[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 26]
[House]
[Pages 35547-35548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL OF OKLAHOMA STATEHOOD

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 254) recognizing and celebrating 
the centennial of Oklahoma statehood.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 254

       Whereas on November 16, 1907, Oklahoma officially became 
     the 46th State of the Union;
       Whereas prior to becoming a State, Oklahoma was designated 
     as Indian Territory, providing a vibrant history and culture 
     that continues to enrich the lives of its citizens;
       Whereas the State of Oklahoma was shaped by those 
     adventurous and daring individuals who embraced the spirit of 
     this great Nation as they opened the frontier of the American 
     West;
       Whereas generations of proud people from all backgrounds 
     have called Oklahoma their home and have contributed to its 
     spirited history;
       Whereas these hearty and resilient people have defined what 
     has come to be known as the spirit of Oklahoma through their 
     strength, character, and persistent strides toward a bright 
     future;
       Whereas the continued strength, initiative, and pursuit of 
     excellence displayed by the citizens of the State of Oklahoma 
     have produced its vibrant economy and secured it as a place 
     of opportunity and progress now and for future generations;
       Whereas the solid foundation of family and community 
     embraced by the citizens of Oklahoma has been a constant 
     guide and source of strength to those citizens throughout its 
     history and will remain so long into its future;
       Whereas the natural beauty and abundant resources of the 
     State of Oklahoma support a quality of life for its citizens 
     that is unsurpassed; and
       Whereas on November 16, 2007, the State of Oklahoma will 
     begin a new century of statehood: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress recognizes and celebrates the 
     centennial of Oklahoma statehood and wishes its people 
     another hundred years of continued growth, prosperity, and 
     achievement.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Issa) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.


                             General Leave

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
consideration of H. Con. Res. 254, a resolution recognizing and 
celebrating the centennial anniversary of Oklahoma statehood.
  H. Con. Res. 254 was introduced by Representative Mary Fallin of 
Oklahoma on November 13, 2007, and reported from the Oversight 
Committee on December 12, 2007, by voice vote. This measure, which has 
been cosponsored by 55 Members, has the support of the entire Oklahoma 
delegation.
  Friday, November 16, 2007, marked Oklahoma's centennial celebration. 
The Sooner State has played a significant role in the development and 
history of our Nation and will continue to be a cornerstone of the 
independent spirit that makes our country great.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Oklahoma's past achievements, 
current accomplishments, and the State's goodwill as it continues into 
the future. I urge swift passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 254, which recognizes 
and celebrates the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma statehood.
  Mr. Speaker, Oklahoma is a State that takes energy production so 
seriously that it has oil wells on the grounds of the Governor's 
mansion. It is a State people were so anxious to move into that they 
jumped the gun in claiming homesteads and entered sooner. That is where 
the nickname comes from, the Sooner State.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time in which energy independence is talked about 
but not achieved, in which States like our own, California, are major 
energy producers but less than half of the oil that it consumes, 
Oklahoma continues to aggressively find the resources that lie beneath 
it and to make it available for us.
  Additionally, throughout its heartache, Oklahoma has given us Gene 
Autry. I won't skip over Brad Pitt. It has given us music. It has given 
us both country and a number of other great venues. But, most of all, 
it gave us J.C. Watts, the longest winning streak in history in college 
football, and they are proud of it. And, last but not least, it gave us 
Will Rogers.
  So as we look at Oklahoma, a State that takes oil seriously, that in 
fact was rushed into because it was such a great place, I also join 
with my colleagues in supporting this resolution recognizing that, 
after 100 years, Oklahoma is still a meaningful and important part of 
this great Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this resolution, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. FALLIN. Mr. Speaker, this year, the State of Oklahoma celebrates 
its centennial anniversary. Today, I join the rest of the Oklahoma 
delegation in bringing a resolution to the floor that celebrates and 
honors our state's rich history. Most of all, we honor the people of 
Oklahoma, whose hard work, decency, perseverance, and pioneer spirit 
have written a truly unique chapter in America's history.
  Oklahoma has always been defined by the adventurous nature of the men 
and women who settled there.
  Prior even to becoming a State, Oklahoma was designated Indian 
Territory. Native Americans have been a huge part of Oklahoma history 
and have provided a vibrant culture and long list of traditions that 
continue to enrich the lives of our citizens.
  In the late 19th century, American pioneers arrived in Oklahoma after 
a series of land runs held by the federal government. They came from 
every corner of the country looking for their piece of the American 
dream.
  In 1907 we became a State, and it has been a century of both 
hardships and blessings. But no matter what challenges Oklahoma 
families face, and we have had our share, the men and women of this 
great State have always come out stronger.
  Today, 100 years after achieving statehood, we have much to offer--a 
tremendous quality of life, a work ethic second to none, and a pioneer 
spirit that is just as much alive as it was a century ago.
  During Oklahoma's relatively short life, our State has left a 
significant footprint on American culture. Will Rogers, Woody Guthrie, 
Ralph Ellison, Thom Stafford, and Jim Thorpe are just a few of the 
American icons who hail from Oklahoma. No other state has produced more 
astronauts. We have been on the forefront of energy production and 
agriculture. If you like country music, Oklahoma has produced the 
stars: Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Reba McIntyre, Vince Gill, and Carrie 
Underwood, just to name a few of our talented musicians. And, oh yes, 
we've been known to play a little football too.
  Of course, there are millions of others whose names will never appear 
in history books, and we honor them as well. It is those unsung heroes 
that remind me, as they should remind all of us, that compassion, hard 
work, and a spirit of adventure can bring both success and happiness. 
Truly, I can think of no greater honor than to represent them in the 
United States Congress.
  Thank you, and may God bless Oklahoma.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
254.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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