Our Rotarian of the Day today is Steve Gray. Steve is a 1977 graduate of Oklahoma State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a 1980 University of Tulsa College of Law graduate. In college, he was the co-captain of the OSU swim team from 1976-1977. He also coached collegiate athletics in diving at Oklahoma State University and at Oral Roberts University.
He has had a private law office for going on 20 years, where he specializes in real estate, zoning and condemnation work; probate and estate planning, and civil litigation. He also takes the brunt of the lawyer jokes that we make. He’s a good sport like that.
Steve has served as a Department of Agriculture administrative judge for nearly 10 years, a Department of Labor administrative judge for 4 years, a Department of Education Fact Finder for 14 years, a Special Education Administrative Judge for 4 years, and a hearing officer for the Cherokee Nation Industries, LLC and Cherokee Nation Entertainment, LLC for 4 years.
He is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association; the National Lawyers Association; Oklahoma Association of Municipal Attorneys; Cherokee Tribal Bar Association; Osage Tribal Bar Association; and the Muskogee Tribal Bar Association.
Steve was also a founding member of the Tulsa-Zelenograd Association, which is our sister city organization with a suburb of Moscow, Russia. He was president of that association for three years and a member on the Board of Directors for another two. He’s also served for six years on the Board of Directors of the Tulsa Municipal Employees Credit Union.
In the past, Steve worked at the Tulsa Boys Home one summer and was a volunteer youth leader for Young Life Youth Campaign from 1977-1982. This past year, he served as a volunteer coach for the Union High School Moot Court Debate Team.
Steve is married to Shelley Gray and they have four daughters: Lydia, a senior at OU majoring in vocal performance; Lucia, a sophomore attending TCC majoring in theater; Leah, a senior at Union High School; and Laura, an 8th grader at Union Public schools.
This Week’s Program
Congresswoman Mary Fallin
Our speaker today is Congresswoman Mary Fallin, who represents the Fifth District of Oklahoma, which includes most of Oklahoma County and all of Pottawatomie and Seminole Counties. Overwhelmingly elected to Congress in November 2006 and again in 2008, Fallin is a true trailblazer in Oklahoma. She is the first woman to represent Oklahoma in Washington since 1920. She was also the first woman and first Republican to be elected Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor. She is a life-long conservative dedicated to representing Oklahoma values in Washington and is consistently ranked as one of the most conservative members of Congress.
Mary entered public service in 1990. At the time she was an award winning district manager for a national hotel corporation. But had become increasingly frustrated with government obstacles faced by business and decided to roll up her sleeves and get to work…so she ran for state legislature.
This was the beginning of Fallin’s 20 year career in public service, which was no coincidence. She comes from a family with strong ties and dedication to public service. Both her mother and father served as mayor of Tecumseh, where she was raised.
Many organizations and civic groups have recognized Mary for her service over the years. Among her notable accolades are the:
“Spirit of Enterprise” award – U.S. Chamber of Commerce;
“Guardian of Small Business” award – National Federation of Independent Businesses;
“The Hero of the Taxpayer” award -Americans for Tax Reform;
“Friend of the Wildcatter” award – for her advocacy of the production of more American energy;
“Friend of the Farm Bureau” award for her work on behalf of American agriculture;
“True Blue” award – Focus on the Family and the Family Research Policy Council for her consistent pro family voting record;
And Mary received a perfect score of 100 from the National Right to Life Committee.
A current resident of Edmond, Fallin is married to Wade Christensen, an attorney and farmer from Thomas, Oklahoma. Together, they have six children and are active members of the Crossings Community Church.
Mary, thank you for coming to speak with us today. Tulsa Southside Rotary welcomes you!
Southsider Quick Notes
Last week…
- Last week, Tom Sawyer was our ROD and Brad Ballad was our speaker. He talked about natural gas, which was much more entertaining and enlightening than it sounds.
- Dues are due! You need to pay up now in order to remain in good standing with the club.
- The Change of Horses is June 30, and it’s $20/person. Be sure to sign up!
- Congratulations to Sean Kouplen on his award from the Tulsa Metro Chamber! He won the Financial Services Champion award.
- Lamp is out of the hospital and is homebound now. His wife, Eloise, needs someone to come by and sit with him while she runs errands. If you can stop by for an hour or so and help out, you can get her number from Keith.
- Don’t forget your RI checks! Turn them in to Brian Huddleston as soon as you can.
- If you want to pick up some Topeca coffee for the fundraiser, see Josh Butts. We’re supposed to buy or sell 20 bags apiece.
- Be sure to check the Upcoming Programs for our speaker list through the Change of Horses (June 30, 2010). Information on it is subject to change, but we’ll do our best to keep it updated!
- Next week our speaker will be Judge Carl Funderburke, talking about Family Court.
