Laurence J. Burton was a former U.S. Congressman, representing Utah's first congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Laurence Junior Burton was born October 30, 1926 in Ogden, Utah, to Laurence Schat and Marguerite Roghaar Burton. He graduated from Ogden High in 1944, then served two years in the United States Navy Air Corps. Laurence married Janice Louise Shupe on September 16, 1947, in the Salt Lake LDS temple. He graduated from Weber State College, earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, his master's degree from Utah State and pursued doctoral studies at George-town and George Washington University. Laurence started his career and spent several years at Weber State College as public relations director and athletic manager from 1948-1956. He left Weber to serve as Administrative Assistant to Utah's U.S. Congressman Dixon then for Governor Clyde. Laurence served four consecutive terms as Representative to the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah's 1st Congressional district, from January 1963 to January 1971. Some of his legislative accomplishments included the successful passage of legislation establishing the Dixie and Uintah Reclamation projects, providing much-needed water for those areas and also the establishment of Canyonlands as a National Park. Laurence also served in a leadership position for House Republicans as Assistant Minority Whip. Following his congressional service, as well as an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the Senate, Laurence worked for the Federal Government in the Departments of Interior and Transportation.

Laurence passed away on November 27, 2002.