Fred Harris

Fred Harris was an American politician and professor who served as a United States Senator from Oklahoma from 1964 to 1973. He was a member of the Democratic Party and was known for his progressive views, which were influenced by his experiences growing up in Walters, Oklahoma, and his education at University of Oklahoma and Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar alongside Bill Clinton and Stansfield Turner. Harris's political career was marked by his involvement in various committees, including the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which oversaw issues related to Native American tribes and Bureau of Indian Affairs. He also worked closely with other notable politicians, such as Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, and George McGovern.

● Early Life and Education

Fred Harris was born on November 13, 1930, in Walters, Oklahoma, to a family of Cherokee descent. He grew up in a small town in Oklahoma and developed an interest in politics at an early age, inspired by figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Harris attended University of Oklahoma, where he earned a degree in political science and was a member of the Oklahoma Sooners football team, which competed in the Big Eight Conference. He later received a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University, where he earned a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics and was influenced by the ideas of John Maynard Keynes and Isaiah Berlin. During his time at Oxford University, Harris was also exposed to the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, which shaped his views on socialism and capitalism.

● Career

Before entering politics, Harris worked as a professor at University of Oklahoma and later at Oklahoma Baptist University, where he taught courses on American history and government. He was also a member of the Oklahoma State Senate and served on the National Governors Association committee, which worked closely with National Conference of State Legislatures and Council of State Governments. Harris's experience in academia and state politics prepared him for his future role as a United States Senator, where he would work alongside other notable politicians, such as Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd, and Mike Mansfield. He was also involved in various organizations, including the American Political Science Association and the National Academy of Public Administration, which aimed to promote good governance and public service.

● Political Career

Harris was elected to the United States Senate in 1964, where he served for two terms until 1973. During his time in the Senate, he was a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which oversaw issues related to Native American tribes and Bureau of Indian Affairs. He was also a strong supporter of the Great Society programs, which were introduced by Lyndon B. Johnson and aimed to reduce poverty and promote social justice. Harris worked closely with other notable politicians, such as Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, and George McGovern, to pass legislation related to civil rights, education, and healthcare. He was also a vocal critic of the Vietnam War and worked with Robert Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy to promote peace negotiations and diplomacy.

● Personal Life

Harris was married to Margaret Elliston and had three children. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and was involved in various charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. After leaving the Senate, Harris returned to academia and taught at University of New Mexico and Oklahoma State University, where he was a colleague of Henry Bellmon and David Boren. He also wrote several books on politics and history, including works on Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was a frequent commentator on CNN and NPR. Harris passed away on November 22, 2020, at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy as a dedicated public servant and a champion of social justice and human rights, inspired by the ideals of Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Category:American politicians