OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, and Dick Lowe, R-Amber, have been asked by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures' Emerging Leaders Conference Dec. 6-8 in Alexandria, Virginia.
"Strong leadership in our state and country has never been more critically needed than these last few months," Dobrinski said. "I appreciate Speaker McCall giving me the opportunity to become better prepared to serve Oklahoma"
Lowe said he too is grateful for the opportunity to attend the conference.
"I look forward to learning what is working in other states to bring the best ideas back to Oklahoma," Lowe said.
The National Conference of State Legislatures represents legislatures in the states, territories and commonwealths of the U.S. Its mission is to advance the effectiveness, independence and integrity of legislatures and to foster interstate cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information. It also represents legislatures in dealing with issues of state sovereignty and state flexibility as well as unfunded mandates and unwarranted preemption from the federal government.
The Emerging Leaders Conference offers new legislators from across the country the chance to meet with peers, discuss crafting the best public policy, learn lessons on creating consensus from dissension, discuss how best to communicate with Congress and key administration officials, and gain insight on protecting and promoting the legislative institution on behalf of their constituencies.
The December event Lowe and Dobrinski will attend, includes a communication workshop, a history lesson on the legislative whip process, a panel discussion on lessons in leadership with former legislative leaders, an interactive participation activity that puts modern legislators in the roles of President George Washington's cabinet as they navigate foreign policy decisions in 1790s America, and several opportunities to gather with new and former legislative leaders.
Lowe and Dobrinski were both elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2020 and are serving their first legislative term.
Mike Dobrinski serves District 59 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Dewey and parts of Blaine, Canadian, Kingfisher and Woodward counties. Dick Lowe serves District 56, which includes parts of Caddo, Grady and Kiowa counties.