By Journalist Lexi Sapien (RSC)
The start of Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature 1st Session of the 55th Legislature began Wednesday evening. We started off the day with a healthy open area for dad jokes.
There are over 140 delegates this session. Last session is believed to have 97 delegates. This year has been provided with many court and press participants that previous years have not had.
The House of Representatives and the Senate will have a very active week as the house will be going over 193 bills. These members will do so with fast-moving diligence.
Governor Shaw encourages all to take part in competition, push yourself, be active, and make yourself heard.
Every delegate was blessed to hear Vice-Chief Justice Dustin Rowe, as the session guest speaker. At the age of 18 Dustin Rowe won the elections of Tishomingo City Council making him the youngest mayor of Oklahoma. Rowe earned his B.A. with honors from East Central University and his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Mr. Rowe gave one piece of advice he hopes we take. “What can you do to make Oklahoma a better state?” Whether it be an elementary teacher or a member of the senate, each job done is a way to better Oklahoma. Dustine Rowe expressed, “I aspire to live a life of public service that makes Oklahoma better.”
One student asked Mr. Rowe “What made you want to join city council so early?” Dustin Rowe had noticed the average age of the city council was 76 and realized there are things needed to be done. He goes on to say ‘if you notice something that needs to change the best thing to do is go in there and change it.”
It’s great to see people like Dustin Rowe encouraging others to do more for Oklahoma. It’s important to come together as an OIL community and make a positive impact on our great state.