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OCPA column: Stitt's inauguration sets tone

Inauguration sets tone

By Jonathan Small

Gov. Kevin Stitt set the right tone for his second term in his inauguration speech, signaling a focus on good policy. Stitt’s agenda gives Oklahomans reason for optimism.

“It’s time to keep moving forward with big ideas and to get them across the finish line for today’s children as well as the next generation,” Stitt said.

Oklahoma Congressional delegation thanks OK National Guard for U.S. Capitol service

Photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Oklahoma Congressional Delegation Thanks National Guard for U.S. Capitol Service

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (OK-05), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, together with U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01), Representative Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Representative Frank Lucas (OK-03), Representative Tom Cole (OK-04), and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), wrote a letter to the Oklahoma National Guard this week, thanking them for their exemplary service at the U.S. Capitol last month.

Bice and several Oklahoma Congressional members met with the troops while they were in town guarding the U.S. Capitol during inauguration. Oklahoma National Guard Members spent a week guarding the nation’s capitol.

“It was an honor to have the Oklahoma National Guard in Washington to ensure the safety and security of all who work within the Capitol complex. The sacrifices of these men and women are truly appreciated and will not be forgotten,” Bice said.

OK congressional delegation comments on Biden/Harris inauguration

Earlier today, former Vice President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (D-DE) was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, and former U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) was sworn in as the 49th Vice President of the United States. Most of Oklahoma's congressional delegation, all Republicans, issued some sort of comment on the inauguration of the new administration, which I have posted below.

U.S. Representatives Kevin Hern and Tom Cole attended the inauguration, as did U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford.

Oklahoma turns a new page with new leaders

With the inauguration of Governor Kevin Stitt and a mostly-new slate of statewide elected officials, the state of Oklahoma is turning the page and closing a chapter.

Stitt looks to be a bold contrast to the [largely disappointing and frustrating] past eight years of Mary Fallin, but time will tell whether he will be able to get the Legislature to work with him in order to accomplish his goals. There are promising signs already.

New Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell was also sworn in on Monday, as well as Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony (his final term), State Auditor Cindy Byrd (her first term), Attorney General Mike Hunter (his first full term), State Treasurer Randy McDaniel (his first term), State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister (her final term), Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn (her first term), and Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready (his first term).

You can read Gov. Stitt's inauguration speech here, or watch the full ceremony below, courtesy of Tulsa's NBC affiliate, KJRH:

Stitt Inauguration: details for public attendees

DETAILS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC ATTENDING THE INAUGURATION OF THE 28TH GOVERNOR OF OKLAHOMA, J. KEVIN STITT

Oklahoma City, Okla. (Jan. 11, 2019) – Oklahomans are invited to attend the inauguration of the 28th Governor of Oklahoma, J. Kevin Stitt. The inauguration will take place on Monday, January 14 at 11:30AM on the south side of the Oklahoma Capitol. The general public is encouraged to RSVP for the event at https://www.oklahomaturnaround.com/inauguration-swearingin-ceremonyoklahoma-city/.

Important details for the general public to note are listed below:

ARRIVAL TIME: The general public is encouraged to be seated by 11AM. Seating is first come, first served. The official ceremony begins at 11:30AM.

PARKING: Parking is limited around the capitol. There will be specific parking areas that will be available for the public to access. These lots include: the south side guest parking lot and the Will Rogers Memorial Office Building parking lot. After 10:15AM the northwest parking lot and Harn Homestead parking lot will be open to the general public as well (see attached map). Attendees are encouraged to arrive early as parking is first come, first served.

ACCESIBILITY: Interpreters for the hearing impaired will be located on the west side of the platform.

RULES: You may not bring gifts for the Governor or any other state officials. No large bags. No drones of any kind are allowed.

CEREMONY: Weather on the day of the ceremony can vary. We ask that the public come prepared, as the event is held outdoors. The public is also encouraged to take pictures during the ceremony and to use #OKTurnaround on all inauguration related social media posts.

RECEPTION: Following the inauguration ceremony, there will be a free reception inside the capitol where attendees of the inauguration may meet the new governor, first lady, and state-wide elected officials. Cookies and punch will be provided.

Gov-elect Stitt announces entertainment for 3 inaugural events

GOVERNOR-ELECT STITT ANNOUNCES ENTERTAINMENT FOR THREE INAUGURAL EVENTS

Oklahoma City, Okla. (Jan. 1, 2019) – Governor-elect Kevin Stitt announced today the entertainment for the three inaugural balls taking place across the state between Jan. 10 and Jan. 14.

“Sarah and I are looking forward to a time of fellowship and live entertainment with Oklahomans from across the state,” said Governor-elect Kevin Stitt. “Our events will begin in Lawton, celebrating rural Oklahoma and welcoming Jimmie Allen to our state who has an inspiring story of achieving his dreams through hard work, faith, and commitment to family. We look forward to the continued celebration in our home town of Tulsa with MercyMe whose hit song made way for the movie ‘I Can Only Imagine’ featuring Oklahoma’s beautiful landscape. On inauguration day, we will celebrate in Oklahoma City with Oklahoma’s own Toby Keith, an award-winning country music artist who continues to give back to our communities as a job creator and philanthropist.” 

