The Edward  J. Gurney Collection   Local attorney and later US Congressman Edward John Gurney was born January 12, 1914 in Portland, Maine.  He attended public school in Skowhegan and Waterville, Maine.   He graduated from Colby College, Waterville, Maine in 1935, earned his LL.B. degree from Harvard Law School in 1938 and his LL.M. from Duke University School of Law in 1948. From 1938 to 1941 Mr. Gurney practiced law with the firm of Barry, Wainwright, Thacher and Symmers, 72 Wall Street, New York, N.Y. During World War II he was on active duty with the U.S. Army, serving in the European Theatre with the 8th Armored Division as a tank officer.  He attained the rank of lieutenant colonel and was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. In 1948, after completing his LL.M degree from Duke University School of Law, Mr. Gurney moved to Winter Park and was associated with the Law firm of Pleus, Edwards and Rush in Orlando, Fl. In 1951 Mr. Gurney opened a law office at 119 East Morse Blvd., Winter Park. His first entry into politics came the next year, 1952, when he ran and was elected to the Winter Park City Commission and served until 1958.  From 1957 - 1961 he was the city attorney for Maitland, Florida.  He ran and was elected Mayor of Winter Park in 1961. On January 8, 1962, Mr. Gurney announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for congress from Florida's newly-created 11th district.  Mr. Gurney said his campaign would be based on opposition to communism abroad and creeping socialsim in this country. In an article published in the Orlando Evening Star January 9, 1962, Mr. Gurney said: "If nominated and elected to Congress, I shall work unceasingly for a strong America - powerful not only militarily but also economically."  He was elected to Congress in 1962 and reelected to the two succeeding Congresses in 1964 and 1966. While in Congress he served on the Science and Astronautics Committee, the Manned Space Flight Committee, and the Education and Labor Committee.  He was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Board of Trustees of the non-partisan Americans for Constitutional Action.  It is awarded to those Congressmen whose voting records support legislation which serves to strengthen and defend the spirit and principles of the United States Constitution. With the self-imposed retirement of Florida Senator George Smathers, many Floridians felt it vital that Florida elect a seasoned Washington legislator familiar with Congress and the issues of the day.  Congressman Edward J. Gurney was that individual. Friday March 1, 1968, U.S. Congressman Edward J. Gurney made the formal announcement that he was running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Smathers.  He was opposed by former Governor Leroy Collins.  Gurney won the 1968 U.S. Senate seat and became the first Republican Senator from Florida since the Reconstruction era following the Civil War.  He served in the U.S. Senate from January 3, 1969 until his resignation on December 31, 1974. Some of the major issues that occurred during his term in the Senate included the Vietnam War, the economy, energy and energy prices, and Watergate.  The six years, 1969-1974, that Gurney served in the Senate were turbulent years.  In the last issue of "Reports From Washington," a newsletter Senator Gurney wrote to his constituents published in December of 1974, he wrote, "Undoubtedly, these last six years have been among the most trying in American history, but I do not share the view, expressed by some, that the country is going to the dogs." He ended the newsletter with the following, ..."For me, it will always remain an honor to have been elected by the people of Florida and to have had the chance to serve you.  It was an opportunity that I had never dreamed of when I moved to the state 26 years ago, but now that it is over I look forward to returning to Florida, confident that the future of the Nation is in good hands. Goodbye, good luck, and a joyous holiday season to all." In early 1974 a grand jury indicted Senator Gurney on several counts of perjury, bribery and conspiracy in connection with campaign fund raising.  The trial, prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice, lasted 51/2 months.  Senator Gurney was found not guilty on 5 of the 7 charges.  The jury deadlocked on the remaining two charges.  A year later he was back in the courtroom for a second trial on a single count of perjury.  On October 27, 1976 he was acquitted. Gurney attempted a political comeback in 1978 when he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives.  He was defeated by then State Rep. Bill Nelson.  Senator Gurney retired from public life. He died May 14, 1996 at the age of 82.     In January of 1963, newly elected Congressman Edward J. Gurney, was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives by Speaker of the House, John McCormack. On January 3rd, 1963, newly elected Congressman Edward J. Gurney was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives by Speaker of the House, John McCormack.  The entire House of Representatives (435) standing for the swearing in ceremony Dwight D. Eisenhower and Edward Gurney. Congressman Gurney pictured with former president Dwight D. Eisenhower circa 1965. A Christmas letter from the White House dated December 20, 1965. A Christmas letter from the White House, dated December 20, 1965, and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Richard M. Nixon and Edward Gurney. Newly elected U. S. Senator from Florida, Edward J.Gurney, congratulating the newly elected President, Richard M. Nixon. Gerald Ford and Edward Gurney.  Congressman Edward Gurney congratulating Congressman Gerald Ford, Rep. Michigan, on being chosen House Minority Leader in 1965. A citation for Edward John Gurney dated May 26, 1973. Rollins College honored Senator Gurney by awarding him the distinguished William Freemont Blackman Medal. Golda Meir and Edward Gurney. Senator Edward Gurney is pictured with Golda Meir, who served as prime minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974.