1946 Trivia

Atomic tests at Bikini Islands, the United States began a series of tests in the Pacific that included the first underwater test of the atomic bomb. Another beach explosion was the itsy bitsy, teeny-weeny bikini swimsuit that still commands attention today. The first all electronic digital computer called ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) was introduced by engineers at the University of Pennsylvania and weighed in at 30 tons. Cleveland radio disc jockey Alan Freed invented and promoted the term rock and roll. Forty-three-year-old Dr. Benjamin Spock authored “The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care.” The book went on to sell 25,000,000 copies and forever changed America’s views on child care. Dr. Spock’s famous catchphrase was, “trust yourself.” Ronald Reagan was hired to be a television spokesperson for General Electric. Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnamese independence, but France refused to leave Indochina resulting in a war that would last for the next 30 years. The first meeting of the United Nations General Assembly took place in London. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill told a Missouri college audience in 1946 that a Soviet-made “Iron Curtain” had descended across Europe. The apartheid system was introduced in South Africa. As U.S. veterans returned home, the 1946 birth rate increased by over 20 percent. 1946 marked the merger that would birth the National Basketball Association. The NCAA Basketball Men’s Division I Championship Most Outstanding Player was Bob Kurland of Oklahoma A&M. The Employment Act of 1946 proclaimed the federal government would take responsibility for maintaining high employment levels, economic stability and growth; that is, the government would coordinate its economic policies in such a way as to prevent serious depressions. The Oklahoma Supreme Court approved a dues increase for attorneys from $5 to $7.50 annually to be able to continue publication of the bar journal. The Oklahoma Bar Association was “preemptively evicted” from its rented headquarter offices shortly after the end World War II. That experience convinced association President Gerald B. Klein that Oklahoma attorneys needed their own permanent headquarters. The Executive Council approved Klein’s motion for the formation of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation at a meeting in June of 1946. The foundation’s first major initiative was to raise funds, acquire a location and build a permanent home for Oklahoma lawyers. President Klein made the first cash contribution to the foundation for that purpose.

1946 was a remarkable year and creation of the foundation was counted among the positive events that happened in 1946. The Oklahoma Bar Foundation evolved into the charitable arm for all Oklahoma lawyers.

Baby Boomers Turn 60

In one short year, 3.4 million Americans were born that would come to be known as baby boomers. Births in 1945 were at 2.8 million during the height of World War II and 2.4 million a decade earlier in the midst of the Great Depression. The baby boomer generation, that vowed to stay young forever, rounds a major milestone in 2006 along with OBF as they celebrate 60 years. One hundred and thirty-four OBF Fellows turn 60 years young this year. Life holds plenty of promise for baby boomers and for the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. Congratulations and best wishes to all!

Sixty-year member retired District Judge Thomas C. Smith Jr. of Oklahoma City was admitted to the Oklahoma bar on Feb. 28, 1946. Nine candidates sat for the bar exam in 1946, one of the smallest groups ever to take the Oklahoma examination. Smith led Oklahoma lawyers in statewide charitable endeavors as foundation president in 1969 and 1970. Smith served as a Trustee from 1964 to 1971 and again from 1983 to 1988. Congratulations to 60-Year foundation member Thomas C. Smith Jr.

2006

OBF Fellows and Oklahoma Bar Association Annual Meeting attendees are invited to a special celebration jointly hosted by Oklahoma Bar Foundation President Hal Ellis and Oklahoma Bar Association President Bill Grimm. The Thursday evening diamond-anniversary celebration will be an event to remember, themed “Get Your Just Desserts.” Sweet treats and spirited beverages will be plentiful along with exciting entertainment by “Bob Noone and the Hung Jury.” Mark your calendars for Nov. 16 to be included in this fun-filled evening of quality entertainment and fellowship with your colleagues and their guests.

2006 Contest

OBF Fellows are invited to join the OBF Winner’s Circle and receive an opportunity to win a new laptop computer or a tablet PC, winner’s choice! How? It is simple: Recruit a new Fellow for the Oklahoma Bar Foundation before the end of 2006, and you will be entered in a drawing for the computer and here is how it works:

• Each current Fellow who signs a new Fellow will have two chances in the drawing. Two additional chances will be awarded for each additional Fellow recruited.
• Each newly recruited Fellow can also enter the contest and sign additional Fellows. For each one new Fellow, he or she will receive two chances.
• One chance will be awarded to each upgrade from Fellow to Sustaining and two chances will be awarded for each upgrade to Benefactor.
• If you are not now a Fellow, you may join and may participate in this contest and be eligible for the computer.

Enter the race to sign new Fellows today! Please feel free to photocopy the OBF Fellow form that follows and remember to add your name on the “sponsor” line located on the Fellow enrollment form to be included in the contest.

What is the Oklahoma Bar Foundation?

• Celebrates 60 years of service this year
• The third state bar foundation in the U.S.
• Official charitable & philanthropic arm of the state bar
• IRS Code 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Partners with the OBA serving the profession & the state
• A tool for attorneys to provide help across Oklahoma
• A proven organization having given more than $6.1 million

How does the Fellows Program work?

• The Fellows program encourages annual charitable giving
• OBF sends you an annual reminder & tax receipt
• A nominal investment of only $100 per year over 10 years
• The return is unlimited & the benefits you reap from your investment are priceless…
• Newer attorneys can even take advantage of special reduced giving plans
• OBF Fellows help their fellow Oklahomans
• Join the Fellows & be rewarded by getting more out of being an Oklahoma lawyer

Why should You become a Fellow?

• Attorneys have a unique level of responsibility not only to our clients, but to our communities
• Fellowship is an excellent way to help fulfill our professional responsibility to the community
• OBF is dedicated to promoting understanding of, respect for and equal access to justice
• The OBF mission is “…Advancing education, citizenship and justice for all.”
• Simply stated, it helps Oklahoma and it’s the right thing to do!