Ben Barnes
Ben Barnes was born in Gorman Texas, on April 17, 1938, to B.F. Barnes and Ina B. Carrigan. Barnes is best known for his involvement in Texas and international politics during the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Ben Barnes graduated high school in 1956 and later enrolled in the University of Texas, Austin. While in school, Ben Barnes worked for the Texas Health Department.
Upon review of financial documents, Ben Barnes found accounting errors that exposed corruption involving the State Health Commissioner. Barnes used the momentum and political experience he gained from the Health Department to run for office.
Ben Barnes returned home and ran for State Representative. Ben Barnes won the election, and at the age of 20 became Texas’s youngest state representative.
He rose quickly within the House and in 1963 became chairman of the highly-powerful Rules Committee. He continued to exceed, and in 1965 he became the youngest House Speaker in Texas’ history.
While performing his duties as house speaker, Ben Barnes served on President Johnson’s Commission on Intergovernmental Relations in 1967. Also, Mr. Barnes served as U.S. Representative to NATO, and eventually served as the U.S. United Nations Representative in Geneva, Switzerland.
After, Ben Barn’s international service, he returned to Texas politics. Mr. Barnes’ was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1969, rumored to be the most powerful positions in Texas politics. He served as Lieutenant Governor from 1969 to 1973, and then left the public spotlight to pursue private business.
Entrecorp, a business consulting and lobbying firm, became Ben Barnes first business venture. Mr. Barnes makes use of his political background and introduces special interest groups to strategic government officials. He has consulted and worked for SBC, Dallas Bank and Trust, American Airline, Grumman Systems Support Corporation and several other large businesses.
Philanthropic endeavors are also important to Ben Barnes. He volunteers his time to several organizations including the Long Horn Foundation, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, People’s Community Clinic, and LBJ library and School of Public Affairs. Due to these activities, and Mr. Barnes political involvement, he has received the University of Texas Distinguished Alumnus Award, Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor, and two honorary law degrees from McMurray University and Texas Tech.
Currently, Ben Barnes continues to offer consulting services through Entrecorp. He also wrote the book “Barn Burning Barn Building: Tales of a Political Life from LBJ to George W. Bush and Beyond,” chronicling his experience in politics.
Ben Barnes is featured on website about De Leon, Texas, his home town.
Ben Barnes’ political memoirs Barn Burning Barn Building is featured on the Political Memoirs of Texas site.