Lexington Observer (Lexington, Okla.), Vol. 12, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 14, 2007 Page: 6 of 8
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6 June 14t 2007 Lexington Observer
WEEKLY COLUMN: RESPECTING HUMAN LIFE
Weekly Column Congressman Tom Cole "Respecting Human
Life”
Imagine a settler in the 1800s going far out into the woods
alone with his rifle in search of a deer to feed his starving fam-
ily. After waiting patiently for hours, he notices movement in
the brush 50 yards away. It’s a deer. In a flash, he takes aim
and prepares to fire. Then he hesitates because something about
the deer's movement suggests that it might not be a deer, but
another hunter. Alone and miles away from any settlement, the
odds of seeing another human are slim to none, but not impos-
sible Remember, his family is starving. If you were that hunter,
would you shoot? Even when the stakes are high and the odds
are long, basic respect for human life compels us not to shoot.
The same is true for embry onic stem cell research. While the
argument can be made that embry onic stem cell research has
the potential to create treatment options for a wide range of dis-
eases and other debilitating medical conditions, we must also
consider the moral and ethical dimensions of creating human
life w ith the intention of destroying it. 1 am a strong proponent
of stem cell research, but I cannot support research on stem cells
that have been derived by destroying living human embryos.
This is human life that must be respected - not destroyed. For-
tunately. medical breakthroughs have made that choice unnec-
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essary. Earlier this year I co-sponsored legislation that encour-
ages and funds research on Pluripotent Stem Cells. These are
stem cells that can eventually specialize in any bodily tissue,
but they cannot themselves de-
velop into a human being.
They have been scientifi-
cally proven to have the abil-
ity to grow into brain, muscle
and other tissues that could be
used to treat a variety of dis-
eases - and to do so without de
stroying human
life. Unfortunately. Congress
ignored these new develop-
ments earlier in the year when
they passed legislation explic-
itly calling for stem cell re-
search on living human em-
bryos that have been created for purposes of fertility therapy.
This is essentially taking human embryos intended to become
babies and reducing them to a science experiment. On top of
this. Congress passed a bill last week to foster the creation of
cloned human embryos for the purpose of using them in research
that will ultimately kill them.
H R. 2560. falsely labeled the Human Cloning Prohibition
Act of 2007. claims to ban human cloning. The reality, how-
ever. is that this bill actually legitimizes the creation of human
clones as long as they are used for research and ultimately de-
stroyed. The only thing this bill really bans is respect for hu-
man life. I am opposed to cloning human beings for any pur-
pose and I believe most Oklahomans are as well.
As I said earlier. I am a strong proponent of stem cell re-
search that recognizes certain moral and ethical boundaries. And
those options are abundant as well as extremely promising. It is
tragic that Congress ignored these opportunities and instead
embraced policies that have questionable potential to cure dis-
ease but are certain to destroy human lite.
Sen. Nichols Increases
Funding for Child
Abuse Investigations
By Governor Brad Henry
1
Oklahoma's Promise Key to the Future
Oklahoma’s centennial marks a time to look back over the
past 100 years, take stock of where we are and all we have ac-
complished. and lay out a plan for moving Oklahoma forward
into the next 100 years.
And that means working to produce more college graduates
so that Oklahoma can reach its full potential. Consequently, we
must make college accessible and affordable to more students.
One of the best ways to achieve that is through the Okla-
homa Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), or
Oklahoma’s Promise. The program guarantees a full scholar-
ship at any state college or university to students who meet in-
come guidelines, keep up their grades and stay out of trouble.
The program has been very successful, with 15,000 students
attending college on Oklahoma’s Promise scholarships during
the 2006-2007 school year. That success, however, has led to
the need for lawmakers to increase appropriations each year.
Frequently, the Legislature has had to provide supplemental fund-
ing to keep the program from running out of money. This legis-
lative session, my top priorities included finding a stable and
permanent revenue stream for OHLAP. We accomplished that
goal with a bill 1 signed last week that essentially earmarks funds
needed for OHLAP out of general state revenues without the
need for legislative action.
An educated and skilled workforce is the best possible eco-
nomic development tool, and there is no better investment we
could make now than in our children and their education. Today s
students soon will be leaders in business and industry, govern-
ment. academia and the arts—and we must give them the edu-
cation to help them succeed. The students who sign up tor
OHLAP make a strong commitment to their education, and so
state government should be no less committed to them. A dedi-
cated revenue source ensures that Oklahoma will keep up hei
end of the bargain.
If you have questions or comments, please write me at the
Office of the Governor, Room 212, Oklahoma City OK 73105
or visit the “Contact the Governor’’ section of my website.
www.govemor.ok.gov.
Legislation that will increase funding to Child Advo-
cacy Centers (CACs) and Multi-Disciplinary Child Abuse Teams
was signed by Gov. Brad Henry this week.
Sen. Jonathan Nichols. R-Norman, originally authored
an amendment that was included in HB 1282. The amendatory
language that is now law earmarks a $3 fee on criminal filings
for programs that investigate child abuse cases. The new tee
could generate as much as one million new dollars for Child
Advocacy Centers (CACs) and Multi-Disciplinary Teams.
