Culver, other legislators participate in Oklahoma Youth Expo; introduces Doctor of the Day
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, said one of the fun things legislators do each year is participate in the Oklahoma Youth Expo, and the event raises money for scholarships for those who make it to the big show.
"We pair with local FFA or 4-H student to show animals they've raised. This year, I showed a sheep raised by Danika Spaulding from Park Hill. She's a member of Keys FFA. Her advisor is Samantha Hood," Culver said.
OYE is the largest junior livestock show in the world, bringing together about 7,000 young people ages eight to 19 each year to compete for the title of Grand Champion. It teaches them a lot about the agriculture industry and about leadership.
Culver said this was probably the last big event at State Fair Arena, also known as the Big House.
"I used to attend concerts there when I was in college, and I've seen some wrestling and basketball tournaments there as well. This space has hosted everything from circuses to bull riding since it first opened in 1964," Culver said. "It's getting replaced with money raised by Oklahoma City voters. It will be interesting to attend OYE in the new space next year."
Also this week, Culver introduced Dr. Douglas Nolan as the Doctor of the Day for the House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 18. Dr. Nolan serves as associate dean of Tribal Health Affairs for the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation.
He's a 2000 graduate of the college, and he's currently president-elect of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association. Nolan served as the Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital medical director from 2009 to 2016 and was previously chief of staff there.
He was program director for the Cherokee Nation Family Medicine Residency Program from 2010 to 2021 and medical director for the Diabetes Program from 2016 to 2021, before taking his current role. Nolan received the HIS National Director's Award in 2009, the Thompson Award for the Advancement of Healthcare in 2018 and the Cherokee National Health System Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
He's also a Marine, serving in active duty from 1983 to 1987 when he received the Navy Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
"It was an honor to have him serve in the House," Culver said.
Culver also said those in Tahlequah and in his House district were blessed to not have the same fires that much of the rest of the state experienced this past week, though some are burning in Cherokee County.
"Still, I mourn for those who lost loved ones or suffered the loss of property or belongings. Much of the state is still under a red flag fire warning because of strong winds, so remain cautious," Culver said. "A big thank you to the firefighters battling blazes and other first responders and volunteers helping Oklahomans recover from these awful disasters."
Anyone needing assistance from Culver are asked to call his Capitol office at 405-557-7408 or email him at bob.culver@okhouse.gov.
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