Bill Barrett

Bill Barrett
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Virginia Smith
Succeeded by	Tom Osborne
Born	February 9 1929 (1929-02-09) (age 79) Lexington, Nebraska
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Elsie Carlson Barrett
Religion	Presbyterian

William E. "Bill" Barrett (born February 9, 1929) is a Republican politician from Nebraska who served five terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2001 as the congressman for Nebraska's third congressional district. Barrett was born in Lexington, Nebraska. He attended Hastings College and then earned his license to become a real estate broker. Before seeking elective office, he served in the U.S. Navy,[1] was a longtime real estate agent and Republican activist. He had also previously served as an administrator at his college alma mater. Barrett served as a member of the Nebraska Republican State Executive Committee in the 1960s and chaired the Nebraska arm of President Gerald Ford's campaign in 1976. In 1978, Barrett was elected to the unicameral Nebraska Legislature, where he served until his election to Congress. He was speaker of the legislature from 1987 to 1991 and generated some controversy in that position after heated state budget negotiations. Barrett was elected to succeed retiring Congresswoman Virginia Smith in 1990. In Congress, Barrett was a low-key member who generally supported the priorities of Republican leaders. He served on the House Agriculture Committee, eventually rising to become vice chairman, and on the Education/Workforce Committee. Barrett retired from Congress in 2000 and currently resides in his home state.

References

• Bill Barrett at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Stennis Center for Public Service Biography