Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!


My Friends,

As the Thanksgiving holiday is now upon us, I wanted to share a powerful article writen by David Barton of WallBuilders about the history and meaning of Thanksgiving. It is lengthy, but well worth it in my opinion. May God richly bless you!
From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Josh Cockroft



The tradition introduced by European Americans of Thanksgiving as a time to focus on God and His blessings dates back well over four centuries in America. For example, such thanksgivings occurred in 1541 at Palo Duro Canyon, Texas with Coronado and 1,500 of his men;  in 1564 at St. Augustine, Florida with French Huguenot (Protestant) colonists;  in 1598 at El Paso, Texas with Juan de OƱate and his expedition;  in 1607 at Cape Henry, Virginia with the landing of the Jamestown settlers;  in 1619 at Berkeley Plantation, Virginia;  (and many other such celebrations). But it is primarily from the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving celebration of 1621 that we derive the current tradition of Thanksgiving Day.
The Pilgrims set sail for America on September 6, 1620, and for two months braved the harsh elements of a storm-tossed sea. Upon disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they held a prayer service and then hastily began building shelters; however, unprepared for such a harsh New England winter, nearly half of them died before spring.  Emerging from that grueling winter, the Pilgrims were surprised when an Indian named Samoset approached them and greeted them in their own language, explaining to them that he had learned English from fishermen and traders. A week later, Samoset returned with a friend named Squanto, who lived with the Pilgrims and accepted their Christian faith. Squanto taught the Pilgrims much about how to live in the New World, and he and Samoset helped forge a long-lasting peace treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians. Pilgrim Governor William Bradford described Squanto as “a special instrument sent of God for [our] good . . . and never left [us] till he died.”
That summer, the Pilgrims, still persevering in prayer and assisted by helpful Indians,  reaped a bountiful harvest.  As Pilgrim Edward Winslow (later to become the Governor) affirmed, “God be praised, we had a good increase of corn”; “by the goodness of God, we are far from want.”  The grateful Pilgrims therefore declared a three-day feast in December 1621 to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends  – America’s first Thanksgiving Festival. Ninety Wampanoag Indians joined the fifty Pilgrims for three days of feasting (which included shellfish, lobsters, turkey, corn bread, berries, deer, and other foods), of play (the young Pilgrim and Wampanoag men engaged in races, wrestling matches, and athletic events), and of prayer. This celebration and its accompanying activities were the origin of the holiday that Americans now celebrate each November.
However, while the Pilgrims enjoyed times of prosperity for which they thanked God, they also suffered extreme hardships. In fact, in 1623 they experienced an extended and prolonged drought. Knowing that without a change in the weather there would be no harvest and the winter would be filled with death and starvation, Governor Bradford called the Pilgrims to a time of prayer and fasting to seek God’s direct intervention. Significantly, shortly after that time of prayer – and to the great amazement of the Indian who witnessed the scene – clouds appeared in the sky and a gentle and steady rain began to fall. As Governor Bradford explained:
It came without either wind or thunder or any violence, and by degrees in abundance, as that ye earth was thoroughly wet and soaked therewith, which did so apparently revive and quicken ye decayed corn and other fruits as was wonderful to see, and made ye Indians astonished to behold; and afterwards the Lord sent them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair warm weather as, through His blessing, caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing.
The drought had been broken; the fall therefore produced an abundant harvest; there was cause for another thanksgiving. The Pilgrim practice of designating an official time of Thanksgiving spread into neighboring colonies and became an annual tradition.  And just as those neighboring colonies followed the Pilgrims’ example of calling for days of thanksgiving, so, too, did they adopt their practice of calling for a time of prayer and fasting. The New England Colonies therefore developed a practice of calling for a day of prayer and fasting in the spring, and a day of prayer and thanksgiving in the fall.
The Thanksgiving celebrations so common throughout New England did not begin to spread southward until the American Revolution, when Congress issued eight separate national Thanksgiving Proclamations. (Congress also issued seven separate proclamations for times of fasting and prayer, for a total of 15 official prayer proclamations during the American Revolution. )
America’s first national Thanksgiving occurred in 1789 with the commencement of the federal government. According to the Congressional Record for September 25 of that year, the first act after the Framers completed the framing of the Bill of Rights was that:
Mr. [Elias] Boudinot said he could not think of letting the session pass without offering an opportunity to all the citizens of the United States of joining with one voice in returning to Almighty God their sincere thanks for the many blessings He had poured down upon them. With this view, therefore, he would move the following resolution:
Resolved, That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer. . . .
Mr. Roger Sherman justified the practice of thanksgiving on any single event not only as a laudable one in itself but also as warranted by a number of precedents in Holy Writ. . . . This example he thought worthy of a Christian imitation on the present occasion.
That congressional resolution was delivered to President George Washington, who heartily concurred with the request and issued the first federal Thanksgiving proclamation, declaring in part:
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. . . . Now, therefore, I do appoint Thursday, the 26th day of November 1789 . . . that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection.
That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church (of which President Washington was a member) announced that the first Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks, “unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities.”  Following President Washington’s initial proclamation, national Thanksgiving Proclamations occurred only sporadically (another by President Washington in 1795, one by John Adams in 1799, one by James Madison in 1814 and again in 1815, etc.);  most official Thanksgiving observances occurred at the state level. In fact, by 1815, the various state governments had issued at least 1,400 official prayer proclamations, almost half for times of thanksgiving and prayer and the other half for times of fasting and prayer.
Much of the credit for the adoption of Thanksgiving as an annual national holiday may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, a popular lady’s books containing poetry, art work, and articles by America’s leading authors. For nearly three decades, she promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day,  contacting president after president until Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of that November. The Thanksgiving proclamation issued by Lincoln was remarkable not only for its strong religious content but also for its timing, for it was delivered in the midst of the darkest days of the Civil War, with the Union having lost battle after battle throughout the first three years of that conflict. Yet, despite those dark circumstances, Lincoln nevertheless called Americans to prayer with an air of positive optimism and genuine thankfulness, noting that:
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. . . . No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, Who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
That remarkable Thanksgiving Proclamation came at a pivotal point in Lincoln’s spiritual life. Three months earlier, the Battle of Gettysburg had occurred, resulting in the loss of some 60,000 American lives. It had been while Lincoln was walking among the thousands of graves there at Gettysburg that he first committed his life to Christ. As he later explained to a clergyman:
When I left Springfield [Illinois, to assume the Presidency], I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.
The dramatic spiritual impact resulting from that experience was not only visible in Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation (and also his 1864 call for a day of prayer and fasting) but especially in his 1865 Second Inaugural Address.
Over the seventy-five years following Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, presidents faithfully followed Lincoln’s precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day (but the date of the celebrations varied widely from proclamation to proclamation). In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began celebrating Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of each November, and in 1941, Congress permanently established that day as the national Thanksgiving holiday.
As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, remember to retain the original gratefulness to God that has always been the spirit of this – the oldest of all American holidays. (Below are representative examples of the scores of Thanksgiving proclamations penned by various Founding Fathers.)
[Congress] recommended [a day of] . . . thanksgiving and praise [so] that “the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and join . . . their supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, to forgive [our sins] and . . . to enlarge [His] kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.”  Continental Congress, 1777 – written by SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION SAMUEL ADAMS AND RICHARD HENRY LEE
[I] appoint . . . a day of public Thanksgiving to Almighty God . . . to [ask] Him that He would . . . pour out His Holy Spirit on all ministers of the Gospel; that He would . . . spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; . . . and that He would establish these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue.  GOVERNOR THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1779
[I] appoint . . . a day of public thanksgiving and praise . . . to render to God the tribute of praise for His unmerited goodness towards us . . . [by giving to] us . . . the Holy Scriptures which are able to enlighten and make us wise to eternal salvation. And [to] present our supplications...that He would forgive our manifold sins and . . . cause the benign religion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be known, understood, and practiced among all the inhabitants of the earth.  GOVERNOR JOHN HANCOCK, 1790


