ENROLLED SENATE
CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 14	By:	Schulz, Adelson, Aldridge, Allen, Anderson, Ballenger, Barrington, Bass, Bingman, Branan, Brecheen, Brinkley, Brown, Burrage, Coates, Crain, David, Eason McIntyre, Ellis, Fields, Ford, Garrison, Halligan, Holt, Ivester, Johnson (Constance), Johnson (Rob), Jolley, Justice, Laster, Lerblance, Marlatt, Mazzei, Myers, Newberry, Nichols, Paddack, Reynolds, Rice, Russell, Shortey, Simpson, Sparks, Stanislawski, Sykes, Treat, Wilson and Wyrick of the Senate

			and

		Ortega of the House

A Concurrent Resolution commending Eddie Wilcoxen for his contributions to this state; congratulating Mr. Wilcoxen for his appointment as State Poet Laureate; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the English poet Matthew Arnold said, “Poetry is simply the most beautiful, impressive and widely effective mode of saying things”; and

WHEREAS, poetry is the imaginative treatment of experience through the heightened use of language; and

WHEREAS, poetry speaks to the soul, painting a picture with words, inspiring us and making us think about the universe around us; and

WHEREAS, the individual who personifies poetry for a society is its poet laureate; and

WHEREAS, the office of poet laureate historically has been a position bestowed upon a poet acclaimed as the most eminent in the locality; and

WHEREAS, the position of State Poet Laureate was established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1994; and

WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Poet Laureate Program is designed to honor outstanding Oklahoma poets and promote participation in the literary arts of the state; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, Governor Brad Henry appointed Mr. Eddie Wilcoxen to the post of State Poet Laureate for the 2011-2012 term; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilcoxen is a distinguished writer of poetry, prose, and non-fiction; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilcoxen is a career radio broadcaster with a morning show on KWHW in Altus who is also widely recognized for his landscape design; and

WHEREAS, in 1996, Mr. Wilcoxen was designated an “Official Olympic Hero” and chosen to carry the Olympic Torch on its historic journey across the United States to Atlanta, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wilcoxen honors this state, not only with his considerable talent, but also his willingness to sharing his gift of stories and poems with others.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Oklahoma Legislature, on behalf of the citizens of this state, hereby commends Mr. Eddie Wilcoxen for his valuable contributions to the State of Oklahoma.

THAT Mr. Eddie Wilcoxen is hereby congratulated for being designated State Poet Laureate, a post he fills in a manner that brings honor to the state.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Mr. Eddie Wilcoxen.

Adopted by the Senate the 19th day of April, 2011.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 19th day of April, 2011.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives