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provided by UNF Digital Commons AN INTRODUCTION TO REUBIN ASKEW A former prosecuting attorney, a former legislator, a former Governor for eight years of a large metropolitan state, a former chairman of two federal commis­ sions, and a former Ambassador and mem­ ber of the President's Cabinet, Reubin O'Donovan Askew has served at every level of American government during twenty five years of public life. Now, at 54, he is considering a campaign for the nomination of the Democratic Party for President in 1984. Last fall , Governor Askew became the first person ever to ask the Federal Elec­ tion Commission for permission to ''test the waters" to determine whether to be­ come a presidential candidate. The FEC gave him a favorable ruling, and he began raising and spending money to finance tra­ vels throughout the United States to assess his potential as a possible candidate. Al­ though he is not required to do so by law, he has filed public reports with the FEC of his contributions and expenditures while ''testing the waters.'' Since the first of January of this year, these exploratory travels have taken Gov­ ernor Askew to every one of the 50 states in the United States. He has returned to a number of states several times. During these travels, the Governor has met with Americans from many backgrounds rep­ resenting many interests. He has spoken with party leaders, civic leaders, labor leaders, business people, public officials, leaders of women's groups , representa­ tives of environmental groups, educators, older Americans, and many others in an gree in Public Administration, he entered effort to comprehend fully the needs, the Youth, Education, and Military Ser­ vice the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. desires, and the opportunities of this na­ After a tour.of duty in Europe, he re­ tion. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on Sep­ tember I 1, 1928 , Reubin Askew was the turned to study law at the University of Governor Askew knows what it means Florida, where he was president of his law to be responsible for the actions of a size­ youngest of six children. As he has often school class and an editor of the law re­ able government. He knows Washington expressed it, he "came from a family of view. In 1956, he received his law degree and the ways Washington works. He very modest means - which is a nice way and returned to his childhood home of Pen­ knows foreign leaders around the world. of saying poor.'' As a small boy, he sold sacola to enter public service as an assis­ He has the experience, the skill , and the in­ hi s mother's homemade pies door-to-door in hi s neighborhood in Muskogee. In tant county solicitor. He remained active sight to help lead America through a dif­ in the Air Force Reserve , rising to the rank ficult time of transition. 1937, his family moved to Pensacola, Hi s travels thus far have reaffirmed the Florida, where he entered the public of Captain. Governor's fai th in the American people schools of Escambia County and, begin­ and his confidence in the ability of the ning at the age of nine, worked in his free Legislator American people to rise above our indi­ time to help his mother support his family. His success as a prosecuting attorney vidual differences and unite to confront the He delivered magazines and newspapers, soon brought Askew public attention. In many challenges faci ng this nation, They bagged groceries, shined shoes, and sold 1958 , the people of Escambia County have reaffirmed also his faith in the po­ men's clothing at a store in downtown elected him to the Florida House of Rep-­ tential of the Democratic Party as a source Pensacola. resentatives. In 1962, he defeated a vet­ for the leadership America needs to meet Graduating from high school in 1945 , eran incumbent for a seat in the Florida those challenges. Askew, at 17 , entered the Army as a Pri­ Senate. Altogether, Askew served twelve Governor Askew intends to continue his vate in the paratroopers and rose quickly to years in the Florida Legislature, ri sing to exploratory travels throughout the re­ the rank of Sergeant. Following hi s mili­ a position of leadership as Chairman of the mainder of this year. Early in 1983, he will tary discharge, he entered Florida State Senate Appropriations Committee and decide whether to seek the Democratic University on the G.I. Bill. While at FSU, President Pro Tempore of the Senate be­ nomination. At that time, he will an­ he was active in ROTC and served as stu­ fore deciding to run for Governor in 1970. nounce hi s decision . dent body president. Graduating with a de- His legislative service was notable in par- ticular for his vigorous work fo r fair leg­ Askew's support, the legislature proposed equities and provide an equal educational islative apportionment, public education, and the people approved a $240 million opportunity for every child regardless of fiscal responsibility, and streamlined bond issue fo r the public acquisition of where he or she may live. And, at consid­ government. environmentally endangered and recrea­ erable political risk, Askew demonstrated tional lands, notably the historic state and his support for equal educational opportu­ Governor federal joint preservation of the Big Cyp­ nity for all children by urging acceptance In 1970, Askew was elected Governor ress area near the Everglades. of court-ordered busing as preferable to of Florida, confounding