Five state legislators will receive Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Meritorious Service Award Feb. 18, during the farm organization’s annual leadership conference at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City.
The Meritorious Service award is presented to legislators who have a strong voting record for Farm Bureau issues and show support for rural and agricultural issues. The awards are based on a county Farm Bureau’s nomination and evaluation of the lawmaker’s adherence to the values and issues important to rural Oklahoma.
Receiving the award will be Sen. Anthony Sykes, Moore, and Representatives Lisa Billy, Purcell; Tom Newell, Seminole; Mike Jackson, Enid; and Joe Dorman, Rush Springs.
Sykes is chairman of the Judiciary committee and vice chairman of the committee on Business and Commerce. He also serves on the committees for Agriculture and Rural Development; and Appropriations, as well as the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and Transportation. He represents Senate District 24 in south central Oklahoma.
Billy currently is Assistant Majority Whip and is chairman of the A & B Committee for Higher Education. She also serves on the committees for A & B Public Safety; Energy and Aerospace; and Appropriations and Budget. She represents House District 42 in south central Oklahoma.
Newell is vice chairman of the Appropriations and Budget Committee. He also serves on the committees for Agriculture and Wildlife; Judiciary; and Long-Term Care and Senior Services. He represents House District 28 in east central Oklahoma.
As Speaker Pro Tempore, Jackson plays a major leadership role as he is an ex officio voting member on all House Committees. Jackson represents House District 40 in north central Oklahoma.
Dorman, representing House District 65 in southern Oklahoma, is vice chairman of the minority caucus and serves on the committees for Appropriations and Budget; A & B Public Safety; Government Modernization; and Rules.
