Representative Paul L. Parker View All Years

PAUL L. PARKER

Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable Paul L. Parker begs to submit the following Memorial:

Mr. Parker was born on April 27, 1921. He was the son of the late Senator Addison and Louise Parker. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1939, Dartmouth College in 1943 and the University of Iowa Law College in 1948. Mr. Parker was a Navy officer during World War II. He was married in 1947 to Allegra Willis. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Delta Phi. He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for community service in Des Moines in 1952. Mr. Parker was executive vice president and chief administrative officer for General Mills after his service in the legislature, retiring in 1986. After retiring, he had served as president of the Minnesota Opera Company and the Minnesota Historical Society and as chairman of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. He was a former trustee of Simpson College in Indianola and a member of the board of directors of Equitable of Iowa Insurance Company and Burlington Northern Railroad. Mr. Parker had a lifelong passion for politics and was known for saying, “Outside of compound interest, the two-party system is the noblest work of man.”

Mr. Parker, a republican, served one term in the House of Representatives from 1953-1954.

Mr. Parker passed away September 26, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Allegra; two sons, Hugh of Greensboro, North Carolina and Paul “Bill” of St. Paul, Minnesota; a daughter, Melissa Lindsay of St. Paul, Minnesota; and five grandchildren.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved By The House Of Representatives Of The Seventy-Ninth General Assembly Of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Paul L. Parker, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

CARMINE BOAL

GERI HUSER

JANET METCALF

Committee