Oklahoma Senate
Sen. Russell to speak at Republican Leadership Conference
Sen. Steve Russell
State Sen. Steve Russell will be a keynote speaker for the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans this Saturday, June 18 at 12:50pm CT. The retired Lt. Colonel will be discussing the work and honor of U.S. soldiers as well as the division that currently exists among the country’s leaders, the two parties and various other groups concerning the current direction of the country.
“It’s an honor to get to speak at this event and talk with other conservatives who are gravely concerned about the current vision and direction of our nation,” said Russell, R-Oklahoma City. “At a time when our nation faces such challenges, we have to be more than a party of naysayers and sideline critics. Conservatives must rally to our country with vision, purpose and honor rather than just as sideline cynics only pointing out the flaws of our government. It is time for us to offer hope and vision."
Last month, Russell was an exclusive guest on the popular Fox News Network show, "Huckabee." He was also a special guest on the “Fox and Friends” weekend show the next morning. Russell has been on a whirlwind campaign of national media interviews, most recently on KNUS AM Radio in Colorado, with host Ross Kaminsky.
“We are so pleased to have someone of Lt. Col. Russell’s stature to provide inspiration and insight for our conference,” said conference organizer Charlie Davis. Retired Lt. Col. Russell served 21 years in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer deploying operationally to Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq until his retirement in 2006.
He was the commander of the battalion that played a major role in the capture of Saddam Hussein. During his command of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, he was widely covered during the first year of the Iraq war by TIME, CNN, Fox News, ABC, CBS, NBC, AP and Reuters. He and his unit were featured in BBC Panorama's Saddam on the Run documentary as well as Discovery's Ace in the Hole. He has also been the subject of numerous books and publications.
He is the author of “We Got Him” about the hunt and capture of Saddam Hussein. The book has received national accolades. General Raymond T. Odierno said in the foreword: "It is an honor for me to introduce this personal memoir by one of the finest battalion commanders with whom I have served. His story captures the human dimension of this awful thing we call war..."
Besides serving as a state senator, Russell is also the chairman and founder of Vets4Victory, a nonpartisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He speaks at events across the United States, Canada, and Europe to raise awareness of the issues facing current and retired veterans.
The Republican Leadership Conference is a political education organization dedicated to advancing the Republican Agenda through identifying, recruiting, training, and organizing Republican Leadership. The conference in New Orleans will take place June 16-18 and is expected to have more than 2,000 attendees.
To learn more about Vets4Victory, visit www.vets4victory.com.
