Don Parkinson (politician)

William D. Parkinson (1942 – August 31, 2020) was an American politician and lawyer who served as Speaker of the Guam Legislature[1] from 1995 to 1997 and as Majority Leader from 1989 to 1995. A member of the Democratic Party of Guam, he also served as a Senator for 7 consecutive terms, from 1983 to 1997.

Don Parkinson
Speaker of the 23rd Guam Legislature
In office
January 2, 1995 – January 6, 1997
Preceded byJoe T. San Agustin
Succeeded byAntonio R. Unpingco
Majority Leader of the Guam Legislature
In office
January 2, 1989 – January 1, 1995
Member of the Guam Legislature
In office
January 3, 1983 – January 6, 1997
Personal details
Born1942
Idaho, US
DiedAugust 31, 2020(2020-08-31) (aged 77–78)
Philippines
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Marina Parkinson
Children7
EducationJ.D., University of Idaho

Early life

Parkinson was born in 1942 in Idaho and served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.[2][3][4] He graduated from the University of Idaho law school.[5]

Law practice

Parkinson was admitted to the State Bar of California on November 25, 1974, served as a staff attorney for the Micronesian Constitutional Convention of 1975, and as a prosecuting attorney for Colfax, Washington.

Guam Legislature

Elections
Election Guam Legislature Primary Placement General Placement Result
1982 17th Guam Legislature 18 4 Elected[6]
1984 18th Guam Legislature 10 8 Elected[7]
1986 19th Guam Legislature 1 2 Elected[8]
1988 20th Guam Legislature 6 8 Elected[9]
1990 21st Guam Legislature 3 3 Elected[10]
1992 22nd Guam Legislature No primary election 15 Elected[11]
1994 23rd Guam Legislature 4 7 Elected[12]
1996 24th Guam Legislature 8 24 Not elected[13]
2000 26th Guam Legislature No primary election 26 Not elected[14]
2004 28th Guam Legislature 20 N/A Not elected[15]
2006 29th Guam Legislature 10 24 Not elected[16][4]

Leadership Roles
Guam Legislature Term Position
20th Guam Legislature 1989-1991 Majority Leader
21st Guam Legislature 1991-1993 Majority Leader
22nd Guam Legislature 1993-1995 Majority Leader
23rd Guam Legislature 1995-1997 Speaker
Guam Legislature Term Position Committee
19th Guam Legislature 1987-1989 Chairman Committee on Energy, Utilities and Consumer Protection
20th Guam Legislature 1989-1991 Chairman Committee on Energy, Utilities and Consumer Protection
21st Guam Legislature 1991-1993 Chairman Committee on Energy, Utilities and Consumer Protection
22nd Guam Legislature 1993-1995 Chairman Committee on Electrical Power and Consumer Protection
23rd Guam Legislature 1995-1997 Chairman Committee on Electrical Power and Consumer Protection

Bills and public laws introduced
  • 17th Guam Legislature - Introduced 16 bills,[17] 2 of which became public laws.[18] including Public Law 17-17, which established a 10 year alternative energy plan for Guam.[19]
  • 18th Guam Legislature - Introduced 21 bills,[20] 1 of which became Public Law 18-26, which approved bond issues on behalf of 2 companies for the Guam Economic Development Authority and for which the Government of Guam disclaimed liability.[21]
  • 19th Guam Legislature - Introduced 6 public laws,[22] including Public Law 19-31, which raised the minimum wage on Guam to $3.75 on January 1, 1989,[23] and Public Law 19-41 that requires that food, drugs, and consumer commodities be marked with an expiration date if recommended by the manufacturer or distributor.[24]
  • 20th Guam Legislature - Introduced 73 bills,[25] 15 of which became public laws,[26] including Public Law 20-219 which provided a subsidy for essential power coverage.[27]

Unemployment insurance

Parkinson introduced unemployment insurance legislation during each of 5 terms: Bill 929 during the 19th,[28] Bill 285 during the 20th,[29] Bill 101 during the 21st,[28] Bill 123 during the 22nd,[28] and Bill 99 during the 23rd Guam Legislatures, respectively.[28]