Oklahoma State Representative

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Rep. Josh Cockroft's Fundraiser This Thursday

To my friends across District 27 and the State of Oklahoma,

    I want to begin by thanking each of you for your support throughout this first year of my first term. It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve you at the State Capitol and I look forward to continuing that service. I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say thank you for trusting me to be your Representative during this important time in our State's history. This is not a responsibility I take lightly. Rather, I humbly seek ways to serve you more.

   As we look towards the next election cycle in 2012, I am writing you today because I ask for your continued support. Each of you are important individuals and leaders in our community; people who I am proud to call my friends.

   I ask you to join me for my campaign kickoff reception on:

Thursday, November 17, 2011
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Tecumseh Town Council Chamber
114 North Broadway Street
Tecumseh, Oklahoma

Our special Guest of Honor will be:
The Honorable Todd Lamb, Lt. Governor of OklahomaAlso in attendance will be:
The Honorable Kris Steele, Oklahoma Speaker of the House
   It would be our honor to have you there as well.  Even if you are not able to donate it would be an honor to have you there to hear from these two fine public officials. 

   Your support and prayers are appreciated. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do for you. 

May God richly bless you,

Rep. Josh Cockroft

Monday, November 14, 2011

Governor Mary Fallin Statement Regarding Supreme Court Decision to Hear Arguments on President Obama’s Health Care Reform Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin today released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear arguments on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), President Obama’s controversial health care law:

“President Obama’s health care law is unconstitutional and unaffordable. Not only will it limit choice and undermine the quality of American health care, it stands to cost the state of Oklahoma about half a billion dollars in the process.

