By Journalist Lilian Fuchs (ECU)
Left- Emily Rosenberg Right- Adrie Marr
More than 140 Delegates, 193 Bills
Today was the first day of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature. While there were some rough patches as can be expected with any large scale event, the first day went very well. We are proud to boast that more than 140 delegates are in attendance and the house has 193 bills to debate.
For returning delegates, the first day means they get to reacquaint themselves with friends they may not have talked to since the previous OIL event. I asked Representative Delanie Seals what it was like getting to see people she knew from last semester. “I got to see Representative Christian Jimenez and it made me think about how we were all trying to learn the ropes of everything together. It was cool to see them again and see how they have grown.
Even as a first time delegate the first day doesn’t always have to be the hardest. Just getting the privilege of being here at the State Capitol, watching different views of the Government can be so interesting.
Justice Dustin Rowe gave a short speech to welcome the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislation students to the Capitol. Justice Dustin Rowe started his political career at the age of 18. Like a lot of the students who attend OIL, he cares about making Oklahoma a better place with everything that he does. He offered one key piece of advice he has gotten from being a politician since the ripe age of 18. His advice is to be the best at whatever you do. From politics to being a garbage man, be the best. With this key piece of advice from Justice Rowe, he also told delegates to ask themselves one question during their time here. “What type of significance can you have to make Oklahoma better?”