Senator Hobson Honored by Fellow Members

With a legislative career spanning four decades, Sen. Cal Hobson is completing his final term in the Oklahoma Legislature this year due to term limits. His colleagues on both sides of the aisle honored him on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan praised Hobson for his superior intellect, an unmatched work ethic and purity of purpose.

“You are here for the right reasons. And while some of your adversaries and colleagues may have questioned from time to time why you were doing things a certain way or the purpose you were trying to accomplish, they never ever thought it was for the wrong reason, and there’s probably no higher complement that we can pay to you than to say that about your service here,” Morgan said. “You have been every day in your service a champion for the people of Oklahoma, and for that we thank you.”

A Valedictorian at Lexington High School, Hobson went on to complete his degree at the University of Oklahoma as well as working toward a master’s degree. He served six years active duty in the U.S. Air Force and 26 years in the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

His career in public service began as Mayor of Lexington in 1976. Two years later he ran for and won a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he served for 12 years, eventually rising to one of the chamber’s most powerful positions as chairman of Appropriations. In 1990, he was elected to the State Senate, serving as President Pro Tempore from 2003 through 2005.

Fellow members thanked Hobson for his work on behalf of the state, including the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access (OHLAP) scholarship program, as well as his efforts to develop a world class cancer treatment and research facility in the state.

Hobson thanked the voters of Senate District 16 for allowing him to serve them in the State Legislature.

“For more than a quarter of a century of the history of this state, I’ve had the honor to be in this building. Except for my family and those wonderful times, nothing, nothing can exceed the friendship, the relationships…from the bottom of my heart, the love I have for the Senate, for its employees and for my colleagues—thank you very much.”