Tom Coburn, M.D., our special guest at the Rotary Club of Edmond on September 1, is a man of many talents. In his varied career, Dr. Coburn has run the family business, practiced medicine, served as a Member of the United States House of Representatives, and been a United States Senator.

      According to his official web page, Dr. Coburn’s priorities as a Senator include reducing wasteful spending, protecting liberty, balancing the budget, improving health care access and affordability, protecting the sanctity of human life, and representing traditional, Oklahoma values. He has offered more amendments than any of his Senate colleagues, often trying to cut excessive expenditures. Who does not know of the “Bridge to Nowhere,” the “Woodstock Museum,” or the numerous other special earmarks Dr. Coburn has tried to eliminate?

      In an increasingly partisan Senate, Tom Coburn is known for his bipartisanship. Whether it involves eliminating wasteful spending or teaming up with then-Senator Barack Obama to create an online database of all federal spending, Dr. Coburn repeatedly shows his willingness to work for all citizens, without regard for partisan considerations.

      Coburn is a 1970 accounting graduate of Oklahoma State University, where he served as president of the College of Business Student Council. After spending several years growing the family business, he attended the University of Oklahoma Medical School, becoming president of his class and graduating in 1983.

      Coburn is quite the political prognosticator. Several years ago, Sen. Coburn visited the Rotary Club of Edmond, and made a statement I remember well, because it seemed so contrary to what the professional politicos were saying. Referring to the upcoming presidential race, he said to keep an eye on the relatively unknown junior senator from Illinois, because, regardless of what the polls or the pros were saying, Dr. Coburn believed this fellow had an excellent chance. Events proved his point, as the senator to whom he was referring is now President of the United States.

      Tom Coburn and his wife, Carolyn, a former Miss Oklahoma, were married in 1968. They live in Muskogee, where he specializes in family medicine, obstetrics and the treatment of allergies. Dr. Coburn has personally delivered more than 4,000 babies.

     The Coburns have three children and five grandchildren. They are members of First Baptist Church of Muskogee.

      Please arrive early and give a warm Rotary Club of Edmond welcome to Oklahoma’s junior United States Senator, Dr. Tom Coburn.

Andy