Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
For Immediate Release: March 24, 2009
Former Senate Pro Tem Mike Morgan was joined Tuesday by his family
for the unveiling of his
official Senate portrait.
Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee poses alongside his
portrait with artist
Mike Wimmer and Senate Preservation Fund president Charles Ford.
(More photos will be posted Wednesday morning)
Senate President Pro Tempores Honored
The Oklahoma State Senate has had 40 President
Pro Tempores since statehood and the Senate dedicated two portraits
Tuesday afternoon of former Pro Tem Mike Morgan and the Senate’s
current leader Glenn Coffee. The portraits by world-renown Norman
artist Mike Wimmer were commissioned by the Oklahoma State Senate
Historical Preservation Fund.
“As a former Senator, it gives me great pride and pleasure
to make sure that our Senate leaders are recognized and given
the respect they deserve,” said former Senator Charles Ford,
president of the Preservation Fund. “I had the honor to
work along side both Senators Morgan and Coffee. They are great
leaders, citizens and businessmen, and the State of Oklahoma is
fortunate to have had them both at the reigns to help lead the
state forward.”
Sen. Mike Morgan began his political career in 1996 when he was
elected to represent Senate District 21, which includes portion
of Payne, Logan and Lincoln Counties. During his twelve years
in the Senate, he served as Vice-Chair of Education (1997-98);
Chairman of the Appropriation Sub-Committee on Retirement and
Employee Benefits (1999-2002); and as Vice-Chairman of the Appropriation
Sub-Committee on Education (2001-02). He also served as Chair
of Appropriations (2003-05) until he was elected as President
Pro Tempore of the Senate in March 2005.
During the last two sessions, the Senate became tied 24-24 for
the first time in history and he shared the top Senate position
with Republican Glenn Coffee. Political experts and commentators
predicted gridlock and bitter partisanship, but under Morgan’s
leadership, the Senate operated in a manner that drew praise from
leaders across the state.
“It was such a blessing getting to serve my district and
the State of Oklahoma. It was one of the highlights of my life,”
said Morgan. “I’m honored that my portrait will get
to hang in the halls of our beautiful Capitol.”
Sen. Glenn
Coffee was first elected to the Senate in 1998, quickly gaining
a reputation as a leader and a reformer. During his eleven years
in the Senate, he has held a number of leadership positions including
Republican Caucus chairman (2000-2002), Assistant Minority Floor
Leader (2002-2004), and Minority Floor Leader (2004-2006). He
then served as Senate Co-President Pro Tempore (2007-2008) after
the Senate became tied following the 2006 elections. After the
Republicans gained control of the Senate for the first time in
Oklahoma history, Coffee became the 40th President Pro Tempore
of the Senate and the first Republican to ever serve in the position.
“What a tremendous honor to have a portrait done by such
a famous artist and know that it will be in the Capitol long after
I’m gone for my great, great grandchildren and others to
see,” said Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “I have been so
blessed with my family, in work and by getting elected to the
State Senate. It is the greatest legislative body in the country,
and I’m so proud to get to have served and serve with some
of the finest men and women in the state.”
With the addition of the two new portraits, Wimmer has 26 works
in the State Capitol, the most of any Oklahoma artist.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be asked to do these portraits
and other works of art portraying our state’s history. Every
piece of art has a story to tell, and I hope these works portray
the great love these two men have for their state,” said
Wimmer. “I enjoyed working with Senators Morgan and Coffee
on these portraits, and I’m looking forward to working on
many more Capitol pieces in the future.”
The portraits and other works of art can be viewed on the Senate
website at www.oksenate.gov.
For more information contact:
Charles Ford's Office - (405)-521-5675
Senate Media Office - (405) 521-5698
