28 years. The younger Duncan followed his father, Congressman John J. Duncan, Sr., into politics. The elder legislator passed away in 1988. Former President Richard M. Nixon "called to offer his condolences." That conversation lasted almost 20 minutes.
Mr. Duncan would go on to meet President Ford, President Reagan, and President George H.W. Bush. It was Mr. Bush who extended an invitation for the Congressman to ride to Knoxville with him on Air Force One.
The Congressman also met President Clinton, President George W. Bush and President Obama.
If I calculate correctly, that's 6 Republicans and 2 Democrats. Unfortunately, John F. Kennedy is not on the list.
Both Duncans have served the Second District well. They are among those legislators who while voters may be dissatisfied with the Congress are very satisfied with their own Congressman.
It has been my pleasure to have visited with Congressman John J. Duncan, Sr. in his Washington office in 1973 and he very graciously treated us to lunch in the Congressional restaurant. Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. has visited my classroom at Carter High School and one of his daughters was in my history class.
SOURCE
"Decades next to power recalled, Duncan has presidential stories to tell," by Michael Collins, Knoxville News Sentinel, June 20, 2016. www.knoxnews.com/
Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr.
Tennessee (R)
Official Portrait
United States Congress Image
Congressman John J. Duncan, Sr.
Beverly and John White
Washington, D.C. (1973)
