Interview with Kenneth F. Harper, July 17, 2006

Interview Summary

Harper (House 1962-1968; 1982-1994, 63rd district; Republican) discusses his education, the importance of religion, his family's political interests, service in the Korean War, the decision to run for office, campaigning for his first office in 1963, his service in Nunn's administration, and Nunn's work on Northern Kentucky issues. He also talks about his work with the Department of Child Welfare, the day he was acting governor, and his expectations of serving in the House. He reflects on the collegiality of the legislature during the time he served and compares it to the current legislature, the move toward legislative independence and his views on the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), the budget process, Northern Kentucky University, and sales tax increases. He gives his impressions of the civil rights movement in Kentucky, the open housing bill, the Republican Party in Northern Kentucky, lobbyists, tourism, and his legislative philosophy.

Interview Keyword

Don Ball ethics legislation Frankfort State Hospital gubernatorial succession Kentucky Department of Child Welfare Korean War Northern Kentucky open housing bill pre-legislative conference Secretary of State (1971-1972)

Interview LC Subject

Breathitt, Edward T., Jr., 1924-2003 Brown, John Young, Jr., 1933-2022 Budget Carroll, Julian Morton, 1931-2023 Collins, Martha Layne, 1936- Discrimination--Law and legislation--Kentucky Ford, Wendell H., 1924-2015 Harper, Kenneth F. Harper, Kenneth F.--Interviews Kenton County (Ky.) Kentucky. General Assembly--Reform Korean War, 1950-1953 Legislators--Kentucky--Interviews Lobbyists Mental health Merit pay Northern Kentucky University Nunn, Louie B., 1924-2004 Political campaigns--Kentucky Regionalism Religion Republican Party (Ky.) Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ) Sales tax--Law and legislation--Kentucky Tourism VanHoose, Wendell

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.