Senator Frank Shurden and Representative Rebecca Hamilton called a press conference on Thursday after an Oklahoma City Mexican-American family was charged for violating the state's anti-cockfighting law. The lawmakers denounced the law and the treatment of the family as unfair.

Three members of the Zarate family each had felony charges brought against them on March 29, in the Oklahoma County District Court, for possession and intent to engage in cockfighting. They were the first people charged with violating the state law.
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The Oklahoma State Senate voted 41-1 Thursday in favor of legislation that calls for the issuance of revenue bonds to help Oklahoma “catch up” on state matching funds for endowed chairs at the state’s colleges and universities.

The measure, which was amended by the Senate, will now return to the House of Representatives. read more.

State Representative Mary Easley is now Senator Mary Easley. The Tulsa Democrat was officially sworn in during a ceremony at the State Capitol on Monday. Friends and family members were present in the Senate Chamber as State Supreme Court Justice Marian Opala administered the oath of office.
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Senator Frank Shurden, a Democrat from Henryetta, today called organizations like the Coalition to Ban Cockfighting, The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society of the U.S. a “bunch of phonies.”

“They really don’t give a damn about animals or chickens,” Senator Shurden stated. “They are only interested in punishing people.”

Shurden said the City of Oklahoma City confiscated about 90 chickens 75 days ago on January 29, 2004 from a poor Mexican-American family.
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Senator Charles Ford announced the unveiling of a portrait of Admiral William J. Crowe, the latest in a series of paintings commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The portrait by nationally- renowned artist Mike Wimmer of Norman, was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber this afternoon.
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The State Senate approved House Bill 2661 Wednesday, officially sending the measure to a House-Senate Conference Committee.

The 23 members of a special House-Senate committee on tort reform are scheduled to hear testimony in the first of four scheduled open hearings at 1 p.m. Thursday. Senator Mike Morgan and Representative Jari Askins will serve as co-chairs of the committee.
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Despite efforts by the Democrat leadership throughout the legislative session to kill the issue, the Senate passed a bill that sends to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment defining marriage in Oklahoma as only between one man and one woman and prohibiting the state from recognizing homosexual marriages performed outside Oklahoma.

About 30 of the remaining 149 survivors of the attack on the U.S.S. Oklahoma have come to Oklahoma City for their annual reunion. On Thursday morning some of those veterans came to the State Capitol to be honored by lawmakers. Later, at a press conference, they shared their frustrations in trying to secure a permanent memorial for the U.S.S. Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor.

Senator Jim Reynolds has been working with the group for two years on the project. He said it is high time for the U.S.S. Oklahoma to have the kind of memorial the ship and crew deserved.
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Gov Brad Henry has signed legislation to make sure out-of-state sex offenders with Oklahoma spouses don’t evade the state’s sex offender registry.

The legislation also shortens the amount of time convicted sex offenders have to register with the Department of Corrections and local police, from three days to two days.

Sen. Jay Paul Gumm is principal author of Senate Bill 1096. Gumm filed the bill in response to a constituent who was concerned about the safety of his grandchildren.
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Senator Charles Ford announced the unveiling of a portrait of Ambassador Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, the latest in a series of paintings commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The portrait by nationally- renowned artist Mike Wimmer of Norman, was unveiled during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber this afternoon.

“Ambassador Kirkpatrick is an amazing woman who has accomplished many feats in her lifetime. She is truly an inspiration to many women and men alike,” said Senator Ford, President of the Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.
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