Sam Adam McConnell, Jr.

Legislative Resolution

View Legislative Resolution File for Sam Adam McConnell, Jr.

Biographical Information

Rep. Sam A. McConnell, Jr. died July 21, 1986 and was replaced by Verne D. Seidel, Jr.  who was appointed August 1, 1986 as Representative of District 2.  Jane Dee Hull was appointed Speaker Pro Tempore for the remainder of the legislative term (Journal of the House of Representatives, 37th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, 1986, pp. iii, 830). The following is from the Legislative death resolution:

The Honorable Sam A. McConnell, Jr. passed away at the age of sixty-two on July 21, 1986 in the City of Phoenix.  At the time of his death Mr. McConnell was one of the most highly qualified legislators and was serving in his twentieth year as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives.

Representative McConnell was born in El Paso, Texas on January 7, 1924 and lived primarily in Indiana where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Butler University before coming to Arizona in 1950.  He was a registered Pharmacist and drugstore owner and operator in Williams, Arizona for many years.

On news of his death his colleagues and friends acclaimed Sam A. McConnell, Jr. as a man and as a legislator:
"Sam was a very dedicated public servant… a real man of accomplishment."  Representative John Wettaw'
"He was a tough guy, but he had a heart of gold."  Speaker of the House Joe Lane
"I liked to deal with Sam, he was a straight-shooting guy."  former Senate President Stan Turley
"He was a man of his word.  He always worked quietly, with no need for adulation.  His influence will provide a positive force for the future."  Eugene. Hughes, President Northern Arizona University

Known as an outstanding legislative technician and an astute political strategist, Representative McConnell was considered by his fellow legislators as a leading expert on Department of Economic Security, health, medical and monetary issues.  During his ten terms in the Legislature he served on the Health and Welfare, Appropriations, Counties, Human Resources, Banking and Insurance, Transportation, Judiciary, Natural Resources, Commerce, Government Operations, Rules and Joint Legislative Budget Committees and Legislative Council.  Mr. McConnell served several terms as Speaker pro Tem of the House of Representatives and a decade as Chairman of the House Rules Committee.

On the national level, Mr. McConnell served several terms as a member of the President’s Advisory Committees on Medicare and Medicaid.  He was also President of the National Association of Retail Druggists and served several terms on the Association’s executive committee.

Perhaps he will be remembered best by many of his constituents for his unassuming admonition to call him "Sam" rather than Representative or Mr. McConnell.

Military Experience

U.S. Army, World War II veteran

Employment

Arizona Legislative Service

Sources

Birth:  Arizona Legislative Biography sheet, parents:  Sam A. and Hazel E. McConnell, Texas Birth Index: Sam Adam Mcconnell Jr.; Death: SSDI and obituary:  The Arizona Republic, July 23, 1986, p. B-1:6; Military Service: U.S. Army WW II Enlistment record 1938-1946