Clem McSpadden
Encyclopedia
Clem Rogers McSpadden was a Democratic
politician
and a U.S. Representative
from Oklahoma
's 2nd Congressional District
who served from 1973 to 1975. He was also the grandnephew of Oklahoma comedian
and actor
Will Rogers
.
McSpadden was born on a ranch
near the small town of Bushyhead
in Rogers County
, Oklahoma. 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.
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 to January 3, 1975), serving on the House Rules Committee. He chose to run for Governor of Oklahoma
in 1974 rather than seek reelection for a second Congressional term. 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.
McSpadden was involved in rodeo
s 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 inducted into both the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame
in 1990. 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."
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.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and a U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
's 2nd Congressional District
Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district
Oklahoma's Second Congressional District is one of five United States Congressional districts in Oklahoma and covers approximately one-fourth of the state in the east...
who served from 1973 to 1975. He was also the grandnephew of Oklahoma comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
Will Rogers
Will Rogers
William "Will" Penn Adair Rogers was an American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, film actor, and one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s....
.
McSpadden was born on a ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
near the small town of Bushyhead
Bushyhead, Oklahoma
Bushyhead is a census-designated place in Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,314 at the 2010 census, a 9.2 percent increase from the 1,203 at the 2000 census. Established on the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway between Claremore and Vinita, the community was named for...
in Rogers County
Rogers County, Oklahoma
Rogers County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 86,905. Its county seat is Claremore. The county was originally created in 1906 and named Cooweescoowee...
, Oklahoma. He grew up on a ranch owned by Will Rogers in nearby Oologah
Oologah, Oklahoma
Oologah is a town in Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. Renowned humorist Will Rogers was born on a ranch two miles east of Oologah, though he usually claimed Claremore as his birthplace, "because nobody but an Indian can pronounce 'Oologah.'"...
, where he attended public schools. He served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(1944–1946). He attended the University of Redlands
University of Redlands
The University of Redlands is a private liberal arts and sciences university located in Redlands, California. The university's campus sits on near downtown Redlands. The university was founded in 1907 and was associated with the American Baptist Church. The land for the university was donated by...
, North Texas Agricultural College
University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas, United States. The campus is situated southwest of downtown Arlington, and is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The university was founded in 1895 and served primarily a military...
, and the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
before he received his bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in 1948 from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater
Oklahoma State University–Stillwater is a land-grant, sun-grant, coeducational public research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. OSU was founded in 1890 under the Morrill Act...
, then known as Oklahoma A&M.
He was first elected to public office in November 1954 when he won a seat in the Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
. He served in that body until 1972, including leading it for two sessions as President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
The President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the Oklahoma Senate and the highest-ranking State Senator. The Oklahoma Constitution states the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma serves ex officio as President of the Senate, and is the highest-ranking...
.
He was elected to the Ninety-third Congress in November 1972, and served one term (January 3, 1973 to January 3, 1975), serving on the House Rules Committee. He chose to run for Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
in 1974 rather than seek reelection for a second Congressional term. His gubernatorial candidacy was unsuccessful, as David L. Boren
David L. Boren
David Lyle Boren is an academic leader and American politician from the state of Oklahoma. A Democrat, he served as the 21st Governor of Oklahoma from 1975 to 1979 and in the United States Senate from 1979 to 1994. He is currently president of the University of Oklahoma. He was the longest serving...
, later a United States senator and the president of the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, received the Democratic nomination instead.
McSpadden was involved in rodeo
Rodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
s throughout North America as a broadcaster, including the National Finals Rodeo
National Finals Rodeo
The National Finals Rodeo, organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, is the premier championship rodeo event in the United States. Wrangler Jeans is the title sponsor for the 10-day event, commonly just called the National Finals or NFR, which is also sometimes referred to as the...
in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
, and the Canadian Finals Rodeo. In 1974, he hired a then unknown Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music artist and actress. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band , on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. As a solo act, she was invited to perform at a rodeo in Oklahoma...
to sing the National Anthem at the National Rodeo Finals. He was inducted into both the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Hall of Fame
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was established in 1927 by Anna B. Korn. To be eligible for induction, an individual must satisfy the following criteria:* Reside in Oklahoma or be a former resident of the state....
in 1990. 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."
After being diagnosed with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, McSpadden died at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
on July 7, 2008.
A portion of Oklahoma State Highway 66 between Claremore
Claremore, Oklahoma
Claremore is a city and the county seat of Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 18,581 at the 2010 census, a 17.1 percent increase from 15,873 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area and home to Rogers State University...
and Bushyhead
Bushyhead, Oklahoma
Bushyhead is a census-designated place in Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,314 at the 2010 census, a 9.2 percent increase from the 1,203 at the 2000 census. Established on the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway between Claremore and Vinita, the community was named for...
was designated Clem McSpadden Highway in 1985. The post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
in Chelsea, Oklahoma
Chelsea, Oklahoma
Chelsea is a town in Rogers County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,136 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Chelsea is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, where he made his home, was renamed the "Clem Rogers McSpadden Post Office Building" in his honor in January 2008.