Oklahoma Future Caucus receives collective impact award

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s Future Caucus was honored last week at the Millennial Action Project (MAP) Rising Stars Awards in Washington, D.C. Co-chairs Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, and Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, along with fellow member Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, accepted the Cherisse Eatmon Collective Impact Award on behalf of their caucus. The award recognizes an outstanding state caucus for their future-focused leadership and political bridge-building.

“The nonpartisan Millennial Action Project brings together young state legislators from around the nation to encourage them to reach across the aisle and be proactive in finding commonsense solutions to prevent future problems, and this is what our caucus has accomplished,” Hicks said. “I’m incredibly grateful to MAP’s leadership and all my colleagues who consistently look for post-partisan solutions to the challenges we are facing in Oklahoma,”

Oklahoma became the 30th state to form a Future Caucus when Hicks launched the group in the fall of 2020. The caucus is made up of more than 30 Senate and House members, 45 years old or younger, who are working together for the future of Oklahoma.

“In the past two years, Oklahoma’s bipartisan Future Caucus has authored nearly 40 bills to help address a number of issues to make our state better for future generations. I’m grateful for the strong leaders in our caucus and their courage to seek innovative ideas and put partisan politics aside for the betterment of our state,” Montgomery said. “We hope more young Oklahoma legislators will join us to share their ideas and perspectives. Collaboration is imperative to successfully address difficult issues.”

Some of the issues addressed by the caucus include how to stem brain drain and keep Oklahoma’s youth from leaving the state, financial literacy and wellness, health care, and connectivity.

“We are transforming young American political leaders. I joined the Future Caucus because it is a national safe space for young diverse elected officials to share experiences and best practices. We have learned how to become innovative, inclusive, and creative in our leadership styles,” Pittman said. “We must continue to move our nation forward through the Millennial Action Project model and find common ground that will first help us unite, then we can implement policy to become the world leaders in prosperity and peace.”

The caucus is also co-chaired by Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan. The award ceremony was held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on Tuesday, Dec. 13. To learn more about MAP and the Rising Star Award, visit www.millennialaction.org/risingstarawards.

Sen. Hicks: (405) 521-5543 or Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov
Sen. Montgomery: (405) 521-5567 or John.Montgomery@oksenate.gov
Rep. Pittman: (405) 557-7393 or Ajay.Pittman@okhouse.gov