Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: May 18, 2011
Sen. Constance N. Johnson
Oklahoma County Senator proud to lead Legislative Black Caucus
With thirty years of legislative experience, first as a Senate
staff person and then as a state legislator, Sen. Constance
N. Johnson is looking forward to a new challenge. She was named
by her peers last month as Chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black
Caucus. Sen. Johnson assumed the chair position at the close of
the 10th Biennial A.C. Hamlin Awards Banquet, their crowning event
that is sponsored by the Black Caucus Foundation.
“It is such an honor and I am very humbled to be named to
this important position by my colleagues,” said Johnson, D-Oklahoma
County. “Even in the 21st century, people from diverse communities
still face different treatment. It is the goal of this caucus to
ensure the rights of those communities are protected and that they
have a voice in the legislative process.”
Johnson worked for the Senate from 1981 to 2005 as committee staff
for the Health and Human Resources Committee, along side Sen. Bernest
Cain, long-time chairman. She was elected in 2005, and re-elected
in 2006 and 2010, to represent Senate District 48, the state’s
oldest majority-minority district. She will serve a two-year term,
which will conclude with the 11th Biennial Banquet.
In the coming year, the Caucus will be tackling a number of issues
which will first include setting an agenda that speaks to the vision
and goals of the caucus. “It is my hope to enhance our work
over the interim by sponsoring a retreat in which to learn how to
best work together and to get educated about the real issues facing
the state,” stated Johnson. The caucus will also consider
additional fundraising initiatives to ensure a strong operating
base from which to further its agenda. “Our caucus has functioned
for some time now without the benefit of an operational set of by-laws;
we can do better and will do better as we try to come to terms with
language for the by-laws that is similar to the Black Caucus Foundation’s
by-laws and that helps us accomplish the desired image and mission
of the Caucus,” Johnson said.
Johnson noted one of the caucus’ top goals in 2012 will
be working to educate citizens about the redistricting process and
other issues related to civil rights.
For more information, contact:
Sen. Johnson: (405) 521-5531

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