Tom Steed
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jefferson "Tom" Steed (March 2, 1904 – June 8, 1983) was a military veteran, newspaper editor and Democratic
politician
and a retired U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma
. He often stated that his experience in journalism
, the military and in the U.S. Congress had taught him "knowledge is power".
(near Rising Star, Texas
) on March 2, 1904. His family later moved to Oklahoma, where he attended school (in Konawa, Oklahoma
). By profession
, he was a journalist
; Steed worked in the field for over twenty years, including a four year stint as the managing editor
of the Shawnee News-Star. After the outbreak of World War II
, Steed enlisted in the U.S. Army
on October 29, 1942, and was assigned the task of working with Anti-aircraft Artillery
. Steed was released from active duty
in May 1944 with rank
of Second Lieutenant
. Steed continued his contribution to the U.S. war effort when he joined the Office of War Information
on July 1, 1944. Steed also served with the information division in India-Burma Theater
until December 1945.
in 1948 and was elected as a Democrat. Steed was re-elected in 1950, and was continuously re-elected until 1980, when he decided to retire. Steed served a total of 32 years in Congress.
, where he remained until his death on June 8, 1983. Steed is buried at Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee, Oklahoma. After his death, a portion of Interstate 40
near Shawnee was renamed the "Tom Steed Memorial Highway." Tom Steed Reservoir
near Mountain Park
is also named after him.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and a retired U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. He often stated that his experience in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, the military and in the U.S. Congress had taught him "knowledge is power".
Early life and career
Steed was born on a farm near in Eastland County, TexasEastland County, Texas
*Carbon*Cisco*Desdemona, a ghost town*Eastland*Gorman*Mangum*Olden*Ranger*Rising Star*Romney-See also:*National Register of Historic Places listings in Eastland County, Texas*Santa Claus Bank Robbery-External links:** at the University of Texas*...
(near Rising Star, Texas
Rising Star, Texas
Rising Star is a town in Eastland County, Texas, United States. The population was recorded by the 2000 Census as 835.-Geography:Rising Star is located at ....
) on March 2, 1904. His family later moved to Oklahoma, where he attended school (in Konawa, Oklahoma
Konawa, Oklahoma
Konawa is a city in Seminole County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,479 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Konawa is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
). By profession
Profession
A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain....
, he was a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
; Steed worked in the field for over twenty years, including a four year stint as the managing editor
Managing editor
A managing editor is a senior member of a publication's management team.In the United States, a managing editor oversees and coordinates the publication's editorial activities...
of the Shawnee News-Star. After the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Steed enlisted in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
on October 29, 1942, and was assigned the task of working with Anti-aircraft Artillery
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
. Steed was released from active duty
Active duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
in May 1944 with rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
. Steed continued his contribution to the U.S. war effort when he joined the Office of War Information
United States Office of War Information
The United States Office of War Information was a U.S. government agency created during World War II to consolidate government information services. It operated from June 1942 until September 1945...
on July 1, 1944. Steed also served with the information division in India-Burma Theater
China Burma India Theater of World War II
China Burma India Theater was the name used by the United States Army for its forces operating in conjunction with British and Chinese Allied air and land forces in China, Burma, and India during World War II...
until December 1945.
Entry into politics
Steed ran for CongressUnited States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in 1948 and was elected as a Democrat. Steed was re-elected in 1950, and was continuously re-elected until 1980, when he decided to retire. Steed served a total of 32 years in Congress.
Later life and death
Steed returned to Oklahoma and resided in ShawneeShawnee, Oklahoma
Shawnee is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 29,857 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area; it is also the county seat of Pottawatomie County and the principal city of the Shawnee Micropolitan Statistical...
, where he remained until his death on June 8, 1983. Steed is buried at Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee, Oklahoma. After his death, a portion of Interstate 40
Interstate 40 in Oklahoma
Interstate 40 is an Interstate Highway in Oklahoma that runs 331 miles across the state from Texas to Arkansas. West of Oklahoma City, it parallels and replaces Old US-66, and east of Oklahoma City, it parallels US-62, US-266 and US-64.Cities along the route include Erick, Sayre, Elk City,...
near Shawnee was renamed the "Tom Steed Memorial Highway." Tom Steed Reservoir
Tom Steed Reservoir
Created in 1975, Tom Steed Reservoir is a reservoir in Kiowa County, Oklahoma, northwest of the city of Snyder, Oklahoma. The reservoir is approximately 6400 acres of water created by damming West Otter Creek and diverting flows of Elk Creek through the Bretch Diversion Canal by Mountain Park Dam...
near Mountain Park
Mountain Park, Oklahoma
Mountain Park is a town in Kiowa County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 409 at the 2010 census.-Embezzlement:On March 7, 2008, KSWO-TV reported that the former town clerk was fired for allegedly secretly embezzling $100,000 over a period of two years, leaving the town unable to pay its...
is also named after him.
See also
- Politics of OklahomaPolitics of OklahomaPolitics of Oklahoma takes place in a framework of a presidential republic modeled after the United States, whereby the Governor of Oklahoma is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform two-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Governor and the government...
- Oklahoma Democratic PartyOklahoma Democratic PartyThe Oklahoma Democratic Party is an Oklahoma political party affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. Along with the Oklahoma Republican Party, it one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics....
- Oklahoma Congressional DistrictsOklahoma Congressional DistrictsAs of the 2000 census, there are five Oklahoma United States congressional districts. Previous to the 2000 Census, Oklahoma had six congressional districts. Oklahoma was one of eight states to lose one seat in the House of Representatives that year....