Reps. Josh West, R-Grove, Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, and Chris Banning, R-Bixby, today released the following statement reacting to disparaging comments made by State Superintendent Ryan Walters about Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller after a disagreement over delayed Title I allocations. After Bixby Public Schools experienced delays in receiving Title I funding, Miller tweeted his concerns and questioned when his district would receive the initial allocation. Days later, Walters retorted, calling Miller a "clown" and a "liar." "As former military leaders, we know the qualities that define good leadership: Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Just as important are the lessons on how not to lead. "Over the past four years, we've witnessed Ryan Walters' often questionable leadership. In the past two weeks, he has violated the Open Meetings Act, denied legislators access to executive sessions, deprived districts of rolled-over money meant for school safety and now is putting children's lives at risk by withholding appropriated funds for emergency asthma inhalers. "After Walters chose to name-call Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller, a former Marine who faithfully served the Constitution and protected our rights, we decided we couldn't sit back any longer. Though we do not speak for others, we cannot stand by while a respected leader and veteran is insulted and demeaned for simply doing his job. Walters' behavior is unbecoming of any leader, especially the highest-ranking person in the Oklahoma public school system. "Our time in the military taught us to listen to those serving on the front lines. That same principle applies here. School superintendents like Miller provide valuable insights into local issues, and yet Walters refuses to listen to those around him or take responsibility for his missteps. "As elected officials, paid with taxpayer dollars and entrusted with the future of our state, we must hold ourselves accountable to Oklahomans and have the integrity to admit when we are wrong. We had hoped Walters would eventually grow into his role, but after two years of problematic leadership tactics, our patience is wearing thin." West, the current chair of the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, founded the Legislative Veterans Caucus, which he chaired from 2017-2019. He received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with “V” Device for Valor. He was critically wounded in a firefight in Karbala, Iraq, in 2003 and was medically retired from the U.S. Army after nine years of service. Burns currently serves as the Chair of the Legislative Veterans Caucus. In 2011, Burns was wounded in a near ambush in the Saygal Valley in Afghanistan. He retired from the 45th Infantry Brigade in 2018 after 20 years of service. Burns has also received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, as well as several numerous military awards and decorations. Banning, a member of the Legislative Veterans Caucus, was in Operation Provide Comfort, which was in conjunction with the Operation Desert Storm – Desert Shield Era. In the immediate wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, Banning was on the frontlines of rescue and recovery missions for which he received the Humanitarian Service Metal. Banning is now a service-connected disabled veteran.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, was unanimously elected vice chair of the Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee for The Council of State Governments Southern Office (CSG South). “As an alum of CSG South’s leadership development program, I appreciate the opportunity to share and learn best practices and policies from leaders across the region," Pae said. "Fiscal and government operations policies directly impact every aspect of state government, and I am honored to serve as the incoming vice chair and work with our chair, CSG South and the 15 Southern states." The CSG South Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee is comprised of state legislators and legislative staff from the 15 CSG South member states. The committee develops policies and programs on a wide array of fiscal issues impacting state budgets and finances, as well as governmental operations topics such as artificial intelligence and regulatory oversight. As vice chair, Pae will assist in forming the committee’s policy focus and projects, including programming for the 79th Annual Southern Legislative Conference next July in Alabama. Pae has served House District 62 since 2018, where he represents west Lawton. He is chair of the House Rural Development Committee and vice chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on General Government. In 2020, he served as co-vice chair of the House State and Federal Redistricting Committee following the decennial U.S. census. Before being elected to the House, he worked in municipal government in Lawton. Pae graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2017 and holds a master’s degree in public administration, as well as undergraduate degrees in economics and political science. A long-time appointee to CSG South's Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations Committee, Pae is a graduate of the Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) Class of 2019. He also was a 2022 Henry Toll Fellow and received CSG's 20 Under 40 Leadership Award that same year. In 2019, he was awarded the Rising Star Award by the International Leadership Foundation (ILF) for his professional achievements and dedication to the improvement of the Asian Pacific American community. CSG South is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, established in 1947, that exists to support members in all three branches of state government.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today issued the following statement regarding a recent executive order by State Superintendent Ryan Walters to allow the Bible and the Ten Commandments to be used as historical texts in statewide public schools. "I feel it is important as a state representative that I announce my public position on this matter. I would caution anyone from letting their opinion of the state superintendent cloud their judgement. The first issue is the question: is it legal to use the Bible and Ten Commandments as historical texts? It is my understanding the courts have ruled the Bible and Ten Commandments can be used as historical texts. Therefore, it is my understanding that it is absolutely legal to teach using these texts. However, it is my understanding the Bible and Ten Commandments cannot be used to encourage or teach religion or religious views. The second issue is, do the parents of the school districts desire their schools to use the Bible and Ten Commandments to teach their children? I believe that the recent events of the past month have inspired more public support for these foundational documents. I have received numerous opinions on this matter, but I feel the overwhelming majority support using the Bible and Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. I personally support using the Bible and the Ten Commandments because these are the historical and foundational principles on which our nation has been established. When we have followed these foundational principles, we have prospered, and look at us now. As for me and my house, we will always follow these teachings."