Clem McSpadden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clem McSpadden
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Edmondson |
| Succeeded by | Theodore M. Risenhoover |
| Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 2nd district | |
| In office 1963–1972 |
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| Preceded by | Arthur G. McComas |
| Succeeded by | Robert Wadley |
| Member of the Oklahoma Senate from the 33rd district | |
| In office 1954–1963 |
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| Preceded by | John W. Russell Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Ed Bradley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 9, 1925 Bushyhead, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | July 7, 2008 (aged 82) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American Cherokee Nation |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma A&M |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Clem Rogers McSpadden (born November 9, 1925 – died July 7, 2008) was an American politician and famous rodeo announcer. He was a member of the Democratic Party. McSpadden served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma from 1973 to 1975. Before that, he was a member of the Oklahoma Senate from 1954 to 1972. He was also the grandnephew of the famous Oklahoma comedian and actor Will Rogers.
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Early Life and Education
Clem McSpadden was born on a ranch near Bushyhead in Rogers County, Oklahoma. He grew up on a ranch that belonged to his great-uncle, Will Rogers, in Oologah. He went to public schools there.
During World War II, McSpadden served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. After the war, he attended several colleges. He studied at the University of Redlands, North Texas Agricultural College, and the University of Texas. In 1948, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater, which was then called Oklahoma A&M.
Political Career
McSpadden began his career in public service in November 1954. He was elected to a seat in the Oklahoma Senate. He served in the Oklahoma Senate until 1972. During his time there, he even led the Senate for two sessions as its President pro tempore. This means he was a very important leader in the state government.
In November 1972, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He served one term, from January 3, 1973, to January 3, 1975. While in Congress, he was part of the House Rules Committee. Instead of running for Congress again in 1974, he decided to run for Governor of Oklahoma. However, he did not win the Democratic nomination for governor.
Rodeo Announcer and Author
Beyond politics, Clem McSpadden was well-known in the rodeo world. He worked as a broadcaster for rodeos across North America. This included big events like the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the Calgary Stampede.
In 1974, he hired a young singer named Reba McEntire to sing the National Anthem at the National Rodeo Finals. She later became a very famous country music star. McSpadden once said that politics and rodeo had "an amazing correlation" because there was "bull in each profession." He also wrote a famous poem called "A Cowboy's Prayer."
Honors and Awards
Clem McSpadden received many honors for his work in both politics and rodeo. Some of his awards include:
- Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (1989)
- ProRodeo Hall of Fame (1990)
- Oklahoma Hall of Fame (1990)
- Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (2009)
- Legends of ProRodeo Hall of Fame (2008)
- Legend in the Bull Riding Hall of Fame (2017)
Later Life and Legacy
Clem McSpadden passed away on July 7, 2008, in Houston, Texas, after being diagnosed with cancer.
His legacy lives on in Oklahoma. In 1985, a part of Oklahoma State Highway 66 between Claremore and Bushyhead was named the Clem McSpadden Highway. Also, the post office in Chelsea, Oklahoma, where he lived, was renamed the "Clem Rogers McSpadden Post Office Building" in his honor in January 2008.
See also
