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Sinclair Walter "Clair" Burgener ( December 5 , 1921 –), an American Republican Politician and former member U.S. House Of Representatives . Clair Burgener was 1921 born in Vernal, Utah . He grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated, served in the Army Air Corps during World War II . He was a realtor in the early 1950s. In 1951 Burgener was on the stage of the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park playing Elwood P. Dowd in " Harvey " for a 33-day run. At a cocktail party one evening, as related by Lionel Van Deerlin , an oilman from Texas said "I like the cut of your jib, young fella," the man began. "If you do go into politics, I'd like to help. Here's a check for five thousand dollars. Cash it whenever you decide to run." A few months later Burgener ran for a city council vacency, but returned the check writing "Thank you very much, but I feel it would be improper to accept so large an amount from a single out-of-state contributor." Burgener was elected to the city council in 1953, serving until 1957. Burgener was then elected to the California State Assembly 1962 –1966, California State Senate , 1967–1972, and four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1973 to 1983. He had a mostly conservative voting record, but often crossed party lines to work with Van Deerlin, a Democrat to further San Diego interests. In 1980, white supremacist Tom Metzger won the Democratic primary in Burgener's district. The Democrats disavowed Metzger and endorsed Burgener, clinching his election to a fifth term. Burgener dug up and publicized Megzger's frequent, ill-conceived statements and won the election with 82% of the vote. In 1982 he did not seek reelection and retired. Burgener remained active in civic and political affairs after his retirement. He was a Regent of the University Of California during 1988–1997. After one of Burgener's children was diagnosed as retarded, Burgener became a champion of mentally-disabled children. He has done much work for, and has headed various associations and committees helping retarted children, including the Clair Burgener Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled. A few years ago Congressman Burgener was diagnosed with Alzheimers and continues to live in Rancho Santa Fe, California , with his wife Marvia. They have two sons, John and Greg. Named for Burgener are the Clair Burgener Academy, Oceanside, California , and The Clair Burgener Clinical Research Diagnostic Unit, University Of California, San Diego . SEE ALSO
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