Compelling Questions
Bipartisanship and Working Across the Aisle
This 10 minute video was prepared for the Annual Meeting of the Kansas Oral History Project by former State Representative and Speaker ProTem David Heinemann. The video clips came from interviews in the KOHP archives. The first clip is former Congressman Jim Slattery talking about a speech he made on the floor of the House and Speaker Clyde Hill's comments to him. Next is Representative Kenny Wilk from Leavenworth area talking about advice from Rep. Bill Reardon, a Wyandotte county Democrat. Rep. Don Hineman, former Majority Leader speaks to the importance of "working across Show Morethe aisle." Senator Paul Feleciano had a similar comment. Rep. Bob Tomlinson, Insurance Chair had a great relationship with his ranking member. Rep. Carl Holmes was pulled off his post as chair of the Energy committee by the Speaker. Rep. Solbach spoke about the importance of socializing with members of the other party. Governor Graves was the next speaker talking about bipartisanship and his job as Governor in "taking care of the people's business." Senator Wint Winter was on a committee in 1986 trying to develop a state-wide plan for economic development. Heinemann concludes with more information on how the economic development task force was constructed and its successes. Show Less
Desegregating Topeka Public Schools – 45 years after Brown v. Board
In this 13-minute short video, taken from a longer oral history interview, Ben Scott - minister, NAACP official, former legislator, school board member--talks first about his experiences growing up in Liberty, Texas attending segregated schools. (Scott moved to Topeka to attend Washburn University.) In this clip, Scott describes how, after he became a member of the Topeka Public Schools Board of Education, the Board attempted to comply with a federal court order to desegregate schools.
This clip could be used in conjunction with the lesson plan on Understanding Segregation.
The full content of Show MoreScott's interview and transcript is in the KOHP collection, Diverse Voices in Public Policy. The interviewer is Joan Wagnon.
There is more information about the court case in the Biography of The Honorable Richard Dean Rogers, Senior United States District Judge, a history prepared 1994-1995 by Homer Socolofsky, United States District Court, District of Kansas, 1995. Printed in U.SA. by Mennonite Press. Pertinent sections appear on pp. 106-107 and also pp. 111-113. Show Less
Understanding Segregation: A Snapshot of Historical Injustice
Carolyn Wims Campbell was educated at McKinley Elementary, a segregated school in the public school system of Topeka, KS. She later became a member of Topeka USD 501's Board of Education after which she was elected to the Kansas State Board of Education. In this lesson plan, created by Susan Sittenauer, students will hear first-hand stories from distinguished Kansans on the issue of segregation and will gain a greater understanding of how others have faced the challenges of discrimination. A companion piece, excerpted from the oral history of former legislator Ben Scott, deals with the Show Moredesegregation of the Topeka Public Schools 45 years after Brown v Board. The Scott clip could be used as an additional lesson.
A related clip from the Campbell interview