experts who had Under Askew, Florida adopted a growth the continued segregation of Florida's dismissed the young legislator's aggres­ policy compatible with Florida's needed public schools. sive campaign, which emphasized the economic growth. Landmark environ­ As Governor, Askew gave special at­ need for tax reform . Although polls mea­ mental laws were enacted which provided tention to governmental ethics and elec­ sured his public support to be as little as for better management of the state's land tion laws. When the legislature refused in four percent as late as one year before the and water resources. Environmental agen­ 1975 to pass a meaningful law requiring election, Askew nevertheless upset sev­ cies were reorganized, the Cross-Florida full and public financial disclosure by eral better known, front-running Democ­ Barge Canal was halted, and coastal con­ Florida public officials, Askew took the rats to win his party's nomination . He then struction setback lines were imposed to issue to the people, launching an historic defeated an incumbent Republican Gov­ protect Florida's beaches. statewide petition drive to place a strong ernor in a landslide. Askew's fight to protect Florida's envi­ and comprehensive code of ethics called After an impressive first term, Askew ronment has been cited in several conser­ " The Sunshine Amendment" in the was reelected by a substantial margin in vation awards, including a special award Florida Constitution. 197 4. He became the first person to serve of the National Wildlife Federation and the Nearly 220,000 Floridians signed peti­ two consecutive four-year terms as Gov­ Florida Audubon Society award as tions to place the amendment on the ballot ernor of Florida, a state which limits its Florida's "Outstanding Conser­ - the first constitutional amendment in Governors to a constitutional maximum of vationist.' ' Florida ever placed on the ballot by popu­ two consecutive terms . Throughout his two terms as Governor, lar initiative. In November, 19761 Florida The Askew years have been widely Askew was an outspoken champion of voters approved ''The Sunshine Amend­ characterized as years of achievement, re­ equal opportunity and civil rights. By ment" by nearly 80 percent. form, and successful transition for appointing blacks, Hispanics, and women Under Askew, Florida's election laws Florida. In fact, one recent study prepared to important positions in state govern­ were strengthened and made effective for at Harvard University named Askew as ment, Askew ensured that Florida's gov­ the first time with the creation of a state one of the ten greatest American governors ernment for the first time was truly repre­ elections commission. An ethics commis­ of the twentieth century. sentative of all the people. sion was also created and was given con­ As Governor, Askew earned a statewide He appointed the first black to the Su­ stitutional status by the Sunshine Amend­ and national reputation as a practical and preme Court of any Southern State since ment. Conflict of interest laws were tight­ progressive reformer, a straightforward Reconstruction. He brought more blacks ened. Much traditional patronage was re­ man of integrity and firm convictions who into his administration than any of his moved from governmental decisionmak­ believed fervently in the need to make predecessors in the Deep South. He ing, judicial nominating commissions government work. Among the many selected some to serve as heads of major were created to screen and recommend reasons why he gained this reputation: departments, including the Department of judicial appointments, and legislation was The uphill battle for tax reform began State and the Department of Community passed requiring open, competitive bid­ on inauguration day in 1971. With his Affairs. ding or negotiations for many state con­ election as a popular mandate, Askew won Throughout his two terms as Governor, tracts. legislative approval of a tax reform re­ Askew fought relentlessly for approval by As Governor, Askew pushed through ferendum on the imposition of a corporate the Florida Legislature of the Equal Rights laws lifting the mandatory retirement age profits tax. Despite the high-powered op­ Amendment. He has continued to advo­ for public employment and improving position of special interests, 70 percent of cate the ERA in the years since and par­ health and home care for the aged. He the voters cast ballots, at Askew's urging, ticipated in the unsuccessful efforts earlier sought improvements in Florida's nursing for the proposed tax in what was at the time this year to persuade the reluctant Florida homes. His leadership helped provide nu­ the largest referendum turnout.in Florida's Senate to endorse the proposed amend­ tritional programs, social services, and history. Askew repealed Florida's corpo­ ment. area-wide planning for older Floridians. rate net worth tax even as he imposed the As Governor, Askew chose women for Askew was the first Governor of Florida state's first corporate profits tax. important positions in his administration. to seek a close and open working re­ Building on this initial success , Askew He appointed the first woman to the lationship with labor. Despite considera­ persuaded the legislature to repeal regres­ Cabinet and the first woman to Florida's ble political opposition, he fought suc­ sive consumer taxes on household utilities appellate courts. He proposed and ap­ cessfully for the right of public