Honorable Mention - Open Division
Linda Exstrom
Altus, OK
Gentleman Statesman
Oklahoma Steward with Vision
Known as the "most respected man" in the Oklahoma Senate and a gentleman to his colleagues, the late Honorable Robert "Bob" M. Kerr will be missed on Capitol Hill. To those of us in southwest Oklahoma, we not only lost a great advocate for rural Oklahoma, but a friend and neighbor.
He experienced first-hand hardships and advantages of being raised in the Altus area and in his government leadership role, he knew what he thought was needed, not only for his constituents but what would be 'good for the State.' He proved to be a valuable asset of Oklahoma politics becoming responsible for numerous landmark legislation, such as horizontal oil drilling, rural economic development, rural highway needs and a high tech automated fingerprint identification system.
One of his staunchest stands was realized when he became the standard bearer to rebuild a fire-ravaged lodge located by a lake surrounded by granite mountains in southwest Oklahoma, known as Quartz Mountain. The story goes that within days of the 1995 fire, then Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating and the Senator flew from the Capitol to Altus to attend a civic meeting and banquet. The rebuilding of the lodge was one subject the Senator brought to the forefront of their conversation. The Governor undoubtedly agreed to consider the project, but little did he know that Senator Kerr would get up and announce to leaders and citizens of the Altus area at the banquet that the Governor had agreed to rebuild the Quartz Mountain Lodge!
The lodge was rebuilt in a unique style of its Native American, rugged mountain heritage. Quartz Mountain had been the home of the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute since 1978, and a state-of-the-art Performance Hall was also constructed as a venue to show an audience of 750 the rising talents of its arts-gifted youth.
The lodge, its companion buildings and the nature park remain a subject on Oklahoma's Capitol Hill as to its ownership and continued funding. The late Senator was quoted to say in a news article that he would do it [support the lodge] again. "...it's a one-of-a-kind destination point and I'm just thrilled ... about it!"
One of the attributes for which the Senator was known was his ability to listen. Whether it was a fellow legislator expressing an opinion in agreement or not with his colleague's position or if it was a constituent with a voice of concern, praise or need, each was heard.
A listening Senator and friend, in this collage, directs his attention to the mountain of faces representing the constituents of whom he served. They are a diverse group - different ages, sizes, ethnicity, needs, dreams -and he is listening to every word. He overlooks the steep, granite mountains - lush with green trees, green bushes and colorful wildflowers - while teepees and a guardian Chief represent the early inhabitants of the area. A bronzed Native American brave sits on a mountain slope seemingly looking towards an unknown future. This Senator was ever mindful of the State's heritage and his vision encompassed the promotion of the Oklahoma Native American Cultural and Education Authority and, the now under construction, American Indian Cultural Center.
To show the true and alluring beauty of the Quartz Mountain range, different mountain areas were created and repeated from sections of a single photo of one of its mountains. Upon a closer look, a portion of a fairway of the Nature Park's golf course can be seen behind the lodge beckoning yet another 'interest' in the nature of the area.
A bridge provides a covered walkway from the uniquely modeled lodge to the Performance Hall where talented Oklahoma youth perform what they have learned in their chosen art genres during the two-week Summer Arts Institute. Each year, they come away from the Institute applauding their experiences and the "Magic of the Mountain."
The Senator's official legislative photo is surrounded by images of interaction with his colleagues, the Governor approving a bill, the presentation of a painting to the Capitol's art collection and the Senator, himself, speaking on the floor of the Senate. His allegiance to his alma mater, OSU, is shown by a mat of orange surrounded by the black frame.
Flags of the Nation and State he served from 1987 to 2006 stand high and proud of his service. The fork over his heart represents his faith, like saving your fork for dessert following a meal, the "best is yet to come."
His heritage of service to people and good stewardship over the land and its inhabitants are illustrated by images (lower left corner) of a Methodist Circuit-rider and cattle in a field - representative of the occupations of his grandfathers, one a minister and the other a cattleman. When the Senator was asked 'Why do you want this bill to pass?" or "Why ask me to sit on that committee?" the visionary statesman would answer, "it will be good for Oklahoma!"
The Senator loved what he could do for his constituents and his State, and he loved his family deeply. His family is shown giving him a supporting base and standing beside him in their love, as they did in real life, no matter what his decisions might be or where they might lead him.
This kind, listening, respectful and respected public servant known to all as "Bob" will be missed. To us in southwest Oklahoma, he will be remembered not only as our legislator but as our friend and neighbor - and he will always be a part of the "Magic of Quartz Mountain." |
