His parents, A. E. "Doc" and Daisy Stillwell Monroney, had moved to Oklahoma Territory shortly after the Land Rush of 1889.

His college experience was distinguished with a Phi Beta Kappa key, the Bronze Letzeiser award for scholastic standing and activities, and membership in Pe-et, the university's oldest honor society.

[2] [a] Monroney first ran for political office in 1937, when he entered the special election for the U.S. Fifth Congressional District against thirteen other Democrats.

He was a strong supporter of foreign aid, joining the Herter Committee, which laid the foundation for the famous and highly successful Marshall Plan.

Thomas had been politically powerful since Oklahoma was granted statehood, and was expected to win his fifth term in the Senate.

[4] Monroney was considered as a running mate for Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson in 1952, but was rejected for his lack of national recognition.

All private planes in the United States are registered at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City.

In 1958, Monroney was the supporter of a soft loan fund in the World Bank which later became the International Development Association.

Monroney also risked losing his seat in 1956, when he refused to sign the Southern Manifesto that urged resistance to school desegregation.

He lost reelection after thirty years of Congressional service in 1968 to former Republican Governor Henry Bellmon, who benefited from the coattails of the election of Richard M. Nixon as president.

[2] After his death, half of the Senator's ashes and those of his wife were buried in Washington National Cathedral, where they had been active in the congregation.