Henry, Dems Challenged to Condemn

Oklahoma’s traditional family values are under attack by radical, left-wing organizations, a Republican leader said Thursday.

“I think those who earlier this year said there was no threat in Oklahoma to traditional marriage and traditional adoption would have to admit they misunderstood a very real threat,” stated Senate Republican Leader James A. Williamson.

Indictments handed down in Texas Tuesday against eight corporations which made alleged illegal contributions to a political action committee created by Houston Congressman Tom Delay should serve notice in Oklahoma that law enforcement officials everywhere are cracking down on attempts to use corporate politics to buy political power, State Senator Jeff Rabon said Thursday.
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State Sen. Jim Reynolds announced a new permanent exhibit about the U.S.S. Oklahoma will be dedicated on December 7, 2004 at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Oklahoma City Republican has worked on various projects with survivors and family members of those who served on the U.S.S. Oklahoma.
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State Senator Debbe Leftwich (D-Oklahoma City) had the privilege today to dedicate a portion of I-240 in honor of her late husband and former senator, Keith Leftwich.

Legislation was signed into law during the previous legislative session to designate I-240 between I-35 and I-44 as the “Keith Leftwich Memorial Loop.” The former South Oklahoma City leader died after a valiant battle with cancer on September 19th, 2003. Debbe Leftwich then ran for her late husband’s senate seat and won the race to carry on the Leftwich tradition in public service.
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Senate Judiciary Chairman designate Charlie Laster said he was extremely proud of how members conducted themselves as they prepared for Oklahoma’s first impeachment trial since 1965.

As a result of Carroll Fisher’s resignation as State Insurance Commissioner on Friday, the Senate met briefly Monday to adjourn as a court and then to adjourn the special session. Those final steps followed those administered by the State Senate in 1975, when then Sec. of State John Rogers resigned shortly before his impeachment trial was slated to begin.
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The Oklahoma Transportation Commission Monday approved adding three important highway projects in Norman to the state’s eight-year transportation plan, a pair of Norman area legislative leaders announced today.

Senate President Pro Tempore Cal Hobson and House Speaker Pro Tempore-designate Bill Nations said the projects will ease traffic flow in the state’s third-largest city and enhance Norman’s economic development efforts.
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The minority leaders of the state Senate and House of Representatives said Wednesday that legislative action during the last legislative session could have staved off the higher workers compensation insurance rates that Oklahoma employers will soon be facing.

Senate Republican leaders said they hope Gov. Brad Henry’s pledge to “attack” the problems in Oklahoma’s workers compensation system during the next legislative session is serious, but they have doubts based on the governor’s track record on other lawyer-related issues.

Oklahoma’s expensive workers comp system is widely viewed as a major impediment to retaining and attracting jobs in the state. Henry made his pledge Tuesday at a Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Senator Charles Ford announced the upcoming presentation of a portrait of singer, songwriter, and author Woody Guthrie, commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The portrait by veteran painter Charles Banks Wilson will be unveiled Thursday July 15th at 12:00 p.m. in the Capitol rotunda.
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The spirit of nationally acclaimed folk singer Woody Guthrie will forever rest in the halls of the State Capitol, Senator Charles Ford announced today. The portrait by veteran painter Charles Banks Wilson is the latest in a series of paintings commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.

The portrait entitled Woody Guthrie - This Land Was Made For You And Me will be on permanent display in the rotunda of the State Capitol.
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