Tahlequah High School senior serves as page in Culver's office

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, met with Tahlequah High School Senior Dulce Melo to serve as a page in his Capitol office last week.

"Dulce is brilliant. She's her senior class president and valedictorian. She's attended Oklahoma Girl's State and already has a full scholarship to attend the University of Chicago where she plans to study political science and to minor in English language and literature before going to law school," Culver said.

Melo is interning with BJ Baker, a criminal defense attorney in Tahlequah. She's in XL, runs track and field, is on the Academic Team, is a member of Student Council and is in the Science Club.

"Dulce is a go-getter. She already has her life mapped out. Oh to be young," Culver said.

In the House this week, they finished hearing bills in their regular policy committees. The deadline was supposed to be Feb. 20, but ice and snow last week pushed that forward to Monday, Feb. 24. Now oversight committees are meeting. Bills must pass this second step before those are eligible to be heard on the House floor.

"We've started hearing a few bills on the floor, nothing too controversial to date. Our floor sessions will become busier over the next three weeks as we start hearing multiple bills each day," Culver said.

For those who want to listen in, they can livestream sessions on the House website, okhouse.gov, then select News & Media and Live Proceedings.

On Tuesday, Black History Day was held in the Second Floor Rotunda at the Capitol. The House adopted a resolution recognizing February as Black History Month and the contributions of Black Americans to the history of Oklahoma and America.

"Also on Tuesday, we hosted a group of international students and their advisors in the House during International Student Recognition Day. Many international students attend our state colleges and universities, and it's great to get to show them the State Capitol," Culver said.

Additionally, officer teams from seven different CareerTech organizations were recognized. These officers lead over 100,000 CareerTech students who are members of local chapters in junior and senior high schools as well as technology centers across the state.

"During their visit to the Capitol, these groups gain insight into the legislative process and meet with their respective legislators. It's always good to host the next generation of leaders and those who take the time to visit the seat of state government," Culver said.

Wednesday was Nonprofit Advocacy Day. Culver said nonprofits do a lot to help fill in where government services must leave off. They take care of the needs of children, the elderly, the poor, and so much more.

"I'm thankful for the work they do, much of it volunteer," he said.

Anyone needing assistance from Culver are asked to call his Capitol office at 405-557-7408 or email him at bob.culver@okhouse.gov.