Don Fuqua

John Donald "Don" Fuqua (born August 20, 1933) is an American politician from Florida who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1963 to 1987. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Don Fuqua
Chair of the House Science Committee
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Olin E. Teague
Succeeded by	Robert A. Roe
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida
In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	James W. Grant
Constituency	9th district (1963–1967) 2nd district (1967–1987)
Personal details
Born	John Donald Fuqua (1933-08-20) August 20, 1933 (age 92) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Florida (BA)

Since the death of Merwin Coad in September 2025, Fuqua is the one of the two earliest-serving living members of the House as well as one of the two last living former members from either chamber of the United States Congress who served during the Presidency of John F. Kennedy, alongside Alec G. Olson of Minnesota, with both having been first elected in 1962.

Early years and education

Fuqua was born in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida in 1933. His parents were John D. and Lucille Fuqua. He had two brothers.^[1] He attended the University of Florida at Gainesville from 1951 to 1953. After being in the military in the Korean War, he returned to the university to graduate in 1957. Fuqua served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1958 to 1962.^[1]

Politics

Fuqua was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives from Florida and served from January 3, 1963, to January 3, 1987. Fuqua was chairman of the United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.^[2]

Fuqua is the last living person who voted against the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. He later said that he voted no because he was expecting to be challenged by a segregationist in the 1964 elections.^[3][4]

Personal life

Fuqua served in Korea with the United States Army Medical Corps during and after the Korean War. During most of his congressional career his legal residence was a farm near Altha in Calhoun County, Florida, where he became a dairy farmer. He lives in Gainesville, Florida.^[1]

After leaving Congress Fuqua became president of the Aerospace Industries Association.^[5]