John J. Rhodes

Rhodes Junior High School is named after the late, John Jacob Rhodes II. John J. Rhodes served 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona’s First Congressional District. During that time, he served in a variety of leadership positions, including seven years as the House Republican Leader.

In 1952, John Rhodes became the first Republican ever elected to the House of Representatives from Arizona. He served 15 consecutive terms – the longest House of Representatives tenure in Arizona’s history.

Born on September 18, 1916, in Council Grove, Kansas, Rhodes attended Kansas State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1938. He graduated from Harvard Law School and was a member of the bar in Arizona, Kansas, and Washington, D.C. He practiced law in Mesa, Arizona, until 1952 when he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives. Rhodes was elected by a landslide, and was the first Republican to ever serve Arizona in the House.

After he retired from politics in 1982, Rhodes practiced law for the Virginia firm, Hunton and Williams. He received the Congressional Distinguished Service Award in the Capitol in September of 2003.

The Rhodes family continues the legacy of John J. Rhodes by actively contributing to the success of Rhodes Junior High School.