I presented citations to three outstanding students from Carl Albert State College last week at the Capitol. Kaylee Campbell and Pamela Millar are members of the 2025 All-Oklahoma Academic Team, and Maci Passmore is a recipient of the 2025 Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges (OACC) President’s Tuition Waiver.
The Oklahoma Council of Two-Year College Presidents and the OACC recognize Oklahoma’s brightest two-year college students each year through both of these programs.
Oklahoma is one of 39 states participating in the State Academic Team Program through Phi Theta Kappa International. This program provides statewide recognition to these outstanding students. To be eligible, students must be nominated by their college president and have at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.
In a similar method, outstanding high school and two-year college students are selected for the tuition waiver. They’re chosen for their outstanding academic achievements and their leadership ability.
It was great to meet these young women and recognize their accomplishments. They’ve excelled in school and have great leadership potential. I wish them the very best.
Also last week, Chloe Sullivan paged in my Capitol office. Chloe is a senior at Heavener High School, the daughter of Jill Sullivan. She’s the valedictorian of her class and has been accepted into the Scholar’s Program at Carl Albert State College. She’s also a member of the National Honor Society.
In college, she wants to get an associate degree in psychology and then pursue her bachelor’s degree at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. She would like to then get her masters and become a licensed professional counselor.
Chloe is a very bright young woman, and I know she’ll be able to accomplish her goals.
House pages sit in on daily floor sessions and go to committee meetings. They run errands for different lawmakers, and they get to hold their own mock legislative session. They write and debate their own legislation. It’s a good experience. I’m glad Chloe got to come to the Capitol and take part in this program.
We’re at the point of the legislative session where we’ve sent all the House bills that passed over to the Senate, and we’re now hearing Senate bills in House committees.
I sent two bills the Senate.
House Bill 1185 would prohibit the destruction of military weapons of historic value. Instead, they are to be donated to local veterans’ organizations to be used for honor guard salutes at veterans’ funerals or to be used for parts.
House Bill 1187 would clarify that when a state employee opts out of a state-provided health insurance plan, they do not have to be covered by a group health insurance plan. This should save some money.
My bill to prohibit non-U.S. citizens from becoming law enforcement officers failed in the House, and my other bills did not get heard. Every bill I run is a constituent request, so it’s disappointing not to get them heard, but I’ll keep trying.
Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.
As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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