Arizona House Advances Bill for Journalist Memorial

News Summary

The Arizona House of Representatives has advanced a bipartisan bill to establish a memorial for journalist Don Bolles, who was assassinated in 1976. The proposed memorial at Wesley Bolin Plaza aims to honor Bolles’ legacy and highlight the significance of press freedoms and investigative journalism. Led by Representative Selina Bliss, the initiative will be funded through private donations. This step reaffirms the commitment to celebrate Bolles’ contributions even decades after his tragic death and the ongoing struggle for justice in his case.

PHOENIX – The Arizona House of Representatives has advanced a bill aimed at creating a memorial for Don Bolles, a journalist who was assassinated in 1976. The legislative proposal, which received robust bipartisan support, seeks to honor Bolles’ legacy with a memorial located at Wesley Bolin Plaza, directly across from the state Legislature. The initiative signifies a recognition of the importance of press freedoms and investigative journalism, especially in light of Bolles’ unsolved murder.

Representative Selina Bliss, a Republican from Prescott, is leading the charge for this bill’s passage. Her efforts come after a prior attempt failed to move forward in the Senate due to resistance from some Republican members. The current support appears overwhelming, suggesting a renewed commitment to honoring Bolles’ contributions to journalism and public accountability.

The proposed memorial will be financed through private donations, as the use of public funds for its construction is prohibited. This funding strategy allows for the project to move forward while respecting legislative constraints on public financing in Arizona.

Don Bolles was known for his in-depth reporting on the Arizona political landscape during the 1970s. His work involved critical investigations into issues like vehicle emissions testing in major cities, budget allocations for the state’s Department of Public Safety, and other legislative matters that affected citizens directly. He was a trusted figure among lawmakers from both political parties, a testament to his professionalism and dedication to journalistic integrity.

Tragically, on June 2, 1976, Bolles was killed in a car bombing that detonated as he was leaving the parking lot of the Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix. This horrific act shocked the community and prompted a nationwide investigation into organized crime in Arizona, drawing media attention and public outcry for justice. Bolles was working on a story related to a bill that would alter the monopoly held by the Funk family over dog racing tracks—an issue he had diligently investigated for years—when he was fatally injured.

Following the bombing, Bolles survived for 11 days in the hospital before succumbing to his injuries. During this time, investigators quickly identified John Adamson, who was scheduled to meet Bolles, as the individual responsible for planting the bomb. Adamson implicated Max Dunlap as the person who had hired him to kill Bolles, supposedly in retaliation for an article that negatively impacted the reputation of liquor magnate Kemper Marley. Despite the investigation and public scrutiny, authorities were never able to directly connect Marley to Bolles’ assassination, and he was never charged with any wrongdoing.

Bolles’ dedication to uncovering the truth and his quest for justice has not been forgotten. Friends, family, and colleagues have continued to honor his legacy over the years, emphasizing the crucial role that a free press plays in society. The advancement of the memorial bill serves as a symbolic reaffirmation of the value placed on investigative journalism and the sacrifices made by journalists who pursue the truth.

The passage of the bill in the Arizona House marks a significant step toward honoring Bolles four decades after his tragic death and ensuring that his contributions to journalism and press freedoms are not remembered merely as a footnote in history.

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Additional Resources

• AZ Central: Don Bolles’ Final Articles Before Death
• AZ Family: Arizona House Passes Bill for Don Bolles Memorial
• Axios: Don Bolles Monument Bill Path Forward
• Wikipedia: Don Bolles
• Google Search: Don Bolles