Rural Oklahoma has had many larger-than-life personalities, but few really match the impact made in Oklahoma like the Uncrowned King of the Senate, Robert S. Kerr. This year will mark the 128th anniversary of the birth the native of Ada and true champion of rural people all across the Sooner State.
While Senator Kerr led a larger-than-life impact on the State of Oklahoma, he certainly did not come from a grandiose upbringing. Born in a two-room log cabin in the heart of the Chickasaw Nation, the 6-foot, 4-inch future Senator and Governor of Oklahoma, came from very humble beginnings like most growing up in southeast Oklahoma. However, Kerr believed that through hard work, true Oklahoma grit and determination, and more importantly a belief that no dream was too small that he could do great things in Oklahoma.
And in the true sense of grit and hard work, the future Senator taught in a country classroom and sold magazine subscriptions to fund his way through the University of Oklahoma School of Law then later a commission in the U.S. Army.
His start wouldn’t be without challenges though. Kerr had twin daughters, who both died at birth and then four years later his first wife, Reba and his baby son would die during childbirth. In fact, his wholesale produce company in Ada, literally went up in flames during this turbulent time. This would be enough for most to give up their dreams, but not Kerr. Despite tragedy and unfortunate business fortune his three dreams of having a family, earning a million dollars and becoming governor of Oklahoma were still very much alive.
Kerr would rebuild and eventually have four children, grow a law practice and then a very successful oil company – Kerr-McGee Oil Industries. His third goal to become governor was met after a bitter campaign where he was an ardent supporter of President Roosevelt’s New Deal – becoming Oklahoma’s first native-born governor in January of 1943. During his four years as governor, he brought back a sense of stability and civility to the Governor’s Office and State Legislature – that had been marred in the earlier years of our State’s history of violent politics and a combative legislature. Instead of deriding his legislative representatives he won them over with dignity and attention that resulted in Oklahoma becoming debt free and well positioned to capitalize on a post war landscape.
From there Governor Kerr would become Senator Kerr, transforming our state by utilizing his outsized influence in politics to bring Oklahoma incredible amounts of infrastructure that still impact our state today like the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, where he was told bringing a sea port to Oklahoma was impossible – let alone being one of the largest most inland ports in United States. As many found out when you doubt Robert S. Kerr, you are simply on the wrong side of history. Since the port opened in 1971 nearly 82 million tons of freight have moved through!
While the Uncrowned King of the Senate may no longer be with us today, his outsized impact on our state still lives today. As the State Director for USDA Rural Development in Oklahoma, I have looked to Senator Kerr for inspiration on what we can do for rural Oklahoma. Already I have seen a community in southwest Oklahoma regain a Hospital – one thought impossible – but now a reality utilizing the same grit and determination of our Oklahoma legend. Senator Kerr was also a found entrepreneur.
Through Rural Development I have seen many young entrepreneurs tap into the Sooner spirit. One of those impressive entrepreneurs is Emme Hughes, who started her own metals work business in Enid at just the age of 18! Emme was the recipient of a USDA Rural Business Development Grant that allowed her business to expand via a purchase of a cutting-edge laser-cutting machine that has allowed her business to take off and expand her customer base.
Another program where I have seen similarities between Sen. Kerr and Rural Development, is USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program, as the senator was a well-known common-sense conservationist. These rural energy grants are exactly that – common sense. Not only do they allow small rural businesses and agriculture producers to invest in clean energy or energy conservation, but they also allow these businesses and ranchers to save money allowing them to reinvest in their employees or grow their operations. In the last four years alone Oklahoma small business owners and Ag producers have seen more than $12.9 million invested in their operations via this program, something that I know would put a smile on the senator’s face.
In fact, there’s little I don’t see Rural Oklahoman’s achieving, only if we believe in our potential success and are willing to meet obstacles head on with persistence and as Speaker Rayburn would say of the Senator “(be) the kind man who would charge hell with a bucket of water and believe he could put it out.”
If we can do that there’s no limit for Oklahoma.