A look at the Republican Senator who continues to challenge the controversial legislation while many are reluctant to speak out.

When many people think of politicians, they imagine them as self-serving, insincere and often arrogant.  But when you meet someone like Senator Harry E. Coates, the experience of such meeting may easily change your opinion. His abundant simplicity, his human disposition and charisma speak volumes.  He appears intent on defending human rights, to see justice equally imposed, to create a realization among his colleagues of an urgency to encourage laws, ordinances and statutes that benefit minorities, which will positively impact the State’s economy and guarantee human rights equality.  These seem to definitely be his reasons for occupying a political position the Oklahoma Senate.

Senator Coates, elected in 2002, represents District #28, which is comprised of Lincoln, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole Counties.   Professionally, the Senator owns a construction consulting firm that contracts heavily with Wal-Mart.   He also possesses degrees from Oklahoma City University, Southwestern College, University of Central Oklahoma and Southwest Technical Institute.  Coates is originally from Seminole and is an active member of several professional and civic organizations.  He actively serves on the committees of Veterans and Military Affairs, Tourism, Wildlife, Business, Labor, General Government Appropriations Committee and Transportation.

A staunch position
Coates strongly believes that discriminatory immigration law is economically impairing the State and marginalizing an entire community. “I know many horror stories of people who have been persecuted, abused and exploited, just because they’re members of minority groups,” says Coates.  He adds that he’s been accused of supporting and defending minorities for personal reasons, for his own personal gain. He strongly defends his political position with an emotional energy that makes one realize just the opposite. Coates expresses his worries about immigration reform, language and citizenship laws in Oklahoma.  He firmly states that we are creating situations that morally and economically damage the social and cultural fabric of Oklahoma.

 “Injustice is injustice, be it against Hispanics, Asians, African Americans or any other group, my convictions will never change. The creators of HB 1804 never took into consideration the negative repercussions and the devastating impact this law would have on the state of Oklahoma. Many of my colleagues lack political vision,” says Coates. “When I heard Randy Terrill’s rhetoric and ambitions regarding HB 1804, he mentioned that his intention was to push this piece of legislature as far as it would go,” says Coates. “According to him, he had no intentions of letting religious organizations, minority or community leaders pressure or intimidate him.  But Terrill lacked vision, and showed an evident lack of common sense when he created this immigration law.  He then added more insult to the Hispanic community and many other minorities, including the Native American tribes in the State, when he created his “English Only” proposal.  It was then that I introduced an amendment to repel his obscure intentions.” Coates adds. “The motives behind these immigration laws and other legislative immigration reforms were mainly generated to build animosity between Republicans and Democrats.  When certain individuals created and manipulated a lie for a period of time, the citizens started to believe it. This is what Randy Terrill and his anti-immigration proposals did.  But his plans backfired, when Democrats declined to promote such proposals,” says Coates openly.

Seeing discrimination for the first time
The Senator, who comes from a family of 7 children and grew up on a farm, says that when he was young, poverty and necessity united them in body and soul. “When we were kids we were very active in things related to God and education.  Our school was mainly comprised of Native American students.  We were treated with great respect and much affection, contrary to the stereotype that many had created for Native Americans,” says Coates. “I still remember one time when as a family, we went to a restaurant and one sign grabbed my attention, it said: ‘Blacks are not welcome here’, I felt moved, confused and very sad.  I did not talk at all on our way back home. Later, my father sat us all down and explained segregation to us. Up until then, I did not know that skin color or language would make us so different,” Coates adds.  He says that his father, with an authoritarian voice, told them that they should treat everyone the same, no matter what origin, ethnic roots or social status. Coates says it was his first lesson in social justice. He not only learned many things about human beings, but knew this also served as a point of inspiration to realize that one person can make significant changes. “I am here for causes such as social injustice, abuse and exploitation against a fellow human being. I’m trying to do what’s necessary to change the way we view ourselves, the way we relate to one another,” the Senator says.

Words with no action, are just…words
Coates says that he has often found himself alone in the fight against discrimination. “I have never attacked those who enforced immigration laws in the State, such as the police department, the district attorney, Drew Edmondson and others. I believe they are simply following State law.   But it is my opinion that governor Brad Henry is wrong or perhaps misinformed about the immigration laws and amendments and its impact on our State,” says Coates. He adds that some community leaders have put their faith in a few politicians, such as Republican Shane Jett, Chamber Representative for District 27.   “I won’t take anything away from his talents as a politician, nor his ambition or education.  He’s an ambitious young man, but to be able to help the community, he needs much more than just a nice speech.  Words with no action are just that, words. When the young Republican had the opportunity to make a stand against HB1804 in the final vote, no ballot was cast,” the Senator says.

National views
Senator reiterates that we should unite not just as a state, but as a nation.  “We cannot let racism and prejudice destroy our economy. Even after my political term is over, if I ever decide to retire, my voice will continue to speak for those who do not have one,” the Senator adds.  As for a universal health care program, the Senator thinks it’s not a good idea.   Coates agrees says that the health system is overly expensive, and that it is time the government did something about it. He has raised his voice several times before Congress on this issue, but still, according to Coates, a national health plan would be a bad idea.  As for his opinion of the conflict in Iraq, the Senator says that the American presence there is indispensable. “We can’t tolerate terrorism under any circumstance, and should not negotiate with criminal minds,” Coates adds.

Work ethics
The Senator recalls,  “When I was in high school, I remember when I decided to take a typing class, knowing that one of my fingers had been severely damaged in a farming accident. I tried unsuccessfully to use this excuse to gain the sympathy of my teacher and forego some of the lessons. However, she thought the opposite and assigned me additional homework as a best remedy for my situation.  Every time that I think about this experience, I use it to motivate myself more. I don’t give excuses, nor accept them; from colleagues, employees, not even from my own family,” says Coates with pride. The Senator says that he is convinced that for this reason his children have developed a good work ethic along with great ambition

My voice was not raised in vain
 “My daily routine as a politician, father, head of household and businessman is incredibly complex, but sometimes I don’t even realize it, since I get so involved. When I’m out of the office, I work as a business consultant for Wal-Mart stores. I travel directly to many different store locations, in more than 14 states. As a pilot, I have the advantage of not having to go through a busy airport, but even with this, my job as a consultant is extremely demanding,” says Coates. “My free time is for my family, something that should be essential for all of us. We go on vacation, listen to books on tape, share discussions, cheer each other up, and support ourselves as a family. If someone mentions my name years after I have departed, I want to be remembered for my voice, which was raised against social injustice, chronic hypocrisy and political inefficiency. I do not want our next generation to live surrounded by doubts, uncertainties or confusion. I want them to know that people such as myself fought every single day to make a difference,” concludes Coates.

The Senate HB1804 Vote
Yeas: 41,  Neas: 6
Neas:  Coates, Crutchfield, Eason MC, Johnson (C), Lerblance, Morgan

The House HB1804 Vote
Yeas: 84,  Neas: 14
Neas:  BigHorse, Braddock, Carey, Collins, Hamilton, Kiesel, Lindley, McAffrey, McCarter, McDaniel, J., Nations, Pittman, Roan, Shelton