Interview with Lynn Frazier, November 9, 1990

Interview Summary

Lynn Frazier is the former head of the Kentucky State Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). He was born in Crittenden County in western Kentucky. A former editor of the Owenton News Herald and a speechwriter for Governor Edward T. Breathitt, Frazier secured a position in Governor Louie B. Nunn's administration as special assistant for Manpower and for federal programs which included the Office of Economic Opportunity.

Frazier discusses the political aspects of the War on Poverty. He states that the resources that came into eastern Kentucky were not applied well. Frazier describes the politics of the War on Poverty at the local and the national level. He talks about working for Gov. Nunn and recalls having to explain the purpose of the Appalachian Regional Research and Defense Fund to him. Frazier states that Nunn wanted to make sure that the money was well spent, and recalls how Nunn attempted to exert control over the anti-poverty agencies. Frazier worked through Governor Wendell H. Ford's first legislative session when Ford replaced him with a political supporter.

Frazier secured a position as a Community Action Program (CAP) director after he left state government. He established a manpower training program, and states that a large percentage of people who went through the program were successful in getting jobs and staying employed. Frazier describes other results of the War on Poverty including the advancement of women who received training as teachers' aides through the Head Start program. Yet, the lasting legacy of the War on Poverty, according to Frazier, is the hope that it brought to a lot of people.

Interview Keyword

anti-poverty organizations War On Poverty

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Appalachian Region--Economic conditions Economic assistance Frazier, Lynn Frazier, Lynn--Interviews

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Interview Usage

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