We’ve officially crossed into the second half of this year’s session. While this past week was fairly quiet in our committees, we had numerous guests and advocacy events at the Capitol to keep us busy.

I want to first thank Danielle Cory from Chandler, who served as the Senate’s Nurse of the Day on March 20. I was also happy to welcome the 7th grade North Rock Creek class, their principal Ronald Potter, and their teacher Mrs. Allison Kidney. It’s so important for our youth to see how our state government works and the role they play in it as a citizen.

Some other great events we’ve had recently were AERO Day, recognizing our state’s second largest industry; Research Day, highlighting the incredible research conducted by Oklahoma’s brightest students in our state colleges and universities; and Developmental Disabilities Day to learn how we can better serve those with unique needs. We also celebrated OU Day to recognize the achievements and impact of our state’s largest university and its students and faculty.

You may not be aware, but March 29 is a major date in our nation’s history. It’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day and marked the 50th anniversary of the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In recognition of this special day, we honored America’s last ACE on active duty, ret. Col. Charles “Chuck” DeBellevue, served 30 years in the Air Force, most famously in Vietnam, scoring six air-toair victories in 1972, claiming the distinction as the war’s leading ACE. It was a tremendous honor to meet this military legend and patriot. We also recognized two Vietnam veterans in our Senate body, Senators Tom Dugger of Stillwater, and Roland Pederson of Burlington.

As for where we are in the process, we’ve started the second phase by sending the Senate bills we approved over to the House and them sending us theirs. Around 400 Senate bills were sent to the House, and we received nearly 480 from the other chamber. This included another of mine, SB 978, which would eliminate the minimum sentence and fine for the unlawful discharge of a firearm and decrease the maximum term of imprisonment from six months to three months.

Besides filing our own bills, every measure must also have a principal author from the opposite chamber that will advocate for the matter and present it in committee and on the floor. I’ve signed on carrying 13 House bills, which I’ll review in the coming weeks.

We’ve had such great turnouts in the district for our legislative breakfasts. So far, Rep. Kevin Wallace and I have met folks in Stroud, Perkins, Chandler, and Prague. It’s so important to have direct input from constituents to help us do an even better job of representing our citizens. Our next public meeting will be in Davenport at Scotty B’s on April 14, Meeker at Fat Rooster on April 21, and then we’ll wrap up on April 28 in Wellston at the high school library. All meetings are 8-9 a.m. We look forward to seeing everyone.

To contact me at the Capitol, please write to Senator Grant Green, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 529.1, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105; email me at Grant. Green@oksenate.gov or call (405) 521-5547.