House Media

LAWTON, OK — House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and members of the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus visited Lawton this past weekend for the fifth stop of the ongoing Capitol to Community tour, an initiative designed to connect state lawmakers directly with community leaders, businesses and local organizations. This stop was especially meaningful as it also served as the kickoff to the Caucus’ annual retreat weekend, which continued at Quartz Mountain Lodge in Altus.   The day in Lawton featured tours highlighting the region’s military partnerships, economic development, correctional operations and manufacturing leadership. Members began the morning at FISTA Innovation Park, where local officials and defense-sector partners detailed Lawton’s growing role in military technology development and private-sector collaboration.   Legislators then toured the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company facility, one of Oklahoma’s major manufacturing hubs, where they met with plant leadership to discuss workforce needs and the company’s long-term investment in southwest Oklahoma.   In the afternoon, members visited the Red Rock Correctional Center, gaining insight into facility operations, and to better understand the role of the role of private contractors in meeting the state’s correctional system needs.   The day concluded with lawmakers traveling to Quartz Mountain Lodge, where the annual House Republican Caucus retreat officially kicked off. The weekend concluded with an overnight stay in the heart of southwest Oklahoma, Medicine Park.     “Lawton showed us the incredible impact that strong partnerships between industry and innovation can have on a region," said Speaker Hilbert. "This stop offered valuable insight into a major public safety hub of our state as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session.”   House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, who represents parts of the Lawton area, said the visit showcased the strengths and potential of southwest Oklahoma.   “Lawton is a powerhouse for our state, whether it’s defense innovation at FISTA, world-class manufacturing at Goodyear or the critical work happening at Red Rock,” said Caldwell. “I was proud to welcome my colleagues to our community and show them firsthand the economic drivers and challenges that shape southwest Oklahoma. This kind of engagement helps ensure that decisions at the Capitol reflect the real needs of the great people of Comanche County.”   The Capitol to Community tour will conclude in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on December 18th.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today praised the clemency granted death-row inmate Tremane Wood. "I support the governor's decision," Humphrey said. "The Oklahoma public needs to know that this pardon is based on judicial corruption. I will continue fighting to make sure all corruption in our legal and judicial system and in our state agencies and government is kept before the public until it is rooted out. Justice was secured for Mr. Wood today and for his family and even for the victim's family in this crime, but we must not give up our efforts to secure justice for all." Humphrey is the vice chair of the Oklahoma House of Representative's Public Safety Committee. He's been a vocal supporter of granting clemency to Wood.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, and Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, presented a citation this week to students in Southern Nazarene University’s international management class in recognition of their recent food drive benefiting local families facing food insecurity.  Students in the class collected more than 1,000 nonperishable food items this semester as part of a service-learning project that connected course lessons to community need.  The idea began after the class learned about a local family struggling with food insecurity due to the loss of their SNAP benefits. What started as a simple donation drive quickly grew into a campuswide effort to meet a real and urgent need.  "The students’ compassion and commitment to serving others is truly inspiring," Stark said. "They saw a need close to home and stepped up in a meaningful way. I was honored to present this citation alongside Rep. West and to recognize the work these students put into helping families in our community."  "The strength of our state lies in the strength of our communities," West said. "The loss of SNAP benefits this month has unfortunately hit many Oklahoma families hard, but our state has rallied together to support our neighbors. These students heard about a need and took it upon themselves to answer the call. I am proud of how their kindness and initiative has made a difference in these families' lives."  The citation was presented during class on campus earlier this week.