State Sen. Sean Burrage has been named as one of only 24 elected public officials to be selected for the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership 2008 Class of Fellows. Each of the members of the class was selected based on their reputation for intellect, thoughtfulness, and a bipartisan approach to governing. The class is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats and represents Fellows from 22 states, serving both local and state levels of government. Burrage is the only elected official from Oklahoma chosen for the 2008 class.

“I am extremely honored to have been chosen for this public leadership program,” said Burrage, D-Claremore. “This is an institute dedicated to the study of democracy, with individuals who share the belief that our first priority must be to achieve the greatest good possible for our citizens.”

The previous Oklahoma Rodel Fellow was Senate President Pro Tempore Designate Glenn Coffee, who was appointed in 2007. Other outstanding Oklahomans who have participated in the program include Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud, appointed in 2006, and U.S. Congressman Dan Boren who was named a Rodel Fellow in 2005.

The Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership program was established in 2005 with the goal of enhancing American democracy by convening the nation’s most promising young political leaders in a casual, bipartisan setting to explore the underlying values and principles of democracy, the relationship between individuals and their community, and the responsibilities of public leadership. The Class of 2008 will begin their dialogue when they convene for the first time in January 2009. The new class will meet two more times over the course of their 24-month Fellowship.

For more information contact:
Senator Burrage's Office:  (405) 521-5555