A4 - THE JOURNAL, Thursday, February 7, 2019
Opinions
Thank You Friends
Thank you so much for the outpouring of love that you
have shown to me and my family. Thank you for the food,
flowers, cards, prayers, texts, hugs, and support. We have
felt the love from so many of you. Frank fought a hard
fight, but his body was just tired. He said that he was done,
and was ready to live with Jesus. Our hearts are hurting,
but we know that Heaven gained a sweet man! Words
cannot express our thankfulness for the overwhelming
ldve and support from our wonderful community!
Judy Spillars
Michael & Tracey Spillars
Jeff & Michelle Spillars
Going the Other Direction
Our Founding Fathers gave this nation the First
Amendment where you can say what you like with fear
of recrimination. However, I've noticed in the last 30 odd
years there are more tears, accusations both mutual and
counter, fussing, fighting and the like because someone
gets 'hurt' by what you've said. Buckle up buttercup, no
one gets along with everyone and you may not like what
someone says, or how they chose to act, or even does
when taking a photo. Why don't we teach our young to
walk away. Many times that's all it requires. The person
who remarks about something you didn't like has that
right. Let them put it on Facebook or lnstagram, social
media isnot a friend to the unwise. A smart man knows
when to keep his mouth shut, or knows when to turn and
go the other direction.
Shawn Crain
Perkins
DAVIS
Page A 1 Lives Award from the Col-
fromwhatistodaytheCollege lege of Human Sciences, the
ofHumanSciencesandtaught OSU Distinguished Alumni
home economics in Oklahoma Award and a 2018 induction
high schools for 43 years, into the OSU Alumni Hall of
'q'his sculpture represents an Fame. And though she wasn't
incredibly powerful and pro- allowed to live on the Okla-
found moment for this hlstitu- homa A&M campus as a stu-
tion. This is a commitment to dent, OSU named a residence
inclusion that.is unwavering" hall in her honor in 2001.
said Dr. Jason F. Kirksey, Davis was also recognized
vice president for institutional in 2018 by the state, which
diversity and OSU's chief named a three-mile stretch of
diversity officer. Interstate 35 west of Stiilwater
Throughout her life, Davis the Nancy Randolph Davis
remained active in the civil Memorial Highway. She died
rights movement in the state in2015 at the age of 88.
including working as an OSUPresidentBumsHargis
adviser to the Oklahoma City referred to the inscription on
National Association for the the statue quoting Davis who
Advancement of Colored said, "I didn't set out to make
People Youth Council. In history, I just wanted to earn
2008, she received the Okla- my education."
homa Human Rights Com- "Well, she made history,and
mission Lifetime Achieve- we've all benefited from her,"
ment Award. Hargis said. "So, every time
Honors from her alma mater we walk by the statue we need
include the Enhancing Human to thank her for all she did."
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It is 30 degrees on Tuesday morning at 6:30 am. It is a Science Fiction or Fact?
little gray and foggy out. I am wl'apped in a cocoon of plastic
warmth at my cottage. The temp listed on the dual heat and In 1943, when I was 12 years old, I preached my
cool unit is just that a number. I have a new smallheater first sermon. After that, I figured I might someday be
for thebathroomas of yesterday and thermometers in several a preacher or at least do a lot of teaching, so I began
places. Thank God for Leila and Lyle who came with tools collecting stories and notes about all kinds of things to
and plastic to cover my windows that leak out precious heat. use in my future lessons. Through the years I've drawn
I am so grateful for this act of love and kindness, from them in sermons, writings, school teaching, and for
For the first time this cold season,poople can come here and several years now, they have served as a basis for many
not keep their coat and gloves on during a visit. I have been of my Love Lines.
sick for some time from the cold as l live life in the "cold lane." Recently, I stumbled onto this intriguing story in
I have great sympathy for those out in the cold; we are all my collection. Back in 1945 the world famous science
prisoners of some traumatic circumstance. The goal is to fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke, made some interesting
break loose from those bonds and fight until things chaqge in predictions about what would be happening in, let's say
our older rental houses. We are still the Voice of the People! 2001 or thereabouts. He was paid $40 for his pioneering
Jesus knew the price of speaking out. How can we teach the article, Extra-terrestrial Relays" in which he predicted
children, our future leaders, morals and integrity if they don't that, around 2001, we would all be sharing information
see them in action at home? None of us are perfect: we are all via communications satellites. Some 20 years later
works of peace and honor in progress. wrote an article titled, "How I Lost a Billion Dollars in
I am grateful to Cory Williams and his employees as we My Spare Time" and mused about the money he had lost
work on problems they inherited on taking over this property by not obtaining a royalty for telephone,
as the leasing agent. I can tell you they have a heart like His TV show. and radio comnmnications satellites. But, let's
while still doing business, not worry too much about that because he went on to write
Jesus and I prayed for the safety of our govemment, that over 100 short stories, 40 books and TV shows, and he
power not be abused, a more caring way is found in dealing was well paid for those.