Speaker of the 23rd Guam Legislature

It had been expected that Senator Thomas C. "Tom" Ada would be chosen by his colleagues as Speaker of the Guam Legislature, but a group of Democratic and Republican Senators elected Parkinson as Speaker, instead.[30][31][32]

Candidacy for Attorney General of Guam

Parkinson ran for Attorney General of Guam in 2002.[33] He placed 3rd in the general election in November with 15% of the vote.[34]

Personal life and death

Don Parkinson married Marina Parkinson and was the father of 7 children.[4] One of his children, William M. "Will" Parkinson, ran for the Guam Legislature and the Consolidated Commission on Utilities in 2018.[35][36]

Parkinson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease around 2006. He died in the Philippines on August 31, 2020.[37][38]

References
  1. Guampedia. Guam Legislature, Hagatna, Guam.
  4. Pacific Daily News. Don Parkinson D-Mongmong-Toto-Maite , Hagatna, Guam.
  5. The State Bar of California. William Don Parkinson, California.
  6. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report - Guam 1983, Hagatna, Guam.
  7. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report, 1984, Hagatna, Guam.
  8. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report, 1986, Hagatna, Guam.
  9. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report, 1988, Hagatna, Guam.
  10. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report, 1990, Hagatna, Guam.
  11. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report, 1992, Hagatna, Guam.
  12. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report, 1994, Hagatna, Guam.
  13. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report, 1996, Hagatna, Guam.
  14. Guam Election Commission. Election Comparative Analysis Report, Guam - 1998 & 2000, Hagatna, Guam.
  15. Guam Election Commission. Election 2004 Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, Guam.
  16. Guam Election Commission. Election 2006 Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, Guam.
  17. Guam Legislature. Bill Sponsor File - 17th Guam Legislature - Don Parkinson, Hagatna, Guam.
  18. Guam Legislature. Public Law 17-41, Hagatna, Guam. 10 January 1984.
  19. Guam Legislature. Public Law 17-77, Hagatna, Guam. 5 December 1984.
  20. Guam Legislature. Bill Sponsor File - 18th Guam Legislature - Don Parkinson, Hagatna, Guam.
  21. Guam Legislature. Public Law 18-26, Hagatna, Guam. 31 December 1985.
  22. Guam Legislature. 19th Guam Legislature - Public Laws, Hagatna, Guam.
  23. Guam Legislature. Public Law 19-31, Hagatna, Guam. 26 October 1988.
  24. Guam Legislature. Public Law 19-41, Hagatna, Guam. 30 December 1988.
  25. Guam Legislature. Bill Sponsor File - 18th Guam Legislature - Don Parkinson, Hagatna, Guam.
  26. Guam Legislature. 20th Guam Legislature - Public Laws, Hagatna, Guam.
  27. Guam Legislature. Public Law 20-219, Hagatna, Guam. 30 August 1990.
  28. Guam Territorial Law Library. Combined list of bills through 227-30, Hagatna, Guam.
  29. Guam Legislature. Bill Sponsor File - 20th Guam Legislature - Don Parkinson, Hagatna, Guam.
  30. Guampedia. Republican Party of Guam, Hagatna, Guam.
  31. Haidee V. Eugenio. Democrats pick Barnes as speaker, Nelson as vice speaker, committee chairmanships, Hagatna, Guam. 4 January 2019.
  32. Haidee V. Eugenio. Minority wants bills heard within 90 days instead of 180 days, Barnes poised to become next speaker, Hagatna, Guam. 3 January 2019.
  33. Steve Limtiaco. Moylan, Gumataotao team up in General Election AG race, Hagatna, Guam. 30 August 2018.
  34. Guam Election Commission. Election 2002 Comparative Analysis Report, Hagatna, Guam.
  35. Guam Election Commission. 2018 Primary Election Official Results, Hagatna, Guam
  36. Guam Election Commission. 2018 General Election Official Results, Hagatna, Guam.
  37. https://www.guampdn.com/story/obituaries/2020/08/31/former-sen-don-parkinson-dies/5676976002/
  38. Former Speaker Don Parkinson dies
Political offices
Preceded by
Joe T. San Agustin		 Speaker of the Guam Legislature
1995–1997		 Succeeded by
Antonio "Tony" Unpingco
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