K. Gunn McKay | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromUtah's1st district | |
| In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Laurence J. Burton |
| Succeeded by | James V. Hansen |
| Member of theUtah House of Representatives | |
| In office 1963–1971 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1925-02-23)February 23, 1925 Ogden, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | October 6, 2000(2000-10-06) (aged 75) Huntsville, Utah, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Donna Biesinger |
| Children | 10 |
| Alma mater | Utah State University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1943–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Koln Gunn McKay (February 23, 1925 – October 6, 2000) was an American politician who represented the state ofUtah. He served from January 3, 1971 to January 3, 1981, beginning in theninety-secondCongress and in four succeeding congresses.
McKay was born inOgden,Weber County, Utah. He was raised as a member ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His brotherMonroe G. McKay would become a judge of theU.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1977,[1] and he was a cousin ofDavid O. McKay, theLDS Church president from 1951 to 1970.[2]
McKay served in theU.S. Coast Guard duringWorld War II, and was later anLDS missionary inEngland. Afterward, he worked as a farmer, businessman and high school history teacher. Having attended the Weber County public schools, McKay studied atWeber State College inOgden andUtah State University inLogan, graduating in education in 1962.[3]
McKay married Donna Biesinger in 1950 and they had ten children.[3]
McKay began his political career in theUtah House of Representatives in 1962, completing two terms. He served on prominent house committees including the legislative council, Utah Long Range Goals and Planning Committee, and the Utah Government Reorganization Committee. McKay was appointed as administrative assistant toUtah GovernorCal Rampton, a fellow Democrat, between 1967 and 1970.
Utahns in thestate's 1st District elected McKay as aDemocrat to theNinety-second Congress in 1971, and he served in four succeeding Congresses. During his political career, McKay was a strong advocate of government development in Utah. As chairman of theMilitary Construction Subcommittee, McKay reopened Utah’sMinuteman Missile production line, secured theF-16 fighter mission forHill Air Force Base, Utah, and appropriated funding to increase security atTooele, Utah’s nerve gas storage facility.
McKay also worked to ensure protection for Utah’s natural resources, securing funding that further developed Capitol Reef National Park,Glen Canyon,Arches, andZion National Parks. He also drafted legislation on Utah’sLone Peak Wilderness Area and on theClean Air Act.
However, as the Republican party made significant advances in western politics during the Ronald Reagan landslide, McKay lost in his bid for a 6th term to RepublicanJames V. Hansen in 1980. He ran twice to reclaim the seat in 1986 and 1988, but he was defeated both times.[4][5]
An active leader in the LDS Church, McKay served aspresident of theOgdenStake, between 1967 and 1970. He also served aspresident of theEdinburghScotlandMission of the LDS Church between 1981 and 1984. He and his wife later served a two-year mission toKenya and another two-year mission toMalaysia. While inPakistan on yet another mission, McKay returned home early due to illness.[6]
McKay died inHuntsville, Utah at the age of 75, from complications ofmesothelioma.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromUtah's 1st congressional district 1971–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Territorial (1851–1895) |
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| Oneat-large seat (1895–1913) |
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| Two at-large seats (1913–1915) |
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| Districts (1915–present) (3rd district established in 1983) (4th district established in 2013) |
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| People | |
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| Other | |
