Mike Synar
Encyclopedia
Michael Lynn "Mike" Synar (October 17, 1950 – January 9, 1996) was an American Democratic
politician
who represented Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district
in Congress
for eight terms.
, and was graduated from Muskogee High School
in 1968. He attended the University of Oklahoma
(OU) and graduated in 1972 with a B.S.
; later Synar also earned his law degree from OU in 1977. Synar was also a Rotary International Scholar
and attended the Graduate School of Economics at the University of Edinburgh
(in Scotland
) in 1973, and earned an M.A.
from Northwestern University
in 1974.
While Synar's primary profession was the practice of law
, he also worked as a ranch
er and a real estate broker/agent in the Muskogee area.
. Synar's campaign pulled off an upset victory as they circulated copies of a Washington D.C. media report that said Risenhoover slept on a "heart-shaped waterbed," which did not play well with the voters back home in Oklahoma.
In the Congress, he may be best known for his successful constitutional challenge to the Gramm-Rudman Act
. In the 1986 Supreme Court
decision Bowsher v. Synar
, the Court struck down the law stating, in part, that the provision granting executive power to Comptroller General
Charles Arthur Bowsher
, a legislative branch officer, did "violate the Constitution's command that Congress play no direct role in the execution of the laws." Synar was also an ardent and persistent foe of the tobacco industry
.
In 1989 Synar served as the lead prosecutor as Congress conducted an impeachment trial of then U.S. Federal Judge
Alcee Hastings
, who was impeached on bribery
charges and removed from the bench. Ironically, Hastings was later elected to the U.S. Congress from Florida
, and was in line to chair the House Select Committee on Intelligence, but was passed over by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In 1994, Synar was narrowly defeated in a Democratic primary run-off election by Virgil Cooper, a retired high school principal
. Though Cooper's campaign spent less than $20,000 itself, some money was spent by outside interests that were opposed to Synar, including the National Rifle Association
, tobacco companies, and cattlemen. Cooper seized on Synar's connections with Japanese businesses with a bumper sticker slogan of "Sayonara Synar."
Cooper won by just 2,609 votes out of 92,987 cast, a 51-49 margin. Cooper was subsequently defeated in the general election by Republican Tom Coburn
by a 52-48 margin.
He was also awarded the 1995 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, one of the nation's most prestigious honors for elected public servants.
Synar died of a brain tumor
on January 9, 1996, at the age of 45. The American College of Physicians
offers a national public service award in honor of Rep. Synar's public efforts against tobacco smoking. His name is also attached to the 40000 square feet (3,716.1 m²) Mike Synar Center at Northeastern State University
in Muskogee, Oklahoma
. The Institute of Governmental Studies
at UC Berkeley annually awards up to five graduate research fellowships in honor of Rep. Synar to distinguished graduate students who are writing their dissertations on an aspect of American politics.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who represented Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district
Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district
Oklahoma's Second Congressional District is one of five United States Congressional districts in Oklahoma and covers approximately one-fourth of the state in the east...
in Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
for eight terms.
Early life and career
Synar was born in Vinita, OklahomaVinita, Oklahoma
Vinita is a city in south-central Craig County, Oklahoma. As of 2009, the population estimate was 6,057. It is the county seat of Craig County.-Geography:...
, and was graduated from Muskogee High School
Muskogee High School
Muskogee High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Muskogee, Oklahoma. MHS has a steady enrollment of 1,700 students. It is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association...
in 1968. He attended the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
(OU) and graduated in 1972 with a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
; later Synar also earned his law degree from OU in 1977. Synar was also a Rotary International Scholar
Ambassadorial Scholarships
Ambassadorial Scholarships is the oldest program of the Rotary Foundation and probably the best-known. Since 1947, nearly 38,000 men and women from about 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. Nearly...
and attended the Graduate School of Economics at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
(in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
) in 1973, and earned an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in 1974.
While Synar's primary profession was the practice of law
Practice of law
In its most general sense, the practice of law involves giving legal advice to clients, drafting legal documents for clients, and representing clients in legal negotiations and court proceedings such as lawsuits, and is applied to the professional services of a lawyer or attorney at law, barrister,...
, he also worked as a ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
er and a real estate broker/agent in the Muskogee area.
Election and service in Congress
He was first elected to Congress in 1978 at the age of 28, by defeating incumbent Ted RisenhooverTheodore Marshall Risenhoover
Theodore Marshall "Ted" Risenhoover was a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma during the 1970s.Risenhoover was born in Haskell County, Oklahoma, in a town called East Liberty. He graduated from Stigler High School in Stigler, Oklahoma, then served in the United States Air Force beginning in 1955...
. Synar's campaign pulled off an upset victory as they circulated copies of a Washington D.C. media report that said Risenhoover slept on a "heart-shaped waterbed," which did not play well with the voters back home in Oklahoma.
In the Congress, he may be best known for his successful constitutional challenge to the Gramm-Rudman Act
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Balanced Budget Act
The Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Reaffirmation Act of 1987 were, according to U.S...
