Millions of Americans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces over the years and many have unknowingly been exposed to toxins that have caused harmful side effects. Many children of veterans have been born with birth defects stemming from such exposure. Both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense track toxic exposures and possible exposures but do not conduct follow-up research on the veterans and their offspring.
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The Department of Defense recently recognized state Sen. Frank Simpson for his work on two bills this past session supporting Oklahoma veterans. Simpson said he was honored by the recognition and proud to support his fellow veterans.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our work on behalf of active military members and our veterans. I could not have done it without the help of my assistant Glenda Colbert. She and I have worked hard over the past five years to help meet the needs of our veterans and military families,” said Simpson, R-Springer. read more.

Sen. Frank Simpson recently filed legislation to better protect Oklahoma veterans while on duty. Senate Bill 913 clarifies that Oklahoma Army or Air National Guard personnel with proper authorization may carry loaded or unloaded concealed weapons on Oklahoma Military Department facilities while performing a military function.
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The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 913 Tuesday to ensure Oklahoma’s Army and Air National Guard personnel can protect themselves and others while on the job. The bill, by Sen. Frank Simpson, would allow such authorized veterans to carry loaded or unloaded concealed weapons at Oklahoma Military Department facilities.
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There are currently estimated to be over 300 homeless veterans in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association says that statewide they bury approximately 25 indigent veterans each year and absorb the costs of the funerals. On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously approved Senate 1134, by Sen. Frank Simpson, which would provide a funding mechanism for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs’ (ODVA) Indigent Veteran Burial Program.
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The Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation Tuesday to allow judges to consider post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a mitigating factor when making sentencing decisions for veterans. Sen. Frank Simpson is the Senate principal author of House Bill 2595, which he says will help veterans get the assistance they need rather than being sent to jail.
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The Oklahoma Veterans Council presented Sen. Frank Simpson with the Senator of the Year Award Monday during a joint legislative session to honor Oklahoma’s veterans. Simpson, chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, has authored numerous bills during his tenure in the Senate to help the state’s military and their families.
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Testimony presented during an interim study on drones gave members of the Senate Public Safety Committee an opportunity to better understand some of the potential positives and the sometimes competing concerns regarding constitutional rights when contemplating possible state policy on the use of drones.
The study was requested by Sen. Frank Simpson who said it was important to take into account privacy concerns, constitutional questions and the need to balance those with public safety issues and the potential for economic development in the state.
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The Senate Transportation Committee held an interim study Wednesday to look at the both the costs and the benefits of the Heartland Flyer, the AmTrack line that brought back passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth after a 20 year absence.

Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, requested the study. His district includes Ardmore, one of the stops on the Heartland Flyer line. That community and Oklahoma City are both making millions of dollars in infrastructure investments in their railway stations and other related improvements to capitalize on the rail line.

State Senator Frank Simpson has been recognized by the Department of Defense for the second consecutive year for his work on public policy changes that positively impact the quality of life of service members and their families residing in Oklahoma.
Ronald T. Keohane, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, directed that the award be delivered to Simpson.