Henry Bellmon

Henry Louis Bellmon ( born September 3, 1921 in Tonkawa, Kay County, Oklahoma; † 29 September 2009 in Enid, Oklahoma ) was an American politician ( Republican). He was from 1963 to 1967, and the 18th from 1987 to 1991 the 23rd Governor of Oklahoma and represented this State from 1969 to 1981 in the U.S. Senate.

Early years and political rise

After primary school Bellmon visited until 1942, the Oklahoma State University. During the Second World War he was a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, where he served until 1946. Bellmon was used in the Pacific and has won several awards for his military achievements. After the war he was employed as a farmer in Noble County, Oklahoma.

Bellmon was 1946-1948 deputy in the House of Representatives from Oklahoma. From 1960 to 1962 he was chairman of the Republican Party of Oklahoma. In 1962 he was ever elected as the first Republican governor of his state. He won with 55:44 percent of the vote to Democrat W. P. Atkinson.

First time Governor

Henry Bellmon took up his new position on January 4, 1963. In the following years he was intent on a compromise with the Democrats, who constituted the majority in the legislature. During this time, the political weight of the legislature was re-formed also in favor of urban areas. His attempt to improve the education policy failed in part to a lack of funds. At that time, an industry Commission was created and established a committee to take care of state parks. Governor Bellmon was a member of several associations governor and chairman of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission, a union of oil-producing states. The state constitution was amended, that henceforth the governors were able to complete two related terms. This regulation came but only after Bellmons tenure in power. Therefore, he resigned after four years in January 1967 out of office.

Membership in the U.S. Senate and other activities

After the end of his tenure, Bellmon dedicated for a short time again his private interests, including in particular belonged to his farm. Between 1969 and 1981 he represented his state then in the U.S. Senate. After his departure from this body he was in 1983 temporarily Department Head of the Ministry of Services ( Department of Human Services ) in Oklahoma, before he was elected again as governor of his state in 1986.

Second time Governor

Bellmon began his second term on 12 January 1987. In the following years he was chairman of the Energy Committee of the American South ( Southern States Energy Board ). Otherwise his term passed without notable events. In 1990 he gave up another candidacy and therefore resigned in January 1991 final from the Office of the Governor of.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship is devoted Bellmon again its agricultural interests. He also lectured at various universities in Oklahoma. Most recently, he lived in Red Rock. Governor Bellmon was married to Shirley Osborn, with whom he had three children.

Henry Bellmon died September 29, 2009 of complications from Parkinson 's disease.