Legislature approves resolution designating cotton as official state fiber

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate and House approved a resolution Monday recognizing one of Oklahoma’s top crops, cotton, and the dedicated Oklahoma producers who help provide it to the world market. Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, by Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika, and Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, designates cotton as the official fiber of Oklahoma and make it an official state symbol.

“Cotton is an integral agricultural commodity to the Sooner State, creating billions of dollars in revenue through exports, industry and jobs,” Kidd said. “I’m so proud of Frederick Elementary’s 3^rd grade class who requested this resolution and designation as they recognized cotton’s importance to our agriculture community, and I want to thank them for their work to get this before the Legislature. We also want to thank our state’s producers for their hard work to provide Oklahomans and the world with the highest quality cotton.”  

Cotton is grown in more than 37 Oklahoma counties, accounting for more than 600,000 acres. Oklahoma cotton provides feed for livestock, fiber for clothing, cotton seed oil for cooking, cellulose for plastics and high-quality paper for currencies.

“Oklahoma has a rich history of diverse agriculture production, of which cotton has played a vital role,” Caldwell said. “We’re grateful to these young Oklahomans for bringing it to the attention of the Legislature and ensuring that all Oklahomans know our state’s tremendous impact on providing the world with this important fiber and crop.”

Among the special guests who attended the resolution presentation were 3^rd grade students, teachers, and administrators from Frederick Elementary, representatives from the Department of Agriculture and the Cotton Council and cotton producers from around the state.

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Sen. Kidd: (405) 521-5563 or Chris.Kidd@oksenate.gov
Rep. Caldwell: (405) 557-7307 or Trey.Caldwell@okhouse.gov