“Child Advocacy Centers across the state could see
their budgets increase by as much as fifty percent over the next
two years,” said Nichols. “This increase in their funding is long
over due. but still is not enough.
CACs pool local resources in one location in order to
reduce the trauma on children that can occur during the investi-
gation and prosecution of child abuse cases.
“The experts who run these Child Advocacy Centers
are on the front line of fighting these horrible crimes against
children,” said Nichols, “And Norman's Mary Abbott House is
a model for how these centers operate.”
Cleveland County's CAC is located in central Norman
and is named after Dr. Mary Abbott, who was a pioneer in creat-
ing multi-disciplinary teams that investigated child abuse cases.
Under the directorship of Jeannine Baker. The Mary
Abbott Children’s House serves child victims of sexual and se-
vere physical abuse and neglect through coordinated interagency
investigation, intervention, education and advocacy.
“We are seeing a tremendous increase in the number
of cases that come through CACs,” said Baker. "Abbott House
has served 321 children in the first five months of this year, com-
pared to 450 for all of 2006. Increased funding will help us pro-
vide services to child victims in these sensitive
cases.”
Nichols, who serves as Co-Chairman of the Appro-
priations Subcommittee on Public Safety, also increased fund-
ing by $22().(XM) to the Oklahoma Child Abuse Response Team
(CART).
“CART, which is housed at the Oklahoma State Bu-
reau of Investigation, is responsible for implementing the Kelsey
Briggs Act,” said Nichols. “Whenever a District Judge or the
Department of Human Services calls the OSBI in to join inves-
tigations of child abuse, the Child Abuse Response Team re-
sponds.”
Nichols' increase in funding to CART will pay for two
additional criminal investigators who will join an already funded
child abuse forensic interviewer.
"Nothing is more despicable than a crime against a
child,” said OSBI Director DeWade Langley. “Now, thanks to
the outstanding leadership of Senator Nichols and the support of
the legislature, we have two new positions that will allow for a
rapid, professional response to these heartbreaking events.
HAPPY FATHERS DAY
from all of us at the
Lexington Observer.
Bright Lights in
Norman
By Robby L. Short
In a sports bar in Norman Oklahoma, packed full of
Lexington natives, Brandon Pruitt stood alone. On his back was
a black button down shirt, with inlaid roses. He wore faded blue
jeans with no shoe as he plugged the amplifier cord into his
guitar.
Behind him was a large television showing the Thurs-
day Night Baseball, as a pair of cowboy boots leant up against
the wall. Not a soul in attendance could tell you the final score,
most couldn’t even tell you who played, let alone the pitcher.
Everyone was there for one reason.
For the first time in five years Pruitt was set to play to an
audience of friends and family ranging from age six months to
60 years sat in wonder of the booming voice radiating out of the
little kid they once knew. “Its great to be home. I haven’t seen
some of these faces in years,” Pruitt said.
The crowd was rather tame for this type of event, in this
type of place. Most seemed too reserved to shout, catcall and
whistle at the performer. For the most part people just sat and
listened to the sad songs Pruitt sang, and enjoyed a cool bever-
age or two.
A self-taught musician, Pruitt started his career playing
Christian Rock, then quickly moved on to Red Dirt Country
after he moved to Nashville to attend Middle Tennessee State in
2002.
Pruitt chose a play list that included Hit songs by Johnny
Cash, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard. In between these songs
Pruitt played most of the songs on his debut album, and a few
he had just finished writing in weeks past.
Pruitt looked confident and comfortable on stage, he keep
the audience involved by making jokes, and comments directed
to individual fans between songs, and in long instrumentals.
The atmosphere quickly turned to one of tun. with a
majority of the fans being Lexington alumni. “It felt like a high
school reunion,"Jeremy Walters, a graduate of Lexington, and
the president of the Brandon Pruitt fan club said.
After the show. Pruitt broke down all of his equipment,
and loaded it into his truck, then made the rounds, personally
thanking everyone who came out.
Pruitt took the stage alone, yet afterwards was hard
pressed to find a moment of silence, and even managed to cir-
culate his album “Red Dirt Blue Country” throughout the crowd.
Pruitt will return to the state on June 28. playing three
shows in three nights. For full tour information check
BrandonPruitt.com.
Food Pantry
The Lexington United Methodist Church, located at 631 E
Ash will again be opening its food pantry this Saturday from
1:00 - 4:00. Doors will open at 12:45. Guests are asked to
enter through the east doors. Some sacks and boxes will be
available but guests are encouraged to bring their own, as well
as containers if they want catsup, mustard, barbeque sauce or
pickles. For more information please call 527-3506
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Edwards, Olvis. Lexington Observer (Lexington, Okla.), Vol. 12, No. 10, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 14, 2007, newspaper, June 14, 2007; Lexington, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1597454/m1/6/?rotate=90: accessed July 16, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.