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Jeanne Givens

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Jeanne Givens
Member of the
Idaho House of Representatives
from the 4th district - Seat A[1]
In office
1985–1989
Succeeded byMarvin Vandenberg[2]
Personal details
Born
Jeanne Iyall

c. 1951/1952
Plummer, Idaho, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRay Givens

Jeanne Givens (born c. 1951/1952) is an American politician who served in the Idaho House of Representatives from the 4th district as a member of the Democratic Party. She is a member of the Coeur d'Alene tribe and was the first Native American woman elected to the Idaho House of Representatives. Givens was also the first Native American woman to run for a seat in the United States Congress.[3]

Givens was born in Plummer, Idaho, and was raised in San Jose, California and on the Coeur d'Alene reservation in Plummer. She is related to multiple prominent members of the Coeur d'Alene tribe. In the 1980s she was appointed to multiple board positions by Governor John Evans and unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives in 1982, before winning in 1984. In 1988, and 1990, she ran in Idaho's 1st congressional district for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, but was defeated both times.

During her tenure in the Idaho House of Representatives she served on the Indian Affairs, Business, Education, and Health and Welfare committees.

Early life

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Jeanne Iyall was born in c. 1951/1952, in Plummer, Idaho, to Celina Garry and Jack Iyall, who later divorced. In 1955, the family participated in a federal relocation program and moved to San Jose, California. Celina Garry later married Ralph Zarste and Donald Goolesby before moving back to the Coeur d'Alene Reservation in Plummer, Idaho.[4][5][6]

She is a member of the Coeur d'Alene tribe and her grandfather, Ignace Garry, was the last chief of the tribe and her uncle, Joseph Garry, was the only full-blooded Native American to serve in the Idaho legislature. She attended Whitworth University and majored in sociology, but did not graduate. Iyall married Ray Givens.[7][8] Givens served as a probation officer and instructor of speech and communication at North Idaho College.[7]

Career

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Appointments

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In 1982, Givens was appointed to the Statewide Health Planning Council by Governor John Evans.[9] She served on the Idaho Association for the Humanities until 1985, when Gretchen Hellar was appointed to replace Givens by Governor Evans.[10] In 1985 and 1989, Givens was appointed to serve on the fourteen member committee that planned the centennial celebration of Idaho's statehood.[11][12]

Idaho House of Representatives

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Elections

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In 1982, she ran with the Democratic nomination against incumbent Republican Representative Robert Scates for a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives in the 3rd district Seat A.[13] In the general election she was defeated by Scates.[14]

On April 1, 1984, Givens announced that she would seek election to the Idaho House of Representatives.[15] Givens ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and received the party's nomination to run from the 4th district Seat A.[16][17][18] In the general election she defeated Republican nominee Ralph Kizer.[19] Givens was the first Native American woman ever elected to the Idaho House of Representatives.[20][21]

In 1986, state Senator Vernon Lannen died in a logging accident and Givens ran to succeed him in the Idaho Senate. However, on June 26, she announced that she would withdraw from the Senate election.[22] She won reelection to the House of Representatives without opposition.[23] During the 1986 elections Givens had run the House Democratic election committee.[24]

Tenure

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During the 1984 Democratic presidential primaries Givens supported Senator Gary Hart and served as one of his eleven delegates to the Democratic National Convention from Idaho.[25][1] During the 1988 Democratic presidential primaries she called for Hart to not enter the race due to his affair with Donna Rice Hughes.[26] Instead of supporting a candidate she wrote a letter to Idaho's delegates asking them to remain uncommitted.[27]

During her tenure in the Idaho House of Representatives she served on the Indian Affairs, Business, Education, and Health and Welfare committees.[28][29] On December 10, 1987, she was appointed as a member of the State Affairs committee by Speaker Tom Boyd after Representative Steve Herndon resigned to accept an appointment to the Idaho Senate.[30]

In 1989, Givens was named as one of Idaho's ten most influential residents of the decade by the Idaho State Journal.[31]

U.S. House of Representatives campaigns

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1988

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In 1988, Givens ran against Representative Larry Craig in Idaho's 1st congressional district

On April 13, 1988, Givens announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination for Idaho's 1st congressional district against incumbent Republican Representative Larry Craig and filed to run on April 15. She stated that would serve in the grassroots tradition of Gracie Pfost, the first woman to represent Idaho in the United States House of Representatives.[32][33] She won the Democratic nomination against Bruce Robinson and David Shepard, but was defeated in the general election by Craig.[34][35]

During the campaign she fired her campaign manager Carmi McLean with McLean claiming that it was due to McLean's disagreements with Ray Givens. Mike Brush was selected to replace McLean as Givens' campaign manager.[36] Givens was the first Native American woman to run for a seat in the United States Congress and would later be followed by Ada Deer.[37]

1990

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On August 9, 1989, Givens formed an exploratory committee to consider running against Craig again during the 1990 election.[38] On January 31, 1990, Givens announced that she would run in the Democratic primary and that her chances of winning were greater due to Craig choosing to run for Idaho's seat in the United States Senate rather than seek reelection to the House of Representatives.[39] However, she placed second behind Larry LaRocco.[40]

