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