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Oklahoma Celebrates Statehood

November 17, 2014
Weekly Columns

On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state in the union. Our existence as a part of this great nation spans over a century, and our heritage is rich. Indeed, we are proud to call Oklahoma our home.

As we celebrate the anniversary of our statehood this month, we are reminded that our nation is an ideological mosaic comprised of a variety of opinions and beliefs. While we are united in our identity as Americans, we are also a collection of individual states with understandable pride in our regional heritages, opinions and values.

It’s often that these ideals found in our state and local communities shape us, make us who we are and keep us grounded. Our communities play a major role informing our opinions and determining what matters to us. For those of us who call Oklahoma home, it is important to remember that our values and morals aren't always held by those Americans who call different parts of the nation their home.

Throughout my service in the U.S. House of Representatives, I have always endeavored to represent the values and opinions of my fellow Sooners. But I have also tried to understand and respect the viewpoints of my colleagues who represent vastly different parts of America. While the federal government has its place in our system of government, each state also plays a unique role in government, and that constitutional power should be protected.

In order to encourage the proper balance of power between the state and federal governments, our founders drafted and passed as part of the Bill of Rights the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Through this amendment, it was agreed that “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” By allowing states to govern themselves as much as possible, our founders knew this would encourage greater efficiency in government and discourage federal overreach.

Like those I represent in the U.S. House of Representatives and others across our great state, I will always be proud to be from Oklahoma. I am also pleased that our founders established a system that allows us to be not only proud Americans, but uniquely Oklahomans.