H. Clay Myers

H. Clay Myers, 1968

Henry Clay Myers junior (born May 27, 1927 in Portland , Oregon , † October 29, 2004 in Arizona ) was an American politician .

Early years

Henry Clay Myers Jr. was born in Portland in 1927. His childhood was overshadowed by the global economic crisis. When he was ten years old, his family lived for a short time in Zimbabwe , then still in Southern Rhodesia . In an interview he gave The Oregonian in 2004 , he described it as

"A mind-blowing experience."

They lived miles away from the nearest white family. During this time, Myers realized the futility of racism , which shaped him for the rest of his life. His family resided in the United States after the 1940 Census , in the coastal community of Tillamook, Oregon. The family then consisted of the father H. Clay Myers (35 years old), the mother Helen May Myers (34 years old) and the children Henry Clay Myers junior (12 years old), William Leo Myers (11 years old) and Norman Larry Myers (5 years old).

Myers graduated from Benson High School in Portland in 1945 . He then went to the University of Oregon , where he co-founded the Zeta Omicron local association of Lambda Chi Alpha (ZO 009). His interest in politics began there. In this context, he led the Young Republicans and promoted student participation in elections, campaigns, and political affairs. He studied law at Northwestern College of Law in Portland and attended the United States Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut .

Before entering politics, he was involved in banking and insurance.

Myers and his wife Elizabeth had three children: Carolyn, David and Richard Clay.

Political career

The Governor of Oregon Tom McCall appointed Myers 1967 Secretary of State of Oregon to the vacancy to fill, which was created by his rise to governor. Myers was on McCall's staff during his gubernatorial campaign. In the 1968 election, Myers was elected Secretary of State of Oregon for a full term and was re-elected in 1972. In 1974 he ran for the Republican nomination for governor of Oregon, but suffered a defeat to Victor G. Atiyeh . A term limit prevented Myers from running again in 1976 for the post of Secretary of State. Instead, he ran for the post of Treasurer of State of Oregon and won. He held his new post for seven years.

Late years

After his tenure ended, he returned to the business world. He joined JP Morgan Investment Management in New York. He retired in 1989 and returned to Oregon, where he remained active in ward and church affairs.

Health problems, including a long battle with cancer, led him to move to Tubac, Arizona in 1999 .

Due to his strong disappointment with the rising social conservatism of the Republican Party, he announced in 1999 that he had registered as an independent. When asked by Ronald Reagan , he replied the following:

"I didn't leave the party. The party left me. "

In 2003 he registered as a Democrat to support Howard Dean in his election campaign in the primaries. He later helped in the election of John Kerry .

Myers died on October 29, 2004 of complications from cancer at his home in Arizona.

legacy

Myers was heavily involved in politics, as a Republican party leader, as a state officer, and ultimately as an elder statesman . He will be remembered by the people of Oregon for his work on Oregon's most innovative planning, environmental, transportation, and legislative initiatives. After his death, he was honored as a joint resolution by the Oregon State Legislature

"... a gentle but tenacious leader who cared deeply about making Oregon a more livable and just place, and whose strong faith and unwavering efforts helped make Oregon a national model."

Individual evidence

1. ^ ^{A b} Esteve, Harry: Public servant Clay Myers Dies, The Oregonian, October 31, 2004, p. D1
2. ^ Henry Clay Myers Junior in the 1940 Census
3. ^ Esteve, Harry: GOP's right turn turns Myers off, Eugene Register Guard, May 23, 2004, p. 3F
4. ↑ In memoriam: LC1270: H. Clay Myers, Jr., 1927-2004, Joint Resolution, Oregon State Legislature, October 30, 2004