Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, Tim Turner, R-Kinta, and Rick West, R-Heavener, today offered their condolences for the family of LeFlore County Sheriff's Deputy Thomas "Walker" LeMay, who was killed Sunday while conducting a wellness check near Wister. Also injured was Wister Police Chief William "Andy" Thompson. "This is a tragedy for our entire area," the representatives said in a joint statement. "We know especially that these families are hurting as is the law enforcement community that served alongside this deputy who was killed and the police chief who was wounded. It's sad that our law enforcement have to risk their lives to keep the rest of us safe, but we're grateful for their bravery and faithfulness to perform their duties. This sacrifice will not be forgotten. We must pray for quick recovery for Chief Thompson and for the family of Deputy LeMay, and we must offer support in every way we can." Dempsey asked for a moment of silence on the House floor on Monday to say prayers and express throughs for those affected by this tragic shooting. West said it's his understanding the governor will order state flags to be flown at half-staff in Deputy LeMay's honor.  Dempsey and West serve House Districts 1 and 3, respectively, which include Wister and parts of LeFlore County. Turner serves House District 15, which also includes a portion of LeFlore County. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the LeFlore County Sheriff's Office, Wister Police Department, the United Forest Service responded to the welfare check at a residence along U.S. Highway 270, near Wister. They were fired upon when arriving on the scene. An individual identified as the shooter has been arrested. Others assisting in the investigation included the Pocola Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Heavener Police Department, District 16 District Attorney's Office, Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing was remembered in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday with a special presentation. Reps. Rick West, R-Heavener, and Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, recognized a number of speakers who shared personal memories from April 19, 1995, and encouraging messages for the future. On that day, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed, resulting in the deaths of 168 people. More than 850 others were injured. It is the worst domestic terrorist attack ever to occur in United States history. West also read House Resolution 1046 which recalls the events of the bombing and expresses gratitude to those who responded to the act of terrorism. West worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the time of the bombing. He lost seven co-workers that day. Each year that he's served as a state representative, he's presented a resolution in the House to remember his coworkers and others killed or injured in the bombing. "We owe it to ourselves, our children and our future generations to never forget what happened in Oklahoma City," West said. "We do this every year to remember those we loved who were killed, but also with the hope of building a better and more peaceful future. We must never let hatred and division define us. We seek love above all." Hefner, who represents a portion of Oklahoma City, and has participated in multiple remembrance ceremonies, said, "Today in the House, we remember April 19, 1995, and the 168 people who died. We remember the example given by how we responded as Oklahoman‘s on that day and after that day. Today, we listened to Justice Stephen Taylor. He reminded us of Better Conversations and the importance of listening, engaging, and leading with respect, even in the hardest moments." In addition to comments from Justice Taylor, Monday's floor presentation featured Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell who spoke about Oklahoma's response to the bombing. Senior Master Sergeant Brian Curtius with the Tulsa Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing Fire Department, shared his experience as a first responder.  Also speaking was Kari Watkins, director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, and Chris Fleming, the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Memorial & Museum. They honored state agency survivors and family members and explained Journey of Hope, which teaches about the bombing to students in all 77 counties in Oklahoma and encourages Better Conversations to help students learn virtues like patience, humility and civility. Ronnie Fields, a Guthrie pastor whose mother was killed in the bombing, closed the ceremony with prayer. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, is now eligible to be heard on the House floor after advancing this past week from the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee.  Senate Bill 933, also known as the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act, would allow eligible patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to access customized investigational treatments developed specifically for their genetic profile when no other approved options remain.  The measure establishes eligibility requirements for patients, including physician approval and informed consent, and allows treatment to be provided by manufacturers operating within approved facilities. Participation would be voluntary for manufacturers and the bill does not require insurance coverage for the treatments.  "We’re talking about people who are facing serious, often end-of-life situations where standard treatments just aren’t working," Stark said. "This gives them a chance to look at something more targeted and make that decision with their doctor."  The legislation also includes protections for health care providers and manufacturers acting in good faith and prohibits state entities from blocking a patient’s access to treatment.  SB933 passed the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee unanimously and is now eligible for consideration on the House floor.