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Sen. Kevin Matthews’s Press Releases

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State Sen. Kevin Matthews is hoping for a great turnout for the First Annual Marvin Blades Memorial Golf Tournament this Saturday.  The event is being launched by 100 Black Men of Tulsa. The organization describes the tournament as an effort to engage the citizens, authorities, clergy, pastors and politicians in a friendly game of golf to raise funds for underserved youth and community.  Matthews, D-Tulsa, is a member.

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Building upon the success of previous legislation, the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday approved a series of criminal justice reform bills.

The measures continue an effort by the Oklahoma Senate to examine and modify, as necessary, the state’s criminal justice system in order to address the state’s prison population and provide treatment for those in the justice system who need mental health or substance abuse services.
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Senators take oath of office

Twenty-five newly-elected and returning members of the Oklahoma State Senate were officially sworn in during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon in the Senate chamber. The oath of office was administered by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Joseph M. Watt.

The 2004 Senate class includes 15 new members and 10 members who were re-elected. This marks one of the largest groups of new members in recent years, with 14 of those seats open during the election cycle due to the state’s constitutionally mandated term limits.
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Nearly half of Oklahoma counties, 32 of the 77, are considered food urban/rural deserts where citizens have limited or no access to fresh food and produce. One of those areas is north Tulsa, and Sen. Kevin Matthews requested an interim study to find ways to help his district and others around the state through the use of urban gardens.
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Members of the Senate Health and Human Services met Tuesday to hear from local healthcare organizations about the importance of the health center uncompensated care fund (UCF) to the health and well-being of Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Department of Health stopped distributing payments to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) for health care to the uninsured following the second mid-year revenue failure but resumed payments for services rendered in July.
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An education fair and 5K to raise funds and awareness to aid Oklahomans with sickle cell disease (SCD) will be held at the Oklahoma State Capitol this coming Saturday, September 17 at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by the organization Supporters of Families with Sickle Cell Disease as part of National Sickle Cell Awareness month.

Sen. Kevin Matthews, chair of the Oklahoma Black Caucus, said the 5K will help call attention to SCD which affects up to 100,000 Americans, including 1,500 here in Oklahoma. Another 40,000 in the state may unknowingly carry the genetic trait. read more.

Members of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus issued the following statement Wednesday in reaction to reports of an incident at last week’s CareerTech Summer Conference in Oklahoma City alleging a retiring black educator who was to be recognized for his service was presented with a white robe, hood, and Confederate flag. After the incident, attendees reportedly were told not to speak about it and to erase any cell phone video.

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After recently announcing plans to create a $10,000 endowed scholarship at Langston University honoring E. Melvin Porter, Oklahoma’s first black member of the state Senate, the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus announced Tuesday that Langston University is now accepting donations.
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Sen. Kevin Matthews, chairman of Oklahoma’s Legislative Black Caucus, said members are creating a $10,000 endowed scholarship at Langston University to honor the life and work of E. Melvin Porter, Oklahoma’s first black member of the state Senate. Porter died July 26 at the age of 86. Matthews will formally announce the creation of the scholarship at a memorial service for Porter to be held this Saturday, August 6 at 11:00 a.m., at St. read more.

  Sen. Kevin Matthews, chairman of Oklahoma’s Legislative Black Caucus, said members are creating a $10,000 endowed scholarship at Langston University to honor the life and work of E. Melvin Porter, Oklahoma’s first black member of the state Senate. Porter died July 26 at the age of 86. Matthews will formally announce the creation of the scholarship at a memorial service for Porter to be held this Saturday, August 6 at 11:00 a.m., at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

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