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Clem McSpadden

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Clem McSpadden
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975
Preceded byEd Edmondson
Succeeded byTheodore M. Risenhoover
Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 2nd district
In office
1963–1972
Preceded byArthur G. McComas
Succeeded byRobert Wadley
Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 33rd district
In office
1954–1963
Preceded byJohn W. Russell Jr.
Succeeded byEd Bradley
Personal details
Born(1925-11-09)November 9, 1925
Bushyhead, Oklahoma
DiedJuly 7, 2008(2008-07-07) (aged 82)
Houston, Texas
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materOklahoma A&M
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1944–1946
Battles/warsWorld War II

Clem Rogers McSpadden (November 9, 1925 – July 7, 2008) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District from 1973 to 1975. Prior to his election to the U.S. House, McSpadden was a member of the Oklahoma Senate between 1954 and 1972. He was the grandnephew of Oklahoma comedian and actor Will Rogers.

Early life

McSpadden was born on a ranch near the small town of Bushyhead in Rogers County, Oklahoma.[1] He grew up on a ranch owned by Will Rogers in nearby Oologah, where he attended public schools. He served in the United States Navy during World War II (1944–1946). He attended the University of Redlands, North Texas Agricultural College, and the University of Texas before he received his bachelor of science degree in 1948 from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, then known as Oklahoma A&M.

Career

He was first elected to public office in November 1954 when he won a seat in the Oklahoma Senate. He served in that body until 1972, including leading it for two sessions as President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate.

He was elected to the Ninety-third Congress in November 1972, and served one term (January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975), serving on the House Rules Committee.[1] He chose to run for Governor of Oklahoma in 1974 rather than seek reelection for a second congressional term.[1] His gubernatorial candidacy was unsuccessful, as David L. Boren, later a United States senator and the president of the University of Oklahoma, received the Democratic nomination instead.[1]

McSpadden was involved in rodeos throughout North America as a broadcaster, including the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Calgary Stampede, and the Canadian Finals Rodeo. In 1974, he hired a then unknown Reba McEntire to sing the National Anthem at the National Rodeo Finals. He was quoted by the Tulsa World as observing "an amazing correlation" between the politics and the rodeo profession, "in that there's bull in each profession."[2] He is also known, especially through the rodeo community, for his authorship of "A Cowboy's Prayer."[2]

Honors

Death and legacy

After being diagnosed with cancer, McSpadden died at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston on July 7, 2008.

A portion of Oklahoma State Highway 66 between Claremore and Bushyhead was designated Clem McSpadden Highway in 1985. The post office in Chelsea, Oklahoma, where he made his home, was renamed the "Clem Rogers McSpadden Post Office Building" in his honor in January 2008.[2][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "McSpadden, Clem Rogers | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture". www.okhistory.org. Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Rep. Clem McSpadden born in Oklahoma, Nov. 9, 1925". Politico. www.politico.com. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved 17 May 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  4. ^ "Clem McSpadden - Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame". Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  5. ^ "McSpadden, Clem Rogers | 1990". Oklahoma Hall of Fame. www.oklahomahof.com. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Clem McSpadden". Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  7. ^ "Legends of ProRodeo - Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame". Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  8. ^ "The Bull Riding Hall of Fame Inductees". The Bull Riding Hall of Fame. Retrieved 4 June 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. ^ "Clem Rogers McSpadden". Pryor Daily Times. The Times. July 10, 2008. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district
1973–1975 		Succeeded by
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