Senate Review

While we’ve been busy at the Capitol voting on measures on the Senate floor, I’ve also been very active across our district. I had the honor or spending some time at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) this last week to celebrate some of the institution’s accomplishments, and it was an exciting time for the faculty, staff and students at SWOSU.

Through a program within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), SWOSU’s College of Pharmacy Rural Health Center in Weatherford was awarded a $1 million grant to purchase equipment to implement a telemedicine program in LeFlore and western Oklahoma counties. SWOSU is partnering with the Eastern Oklahoma Memorial Center in Poteau to put telemedicine equipment into six public schools in the area, which will provide medical services to students and school faculty in these rural communities. Increasing our rural healthcare outcomes is a priority at the Capitol, and I’m thrilled it’s a priority for our higher-ed institutions to address as well.

The grant will also give SWOSU the ability to have telemedicine equipment in their Weatherford campus in the nursing and pharmacy schools, as well as the Health and Wellness Department. In the second and third years of the grant, SWOSU has the goal of serving 18 additional rural schools in western Oklahoma. Congressman Frank Lucas and Dr. Randy Curry, director of the College of Pharmacy of Rural Health, have put a lot of work into ensuring the university is well-positioned to receive these funds, and I’m grateful for their efforts. It will no doubt have an impact on the health of our rural communities for years to come.

The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding also recently recommended SWOSU for a $10 million grant from the state’s federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that would go towards two healthcare projects for the Weatherford campus, including the completion of the Jerry and Margaret Hodge Pharmacy and Rural Healthcare facility. This recommendation will now move to the ARPA funds steering committee for their consideration. The governor will make the final decision on where ARPA funds are sent, but it’s a great first step for these funds to be recommended by the joint committee.

Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford has donated his collection of papers and historical documents to the Al Harris Library at SWOSU, and I was honored to attend the dedication of the General Thomas P. Stafford Archives on March 11. Gen. Stafford was in attendance, and it was an unforgettable experience to hear from someone who has walked on the moon. His archives at SWOSU and the Stafford Air and Space Museum will ensure Weatherford is a top destination for those interested in space.

Finally, I had the opportunity to join Mindy Sawatzky from the Clinton FFA Chapter at the Oklahoma Youth Expo’s (OYE) Legislative Showmanship event this past week. Mindy taught me how to show her pig and it was a great time seeing many of my peers’ experience showing livestock. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the showmanship award, but it certainly wasn’t because Mindy wasn’t a great coach. As you all know, OYE is the world’s largest junior livestock show, and our 4H and FFA members work hard all year to exhibit their animals at their own “state championship.” I’ll always be a supporter of this program and what they do for our youth in agriculture.

I appreciate the faith you’ve put in me to be your voice at our Capitol. If there’s anything I can do to help you, please reach out. You can contact me by email at Darcy.Jech@oksenate.gov or by phone at 405- 521-5545.