During the campaign Givens took out a total of $27,900 in loans to finance her campaign. In September 1990, she repaid a $9,900 loan she took from the Mountain West Savings Bank, but by 1992, she still was still $18,000 in debt due to a loan that was taken out from Key Bank. The $18,000 loan was used to hire a Seattle consulting firm for television ads.[41]

Later life

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In 1989, Givens represented Governor Cecil Andrus at the Western Governors Association session to discuss Native American issues.[42]

During the 1992 Democratic presidential primaries Givens supported Senator Tom Harkin and was selected to serve on the twenty-five member Idahoans for Harkins Committee by Phil Lansing, Harkin's Idaho coordinator, on February 12, 1992.[43]

On August 7, 1992, Givens filed to run for a seat on North Idaho College Board of Trustees to succeed retiring incumbent Jack Beebe.[44] In the general election she defeated James Zipperer.[31] In 1997, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Board of Directors of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.[45]

In 2014, Paulette Jordan, another female member of the Coeur d'Alene tribe, was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives. Jordan stated that Givens was a mentor to her.[46][47]

Political positions

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Alcohol

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On March 20, 1986, the Idaho House of Representatives voted 53 to 31, with Givens against, in favor of legislation which would raise Idaho's drinking age from 19 to 21.[48]

Education

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On January 20, 1986, Representative R. L. Davis introduced a questionnaire asking yes or no to the elimination of kindergarten from public schools or only offering it during short summer sessions, cutting education salaries by 5%, charging students for bus transportation unless their parent's property tax is above a certain level, replace paid teachers' aides with unpaid volunteers, freeze education funding, reduce athletic activities, year-round classes, repeal legislation allowing school to increase property taxes, and require property taxes to help fund colleges. Givens stated that Davis' questionnaire was "thoughtless" and "outrageous".[49]

On January 24, 1986, the Education committee voted 11 to 4, with Givens against, to advance legislation into the Idaho House of Representatives that would require creationism to be taught alongside evolution.[50] During the debate on the legislation in the House of Representatives Givens stated that "Just as my dress is different than yours today, so are my beliefs in creation" while wearing a traditional beaded leather dress. The House of Representatives voted 53 to 31 against the legislation.[51]

On February 3, 1988, the State Affairs committee in the Idaho House of Representatives advanced legislation, with Givens as the only member opposed, that would make English the only official language used in Idaho.[52]

Native Americans

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In 1987, Givens opposed the creation of a national monument to the Battle of Bear River stating that "It isn't worthy of a national monument" as federal soldiers attacked a Native American encampment and massacred the inhabitants.[53]

On February 14, 1992, William A. Hilliard, the editor of The Oregonian, announced that The Oregonian would not publish the names of sport teams that have racial, ethnic, or religious connotations, which included the Washington Redskins. Givens praised the decision stating that "the use of team names such as the Redskins is racially derogatory" and that those team names "plant an image in the public's mind that is not positive. It reinforces a stereotype of savages and heathens."[54]

Ratings

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In 1986, she was given a 100% rating from the Idaho Conservation League.[55] The Sportsmen's Political Action Committee gave her a 95% rating.[56]

Unions

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On January 18, 1985, the Idaho House of Representatives voted 64 to 20, with Givens against, in favor of right-to-work legislation.[57] Governor Evans vetoed the legislation and during the veto override vote the Idaho Senate voted 28 to 14, and the Idaho House of Representatives voted 65 to 18, with Givens voting to sustain the veto.[58]

In 1986, Representative Jerry Callen introduced legislation which would restrict teacher contract negotiations to only wages and the monetary value of fringe benefits. Givens stated that the legislation was "punitive and restrictive" and the Idaho House of Representatives voted 50 to 33 against it on February 14.[59]

Electoral history

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Jeanne Givens electoral history
1982 Idaho House of Representatives 3rd district Seat A election[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Scates (incumbent) 4,895 53.95%
Democratic Jeanne Givens 4,178 46.05%
Total votes 9,073 100.00%
1984 Idaho House of Representatives 4th district Seat A election[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jeanne Givens 23,350 50.53%
Republican Ralph Kizer 22,857 49.47%
Total votes 46,207 100.00%
1988 Idaho 1st congressional district Democratic primary[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jeanne Givens 18,165 62.57%
Democratic David Shepard 6,227 21.45%
Democratic Bruce Robinson 4,638 15.98%
Total votes 29,030 100.00%
1988 Idaho 1st congressional district election[35]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Larry Craig (incumbent) 135,221 65.79%
Democratic Jeanne Givens 70,328 34.21%
Total votes 205,549 100.00%
1990 Idaho 1st congressional district Democratic primary[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Larry LaRocco 14,015 43.45%
Democratic Jeanne Givens 10,733 33.28%
Democratic Dick Rush 7,505 26.27%
Total votes 32,253 100.00%
1992 North Idaho College Board of Trustees election[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Nonpartisan Jeanne Givens 782 80.29%
Nonpartisan James Zipperer 192 19.71%
Total votes 974 100.00%

