Inhofe makes Panhandle visit

August 20, 2012

U.S. Senator James Inhofe, right, films a Public Service Announcement Friday morning on the Texas County Courthouse lawn in Guymon. Staff photo/Shawn Yorks

Guymon got a little piece of Washington on Friday when Senator James Inhofe came to town to film a public service announcement and held a lunch meeting to speak to a variety of people about the Federal Legislative Process and speak on the improvements and decrease of progress on some important issues that are making the rounds in Washington.
“I probably know the Panhandle better, in fact, I’m sure I do, than anybody else in Washington,” said Inhofe.
He talked about back when he first began traveling and the old Dale Hotel was the only place to stay in the area. Inhofe recalled by memory which rooms had private bathroom, and talks about the way things have changed since then.
Inhofe described two things that he has felt really great about accomplishing in the last few weeks, and says he is a big spender in two areas; National Defense and Infrastructure.
The Highway Bill is one topic that Inhofe discussed as being a great improvement as there has not been a new Highway Bill since the last Highway Bill ran out in 2009.
“Since that time, we’ve been running on extensions,” said Inhofe. “If you have extensions, that just means that every two months or three months, they just extend the old Highway Bill.”
He elaborated saying that by doing this, you throw away about half the money that is thrown into the Highway Trust Fund.
The bill is now on the books and has been signed, and everyone can expect to see a lot of improvements.
The next topic that Inhofe was proud to discuss was the Pilot’s Bill of Rights.
“That was the last part of our justice system where you are guilty until proven innocent,” said Inhofe. “It is a major thing.”
Inhofe also spoke of his conservative views and standpoints while mentioning President Obama and what he considers Obama’s immense distain for America. Inhofe has faith in the Republican party and talked of improvements they wish to make in hopes that they will soon regain desired power.
“I can tell you that Republicans will take over the United States Senate. I have no question about that.”
State Senator Bryce Marlatt was also in attendance and expressed his appreciation for Inhofe’s work in the Transportation Bill and reauthorization. Marlatt recognized how Inhofe used his knowledge of the Panhandle and knowing how transportation effects rural Oklahoma.
“He had all his data together on how much food and fiber we give to the rest of the country and how much energy we produce for the rest of the country,” said Marlatt. “Without us being able to move the product from Point A to Point B, they aren’t going to be able to exist, so that’s one of the fights that he had that we appreciate.”
Inhofe also discussed many of the country’s hottest topics including taxes, fossil fuels, energy, and Obamacare.
He enlightened the attentive crowd with humor and telling stories about grandkids, experiences in small Oklahoma towns, and how quickly one innocent comment and filling his airplane up with fuel can be turned into a negative YouTube video within just a couple of hours.
He introduced his son, two granddaughters and grandson that joined him for his trip to Guymon. He said that when his granddaughters got ahold of his schedule and saw his planned trip to Guymon, they asked if he would be eating BBQ from Hunny’s and insisted on joining him for his trip.
His granddaughters ate with smiling faces as Hunny’s catered their infamous BBQ lunch that was held at the PTCI South Building.