Press Release, Speech of President Harry S. Truman, Tulsa, Oklahoma

"NATIONAL ARCHIVES RECORDS SERVICE" IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 29, 1948 The President's remarks at Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday afternoon, S ptember 29, 1948. I am very happy to meet you here in Tulsa this afternoon. I can understand why this is called the "Magic City." and the area surrounding it called the "Magic Empire.' It was the spirit of the courageous men who pioneered in this region that carved a "Magic Empire" out of soil and water. And, contrary to what sore people say, I know that you still have the same courage and vision and faith of the men who built this region. I know it because Oklahoma sent one of the best divisions to fight in World War Two. Oklahoma's Forty-fifth Division, the "Thunderbird Division," has a record that cannot be surpassed. As a veteran of World War One, I know what makes a good division. It is fearless men who know what they are fighting for. I believe that is a characteristic of all the people of your great state. I know you still have the spirit of the men who built this region because YOU ARE STILL CARRYI G ON IN THEIR TRADITION. Today, you are fight- ing the forces of drought and flood just as your forefathers fought the wilderness. You have carved out of a semi-arid region a land of agricultural abundance. You have made such progress that I am happy to be able to report to you that this year, FOR THE FIRST YEAR IN YOUR HISTORY, OKLAHOMA WILL REACH A FARM PRODUCTION WORTH ONE BILLION DOLLARS. Think of that, a one billion dollar income for Oklahoma farmers this year! I remember all too well the early nineteen thirties when Oklahoma's agricultural production was only a little over one-tenth this year's figure. Much of your farm land was wasting away. Farmers all over the State were moving away in despair. What is responsible for the great change between the early thirties and today? It is the result of wise Federal farm programs. These programs were conceived in the interest of all the people of the United States by the Administration of our great Democratic President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. They have been extended, and ably executed, in the interest of all the people of the United States, I am proud to say, by my own Administration. The basic issue facing the people of the United States today is this: Shall states like Oklahoma continue to expand and reach a better living, or shall their progress be stopped dead in its tracks? Shall the Democratic program that has brought this wonderful record to Oklahoma be continued, or shall we be thrown back to the dark days of Republicanism? Let me remind you of the Democratic and Republican records as they affect the West. I'll give you two sets of figures. The first figure will be for the period ending in 1932 after twelve years of Republican neglect of the welfare of the people. The second will be for 1948 after sixteen Democratic years work for all the people, farmers, workers, businessmen and white-collar people. In 1932 the value of Oklahoma farm produce was one hundred and six million dollars. Today it is one billion dollars. In 1932 only one Oklahoma farm in forty had electricity. In 1948, one-half of all Oklahoma farms have electricity. Between 1920 and 1932-those twelve long Republican years -- only four Federal reclamation projects were completed in the entire Western section of the United States. OVER