. In the 1986 Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
decision Bowsher v. Synar
Bowsher v. Synar
Bowsher v. Synar, 478 U.S. 714 struck down the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act as an unconstitutional usurpation of executive power by Congress because the law empowered Congress to terminate the United States Comptroller General for certain specified reasons, including "inefficiency, 'neglect of duty,'...
, the Court struck down the law stating, in part, that the provision granting executive power to Comptroller General
Comptroller General of the United States
The Comptroller General of the United States is the director of the Government Accountability Office , a legislative branch agency established by Congress in 1921 to ensure the fiscal and managerial accountability of the federal government...
Charles Arthur Bowsher
Charles Arthur Bowsher
Charles Arthur Bowsher is a former Comptroller General of the United States. Bowsher was nominated by Ronald Reagan in 1981 and served as Comptroller General for 15 years...
, a legislative branch officer, did "violate the Constitution's command that Congress play no direct role in the execution of the laws." Synar was also an ardent and persistent foe of the tobacco industry
Tobacco industry
The tobacco industry comprises those persons and companies engaged in the growth, preparation for sale, shipment, advertisement, and distribution of tobacco and tobacco-related products. It is a global industry; tobacco can grow in any warm, moist environment, which means it can be farmed on all...
.
In 1989 Synar served as the lead prosecutor as Congress conducted an impeachment trial of then U.S. Federal Judge
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
Alcee Hastings
Alcee Hastings
Alcee Lamar Hastings is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
, who was impeached on bribery
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
charges and removed from the bench. Ironically, Hastings was later elected to the U.S. Congress from Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and was in line to chair the House Select Committee on Intelligence, but was passed over by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In 1994, Synar was narrowly defeated in a Democratic primary run-off election by Virgil Cooper, a retired high school principal
Head teacher
A head teacher or school principal is the most senior teacher, leader and manager of a school....
. Though Cooper's campaign spent less than $20,000 itself, some money was spent by outside interests that were opposed to Synar, including the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
, tobacco companies, and cattlemen. Cooper seized on Synar's connections with Japanese businesses with a bumper sticker slogan of "Sayonara Synar."
Cooper won by just 2,609 votes out of 92,987 cast, a 51-49 margin. Cooper was subsequently defeated in the general election by Republican Tom Coburn
Tom Coburn
Thomas Allen "Tom" Coburn, M.D. , is an American politician, medical doctor, and Southern Baptist deacon. A member of the Republican Party, he currently serves as the junior U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. In the Senate, he is known as "Dr. No" for his tendency to place holds on and vote against bills...
by a 52-48 margin.
After Congress
After Congress, Synar served as the Chairman of the Campaign for America Project and of the National Bankruptcy Review Commission.He was also awarded the 1995 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, one of the nation's most prestigious honors for elected public servants.
Synar died of a brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
on January 9, 1996, at the age of 45. The American College of Physicians
American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is a national organization of doctors of internal medicine —physicians who specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of illnesses in adults. With 130,000 members, ACP is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in...
offers a national public service award in honor of Rep. Synar's public efforts against tobacco smoking. His name is also attached to the 40000 square feet (3,716.1 m²) Mike Synar Center at Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University is a public university with its main campus located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, United States, at the foot of the Ozark Mountains. Northeastern's home, Tahlequah, is also the capital of the Cherokee nation of Oklahoma...
in Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, and home to Bacone College. The population was 38,310 at the 2000 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma....
. The Institute of Governmental Studies
Institute of Governmental Studies
The Institute of Governmental Studies is an interdisciplinary organized research unit at UC Berkeley, located in Moses Hall. Founded in 1919, IGS and its affiliated centers spearhead and promote research, programs, seminars and colloquia, training, educational activities and public service in the...
at UC Berkeley annually awards up to five graduate research fellowships in honor of Rep. Synar to distinguished graduate students who are writing their dissertations on an aspect of American politics.
See also
- Oklahoma Democratic PartyOklahoma Democratic PartyThe Oklahoma Democratic Party is an Oklahoma political party affiliated with the United States Democratic Party. Along with the Oklahoma Republican Party, it one of the two major parties in Oklahoma politics....
- Politics of OklahomaPolitics of OklahomaPolitics of Oklahoma takes place in a framework of a presidential republic modeled after the United States, whereby the Governor of Oklahoma is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform two-party system. Executive power is exercised by the Governor and the government...
- Oklahoma Congressional DistrictsOklahoma Congressional DistrictsAs of the 2000 census, there are five Oklahoma United States congressional districts. Previous to the 2000 Census, Oklahoma had six congressional districts. Oklahoma was one of eight states to lose one seat in the House of Representatives that year....
- United States Congressional Delegations from OklahomaUnited States Congressional Delegations from OklahomaThese are tables of congressional delegations from Oklahoma to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.-United States Senate:-Passages:-1889 - 1907: One non-voting delegate:-1907 - 1913: Five seats:...
- List of notable brain tumor patients
External links
- Mike Synar at Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
- Mike Synar Center at Northeastern State University, Muskogee, OK
- 2000 Award to Mike Synar by Taxpayers For Common Sense
- Article on 1994 Synar primary loss
- Bowsher vs Synar (1986)
- American College of Physicians
- 1995 JFK Profile in Courage Award Recipient
- Sayonara Synar Confirmation Via New York Times