Nunn, Sam

Nunn, Sam (Samuel Augustus Nunn, Jr.), 1938–, U.S. Senator from Georgia (1973–97), b. Perry, Ga. A lawyer, he was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives (1968–72) and won election as a U.S. Senator in 1972. A conservative Democrat, he has been one of the Senate's more influential leaders, particularly during his term as chairman (1987–95) of the Armed Services Committee. In private law practice after retiring from the Senate, Nunn joined with Ted Turner to establish (2001) the Nuclear Threat Initiative, an organization devoted to controlling the proliferation of nuclear arms; Nunn is its co-chairman and chief executive officer.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print