 | This article includes alist of references,related reading, orexternal links,but its sources remain unclear because it lacksinline citations. Please helpimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(January 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
E. S. Johnny Walker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Mexico'sat-large district | |
| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Montoya |
| Succeeded by | Ed Foreman (redistricting) |
| 14th and 16thNew Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands | |
| In office January 1, 1961 – January 1, 1965 | |
| Governor | Edwin L. Mechem Tom Bolack |
| Preceded by | Murray E. Morgan |
| Succeeded by | Guyton B. Hays |
| In office January 1, 1953 – January 1, 1957 | |
| Governor | Edwin L. Mechem John F. Simms |
| Preceded by | Guy Shepard |
| Succeeded by | Murray E. Morgan |
| Member of theNew Mexico House of Representatives | |
| In office 1948–1952 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1911-06-18)June 18, 1911 |
| Died | October 8, 2000(2000-10-08) (aged 89) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico George Washington University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
E. S. Johnny Walker (June 18, 1911 – October 8, 2000) was an AmericanWorld War II veteran and politician who served two terms in theUnited States House of Representatives from 1965 to 1969.
Walker was born inFulton, Kentucky, and attendedpublic schools there until his family moved toAlbuquerque, New Mexico in 1926. He graduated fromAlbuquerque High School and attended theUniversity of New Mexico andGeorge Washington University.
In 1942, he enlisted in theUnited States Army and served during the Second World War in the North African and European Theaters of operation until the end of the war. He was discharged in 1945.
Walker was elected to theNew Mexico House of Representatives in 1948. Walker also served as majority whip. His most notable accomplishment in the State Legislature was sponsoring legislation to allow women to serve onjuries.
In 1952, he was elected as New Mexico'sNew Mexico commissioner of public lands, served two consecutive two-year terms in that office,[1] and then was made commissioner of the New Mexico Bureau of Revenue. In 1960, he was elected commissioner of public lands for two more consecutive two-year terms.
In 1964, he was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives by the state's voters to the seat previously held byJoseph Montoya, who successfully ran for theSenate that year. He served two terms in Congress, during which he was a member on theUnited States House Committee on Armed Services. He sponsored legislation that createdPecos National Monument.
In 1968, New Mexico drewcongressional districts for the first time, and its two representatives were no longer elected at large. Walker's home was placed inNew Mexico's 2nd congressional district, which included most of the southern half of the state as well as a small portion of Albuquerque. Walker had lost a lot of goodwill in this part of the state because of his support ofgun control and the Pentagon's closure ofWalker Air Force Base nearRoswell which Walker adamantly opposed.Ed Foreman, a former congressman fromTexas, ran the most expensive campaign seen in New Mexico history to that point, and defeated Walker in November 1968 by a mere half point margin.
Walker remained minimally involved in state politics, but did not seek elected office.
Walker died ofleukemia in Albuquerque at the age of 89. SenatorJeff Bingaman honored his memory on the Senate floor.[2]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew Mexico's at-large congressional district 1965–1969 | Succeeded by |
| Territorial (1851–1912) |
|  | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At-large seats (1912–1969) |
| ||||||
| Districts (1969–present) (3rd district established in 1983) |
| ||||||
