For Immediate Release: March 27, 2012
Cherokee Chief Bill John Baker thanks the State Senate for passage
of resolution proclaiming
March 27, 2012 as Cherokee Nation Legislative Day at the State
Capitol. From left to right,
Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador, Lilli Jordan; Little Miss Cherokee,
Sierra Fields;
Miss Cherokee, Sidney Kimble; Cherokee Nation Government Relations
Director Jim Gray;
Sen. Sean Burrage, D-Claremore; Pro Tem Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa,
Chief Bill John Baker;
Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman; and Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahoma
City.
Senate pays tribute to Cherokee Nation
March 27, 2012 was officially recognized as Cherokee
Nation Legislative Day at the State Capitol. Senate President
Pro Tempore Brian Bingman and Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage
co-authored Senate Resolution 45 honoring the tribe, which is
the second largest federally recognized tribe in the nation, and
the largest in the State of Oklahoma.
“From before statehood on, members of the Cherokee Nation
have risen to national and international prominence; Will Rogers,
Sequoyah, Wilma Mankiller, Wes Studi are among the many outstanding
individuals with deep roots in the Cherokee Nation and in Oklahoma,”
said Burrage, D-Claremore. “Those roots are intertwined—the
Cherokee Nation helped define Oklahoma’s past and continues
to shape this state’s identity today.”
In addition to the Senate’s action, Gov. Mary Fallin declared
March 27, 2012 as Cherokee Nation Day in Oklahoma. Pro Tem Bingman
noted the Cherokee Nation is recognized on the Oklahoma State
Seal and praised the tribe’s steadfast commitment and economic
contributions.
“We were pleased to welcome Chief Bill John Baker to the
floor for the passage of this resolution,” said Bingman,
R-Sapulpa. “It is important to honor those close ties, and
pay tribute to the Cherokee Nation’s spirit of survival
and perseverance.”
Chief Baker said it was an honor to be in the Senate, and told
members he had himself served as a page in both the House of Representatives
and in the Senate
“We’re up here today to tell you how much we appreciate
your partnership with the Cherokee Nation,” Baker said.
“We’re just honored and blessed to be here today,
and God bless each and every one of you.”
Other guests from the Cherokee Nation included Government Relations
Director, Jim Gray; Miss Cherokee, Sidney Kimble; Little Miss
Cherokee, Sierra Fields; and Little Miss Cherokee Ambassador,
Lilli Jordan.
