07/16/08 Ed Heinemann and ethics

Standby your values and you values will standby you. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back in one minute with a values story. A couple weeks ago Susan and I were talking about the Code of the West and the book Cowboy Ethics. Well, Edward Heinemann didn't read that book and I think the Code of the West is just in him. Mr. Heinemann's early values were instilled growing up on his family's Washington farm. These values were cemented when he graduated from Washington State University in 1939 by working to pay his way through college. He served our country during World War II as a flight instructor. After the war Mr. Heinemann was offered a job as field secretary for the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders. Although this position was offered to him, he had to earn it by working from the ground up so to speak. He was sent to learn the racing business from breeders in Kentucky and California where he started cleaning stalls and worked up to learning about breeding programs, grooming, and racetracks. The job with the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders lasted until the 1970's when Mr. Heinemann took a job as supervisor and director of racing for the Washington Horse Racing Commission. That position lasted four and one half years until he was asked to compromise his values about rules governing certain medications given to racehorses. His refusal to go against his values cost him his job. Mr. Heinemann's integrity didn't go unnoticed, within three days he was offered jobs by three other states. He chose a position with Oregon and stayed there until he retired. Values and ethics will pay premiums even if it is only being able to face a mirror. I'm Jeff Keane. Washington State Magazine Summer 2008