Sen. Joseph Silk has started his next term after being officially sworn in during a special oath of office ceremony at the Capitol on Monday afternoon.  

“I am honored to be able to continue my service in the Senate on behalf the citizens of District 5,” said Silk.  “While we have many challenges ahead, we also have the opportunity to strengthen our public policies so that when our economy does rebound, Oklahoma will be ready to support that growth, which in turn will create jobs and build a better future for citizens.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Brian Bingman announced he has selected Paul Ziriax, the Secretary of the Senate and the State Election Board Secretary, for a second two-year term in the dual post.

Theresa Maderer of Broken Bow served as the Senate Nurse for the Day on March 1.  Maderer, who works as an EMT and RN for the Choctaw Memorial Hospital in Hugo, was hosted at the Capitol by Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow.   

“It was an honor to have Ms. Maderer serve as the Senate Nurse of the Day,” said Silk.  “Nurses are the largest group of health care providers in the state, and it’s always a pleasure to have someone from southeastern Oklahoma represent our district at the Capitol.”

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Citing concerns over a conflict of interest, Senator Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, has resigned his recent appointment to the Hochatown Incorporation committee.  Silk was appointed earlier this week to the 7-person committee formed to address the annexation of Hochatown from Broken Bow.  The committee is currently discussing ways to prevent the annexation, as well as the option to incorporate Hochatown.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Joseph Silk is commending the Senate’s approval of two gubernatorial executive nominations this month.  Community members April Boatwright and Doug Brown were tapped to serve by Gov. Stitt, with Silk carrying the nominations through the confirmation process.  

Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Tommy Hardin are urging anyone who suffered damage to homes, businesses or other personal property as a result of the storms and flooding from May 5 to June 4, as well as the most recent round of heavy rains and flooding that began last week, to file a report with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as soon as possible.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin recently held a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 922 directing the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) to establish the Oklahoma Women Veterans Program.  The measure, by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Tommy Hardin, will ensure that women veterans have equitable access to federal and state veterans’ benefits and services. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman recently appointed Sen. Frank Simpson to the National Conference of State Legislature’s (NCSL) Veterans and Military Affairs Task Force.  The task force examines issues affecting military-community relations and the health and well-being of veterans.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Pat Ownbey announced that they will be holding a town hall meeting on Tuesday, January 24, to share information regarding a possible veterans’ cemetery in the community.  The legislators will be joined by officials from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs’ (ODVA).  The meeting will take place at 7:00 PM in the Ardmore Convention Center.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – The House and Senate gathered in joint session Wednesday in honor of Veterans Awareness Day.  Each year, the Oklahoma Veterans Council, which consists of 24 veterans organizations around the state, honors one senator and one house member as legislators of the year for their support and dedication to helping Oklahoma’s veterans through legislation. This year, Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Tommy Hardin received the awards.