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Conrad Burns, Former U.S. Senator of Montana, Dies at 81 Conrad Burns, Former U.S. Senator of Montana, Dies at 81
(about 17 hours later)
Conrad Burns, a former Montana livestock auctioneer with a penchant for speaking plainly who catapulted from county commissioner to United States senator, died on Thursday at his home in Billings, Mont. He was 81. Conrad Burns, a former Montana livestock auctioneer who was catapulted from county commissioner to the United States Senate, where he was known for speaking plainly and for sometimes making derogatory remarks, died on Thursday at his home in Billings, Mont. He was 81.
His death was confirmed by Mark Baker, his former staff director and counsel in the Senate.His death was confirmed by Mark Baker, his former staff director and counsel in the Senate.
Mr. Burns served three terms in the Senate, where he worked on telecommunications legislation, focusing on access in rural areas, and influenced policies on energy and federal land management.Mr. Burns served three terms in the Senate, where he worked on telecommunications legislation, focusing on access in rural areas, and influenced policies on energy and federal land management.
After serving just two years as a commissioner in Yellowstone County, he defeated an incumbent Democratic senator, John Melcher, in 1988. In 1994, Mr. Burns became the first Republican senator in Montana history to be re-elected. He went to the Senate after serving just two years as a commissioner in Yellowstone County, defeating an incumbent Democratic senator, John Melcher, in 1988. In 1994, Mr. Burns became the first Republican senator in Montana history to be re-elected.
His ways might have been out of step with the traditional character of the Senate — The Billings Gazette noted that he would chew tobacco and occasionally pick his teeth with a pocketknife — but that did not stop him from assuming influential positions.His ways might have been out of step with the traditional character of the Senate — The Billings Gazette noted that he would chew tobacco and occasionally pick his teeth with a pocketknife — but that did not stop him from assuming influential positions.
He served on the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he helped funnel millions of dollars to Montana. As chairman of a communications subcommittee, he pushed for the installation of broadband in rural areas, new Internet and cellphone technologies and legislation to combat spam email.He served on the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he helped funnel millions of dollars to Montana. As chairman of a communications subcommittee, he pushed for the installation of broadband in rural areas, new Internet and cellphone technologies and legislation to combat spam email.
Mr. Burns lost his bid in 2006 for a fourth term to Jon Tester, a Democrat, after he was linked to Jack Abramoff, a high-profile lobbyist who was convicted of conspiracy and fraud charges. Mr. Burns had accepted campaign contributions from Mr. Abramoff and his clients, but he denied that his votes were influenced, and he was never charged with wrongdoing. Mr. Burns lost his bid in 2006 for a fourth term to Jon Tester, a Democrat, after he was linked to Jack Abramoff, a high-profile lobbyist who was convicted of conspiracy and fraud charges. Mr. Burns had accepted campaign contributions from Mr. Abramoff and his clients, but he denied that the money had influenced his votes, and he was never charged with wrongdoing.
Former colleagues recalled Mr. Burns as a charismatic storyteller.Former colleagues recalled Mr. Burns as a charismatic storyteller.
“To see Conrad address a group of farmers and ranchers is akin to watching the Pied Piper,” Dave Wilson, a longtime radio announcer from Great Falls, Mont., wrote of Mr. Burns.“To see Conrad address a group of farmers and ranchers is akin to watching the Pied Piper,” Dave Wilson, a longtime radio announcer from Great Falls, Mont., wrote of Mr. Burns.
Mr. Baker recalled that Mr. Burns “was not afraid to speak his mind, and he did that often” — sometimes to his detriment.Mr. Baker recalled that Mr. Burns “was not afraid to speak his mind, and he did that often” — sometimes to his detriment.
Shortly after the Civil Rights Act of 1991 was passed, Mr. Burns invited a group of lobbyists to an auction of “slaves.” He said later that he was talking about a charitable auction in which people agree to do chores.Shortly after the Civil Rights Act of 1991 was passed, Mr. Burns invited a group of lobbyists to an auction of “slaves.” He said later that he was talking about a charitable auction in which people agree to do chores.
Speaking to The Bozeman Daily Chronicle in 1994, Mr. Burns used a racial slur for blacks while quoting a Montana rancher who had asked him how he managed to live in Washington with African-Americans. He told the rancher it was “a hell of a challenge.”Speaking to The Bozeman Daily Chronicle in 1994, Mr. Burns used a racial slur for blacks while quoting a Montana rancher who had asked him how he managed to live in Washington with African-Americans. He told the rancher it was “a hell of a challenge.”
In a 1999 speech in Billings, he used a slur to refer to Arabs. He later apologized for both episodes.In a 1999 speech in Billings, he used a slur to refer to Arabs. He later apologized for both episodes.
Asked in 2002 about his offensive comments, Mr. Burns responded with a written statement: “I regret the things I’ve said in the past. Those remarks were wrong and repugnant, and I apologize for them once again.”Asked in 2002 about his offensive comments, Mr. Burns responded with a written statement: “I regret the things I’ve said in the past. Those remarks were wrong and repugnant, and I apologize for them once again.”
“I can self-destruct in one sentence,” he once told supporters. “Sometimes in one word.”“I can self-destruct in one sentence,” he once told supporters. “Sometimes in one word.”
Conrad Ray Burns was born on Jan. 25, 1935, on a farm near Gallatin, Mo., to Russell and Mary Frances Burns.Conrad Ray Burns was born on Jan. 25, 1935, on a farm near Gallatin, Mo., to Russell and Mary Frances Burns.
He enrolled at the University of Missouri, where he studied animal science and journalism. He later enlisted in the Marines and served for two years. He worked for T.W.A. and Ozark Air Lines and as a field representative for Polled Hereford World magazine.He enrolled at the University of Missouri, where he studied animal science and journalism. He later enlisted in the Marines and served for two years. He worked for T.W.A. and Ozark Air Lines and as a field representative for Polled Hereford World magazine.
In 1968, he took a job as a cattle auctioneer for the Billings Livestock Commission. He later provided agricultural news and market programs to four radio stations, eventually founding the Northern Ag Network, which expanded to serve 31 radio and television stations across Montana and Wyoming. He sold the network in 1986.In 1968, he took a job as a cattle auctioneer for the Billings Livestock Commission. He later provided agricultural news and market programs to four radio stations, eventually founding the Northern Ag Network, which expanded to serve 31 radio and television stations across Montana and Wyoming. He sold the network in 1986.
A daughter, Kate, died in 1985. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; a daughter, Keely Godwin; a son, Garrett; a sister, Judy Norris; and three grandchildren.A daughter, Kate, died in 1985. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; a daughter, Keely Godwin; a son, Garrett; a sister, Judy Norris; and three grandchildren.