(20) Governor David Hall, 1971 to 1975

              Office of the GovernorMS 50 (portrait only)David Hall, Democrat. Served from 1971 to 1975. He was born October 20, 1930, in Oklahoma City. He was Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Oklahoma where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. Hall served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1954. He continued his education of the University of Tulsa, earning his law degree in 1959. He served as assistant county attorney of Tulsa County from 1959 to 1962 and as county attorney from 1962 to 1966. In 1968 he returned to the University of Tulsa where he served as professor of law. He was inaugurated January 11, 1971, following the closest gubernatorial election in the state's history. Hall was indicted by a federal grand jury three days after leaving office. He later served 19 months of a three-year sentence for extortion and conspiracy convictions.The Governor of Oklahoma is the chief executive officer of the state and is elected for a four year term. Principal powers and responsibilities are outlined by the state constitution and by statute and include certain appointive powers, the veto or approval of bills passed by the Legislature, the granting of pardons and paroles, the summoning of special sessions of the legislature, and the calling out of the militia. Moreover, the Governor is directly responsible for the preparation of the state budget, serves as an ex officio member of several boards and commissions, receives reports from various state officers and agencies, and is charged with the duty of seeing that all laws are faithfully executed in the state.