The Lawton Preinaugural Bison Bash will feature rising country music artist Jimmie Allen. Allen has opened for Toby Keith and recently became the first African-American artist to send a debut single to the top of the Country Airplay Billboard chart. Allen was chosen by the Stitts because of his inspiring story of achieving the American Dream through hard work, persistency, and commitment to a goal.

The Lawton event will take place on January 10 at 7PM at the Comanche County Fair Grounds Coliseum. The evening includes a BBQ dinner, live entertainment and a time of fellowship with the governor-elect, first lady, and various other statewide officials. Tickets are $75 each.

The Tulsa Preinaugural Redbud Ball will feature the Tulsa Symphony, the Cherokee Youth Choir and MercyMe, the Christian rock band that wrote the song “I Can Only Imagine” which was adapted into a movie filmed in Oklahoma. The Tulsa ball will take place on January 12 at 7PM at the Cox Business Center. The black-tie evening includes a gourmet dinner, live entertainment and a time of fellowship with the governor-elect, first lady, and various other statewide officials. Tickets are $150 each.

The Oklahoma City inaugural ball will feature the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the Cherokee Youth Choir, Jimmie Allen and Toby Keith. Toby Keith is an American country singer and songwriter who was born in Clinton, Oklahoma and raised in Moore. Keith is a businessman and a philanthropist, supporting Ally’s House, a non-profit in Oklahoma designed to aid children with cancer.

The OKC inaugural ball will take place on January 14 at 7PM at the Cox Convention Center, Renaissance Grand Ballroom. The black-tie evening includes a gourmet dinner, live entertainment and a time of fellowship with the newly sworn-in governor, first lady, and statewide officials. Tickets are $250 each.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.OklahomaTurnaround.com. Remaining proceeds from tickets sales will be donated to Friends of the Mansion, a non-profit dedicated to providing for the preservation and improvement of the historic Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion and its grounds.

In the coming days, the Stitts will announce entertainment for the Scissortail Children’s Festival in Tulsa on Jan. 12. This event will include a special donation to non-profits supporting Oklahoma’s foster children and families.

Inaugural events that are free and open to the public include the official inaugural swearing-in ceremony at 11:30AM on Jan. 12 on the south side of the State Capitol. The ceremony will be immediately followed by a reception with the Governor, First Lady, and statewide officials inside the State Capitol. Seats are first come, first served. The public is encouraged to RSVP in order to receive updates on parking, weather, and more: https://www.oklahomaturnaround.com/inauguration-swearingin-ceremonyoklahoma-city/

On Jan. 13, the Governor and First Lady will participate in an inaugural prayer service at 9:30AM at First Baptist Moore. The service is free and open to the public. RSVP is encouraged: https://www.oklahomaturnaround.com/inaugural-prayer-serviceoklahoma-city/

Music Monday: Hail, Columbia

In honor of new Vice President Mike Pence, this week's Music Monday is the standard musical greeting for the Vice President of the United States: four Ruffles and Flourishes, followed by the Vice Presidential Anthem, Hail, Columbia.

Enjoy!



Click to go below the page break to see all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to submit for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

Music Monday: Hail to the Chief

In honor of President Donald Trump's inauguration last Friday, this week's Music Monday is the standard musical greeting for the President of the United States: Ruffles and Flourishes (the President gets four drum "ruffles" and brass "flourishes", while most dignitaries get less and none get more), followed by the Presidential Anthem, Hail To The Chief.

Enjoy!



Click to go below the page break to see all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to submit for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

Trump-Pence Inauguration Livestream

Today at noon Eastern Time, Donald Trump will be officially sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America, with Mike Pence being sworn in as the 48th Vice President shortly beforehand. The Inauguration activities kick off around 11:30am ET/10:30am CT.

The video below is supposed to live-stream the Inauguration, for those unable to watch elsewhere:


To quote former President Gerald Ford from his inauguration,

“My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”

Let's pray that President Trump exceeds our expectations.

Mary Fallin's Inauguration

The snow threatened to move Governor-elect Mary Fallin's inauguration ceremony inside, but with no success. With less than an hour to go, people are beginning to fill the seats outside the Capitol building for this historic ceremony.

You can watch the inauguration on OETA television stations, or online here (OETA).

The ObamaCult: CNN Compares Inauguration to Islamic Hajj

H/t to zTruth.

CNN compares the preparations of the Obama Inauguration to the Islamic Hajj in Mecca.

"The coming political pilgrimage is similar to another grand event in both size and preparation. The Hajj, the most important religious pilgrimage in the Muslim world."