Post by blackcrowheart on Feb 11, 2006 12:46:19 GMT -5
The big 13
Meet Oklahoma's Native American caucus
OKLAHOMA CITY OK
Native American Times 2/9/2006
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=75\
53
Thinking strength in numbers, 13 American Indian lawmakers in the
Oklahoma House of Representatives have formed what is believed to be the
legislature's first ever Native American Caucus.
Leaders of the caucus are Purcell Republican and former legislator for
the Chickasaw Nation Lisa Billy, Miami Democrat Larry Glenn, Tecumseh
Republican Shane Jett and Moore Republican Paul Wesselhoft.
Officials say they formed the bi-partisan group to inform other
lawmakers about Native American issues and cultivate a closer
relationship with Oklahoma tribal leaders.
"As far as I know, it is the first Native American Caucus in the
state legislature's history," Jett said. "Unity will allow
us to exchange information and give a bi-partisan review of legislation
pertinent to the state's Native Americans."
Echoing a theme frequently heard in Oklahoma's Indian communities,
Jett said tribes are a major force in the state's economy.
"Oklahoma's tribes bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to
the state through federal treaties and economic development," Jett
said. "We want to usher in an era of greater cooperation and
increased economic prosperity between the state and the tribes."
The caucus has scheduled meetings the third Tuesday of each month that
the legislature is in session. The first caucus meeting is set for
Tuesday, February 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Capitol in room 432A.
The group also intends to hold information luncheons sponsored by the
various tribes so that concerns can be addressed and tribal leaders can
become more acquainted with state representatives.
In addition to their participation at the state level, Billy, Jett and
fellow caucus member Ray McCarter, a Democrat from Marlow, are members
of the National Native American Caucus. McCarter is the national
group's secretary while Billy and Jett are co-chairs of the
economic development committee.
These are the 13 members of the caucus:
Co-Chair Rep. Shane Jett, R-Tecumseh (Cherokee). According to his
official biography, Jett was born on December 5, 1974, in Shawnee,
Oklahoma. He speaks three languages and worked two years in Belo
Horizonte Brazil with Global Options International. He is married to
the former Ana Carolina Gomes and they have a daughter, Raquel. Jett
serves on the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee - General
Government and Transportation, Energy and Utility Regulation Committee,
Tourism and Recreation Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Co-Chair Rep. Lisa J. Billy, R-Purcell (Chickasaw-Choctaw). Billy is a
business owner, running Peacemakers, Inc. She has a Master's Degree in
Education from the University of Oklahoma and has received the
Institute of Child Advocacy volunteer of the Year Award. Billy serves
on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, the Appropriations
and Budget Subcommittee on Human Services, the Health and Human
Services Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Co-Chair Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore (Citizen Pottawatomie).
Wesselhoft was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, August 16, 1947. His
parents are Billy J. (deceased) and Virgie (Trumbly). He is married to
Judy (Albright), and their children are Justin and Holly. He serves on
the Government Reform, Agency Oversight, and Administrative Rules
Committee, the Tourism and Recreation Committee, the Veterans and
Military Affairs Committee and the Aerospace and Technology Committee.
Co-Chair Rep. Larry Glenn, D-Miami (Cherokee). Glenn was first elected
in 2004 and reelected in 2006. He serves on the County and Municipal
Government Committee, the Energy and Utility Regulation Committee and
the Health and Human Services Committee.
Liason Rep. Ray McCarter, D-Marlow (Chickasaw). McCarter was born in
Duncan, Oklahoma, on October 2, 1946. His parents are Fred L. and
Marjean (Kimberlin) McCarter. He is married to Kathy (Bowles), and their
children are Tammi Lynne and Clinton. He serves on the Appropriations
and Budget Committee, the Banking and Finance Committee, the Energy and
Utility Regulation Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa (Muscogee Creek). Benge was born in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, September 9, 1962. He is married to Allison (Fox), and their
children are Garrett and Hayden. He serves on the Appropriations and
Budget Committee, the Banking and Finance Committee, the Common
Education Committee and the Retirement Laws Committee.
Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs (Choctaw). Duncan serves on the
Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources and
Regulatory Services, the Judiciary Committee, the Public Safety and
Homeland Security Committee and the Veterans and Military Affairs
Committee.
Rep. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa (Muskogee Creek). Bingman was born in
Tulsa and raised in Sapulpa. He is married to Paula (Benge) Bingman.
They have three children: Annie, Blake (deceased) and Rebecca. He
serves on the Energy and Utility Regulation Committee, the
Transportation Committee and the Wildlife Committee.
Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove (Cherokee). Cox serves on the Health and Human
Services Committee, the Higher Education Committee and the Tourism and
Recreation Committee.
Rep. Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville (Cherokee). Martin serves on the
Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Select Agencies, the Banking
and Finance Committee, the County and Municipal Government Committee
and the Tourism and Recreation Committee.
Rep. Jerry McPeak, D-Warner (Muskogee Creek). McPeak was born 1946 in
Checotah. He serves on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee,
the Career and Technology Education Committee and the Government Reform,
Agency Oversight, and Administrative Rules Committee.
Rep. Doug Miller, R-Norman (Cherokee). Miller was born in Ardmore,
Oklahoma, March 29, 1955. His parents are Dr. Dow and Billye (Poynor)
Miller. He is married to April. Children are Braden, Britton, Samantha,
and Patricia. He serves on the Government Reform, Agency Oversight and
Administrative Rules Committee, the Health and Human Services
Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Tourism and Recreation
Committee.
Rep. Daniel Sullivan, R-Tulsa (Choctaw). Sullivan serves on the Common
Education Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, the
Judiciary Committee and the Public Safety and Homeland Security
Committee.
