Interview with John Sherman Cooper, June 4, 1983

Interview Summary

Cooper begins the interview with a discussion of the Kennedy administration and its policies concerning the Soviet Union. Cooper talks of the 1960 presidential election and his role in campaigning for Nixon. Additionally, Cooper gives his views on the space race. Cooper highlights programs that John F. Kennedy created to help with the Recession of 1960-1961. Cooper's desire to get more information from presidents on crucial foreign policy issues is explored. Cooper's interactions with Kentucky Governor Bert Combs and Congressman Carl Perkins are examined. Cooper describes the debate over the Red River Gorge in the early 1960s. Cooper's role in obtaining assistance for flood control and navigation problems in Kentucky is described. Cooper provides his opinion on the TVA and its policies throughout the years. Cooper's efforts in preserving nature in Tennessee and Kentucky are considered. Cooper recalls the discriminatory practices of social clubs in D.C. during the 1960s. Cooper talks of Barry Goldwater and how Goldwater affected Republican discourse on civil rights. Cooper recalls what it was like to campaign for Goldwater in 1964. Desegregation of schools during the Combs administration in Kentucky is evaluated. Cooper details his position on literacy voting tests. Cooper shares some of his criticisms of the Kennedy administration. Cooper reflects upon an opportunity to be on the Senate Appropriations Committee in 1962. Cooper's accomplishments as a member of the Senate Agricultural Committee are recalled. A false political rumor about Cooper and Happy Chandler is briefly mentioned. Cooper illustrates his support for an Aid to India bill in the early 1960s. Additionally, Cooper provides his opinion on Medicare. Cooper assesses his working relationship with Thruston Morton, including campaigning together and how they differ politically. Cooper also reflects upon his working relationship with Louie Nunn. Cooper's attempts at changing Senatorial rules and procedures in the 1960s are articulated. Cooper concludes the interview with a reflection on his style in the Senate and how this decorum earned him praise from colleagues and reporters.

Interview Keyword

Albert "Happy" Chandler Allen Ellender Senate Appropriations Committee Ashland Oil Big Sandy Carl Perkins U.S. Corps of Engineers Cosmos Club Cumberland Falls Thruston Morton Earle Clements Economic Recovery Act of 1962 Florida Power Company Kennedy administration Georgia Power Company Governor Nelson Rockefeller Jack Javits John Kenneth Galbraith Judiciary Committee Lawrence Wetherby Licking River Lyndon Johnson Medical Care Plan Metropolitan Club North Carolina Power Company Ohio River Philip Hart Dwight Eisenhower John F. Kennedy Senate Public Works Committee Senator Howard Baker South Fork Upper Cumberland Upper Kentucky Virginia Power Company Richard Nixon Wilson Wyatt Style Senators Rules Louie Nunn Henry Dworshak Howard Baker Philip Hart Foreign aid Social clubs Desegregation Lyndon Johnson Aid to India bill Lawrence Wetherby Senate Judiciary Committee Senate Agricultural Committee Senate Barry Goldwater Courthouses Bert Combs 1960 presidential election

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.) Kentucky Kentuckians Soviet Union Russia Space race Arms race Cold War Recessions Public works Somerset (Ky.) Red River Gorge (Ky.) Navigation Flood control Kentucky River Tennessee Valley Authority Bonds Tennessee Cumberland River, Big South Fork (Tenn. and Ky.) Race Cosmos Club (Washington, D.C.) Metropolitan Club (Washington, D.C.) Schools Civil rights movement Civil rights African Americans Black people Conservative Literacy tests (Election law) Tobacco Medicare Philosophy Respect Ashland Oil, Inc.

Interview Rights

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.