State Sen. Roger Thompson said he was humbled to receive an award from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) for his support of issues important to farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahoma during the 2016 session. Thompson was presented with an OKFB 100 Percent Club coin symbolizing his 100 percent voting record on legislation the organization identified as critical to their mission of supporting agricultural and rural communities.
“As far as I am concerned, I am simply doing what I was sent here to do, and that’s to be a strong voice for the people of this district which includes many farmers and ranchers, and we certainly represent rural Oklahoma,” said Thompson, R-Okemah. “There is a saying that’s very true—as rural Oklahoma goes, so goes Oklahoma. Our state’s future depends on keeping rural Oklahoma and our agriculture heritage strong.”
Legislators were scored on four pieces of legislation which included aiding the extermination of feral swine, increasing penalties for cattle theft, easing restrictions on prescribed agricultural burns, and granting driver’s licenses to temporary H-2A agricultural workers. Thompson championed those measures as they moved through the Senate.
“This honor is presented to those legislators who stand with the Farm Bureau in its core mission of improving the lives of rural Oklahoma,” said Thom Buchanan, OKFB president. “We’re grateful to these state lawmakers for their leadership and service at the state Capitol.”
“I want to thank the Farm Bureau for this award,” Thompson said. “It is humbling to be honored for simply doing what I feel is the right thing for the people of Senate District 8, and it is an honor to represent them and be their voice in the Oklahoma State Senate.”