14 Facts About Tom Steed

Thomas Jefferson Steed was an American politician and a US Congressman from Oklahoma.

Tom Steed was born on a farm near in Eastland County, Texas on March 2,1904.

Tom Steed married Hazel Bennett in 1923, and they had two children, Roger and Richard.

Tom Steed was released from active duty in May 1944 with rank of Second Lieutenant.

Tom Steed continued his contribution to the US war effort when he joined the Office of War Information on July 1,1944.

Tom Steed served with the information division in India-Burma Theater until December 1945.

Tom Steed often stated that his experience in journalism, the military and in the US Congress had taught him "knowledge is power".

Tom Steed ran for Congress in 1948 and was elected as a Democrat, taking office on January 3,1949.

Tom Steed was re-elected in 1950, and was continuously re-elected until 1980, when he decided to retire.

Tom Steed served a total of 32 years in Congress, longer than any other Oklahoman in Congress at the time, and left office on January 3,1981.

Tom Steed served as chair of the Subcommittee on the Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government and of the Subcommittee on Taxation and Oil Imports.

Tom Steed did not sign the 1956 Southern Manifesto, and voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957,1960,1964, as well as the 24th Amendment to the US Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but not the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

Tom Steed returned to Oklahoma and resided in Shawnee, where he remained until his death on June 8,1983.

Tom Steed is interred at Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee, Oklahoma.