Interview with John Sherman Cooper, June 1, 1986

Interview Summary

This interview focuses on the years 1969 through 1971. Cooper begins the interview by discussing the Appalachian Regional Development bill renewal in 1969. A 1969 nuclear non-proliferation treaty is recalled. Cooper's health during this time is discussed, including when he called into a hearing on the possibility of an anti-ballistic missile system from Walter Reed in 1969. Cooper recalls rumors that he was going to be appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to France in 1970. Additionally, Cooper details his views on the National Commitments Resolution and the war making powers of the president derived from the constitution. Cooper describes his opposition to the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 due to the elimination of an exemption for small mines. Cooper illustrates his background in coal mining through his experiences of working in his father's coal mine as a teenager during World War I. Cooper recalls his support for a Senate investigation of secret troop deployments in Thailand and Cambodia. Cooper reflects upon his lack of desire to run for Governor of Kentucky in 1971. Subsequently, Cooper provides his opinion on the unsuccessful Supreme Court nominations of Clement Haynsworth and G. Harrold Carswell. Cooper evaluates the dynamics between Congressional Republicans and the Nixon administration. Subsequently, Cooper illustrates his strong support for tobacco price supports throughout his time in the Senate. Cooper expresses his support for the Stennis Amendment of 1970. Cooper also evaluates his relationship with the UMW throughout the years. The 1970 renewal of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 is explored. Cooper highlights his support for a complete elimination of literacy voting tests in the U.S. Cooper details the SALT I treaty negotiations between the U.S. and the USSR in Vienna. Cooper considers why he was opposed to the D.C. Crime bill of 1970 and a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Electoral College. Cooper illustrates his work on pollution issues through the Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution (which is part of the Senate Committee on Public Works and Environment). The interview is concluded with a discussion of Cooper's views on the debates over whom to select for Senate Minority Leader following the death of Minority Leader Everett Dirksen in 1969.

Interview Keyword

G. Harrold Carswell Senate Senators William Fulbright Appalachian Regional Development bill Burley Growers Coop Clement Haynsworth National Commitments Resolution U.S. Constitution Constitutional powers Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 Richard Nixon Supreme Court Congressional Republicans Franklin D. Roosevelt Louie Nunn Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Appalachia Howard Baker Jr. Hudson River John L. Lewis Anti-ballistic missile system Exhaustion 91st U.S. Congress U.S. Ambassador to France John F. Kennedy Senate Public Works Committee Sargent Shriver Non-proliferation treaty Governors War Powers Act White House Price supports Stennis Amendment Voting Rights Act of 1965 Desegregation SALT I treaty D.C. Crime bill Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen Hugh Scott

Interview LC Subject

Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991 Cooper, John Sherman, 1901-1991--Interviews Politicians Politicians--United States Politics and government United States--Politics and government Washington (D.C.) Appalachian Regional Commission Appalachian Mountains Kentucky Kentuckians Nuclear weapons Weapons of mass destruction Soviet Union International relations Health Rumors Mine safety Coal mines and mining Work Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Thailand Cambodia Laos Tobacco Tobacco farmers United Mine Workers of America Literacy tests (Election law) Voting Schools Civil rights Civil rights movement Electoral college

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All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.