Chapter 4 : 1950s
The 1950s were a decade marked by the post-World War II boom , the dawn of the Cold War and the Civil Rights movement in the United States . The United States was the world ’ s strongest military power . Its economy was booming , and the fruits of this prosperity – new cars , suburban houses and other consumer goods – were available to more people than ever before . However , the 1950s were also an era of great conflict . For example , the nascent civil rights movement and the crusade against communism at home and abroad exposed the underlying divisions in American society .
• The 30th Annual Convention was held in Wichita at the Broadview Hotel on October 25-27 , 1950 . A golf tournament was held at Rolling Hills Country Club . Registration exceeded 630 which was the largest convention attendance in the history of the association at the time . Speakers included : Melvin J . Miller , president of NAIA , Dr . Marland Strasser , New York Safety Center , Frank Priest , one of the Four Horsemen and the Insurance Commissioner Frank Sullivan , Will S . Thompson , and Fred Gould were awarded an Honorary Life Membership at the convention as founding fathers of the association .
• On December 16 , 1950 , President Harry Truman proclaimed a national state of emergency in order to fight “ Communist imperialism ,” a reference to Chinese forces fighting against United States-led United Nations forces in the Korean War .
The following resolution was adopted by the Board at the 30th Annual Convention , October 25-27 , 1950 :
Be It Resolved that the association and its members are committed to the nationwide effort to equalize the tax burden through the passes of laws compelling all to bear their share of the tax load .
Whereas , recognizing the exigencies of war , a resolution was adopted offering the service of the association and its members to the Civil Defense Program . Also realizing that many insurance men would likely be called to military service , the Convention delegates pledged the Association members to continue fair and ethical practices in their agencies and to protect the interest of absent agents and the members of their families as a civic and patriotic duty .
• The Kansas Assigned Risk Plan went into effect and began operating on November 20 , 1950 . The plan provided auto liability insurance for drivers unable to be insured elsewhere
• There were more property claims paid in 1950 than any other prior year in Kansas . Fire losses were at an all-time high of $ 731 million .
• July 13 , 1951 , was one of the unluckiest days in the history of Topeka , referred to as “ Black Frida ”. It was the worst flood ever to hit Kansas . It affected many towns , but mainly Topeka , Manhattan , and Lawrence . It did $ 760 million in damage and left 24 people dead .
• Alpha Kenna retired as executive secretary / manager on October 31 , 1952 . Alpha was with the association for six years . He was awarded an Honorary Life Membership . Frank Dunkley was hired as the executive manager in January 1953 . He was from Washington D . C . and a native of Kansas . He was a Brigadier General . Frank served in the Army during World War I and II . Alpha Kenna agreed to stay for the transition of the new director .
• The Kansas Turnpike was built in 1953 . Between the World Wars , toll roads and turnpikes became a popular way for states to keep pace with American growing infatuation with the automobile . While
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