McCall, Tom, 1913-1983
Biography
Thomas William Lawson McCall, commonly known as Tom McCall, was born in Egypt, Massachusetts, the son of Henry McCall and Dorothy Lawson McCall. McCall grew up on a ranch near Prineville, Oregon. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1936 with a degree in journalism, and subsequently worked as a sportswriter in Idaho, as a reporter for the Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Oregon, and as a radio news announcer for KGW in Portland, before serving in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he hosted his own radio news show on KEX in Portland.
In 1949, McCall entered politics by working as a secretary for Oregon Governor Douglas McKay. He unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican in 1954, losing to Democrat Edith Green. He then returned to broadcasting, now working as a television commentator and documentary producer for KGW-TV in Portland. In 1964, McCall successfully ran for Oregon secretary of state, and two years later was elected governor of Oregon. He was reelected in 1970.
As governor, McCall was noted for activism in environmental and conservation legislation. He supported the protection of Oregon's beaches; established the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; led the successful fight for the Oregon Bottle Bill, the U.S.'s first mandatory container deposit law; and championed Senate Bill 100, which established statewide goals for land use planning and development.
After leaving office in 1975 due to term limits, McCall wrote a newspaper column and worked as a news analyst for KATU television in Portland. He ran for governor again in 1978, but lost the Republican primary to Victor Atiyeh. In 1982, despite suffering from terminal cancer, McCall successfully lobbied against Ballot Measure 6, which would have overturned the land-use planning legislation that he had supported.
McCall married Audrey Owen (1915-2007) in 1939. The couple had two sons: Samuel Walker McCall III, and Thomas "Tad" McCall. Tom McCall died on January 8, 1983.
Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:
Selected Art Bimrose political cartoons
Political cartoons by Art Bimrose that the Oregonian newspaper retained after Bimrose's retirement in 1983.
Oral history interview with Vern Cook
Oral history interview with Robert Vernon "Vern" Cook conducted by Clark Hansen from December 15, 1994- October 15, 1995, as part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series. Cook was an Oregon state representative and senator.
Bob Hope in Oregon photographic collection
Small collection of black and white photographs of Bob Hope, mostly in Oregon, including photos of Hope with Oregon Governor Tom McCall and with Queen Rhonda Anderson at the Portland Rose Festival in 1969.
Oral history interview with Richard H. Jones
Oral history interview with Richard H. Jones conducted by Jim Strassmaier from December 11, 1987, to January 13, 1988, as part of the Senator Mark O. Hatfield Oral History Project. Jones served as Hatfield's campaign chair in 1958, 1966, 1978, and 1984.
Oral history interview with Tom McCall
An oral history interview with Tom McCall conducted by Steve Lorton on March 12, 1973. The McCall interview was part of a series of interviews conducted with governors of Western states on the occasion of Sunset Magazine's 75th anniversary. Tom McCall was Oregon secretary of state from 1965 to 1967 and governor of Oregon from 1967 to 1975.
Tom McCall speech on Vortex I music festival
Recording of a 1970 speech given by Oregon Governor Tom McCall about plans for the Vortex I music festival. McCall delivered the speech at Portland Television Studios, and it was broadcast on KGW-TV.
Tom McCall speeches and statements
Official copies and drafts of speeches, statements, and other remarks made by Tom McCall (1913-1983) from March 1974 to July 1976, along with related correspondence, clippings, and other documents. McCall was governor of Oregon from 1967 to 1975, and his governorship was notable for its activism in environmental and conservation causes.
Program and script for Tom McCall tribute dinner
Program and scripted remarks for a tribute dinner held for outgoing Oregon Governor Tom McCall (1913-1983), titled "A Toast and Roast of Tom McCall." McCall was governor of Oregon from 1967 to 1975, and his governorship was notable for its activism in environmental and conservation causes.
Larry McGraw papers
Papers of Larry McGraw include correspondence, 1973-1974, regarding the Bybee-Howell Orchard on Sauvie Island, including fruit-growing and other nursery projects. Correspondents include Governor Tom McCall. Collection also includes a journal, 1973-1974, regarding McGraw's work on the orchard.
Oral history interview with Fred D. Miller
Oral history interview with Fred D. Miller conducted by Pat Collmeyer as part of the Oregon Legislature Oral History Series. Miller was head of the Oregon state departments of transportation and energy.
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