Skip to main content

Kerr, Robert Samuel, United States Senator from Oklahoma (1949-1963); 12th Governor of Oklahoma (1943-1947), 1896-1963

 Person

Biographical:

Oil man Robert S. Kerr (1896-1963) first held elective office when he became Oklahoma's governor in 1942. During the war years, he presided over a vigorous economic expansion and directed a remarkably efficient state administration. A year after leaving the governor's office, he was successful in his first attempt at the U.S. Senate in 1948. Kerr was reelected to two more terms. After he failed at winning the 1952 Democratic presidential nomination, Kerr thereafter devoted his energies to building his Senate career. Kerr served on several key committees, most notably the Finance and Public Works committees. He also forged alliances to key senators, such as Lyndon B. Johnson, who led the Democrats' Senate forces. A partner in Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, Kerr increasingly became known as a key champion of southwestern oil and gas interests. Of course, he did not hesitate to use his influence for Oklahoma's behalf. Millions of dollars were diverted to military and civilian projects in the state. Also, a series of water projects, dams, and an entire navigation system that links the Arkansas River to the oceans of the world are part of Kerr's legacy.

Found in 91 Collections and/or Records:

Letter of Appreciation for Research Assistance, 1961-05-31

 Item — Box 12: Series CAC_CC_31_6_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 1
Identifier: CAC_CC_31_6_12_1_0021

Letter of Gratitude for Country Club Membership, 1957-01-23

 Item — Box 17: Series CAC_CC_31_10_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 7
Identifier: CAC_CC_31_10_17_7_0025

Letter Regarding Manned Space Flight Laboratory Installation Site Selection, 1961-06-14

 Item — Box 12: Series CAC_CC_31_6_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 1
Identifier: CAC_CC_31_6_12_1_0032

Letter to Senator Robert S. Kerr regarding Russian Space Mission, 1961-04-14

 Item — Box 12: Series CAC_CC_31_6_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 1
Identifier: CAC_CC_31_6_12_1_0008

Lunch Meeting with Dr. Levitt at The Franklin Institute, 1961-01-01 - 1962-12-31

 Item — Box 12: Series CAC_CC_31_6_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 1
Identifier: CAC_CC_31_6_12_1_0037

Messages of Support and Condolences: Class of Service, 1954-01-01 - 1954-12-31

 Item — Box 17: Series CAC_CC_31_10_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 7
Identifier: CAC_CC_31_10_17_7_0029
Abstract

83rd Congress (1953-1955)

Dates: 1954-01-01 - 1954-12-31

Monument of American Enterprise: Dedication of Space Technology Laboratories , June 29, 1962

 Item — Box AD 7: Series CAC_CC_31_7_0000_0000_0000; Series CAC_CC_31_10_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 38
Identifier: CAC_CC_31_7_7_38_0001
Scope and Contents

The text discusses the dedication of a new Center for Space Technology Laboratories and highlights the achievements and attributes of the employees. It also mentions the conflict between socialism and free enterprise, specifically in the context of a communications satellite system. Senator Kerr expresses support for private ownership of the system and emphasizes the importance of free enterprise in driving technological advancements.

Dates: June 29, 1962

Oklahoma's Opportunity in the Space Age: A Statement by Senator Kerr , January 19, 1961

 Item — Box AD 6: Series CAC_CC_31_7_0000_0000_0000; Series CAC_CC_31_10_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 73
Identifier: CAC_CC_31_7_6_73_0001
Scope and Contents Senator Robert S. Kerr, new chairman of the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, believes that Oklahoma has great potential in the emerging Space Age. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing natural resources such as land, wood, and water to build strength on earth and support exploration into space. Kerr aims to help Oklahoma develop its industrial structure in the space industry and benefit from both private and public facilities and projects. He sees this new era as a...
Dates: January 19, 1961

Additional filters:

Subject
Aeronautics--United States 26
Government Operations and Politics---Legislative Policy Area 24
Astronautics 15
Energy 10
Constituent Correspondence 8
Banks and banking--United States 7
Agricultural laws and legislation 5
Democratic Party (U.S.) 4
Land use--Planning 4
Energy policy--United States 3
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration 3
Business--United States 2
Climatology—United States 2
Commerce 2
Education--United States 2
Indians of North America--Oklahoma DISAMBIGUATE ME! 2
Taxation--Law and legislation 2
Water resources development--Law and legislation--United States 2
Advertising, Political--United States 1
Agriculture and state--United States 1
Astronautics and state--United States 1
Conservation of natural resources--Law and legislation--United States 1
Democratic National Committee (U.S.) 1
Education and state--United States 1
Electric utilities--Government policy--United States 1
Federal Indian policy--Education 1
Flood control; Land use--Planning 1
Highway planning--United States 1
Indians of North America--Government relations 1
Indians of North America--Land tenure--United States 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Claims 1
Indians of North America--Social life and customs 1
Indians of North America--Taxation--Law and legislation 1
Labor Unions--United States 1
Land use--Law and legislation--United States 1
National Science Foundation (U.S.) 1
Older people--Medical care--United States 1
Petroleum industry and trade--Government policy--United States 1
Political conventions--United States 1
Poll tax--United States 1
Public works--Finance--Law and legislation--United States 1
Public works--Oklahoma 1
Religion 1
Sales tax--Law and legislation--United States--States 1
Science, Technology, Communications---Legislative Policy Area 1
Speeches 1
Tax exemption--Law and legislation--United States 1
Taxation--Law and legislation--United States 1
United States 1
United States--Armed Forces 1
United States--Commerce 1
United States. Veterans Administration 1
Veterans--Legal status, laws, etc. --United States 1
Water--Law and legislation--United States 1