employees and apartment rentals. Additional state pointed Florida's first Commission on to bargain collectively. He proposed and revenues were shared with school districts Human Relations , which is charged with implemented increases in unemployment and other local government units to ease ensuring that neither public nor private insurance and workmens' compensation property tax burdens on homeowners. employers discriminate because of race or benefits and generally gave heightened With Askew' s strong support, the legisla­ sex in hiring or promoting individuals. attention to the concerns of working ture also increased Florida's homestead people at the highest levels of state gov­ exemption to $10,000 on all prbperty taxes As a product of the public schools and ernment. He appointed men and women levied on the elderly or disabled, rolled of the G .I. Bill , Askew has always been a from organized labor to various advisory back income earned from local school strong supporter of public education. Dur­ positions and persuaded the legislature to taxes by two mills, exempted the first ing his two terms as Governor, state sup­ recognize the importance of working $20,000 in intangibles from state taxes, port for primary and secondary schools, people to Florida by creating a State De­ and repealed the intangibles tax on cash community colleges, and state universities partment of Labor and Employment Se­ savings. increased substantially . Special programs curity. Askew ran for Governor on a platform were created for gifted children and for Throughout hi s service as Governor, which stressed the need to protect those needing special instruction in basic Askew vigorously supported the agricul­ Florida's fragile environment. Thoughtful skills. ture, construction , and tourism industries attention to environmental issues charac­ In addition, school financing reforms on which much of the Florida economy re­ terized his eight years in that office. With were enacted to eliminate existing in- lies. Yet he also sought to expand and di- versify the Florida economy to provide Democratic National Committee. He be­ synthetic fiber; East-West trade; telecom­ more and better jobs for Florida's came a national leader among the Gover­ munications and other high technology ex­ growing population. nors - as Chairman of the Education ports; trade in services; agricultural trade; He supported manpower planning, in­ ~ommission of the States, Chairman of export financing; export disincentives; di­ dustrial training, and apprenticeship pro­ the Southern Growth Policies Board, rect investment policy both within the grams to assure skilled workers for new Chairman of the Southern Governors' United States and abroad; the economic industries. He sought to enhance the at­ Conference, Chairman of the Democratic aspects of the Middle East peace process; tractiveness of Florida as a growing center Governors' Conference, Chairman of the and worldwide implementation of the for international trade, investment, and fi­ National Governors' Conference, which is treaties signed by nearly I 00 nations at the nance through new laws to allow interna­ now the National Governors' Association, conclusion of the Tokyo Round of Multi­ tional banking and free foreign trade and as Chairman of the New Coalition, an lateral Trade Negotiations in 1979. zones . In partnership with Florida busi­ umbrella organization consisting of the As United States Trade Representative, ness leaders, he conducted trade and in­ leadership of every non-federal, non-judi­ Ambassador Askew earned recognition vestment missions to foreign countries on cial organization of elected officials in the worldwide for his forceful and articulate several continents. With these efforts, and United States. Also, he worked with the advocacy of a freer, fairer, and expanded with the state's rapid population growth, President, the State Department, and the world trading system and recognition more than 1,600,000 new jobs were Congress - as Cnairman of President domestically for his candor, for his fair­ created in Florida during Askew's eight Carter's Advisory Commission on Am­ ness, and for his strong support of im­ years as Governor. bassadorial Appointments and later as proved productivity and increased com­ Askew also encouraged the participa­ Chairman of the Select Commission on petitiveness for the American economy. tion of Florida business leaders in impro­ Immigration and Refugee Policy. In these ving the overall effectiveness of state and other capacities, Askew became in­ government by establishing the Gover­ creasingly familiar with a multitude of na­ Family nor's Management and Efficiency Study tional issues and with the many and varied Upon resigning from the Cabinet at the Commission. The business leaders who dimensions of the nation itself. expiration of the President's term, Am­ comprised this commission examined the bassador Askew returned to the practice of activities of state government carefully Ambassador law in Miami. He resides there now with and critically and recommended changes His foreign trade missions as Governor, his wife, Donna Lou. His son, Kevin, is a to improve the delivery of needed ser­ his stewardship in the areas of ambas­ college freshman . His daughter, Angela, vices. With Askew's strong support, many sadorial appointments and immigration resides with her husband, Charles Cook, of these recommended changes were im­ and refugee policy, and his private prac­ and their