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Darrell Gable of the Red Cross instructs House security staff in CPR and proper operation of an Automated External Defibrillator.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 27, 2007) – As part of National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma made a special donation Thursday to make sure Oklahoma lawmakers are prepared for the worst.
At a special ceremony, Vince Hernandez, CEO of the Central Oklahoma Red Cross, presented the Capitol Doctor of the Day office with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Dana Cash with Zoll Medical, which is partnering with the Red Cross on the gift of the defibrillator, was also present for the event.
“Many Oklahomans visit their state Capitol each year, and they often come to observe their state Legislature in session,” said House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah. “Though we hope it never happens, it’s always possible that a visitor, a lawmaker, or a staffer could suffer a heart attack here in the Capitol. I appreciate the Red Cross helping us be prepared for the realities of life.”
Chad Warmington, chief of staff of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, accepted the gift on behalf of the Speaker, the Doctor of the Day office, and the entire Legislature.
The defibrillator will be stored in the Oklahoma Legislature’s Doctor of the Day office at the state Capitol during the legislative session.
As part of the event, House security staff were also given professional instruction by the Red Cross in CPR and were taught how to operate the defibrillator.
“America’s millions of law-abiding gun owners owe Coburn their appreciation for his action,” said Snyder.
“Schumer tried to bring a so-called National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) improvements bill out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and directly to the floor of the Senate without amendment by virtue of a unanimous consent agreement. Under such a procedure, a piece of legislation may be brought to the floor and acted upon unless at least one Senator objects. Fortunately, Coburn objected and that is why he now is a hero of the gun rights movement.”
“People now are really frightened and scared because they don’t know what’s going to happen,” says Juliana Stout, an editor at the newspaper El Nacional de Oklahoma. “They’re selling houses. They’re leaving the country.”
Illegal Immigration apologist are shocked at the exodus of Illegals leaving Oklahoma in droves. Maybe if each state adopted this same strict policy we could regain our country back.
“People now are really frightened and scared because they don’t know what’s going to happen,” says Juliana Stout, an editor at the newspaper El Nacional de Oklahoma. “They’re selling houses. They’re leaving the country.”
Illegal Immigration apologist are shocked at the exodus of Illegals leaving Oklahoma in droves. Maybe if each state adopted this same strict policy we could regain our country back.
Courtesy of KOTV
With the river tax vote two weeks away supporters are now courting the north side of Tulsa, where some community leaders have blasted the plan for neglecting black Tulsans. On Wednesday, Mayor Kathy Taylor held out a carrot worth millions of dollars for a yes vote. News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports on the reaction to the promise of pools and playgrounds on the north side.
Many North Tulsa residents vowed to vote no, but river tax supporters are moving north to change their minds.
“I’m not surprised because divide and conquer has always been one thing used in the north side of Tulsa,” said Dr. Warren Blakney, Minister of the North Peoria Church of Christ. “If you can divide the vote than perhaps you can get what you need.”
By Senator Jay Paul Gumm of Durant
Hello again, everybody! Over the next several weeks, the celebration of Oklahoma’s Centennial will be in full swing.
Compared to most of our neighboring states, Oklahoma is young. In fact, most communities in my Senate district are older than Oklahoma. As young as Oklahoma is, it is remarkable what we have achieved.
During my recent tour of area schools, one question almost always came up. “What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Oklahoma?”
For me, the answer is simple. Our biggest challenge is simply believing in ourselves and our state. For much of our short history, Oklahomans have been convinced that our state cannot compete and win – except on the football field.
That thinking has its roots in the dark days of the Dust Bowl, when thousands of Oklahomans were forced off the land and had to make their way to what they hoped would be greener pastures in other states. Our struggles dampened our spirit, and that was difficult to overcome.
In fact, a recent governor spent a great deal of time and effort telling everything that was wrong with our state, both in travels around Oklahoma and across the nation. I see our state as being kind of like a family; you don’t air your dirty laundry where everyone can see it.
Certainly, our state has challenges; we can do better in so many areas. But, to focus on the negative at the expense of the positive has a troubling affect.
Our achievements as a state can get overshadowed by efforts at partisan politics – and neither side is completely innocent in that effort. Sometimes in politics, the trick is to make the other side look so bad that your side gets the votes by default. While that sometimes might be a good political strategy, it is a poor foundation on which to base a state’s future.
More important than the political fortunes of either party is the futures of the children who will live most, if not all, of their lives in Oklahoma’s second century. We all have a responsibility to fight for policies we believe will give that new generation of Oklahomans more opportunity and a better chance to become everything God intended for them to become.
This is an unusual “Senate Minute”; I am not writing about any specific issue, nor am I taking a stand on any particular subject. My point is this: as we debate how best to build a bright future, I believe we have a responsibility to conduct those debates in an environment that moves us forward as much as the policies we consider.
While that may be a tall order, I believe a state that accomplished as much as we have in only 100 years is more than up to the challenge.
Thanks again for reading the “Senate Minute,” have a great week, and may God bless you all.
The Campus Life and Safety & Security Task Force is drafting recommendations to go to Gov. Brad Henry and lawmakers in January.
Bird and others said more and better-trained counselors are needed to help troubled students and those with mental health issues.
Some campuses don’t have any on-site counselors and others don’t have enough to meet the need. Also, the state lacks enough training programs for counselors.
It seems every day brings more bad news for Republicans. As Politico first reported Friday, House Minority Leader John Boehner and his campaign chief, Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, are at war over campaign tactics and operations. Boehner is demanding a major shake-up at the National Republican Congressional Committee.
The dust-up might be the least of the GOP’s problems. Three House Republicans in very competitive districts recently announced their retirements — and several more senior GOP members have hinted they may do the same.
Put simply, Republicans lack the money to fight seriously for many of these seats. The NRCC is essentially broke, with more debt than money in the bank. “When you look at what’s going on in the House, the prospects for getting back on track are pretty dim at the moment,” said Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.). Read more…