State Sen. Kathleen Wilcoxson’s efforts to promote education reform and innovation will long be remembered as her legacy in the Oklahoma Legislature.  Wilcoxson was honored by the State Senate on Monday.  She is completing her twelfth and final session in the Legislature due to term limits.

“At every step of the way, Senator Wilcoxson has fought for Oklahoma’s children with a vision of creating an education system that would help those children, and the generations to follow have the greatest opportunities possible,” said Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee.  “She has served her district and our state with honor and dedication.”

The Oklahoma City Republican is a former Oklahoma City Teacher of the Year, and is a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.  In 1982, she was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the National Advisory Council on Adult Basic Education, and in 1996, she followed in the footsteps of State Sen. Helen Cole, winning the District 45 seat.

“Helen Cole was my friend and my mentor, and I consider myself truly blessed to have had her guidance and support,” Wilcoxson said.  “I do not know of a more intelligent, ethical and compassionate public servant.  I am tremendously grateful for the trust that Helen, my friends and family, and all the citizens of District 45 placed in me when I first began this journey.”

Wilcoxson urged her fellow members to continue her efforts to pass education reform—especially in promoting policy to improve student achievement in math, reading and science, and to help increase the numbers of students who complete high school.

“As a state, we should applaud our achievements, but we must always be honest about our shortcomings—otherwise we will never correct them and we will never move forward,” Wilcoxson said.  “We cannot be satisfied with the status quo—too many children are falling between the cracks.  When we acknowledge that fact and truly embrace bold reforms that will result in excellence in education, then we will see individual and collective success and achievement we had never before imagined.  It is a cause I have been proud to advocate in the Senate, and one I will continue to fight for in the years to come.”

Among the special guests attending Monday’s ceremony were Wilcoxson’s husband, Lynden, and her daughter and son-in-law, Stacy and Jeff Salem.  Also attending were Alma Johnson, Don and Sandy Johnson, David and Beth Johnson, Phyllis and Gene Williams, Margie Galt, David Cole, Alana VanOver, Bert Gowdy, Lynden Wilcoxson, Ralph and Janice Wilcoxson, Barbara Gowdy and many others.

About the Photo:
Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson stands on her soapbox to address her fellow members. The petite lawmaker from District 45 in Oklahoma City was honored in the Senate on Monday for her 12 years of service in the Legislature.  Wilcoxson is one of five senators who are term-limited this year.