Every year, I have the honor of nominating Oklahomans for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's (CCAI) Angels in Adoption award. I'm thrilled to announce this year's nominees.

I am incredibly grateful for the Oklahomans who have dedicated their lives to supporting children through foster care and adoption. As parents of adopted children ourselves, this is a cause close to our hearts.

CCAI's Angels in Adoption program honors individuals and organizations that make extraordinary contributions in adoption, permanency, and child welfare. This year, I am honored to announce my Oklahoma nominees for this award, Amber and Davis Saunders. Amber began her fostering journey in 2021 as a single woman. One of Amber’s greatest joys is her being a part of a big family, and she wanted to share that joy with children who needed a forever home. Amber’s tireless efforts to care and provide for children who have been placed in her household are admirable, and I’m thrilled to share that Amber and her now husband Davis have just adopted a sibling group of three that they have been fostering since early 2023. Thank you, Amber and Davis, for all that you have done. Oklahoma is blessed to have caring community members like you.

After spending time in southwest Oklahoma earlier this work period, we took our Community Conversation events to the northwest.

We started the day in Medford with Mayor Gary Bowen, City Manager Dea Mandevill, Grant County Farm Service Agency Exective Director Dakotah Lane, and members of the community. I offered an update on the Biden-Harris border crisis, ongoing budget negotiations, and my journey in politics. Thank you to those who asked thoughtful questions including ones about constituent services, securing elections, and how the 2024 race will impact the state.

Next stop: Cherokee. We had a productive conversation about states having more say in federal spending, the Israel-Hamas war, faith, and social security. I want to thank City Manager Chad Roach, Alfalfa County Commissioner Nate Ross, Mayor Kolby Arnold, Sen. Roland Pederson (SD-19), and Rep. Carl Newton, OD (HD-58) for their hospitality. We had an awesome turnout. Thank you to those who made it happen!

Next, we held an event at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva to meet with Northwestern Oklahoma State University President Dr. Bo Hannaford, Mayor Kelly Parker, City Manager Stephen Ford, Oklahoma Sorghum Commission and National Sorghum Producers Board member Dr. Kent Martin, local business and community leaders, educators, and spoke to a large crowd which included university students. We discussed the farm bill, appropriations, entitlements, and I took questions pertaining to rights of the unborn and the debt.

Last but certainly not least, we wrapped the day in Fairview where we met with City Manager Robert Laverty, Assistant City Manager George Eischen, Fairview Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tree Kelly, Rep. Mike Dobrinski (HD-59), Pioneer Telephone Cooperative Inc. General Manager Blake Callaham and constituents from the surrounding area. I offered my thoughts on runaway spending in DC, the threat of Communist China, my voting record, and took questions from the group that covered election integrity, the Farm Bill, and our nation's food supply. I will continue to push legislative priorities for Oklahoma and fight to get the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) off the backs of Oklahomans.

The recent attack of two U.S. Marines in Western Turkey over U.S. support of Israel is a direct result of the Biden-Harris administration's weak foreign policy. This would have never happened if we had a stronger Commander-in-Chief. I joined Fox News this week to discuss the continued dangers of U.S. weakness on the world stage. Watch here.

I had a great morning of fitness and fellowship working out with the Tulsa Firefighter Academy Cadets. Thank you to Class 11 Tulsa Fire Department's Deputy Chief Julie Lynn, Chief of Training Bryan Lloyd, Captain Matt Bell, and Matt Lay for having me. This is one tough group of men and women, and it was an honor to spend the morning with you all. 

Thanks for reading my weekly e-newsletter! It’s an honor to represent the great state of Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate. You can stay in touch by following me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Gettr, Truth Social, and YouTube. As always, don’t hesitate to contact my office if we can help in any way.

God Bless!

Markwayne Mullin

U.S. Senator for Oklahoma

mullin.senate.gov

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