infant daughter, Rachel , in Cen­ plemented, either administratively or leg­ tice as an attorney in Miami following the tral Florida. The Askews are active in civic islatively , resulting in substantial savings end of his second gubernatorial term ex­ affairs locally, and both are elders in the and cost avoidance to Florida taxpayers. A posed Askew firsthand to some of the sub­ Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Askew cur­ byproduct of this experience was an im­ tleties of foreign policy. rently serves on the Church Session and proved relationship between Florida's This exposure broadened considerably sings in the church choir. government and Florida's business com­ with his appointment as United States munity Trade Representative by President Carter Honors and A wards As a former prosecutor, Askew main­ in 1979. As a member of the President's Ambassador Askew has earned many tained a hard line on law enforcement dur­ Cabinet, and as an Ambassador, Askew honors and awards through the years. ing his years as Governor. He improved functioned as the President's principal Among them are the John F. Kennedy and expanded state prisons. He supported advisor and the nation's principal spokes­ " Profiles in Courage" Award for devo­ a strong State Department of Law En­ man on international trade and inter­ tion to equal opportunity and justice by forcement. He proposed and the legisla­ national investment. B' nai B 'rith in 1971 , the John F. Kennedy ture enacted many tough anti-crime laws, Working out of the Executive Office of Award by the National Council of Jewish including an anti-racketeering law and a the President, he traveled extensively in Women in 1973, the National William law requiring mandatory prison sentences many parts of the world, conducting and Booth Award of the Salvation Army in for armed felonies. He created a statewide supervising trade negotiations between the 1973, the Herbert H. Lehman Ethics grand jury to investigate organized crime United States and foreign countries and Medal from the Jewish Theological Semi­ and , in addition, proposed and im­ defending the trading and investing inter­ nary of America in 1973 for applying his plemented substantial budget increases for ests of American business. He negotiated personal religious and ethical values to his law enforcement agencies and officials. personally and one-on-one with foreign public life, the Herbert Harley Award of In the waning months of his adminis­ leaders from such countries as Canada, Fr­ the American Judicature Society in 1975 tration, Askew went to the people a final France, Great Britain, Italy , Egypt, Israel, for his leadership in strengthening time in a statewide campaign to defeat an Japan, China, Singapore, and Australia, Florida's court system and eliminating attempt to legalize casino gambling in among many others. He was primarily re­ patronage and partisanship in the selection Florida. During the weeks prior to the sponsible for American participation in the of judges, the Theodore Roosevelt A ward election, and, once again, despite formid­ ongoing work of the General Agreement for Outstanding Public Service in 1975 by able opposition, he stumped the state urg­ on Tariffs and Trade, an organization of85 the International Platform Association, the ing voters to turn out and reject casino countries with headquarters in Geneva, Human Relations Award of the National gambling. They did - by an overwhelm­ Switzerland, which oversees much of the Conference of Christians and Jews in ing 72 percent. commerce of the Free World. 1976, the Humanitarian of the Year Award Ambassador Askew worked closely of the Florida Commission on Human National Spokesman with the Congress, with the National Se­ Relations in 1977, the Medal of Honor of As his programs in Florida proved ef­ curity Council, and with other depart­ the Florida Bar Foundation in 1979, the fective, and as his willingness to take dif­ ments and agencies of the executive Champion of Higher Independent Educa­ ficult stands on controversial public issues branch on a vast array of commercial is­ tion in Florida Award in 1979, the Distin­ became known, Askew received increas­ sues. Among the issues with which he guished Community Service Award of ing national recognition. He served the dealt were: steel imports from Europe and Brandeis University in 1979, and the Democratic Party - as Keynote Speaker Japan and their impact on the U.S. steel Ethics in Government Award of Common to the 1972 Democratic National Conven­ industry; automobile imports and the Cause in 1980. tion, as Chairman of the Democratic Gov­ modernization of the U.S. automobile in­ He has received honorary degrees from ernors' Conference and as a member of the dustry; international trade in textiles and the University of Notre Dame, Stetson I I University, Jacksonville University, Rol­ College, the University of West Florida, Yale University and as a Visiting Fellow lins College, Eckerd College, Florida and Barry College. He is a member of the ✓ at the Kennedy School of Govefnment at Southern College, Saint Leo College, the Council on Foreign Relations. He has been Harvard University. He has lectured both University of Miami, Bethune-Cookman honored as a Visiting Chubb Fellow at ) in the United States and abroad.

REUBIN ASKEW 1401 Brickell Avenue, Suite 707 Miami, Florida 33131 ' 305/358-8708

Paid for by the Reubin Askew Exploratory Committee, Donald M. Middlebrooks, Treasurer IZ ~ 8