Sen. Kevin Matthews comments on passing of former Sen. Maxine Horner

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Kevin Matthews, D-Tulsa, issued the following statement on Monday on the passing of former Sen. Maxine Horner.  Matthews holds the District 11 seat occupied by Sen. Horner from 1986 until she was term-limited in 2004.

“Maxine Horner was a trailblazer in many ways.  Although she grew up in the era of segregation, she was one of the first two Black women to serve in the Oklahoma Senate, and she was the Senate author of the groundbreaking commission created in 1997 to study the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.  Now, in the centennial year of that event, her work has been essential to our ongoing efforts to educate people here in Oklahoma, throughout the country and around the world as we seek equality and economic opportunity for all.

“Senator Horner was also the architect of a program to help ensure any Oklahoma high school student who wanted to further their education after graduation could have that opportunity—OHLAP, now known as Oklahoma’s Promise, continues to provide hope, encouragement and resources to countless Oklahoma young people seeking a better future.

“Without a doubt, the citizens of Tulsa and our entire state are better for Maxine Horner’s life and service.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family as we join in mourning her loss.”