State Sen. John Ford said he was extremely gratified by Tuesday’s passage of State Question 746. Ford was author of the legislative referendum which will protect the integrity of Oklahoma's voting system by requiring voters to show identification before casting their ballots at the polls. According to unofficial returns, about 75 percent of voters approved the measure.

State Sen. Anthony Sykes said he was extremely pleased by the overwhelming support voters gave for a Constitutional amendment to make English the state’s official language and a second Constitutional amendment to ban Oklahoma courts from considering international or Sharia law when making decisions. Sykes, R-Moore, was the Senate author of legislation placing the two questions before voters.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Justice Marian Opala. He epitomizes the very best of public service, representing our state’s highest court with tremendous dignity and professionalism. I know many people are surprised when they learn the polite and friendly juror with a wonderful sense of humor was a part of the Polish Underground in World War II fighting for freedom.

This past session, Sen. Bill Brown authored legislation designating the “Honor and Remember Flag” as the State of Oklahoma’s emblem on behalf of the service and sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price for their country. This Tuesday, September 28, Brown will be joined by George Lutz, the man who founded the national movement to honor fallen soldiers, at an 11 a.m. ceremony at the Norman Veterans Center. Family members of Oklahomans killed in action will attend the ceremony, as will Congresswoman Mary Fallin.

State Sen. Brian Crain said it is time to refocus Oklahoma’s efforts to demand meaningful immigration reform at the national level. Crain, a former prosecutor, said Washington D.C.’s failure to act has put the lives of American citizens at increasing risk.

“While the federal government continues to do nothing but curry favor with internationalists, our border continues to leak. The Obama Administration’s ineffectiveness is leading to rampant lawlessness, increased drug trafficking and the growing potential for more domestic terrorism,” said Crain, R-Tulsa.

State Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, has been chosen to receive the first annual “Shawn Beaty Award” for legislation aimed at helping solve cold cases. The award, given by the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), will be presented during a ceremony at Bauder College in Atlanta, Georgia, October 7, 2010, and is named for Oklahoma homicide victim Shawn Beaty.

Barrington was principal Senate author of HB 3294 which enables Oklahoma law enforcement to take advantage of outside resources available for investigating unsolved crimes.

For three years, State Sen. Bill Brown has authored legislation to strengthen Oklahoma’s Boating Under the Influence laws with no success. Following the recent fatal boating accident at Lake Eufaula, Brown says it is time for the Legislature to take this issue seriously and stop putting recreation before safety.

In response to the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) budget-induced reductions in senior feeding programs, Sen. Dan Newberry this spring began working with a coalition of pastors and community leaders in his district to replace the program with new, privately funded centers at Glenpool Faith Church and the Glenpool Community Center. The 25:40 Coalition is now serving 40 meals per day, five days a week at a cost of $2 per meal. Comparatively, DHS spent $115,550 to serve 23 meals per day in 2009 at the Redbud Village Senior Center in Glenpool.

Sen. Andrew Rice announced today that he will be filing legislation for the upcoming session to help better protect bicyclists in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma democrat said the legislation is necessary following the recent deaths of three Oklahomans in bicycle-related accidents.

A plan to end private contracts for flight instruction at Vance Air Force Base and other training bases would end up costing taxpayers millions of dollars. State Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, said the Air Force’s proposal makes no sense.

“This is the kind of bureaucratic bungling that has destroyed the public’s trust in the federal government. Despite claims that this plan would save more than $480 million over five years, it will actually end up costing taxpayers another $27.5 million—and that’s based on the Air Force’s own numbers.