Feb. 7 , 2005
Norman - For 50 years, Fred R. Harris has been an active participant in the political life of our country as a senator, presidential nominee candidate or professor imparting his knowledge of the political process. For his service to the state and nation, the University of Oklahoma’s College of Arts and Sciences will honor Harris as one of its Distinguished Alumni at its Kaleidoscope Evening, set for 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, in the ballroom of Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave., Norman.
In addition to receiving the award, Harris will give a free, public presentation titled “What I Learned in Oklahoma and at OU,” at 3:30 p.m., in the Regents’ Room of the union.
Born in Walters, Okla., Harris attended OU, graduating in 1952 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in political science and history. He graduated with distinction from OU’s law school and was admitted to the bar in 1954. Harris practiced law in Lawton, Okla., for ten years and during that time, was twice elected to the Oklahoma State Senate.
During his service in the U.S. Senate, Harris was named a member of the President’s National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders by President Lyndon B. Johnson. He also was a member of the Select Committee on Small Business and the Government Operations, Public Works and Finance committees. He focused on improving the welfare system, increasing job opportunities for poor and unskilled workers, civil rights and tax reform. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Governmental Research, Harris introduced legislation to create a National Foundation for the Social Sciences, designed to provide the social sciences with the visibility the National Science Foundation gives to the natural and physical sciences.
In 1968, Hubert Humphrey nearly named the Oklahoma senator as his vice presidential running mate. The following year, Harris was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. In 1971, Harris announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination for president, backing out before the primary elections were held. He ran again in 1976 with a down-to-earth “new populist” campaign. Following weak support in the early primaries, Harris withdrew from the race. He moved to New Mexico, where he is a professor of political science at the University of New Mexico.
In addition to his political career, Harris has found fame as an author. Along with his many non-fiction publications on social issues, he has authored three Okie Dunn mystery novels, each set in fictional Vernon, Okla. (patterned after his actual home town of Walters) during the Depression, and the book Follow the Harvest, a coming-of-age book also set in Vernon.
Other distinguished alumni being honored by the College of Arts and Sciences at the Kaleidoscope Evening are Edward N. Brandt Jr., Regents’ Emeritus Professor of Health Administration and Policy at OU’s Health Sciences Center; A. Thomas Loy, co-founder of Oklahoma MetaFund Community Development Corp.; and David Wanser,
Texas deputy commissioner for behavioral and community health.
Peter G. Pierce III, president of First Bethany Bancorp, will receive the college’s Distinguished Service Award. All four distinguished alumni will give presentations on Thursday, Feb. 24.
Proceeds from the Kaleidoscope Evening go toward student scholarship support. Tickets are available for $100 per person. For ticket reservations or additional information on any of the presentations, contact Vivian Glore at (405) 325-2347.
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