References

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  1. ^ a b "Legislative District 4 - Seat A". The Spokesman-Review. October 29, 1984. p. 4. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Non-candidate nearly wins seat". Spokane Daily Chronicle. November 9, 1988. p. 26. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "101 years of voting rights (white women only)". Indian Country Today. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "Craig may have opponent". South Idaho Press. April 1, 1988. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "She succeeded where uncle failed". The Spokesman-Review. January 3, 1988. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Coeur d'Alene tribal leader's descendant dies". Spokane Daily Chronicle. May 20, 1986. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "Legislator knows first-hand of problems facing her tribe". Times-News (Idaho). December 16, 1984. p. 21. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Givens admits to misrepresentation". South Idaho Press. August 21, 1988. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Givens appointed". The Spokesman-Review. September 14, 1982. p. 13. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Humanities aide named". South Idaho Press. March 12, 1985. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Centennial panel named". South Idaho Press. May 12, 1985. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Ex-lawmaker gets post". South Idaho Press. July 18, 1989. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "District 3 House position A". The Spokesman-Review. October 28, 1982. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b "1982 election results". Spokane Daily Chronicle. November 3, 1982. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Jeanne Givens seeks new district position". The Spokesman-Review. April 2, 1984. p. 6. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Jeanne Givens House position A". The Spokesman-Review. April 10, 1984. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Filing closes for primary vote". South Idaho Press. April 29, 1984. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Unopposed 1984". The Spokesman-Review. May 24, 1984. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ a b "1984 election results". Times-News (Idaho). November 9, 1984. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Only Native American woman". Times-News (Idaho). March 18, 2001. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "First Native American woman". The Spokesman-Review. March 1, 2018. p. C2. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Givens quits race for state Senator job". The Spokesman-Review. June 27, 1986. p. 7. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "1986 election results". South Idaho Press. November 5, 1986. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "House Democratic election committee". The Spokesman-Review. July 5, 1986. p. 6. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Hart delegate". The Spokesman-Review. June 17, 1984. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Hart to heart". Spokesman Daily Chronicle. August 31, 1987. p. 4. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "1988 uncommitted". Spokesman Daily Chronicle. March 14, 1988. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Legislators to study personnel system". The Spokesman-Review. April 23, 1985. p. 7. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Committee membership". The Spokesman-Review. January 11, 1987. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Givens named to House State Affairs Committee". Spokane Daily Chronicle. December 11, 1987. p. 6. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ a b c "1992 election results". The Spokesman-Review. September 9, 1992. p. 17. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Givens opens 'high-touch' campaign to unseat Craig". The Spokesman-Review. April 14, 1988. p. 47. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Filing period closes for Idaho primary". Times-News (Idaho). April 16, 1988. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ a b "1988 primary results". Times-News (Idaho). June 15, 1988. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ a b "1988 election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2020.
  36. ^ "Givens dismisses campaign manager". Times-News (Idaho). July 19, 1988. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Meet the Native Americans running for office in 2018". High Country News. August 3, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Craig could see a fight". South Idaho Press. August 10, 1989. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Givens launches 2nd bid for Congress". Times-News (Idaho). February 1, 1990. p. 15. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ a b "1990 primary results". South Idaho Press. May 23, 1990. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Givens still in debt from 1990 race". The Spokesman-Review. February 4, 1992. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "Givens to attend session on Indians". Times-News (Idaho). June 2, 1989. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "N. Idaho Demos to push Harkins". The Spokesman-Review. February 13, 1992. p. 26. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Three apply for openings on NIC board". The Spokesman-Review. August 8, 1992. p. 13. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Jeanne Givens Receives Presidential Appointment". The Spokesman-Review. November 21, 1997. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  46. ^ "A Political Turning Point for Native Americans". Yes! (U.S. magazine). July 26, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  47. ^ "Meet Native America: Paulette E. Jordan, Idaho House Representative". National Museum of the American Indian. December 19, 2014. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  48. ^ "House OKs bill to raise booze age". Spokane Daily Chronicle. March 21, 1986. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Legislator offer options for school cost cuts". Spokane Daily Chronicle. January 21, 1986. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "Creationism bill jumps first barrier". The Spokesman-Review. January 25, 1986. p. 13. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Creationism proposal defeated". Spokane Daily Chronicle. February 7, 1986. p. 15. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "State language bill resurfaces for vote". Times-News (Idaho). February 4, 1988. p. 6. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ "National monument plan runs into snag". The Spokesman-Review. March 7, 1987. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "CdA Indians differ on team name ban". The Spokesman-Review. February 17, 1992. p. 12. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ^ "Conservationists give higher marks to area legislators". Times-News (Idaho). May 22, 1986. p. 13. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ "Idaho sportsmen evaluate lawmakers". Spokane Daily Chronicle. May 8, 1985. p. 14. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ^ "House favors non-union bill". The Spokesman-Review. January 19, 1985. p. 12. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ^ "House favors non-union bill". Spokane Daily Chronicle. February 1, 1985. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ^ "House kills bill limiting teachers' unions". The Spokesman-Review. February 15, 1986. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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