Meet Oklahoma's Native American caucus
OKLAHOMA CITY OK
Native American Times 2/9/2006
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=75\
53
Thinking strength in numbers, 13 American Indian lawmakers in the
Oklahoma House of Representatives have formed what is believed to be the
legislature's first ever Native American Caucus.
Leaders of the caucus are Purcell Republican and former legislator for
the Chickasaw Nation Lisa Billy, Miami Democrat Larry Glenn, Tecumseh
Republican Shane Jett and Moore Republican Paul Wesselhoft.
Officials say they formed the bi-partisan group to inform other
lawmakers about Native American issues and cultivate a closer
relationship with Oklahoma tribal leaders.
"As far as I know, it is the first Native American Caucus in the
state legislature's history," Jett said. "Unity will allow
us to exchange information and give a bi-partisan review of legislation
pertinent to the state's Native Americans."
Echoing a theme frequently heard in Oklahoma's Indian communities,
Jett said tribes are a major force in the state's economy.
"Oklahoma's tribes bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to
the state through federal treaties and economic development," Jett
said. "We want to usher in an era of greater cooperation and
increased economic prosperity between the state and the tribes."
The caucus has scheduled meetings the third Tuesday of each month that
the legislature is in session. The first caucus meeting is set for
Tuesday, February 21 at 11:30 a.m. at the Capitol in room 432A.
The group also intends to hold information luncheons sponsored by the
various tribes so that concerns can be addressed and tribal leaders can
become more acquainted with state representatives.
In addition to their participation at the state level, Billy, Jett and
fellow caucus member Ray McCarter, a Democrat from Marlow, are members
of the National Native American Caucus. McCarter is the national
group's secretary while Billy and Jett are co-chairs of the
economic development committee.
These are the 13 members of the caucus:
Co-Chair Rep. Shane Jett, R-Tecumseh (Cherokee). According to his
official biography, Jett was born on December 5, 1974, in Shawnee,
Oklahoma. He speaks three languages and worked two years in Belo
Horizonte Brazil with Global Options International. He is married to
the former Ana Carolina Gomes and they have a daughter, Raquel. Jett
serves on the Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee - General
Government and Transportation, Energy and Utility Regulation Committee,
Tourism and Recreation Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Co-Chair Rep. Lisa J. Billy, R-Purcell (Chickasaw-Choctaw). Billy is a
business owner, running Peacemakers, Inc. She has a Master's Degree in
Education from the University of Oklahoma and has received the
Institute of Child Advocacy volunteer of the Year Award. Billy serves
on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, the Appropriations
and Budget Subcommittee on Human Services, the Health and Human
Services Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Co-Chair Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore (Citizen Pottawatomie).
Wesselhoft was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, August 16, 1947. His
parents are Billy J. (deceased) and Virgie (Trumbly). He is married to
Judy (Albright), and their children are Justin and Holly. He serves on
the Government Reform, Agency Oversight, and Administrative Rules
Committee, the Tourism and Recreation Committee, the Veterans and
Military Affairs Committee and the Aerospace and Technology Committee.
Co-Chair Rep. Larry Glenn, D-Miami (Cherokee). Glenn was first elected
in 2004 and reelected in 2006. He serves on the County and Municipal
Government Committee, the Energy and Utility Regulation Committee and
the Health and Human Services Committee.
Liason Rep. Ray McCarter, D-Marlow (Chickasaw). McCarter was born in
Duncan, Oklahoma, on October 2, 1946. His parents are Fred L. and
Marjean (Kimberlin) McCarter. He is married to Kathy (Bowles), and their
children are Tammi Lynne and Clinton. He serves on the Appropriations
and Budget Committee, the Banking and Finance Committee, the Energy and
Utility Regulation Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Rep. Chris Benge, R-Tulsa (Muscogee Creek). Benge was born in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, September 9, 1962. He is married to Allison (Fox), and their
children are Garrett and Hayden. He serves on the Appropriations and
Budget Committee, the Banking and Finance Committee, the Common
Education Committee and the Retirement Laws Committee.
Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs (Choctaw). Duncan serves on the
Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources and
Regulatory Services, the Judiciary Committee, the Public Safety and
Homeland Security Committee and the Veterans and Military Affairs
Committee.
Rep. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa (Muskogee Creek). Bingman was born in
Tulsa and raised in Sapulpa. He is married to Paula (Benge) Bingman.
They have three children: Annie, Blake (deceased) and Rebecca. He
serves on the Energy and Utility Regulation Committee, the
Transportation Committee and the Wildlife Committee.
Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove (Cherokee). Cox serves on the Health and Human
Services Committee, the Higher Education Committee and the Tourism and
Recreation Committee.
Rep. Steve Martin, R-Bartlesville (Cherokee). Martin serves on the
Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Select Agencies, the Banking
and Finance Committee, the County and Municipal Government Committee
and the Tourism and Recreation Committee.
Rep. Jerry McPeak, D-Warner (Muskogee Creek). McPeak was born 1946 in
Checotah. He serves on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee,
the Career and Technology Education Committee and the Government Reform,
Agency Oversight, and Administrative Rules Committee.
Rep. Doug Miller, R-Norman (Cherokee). Miller was born in Ardmore,
Oklahoma, March 29, 1955. His parents are Dr. Dow and Billye (Poynor)
Miller. He is married to April. Children are Braden, Britton, Samantha,
and Patricia. He serves on the Government Reform, Agency Oversight and
Administrative Rules Committee, the Health and Human Services
Committee, the Judiciary Committee and the Tourism and Recreation
Committee.
Rep. Daniel Sullivan, R-Tulsa (Choctaw). Sullivan serves on the Common
Education Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, the
Judiciary Committee and the Public Safety and Homeland Security
Committee.