Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Hosts Southern Legislative Conference
Oklahoma is the host state for the 62nd Annual Meeting of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC). The conference, which meets in Oklahoma City from Thursday, July 11 through Tuesday, July 15 is expected to attract more than 800 visitors, including legislative leaders and guests. The SLC region includes 16 southern states which share many of the same concerns in areas ranging from economics to education to energy use.
Oklahoma legislative leaders said they were pleased to host the SLC Annual Meeting for 2008.
“SLC provides an important forum for states with common regional concerns to share ideas and successes with one another,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan. “The sessions provide information that will be helpful to all the member states as they work through legislative and budget issues in the year ahead.”
Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee said the meeting also presented an excellent opportunity to showcase the Sooner State and its capital, Oklahoma City.
“I think people expect to experience Native American and Western culture when they come to Oklahoma, and they won’t be disappointed, but we have a lot more in Oklahoma City in addition to those things,” Coffee said. “The Bricktown entertainment district, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the National Memorial and Museum are some of the other venues SLC attendees will also have the opportunity to visit.”
Six different standing committees in areas such as agriculture, public safety and economic development will hold meetings with public policy experts during the conference. Volunteers from various state agencies have helped to arrange tours and events for guests and youth as well.
“Members of the Legislature as well as staff from the House and Senate have been meeting for more than a year to help ensure this SLC meeting will be a success,” said House Speaker Chris Benge. “Thanks to all their hard work, we’re confident our guests will have a wonderful visit to Oklahoma.”
Keynote speakers during the SLC meeting include former White House Economic Policy Director, Todd Buchholz and NASA Commander and Oklahoma native John Herrington, the first Native American to fly in space.