with people coming over illegally at the border, for safe places Science fiction is very popular, but some in the scientific
as the homeless numbers grows, and the need for changes in community frown on it. When Clark received the distin-
criminal justice, guished UNESCO Kaligna Prize for science writing, he
I want to share an event that deeply touches my heart right commented that, although many scientists believe 90%
here in Stillwater. The Methodist Church with the help of of science fiction is rubbish, they ignore the fact that 90%
the Tim Tebow Foundation will bring a Special Needs prom of ALL fiction is rubbish.
to Stillwater. It is called A Special Night to Shine. The prom Clark predicted that tourist flights to the moon would
itself will be held at the First Methodist Church and the par- be available by 2001, and "ordinary people" would think
ents' prom with dinner provided by The Texas Road House no more about going to the moon than they would about
willbeattheFirstPresbyterianChurch.ThisisloveinactionI jetting across the Atlantic Ocean. He believed the uni-
Among our sad news is the gang shootings, the bomb squad verse is full of intelligence, but he thought it was very
going into action yesterday, and the alcohol-related accidents unlikely that there are men like us anywhere else in the
and injuries on the highways. Universe. He said, "I'm pretty sure we are pretty low
There are somany fires this season and child-abuse injuries in the pecking order. But, I also think it's unlikely that
every day. Many have drugs involved, anywhere in space is anything you would mistake for a
Governor, Stitt gave his first State of the State address man, except on a very dark night." He considered the
yesterday. Dancing With Daddy will be a very special event chance of a spaceship evading discovery today about the
in Stillwater soon. What a beautiful way to see love in action same as that of a dinosaur hiding itself in the streets of
between daughters and daddies. Manhattan. Clark also predicted that, in the future, we
Have an open mind, be a person who can share friendship would have 6 day weekends and more leisure time. He
with those broken in the world. Smile. Love unconditionally, said extra vitamins would keep us from getting gray hair,
Valentine's Day is coming. Be some one's knight-in-shining we would be eating synthetic foods, and we might even
armor to bring joy and happiness into their lives. Sew a dress, find a cure for death itself.
bring a card to an elderly person in a rest home, or involve Speaking of things to come, let's always be polite to
your life with kids and art after school. As Jesus would have people who disagree with us. After all, they have a right
said,"Be a Light in the Darkness." to their ridiculous opinions.
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'17
The 2019 legislative session officially gets underway
on Monday, February 4. But we began preparing for the
session months ago. Throughout the interim there were
meetings and interim studies to examine issues our con-
stituents had interests in for the upcoming session. We had
leadership meetings and gathered information to determine
how best to move Oklahoma forward and began writing
and filing the legislation needed to achieve those goals.
This past week, Senate Republicans unveiled our agenda
aimed at strengthening our state and building on the foun-
dation we've created during the past few sessions. The first
item on the agenda is the creation of a legislative budget
Health Department debacle is a perfect example. Having
I accurate, independent figures and analysis of agencies and
their programs will help us be better stewards of public
!!: resources and services.
We also support legislation to give the governor the
authority to appoint the directors of executive branch agen-
cies. This will ensure agency heads are held accountable
by the Governor, who is in turn held accountable by the
public, whatever their political party,the Governor should
be able to select the leaders they believe will best carry out
their vision and agenda.
Last year we approved the largest teacher pay increase
in the history of this state. There is more to be done to
improve public education in Oklahoma, and how the rest of
the country sees us. One critical item we want to address is
restoring 5-day school weeks to enhance student outcomes
and repair our state's reputation.
The Senate Republican Agenda also makes criminal
justice reform a top priority for our caucus. We've made
critical reforms in recent years, but this is yet another area
where we must do more, particularly in the area of diver-
sion and treatment programs. We've seen states succeed
in lowering prison populations and crime rates through
such programs. Far too often, when nonviolent offenders
are sent to prison, it simply becomes a revolving door.
When you get them the help they need, including access to
treatment programs, these individuals are much more likely
to turn their lives around and become productive members
of society. It's far less expensive than incarceration, and a
far more effective way to actually achieve rehabilitation.
On Monday, we'll hear Governor Kevin Stitt deliver his
first State of the State address. I believe the goals he'll
outline mirror those our caucus has highlighted. We have
a tremendous opportunity to create positive changes for
our state in the coming months--changes that will benefit
Oklahoma for years to come.
I thank you for the privilege of being your voice at the
State Capitol. If you have any questions or concerns
about legislation or other issues at the s(ate level, please
feel free to contact my office b), calling 405-521-5572, or
email dugger@oksenate.gov.
