Rep. Cody Maynard
During the first week of the legislative session each year, hundreds of supporters of sanctify-of-life and anti-abortion legislation gather at the State Capitol to deliver roses to elected officials. Each rose symbolizes the life of an unborn child. It’s a reminder to us to treasure such life and to pass meaningful legislation to protect this most amazing gift from God.
This year, the House adopted House Resolution 1031, which stated, in part, that the Oklahoma House of Representatives has “led the nation in adopting legislation to defend unborn children” and that “Oklahoma will continue to lead the nation in the introduction and enactment of legislation to protect unborn children.”
We also heard a presentation from keynote speaker Mia Armstrong, an actress, voiceover artist, author and advocate. Mia, who has Down syndrome, was joined by her mother, Cara. She recently told reporters she wanted to be a voice for babies like her who often don’t get the opportunity to be born. Her story is touching and a stark reminder that all life is precious and valuable.
Also, this first week of session, I hosted a page in my Capitol office. Maddie Mueller is a senior at Colbert High School and the daughter of Micah Mueller and Crystal Bourque. Her academic achievements include securing an Oklahoma State University Partner’s Board Scholarship as well as being a Kiwanis Scholarship nominee. She serves as vice president of membership for Oklahoma Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She’s also a member of Student Council and on the newspaper staff at her school.
After high school, Maddie plans to attend OSU to study family and consumer science education with a minor in political science. She hopes to one day teach family and consumer sciences and become an advocate for career and technical education.
Maddie is an exceptional student and a great example of what hard work, determination and courage can accomplish. One of the best parts of serving at the Capitol is working with pages like her. Sometimes I am not sure who learns more from the Page Program, the students who come to experience state government, or me, as I get the opportunity to meet and learn from such impressive young leaders from our area.
Maddie’s involvement in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America has clearly played an important role in her growth It’s a terrific organization that helps prepare the next generation of leaders in Oklahoma. Programs like this, along with the Page Program, give students a firsthand look at how government works while building the confidence and leadership skills they will carry into their future careers and communities.
The first week of session was a good opportunity for House pages as they got to listen to the governor deliver his annual State of the State address. While the governor outlined his priorities, it will be up the Legislature to pass bills that become law and create the state budget for the next fiscal year. That’s a process that will take us through the remainder of our session.