Frank Buck, longtime Tennessee state House member known for his crusade for ethics reform, died Wednesday at NHC HealthCare in Smithville, Tennessee. He was 80.
Buck, a Democrat hailing from Dowellton, represented DeKalb, Cannon, Smith, and part of Rutherford counties in the state legislature for 36 years.
During his 18 terms in the state House of Representatives, Buck was known for championing ethics reform. He worked to establish avenues for transparency and accountability in state government, and advocated for public disclosure of lobbyists’ activity, financial disclosures for lawmakers and establishment of a strong ethics commission.
In 1994, Buck said the legislature needed to “get serious about the public’s trust and erase any doubt about outside influence.” He sponsored legislation to bar lawmakers from taking even a cup of coffee from lobbyists — which came to be known as the “cup of coffee” bill. While Buck’s bill was not successful, a similar proposal later passed, allowing lawmakers to accept drinks or meals only if another legislator is present.