About Marion

Family Background
United States Representative Marion Berry has represented the people of Arkansas' First Congressional District since 1997. Berry, born on August 27, 1942, grew up in the Bayou Meto community near DeWitt. He graduated from DeWitt High School in 1960 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy in 1965. He was a pharmacist in North Little Rock at Argenta Drug Company and, later, at Don's Pharmacy from 1965-1967. Berry feels he may have received his most meaningful education listening to older and wiser Arkansans from a seat on the loafer's bench at the One Horse Store in Bayou Meto. Since 1968, he has been a partner and general manager of his family farming operation in Gillett, Arkansas. The family farms rice, soybeans, corn and wheat.

History of Public Service
Berry has dedicated his life to serving the people of Arkansas. He served on the Gillett City Council from 1977 to 1980. From 1986 to 1994, he was tapped by the governor to serve on the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission and in 1992 was selected by his colleagues to chair the commission. As commissioner, he was instrumental in the development and implementation of progressive programs to meet the needs of Arkansas farmers and sportsmen while protecting the environment, specifically ground and surface water supplies.

Washington, DC
After eight years of service in Arkansas, Berry was asked by the President to travel to Washington, D.C. and serve as the Special Assistant to the President for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance in 1993. During this time, Berry also advised the President and other Administration officials as a member of the White House Domestic Policy Council. In 1996, Berry decided to run for the Congressional seat representing his hometown in Eastern Arkansas. Berry was elected to U.S. Congress by a strong majority on November 5, 1996. In 2003, Berry was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee and serves on the Homeland Security and Energy and Water subcommittees.

Family
Representative Berry and his wife Carolyn celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in August 2002. The Berrys have two children and four grandchildren. Ann, their first born, is married to Jim Coggin and lives in Jackson, MS. They have two children, James and Caroline. Mitch lives with his wife Aimee in Little Rock. They have a daughter named Lauren and a son named Mitchell, who was born in 2004. Marion and Carolyn live in Arkansas County and are members of the Gillett United Methodist Church. Marion is an avid hunter and fisherman.

While Congress is in session in Washington, D.C., Congressman Berry is always accessible and encourages anyone from the First Congressional District to call or stop by his office in they are the nation's capital. Berry returns to Arkansas nearly every weekend, keeping an aggressive schedule to stay in touch with constituents, meet with local leaders and attend community events.

A Leader Who Fights for Arkansas
United States Representative Marion Berry was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996. Berry, a lifelong resident of Arkansas County, has been recognized for his effective leadership on a range of national issues while fulfilling his commitment to faithfully represent the citizens of the First Congressional District of Arkansas in Washington, D.C.