OKLAHOMA CITY – Southeastern Oklahoma State University head baseball coach Mike Metheny was recognized May 9 with a citation on the State Senate floor for being named the NCAA Division II All-Time winningest coach, according to State Senator Darcy Jech. 

On Tuesday, May 16, a tornado touched down in south Elk City, destroying at least 40 homes and heavily damaging several others.  State Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, Senate District 26, issued the following statement Wednesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Student officers representing the National Junior Honor Society and Student Council from DeWitt Waller Middle School recently visited the State Capitol.  They were joined by several local 8th graders and teachers, spending time with Sen. Roland Pederson and other legislators.

Pederson, R-Burlington, hosted the group as they learned more about state government and the legislative process.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, participated in the Cherokee Nation Economic Impact Summit in Catoosa on Friday, April 21.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Wheat producers and agriculture leaders active in the state’s wheat industry gathered in Oklahoma City to visit with lawmakers last week for Wheat Day at the Capitol, said Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington.  The annual legislative day is held to raise awareness and foster relationships among Oklahoma’s lawmakers and members of the wheat community.   The event is coordinated each year by the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association

Although Drumright teacher Emma Akin touched the lives of countless school children throughout the country, many Oklahomans have probably never heard of her trail blazing efforts to enhance the education of African American students in segregated schools.  State Sen. James Leewright sought to raise awareness of the educator’s life and achievements recently when he welcomed a delegation of Drumright constituents to the State Senate to help honor Akin.

State Senator Adam Pugh has been named to the Journal Record’s 2017 class of Achievers Under 40.  The Edmond Republican is one of 39 recipients who were selected this year from 139 submissions from across the state.

“It’s an incredible honor to be selected to such an innovative and dynamic group of community leaders in Oklahoma,” Pugh said.  “I appreciate the opportunity to represent Edmond and the State Senate in this year’s class of honorees and I’m thankful to the citizens of our district for their support.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate passed legislation Wednesday evening in an effort to address the number of illegal immigrants in Oklahoma as well as the hundreds and thousands of dollars of untaxed cash that those individuals send out of Oklahoma annually.  Senate Bill 547, by Sen. Paul Scott, would charge illegal immigrants and anyone else who does not present a valid personal identification a fee on their international wire transactions.  read more.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The efforts of local volunteer firefighters are being commended by Senator Roland Pederson, as the Burlington legislator recognized their contributions to the areas impacted by the wildfires this week.

“The aid provided by volunteer firefighters around the state has had a significant bearing on the areas destroyed by recent wildfires,” said Pederson.  “Providing support, as well as delivering fuel and hay to the devastated areas are just a few ways our local volunteers have made a difference in the community effort to provide help.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate unanimously approved two bills this week to help victims of sexual assault.  Senate Bill 654 would create the Joint Legislative Task Force on Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) in an effort to get more rape kits tested annually and reduce the number of sexual assaults statewide.  SB 208 would create the Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights to Information Act to ensure victims are kept up-to-date on their cases and made aware of their rights.  Sen. Kay Floyd is the author of both measures. read more.