“Our citizens have already passed a constitutional amendment blocking its implementation in Oklahoma, and it’s clear that a majority of states are similarly opposed to the mandates, new taxes, and out-of-control spending proposed in the law.

“The Supreme Court should strike down the president’s health care reform as unconstitutional as soon as possible. The uncertainty surrounding the future of PPACA is frustrating to those who believe it stands as an obvious affront to constitutional principles, and a hindrance to crafting serious budget and health care policy on both the state and federal levels.”

Friday, November 11, 2011

Speaker comments on passing Sen. David Myers

Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, passed away early Friday morning. House Speaker Kris Steele issued the following statement on his passing:

“We already miss Senator Myers at the Capitol and in life. He was a gentle giant, bringing infectious doses of sincerity and dedication to everything he did. I was always thoroughly impressed by the thoughtful, conscientious approach he took to his service in the Senate. There is no doubt Senator Myers will be remembered as a statesman, through and through. I am honored to have served with him. The thoughts and prayers of the entire House of Representatives are with his family, friends and colleagues during this time of loss.” – House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Study Examines Transparency in Legislative Process


OKLAHOMA CITY – New rules requiring Oklahoma House of Representatives conference committees to meet in public have significantly enhanced the ability of the public and the press to monitor legislative actions, according to testimony today before the House Government Modernization committee.
            Oklahoma.Watchdog.Org Editor Peter J. Rudy told committee members that 2011 transparency reforms enhanced his ability to report on legislative activity that would have occurred behind closed doors in the past. Before 2011, lawmakers frequently approved significant changes to legislation late in the session with little public scrutiny. This year’s new House rules required a public hearing on any late session changes to legislation.
            The committee also heard testimony regarding the benefits of proposed House Bill 1085, which would apply Oklahoma’s open meeting and open record laws to the Oklahoma Legislature.
            “This year’s transparency reforms were substantive and have made the Oklahoma House of Representatives much more transparent and accessible to the public,” said state Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, the committee’s chairman. “However, that should not stop us from doing the right thing and ensuring the Legislature abides by the same transparency laws that are applied to other governing entities in Oklahoma.”
            OSU Professor Joey Senat told committee members that other states have successfully applied open meeting and open record laws to state legislatures while balancing the privacy concerns of constituents. The Oklahoma Legislature is one of only three state legislatures explicitly exempted from open records law.
            Delaware State Sen. Karen Peterson detailed the positive outcomes of the application of transparency reform in her state. Peterson told the committee that concerns put forward by the opponents of change proved to be unfounded.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Speaker fills vacancies on committees working on water, DHS


Speaker Kris Steele


OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Kris Steele on Wednesday named Rep. Lisa J. Billy as a future member of the Joint Water Committee and Rep. Richard Morrissette as vice-chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services.

Billy, R-Purcell, will fill the Water Committee position now held by Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa, who is leaving the Legislature later this month.

“As a distinguished member of the Chickasaw Nation, Representative Billy will be very effective in making sure tribal perspectives are heard in our water discussions. She’s a tenacious, dedicated legislator whose skills will be a big help as we work on the highly important and complex issue of water policy,” said Steele, R-Shawnee.

Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, will fill the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services vice-chairman position formerly held by Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, who was asked to serve as chairman of the committee last week. The committee is responsible for budgeting for the Department of Human Services.

“Representatives Nelson and Morrissette may come from different political camps, but their shared desire to improve DHS transcends politics. They’ll be a dynamic team next session as they work to ensure that the dollars appropriated to DHS are used in the best possible ways,” Steele said. “I know Representative Morrissette won’t be shy about putting forth bold ideas. When it comes to DHS, that’s precisely what we need.”

Monday, November 7, 2011

Cockroft Column: Pushing for OJA Improvements

I have been recently meeting with local and state officials to address the issues that have arisen in connection to the Office of Juvenile Affairs. An increased interest in the agency grew out of the high-profile escape of three juveniles from the Tecumseh facility early this month.

Many constituents have shared their concern for the safety of the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center facility in Tecumseh and their desire for better management of the entire OJA system. I also have constituents who are employed at the facility.

I have met with Oklahoma House Speaker Kris Steele to express my concerns over the necessity of better accountability from the OJA board and better management at the state level. He has asked me to help lead the effort from a legislative standpoint.

It is unacceptable that we find ourselves in a position where juveniles have been moved from a high-security facility into a facility with lower security capabilities. It is unacceptable that the safety and well-being of our citizens is threatened. The Oklahoma Legislature needs to take the lead on this issue.

I have had many employees and former workers at several juvenile facilities express concerns over their safety every day. I want to make sure they are adequately protected and are appreciated for the work they do. Currently, they have hardly any assurance of bodily protection if a situation arises. I believe that’s wrong. These men and women play a vital role in our state.

I believe the first step is proper leadership, both at the local level at each facility and at the state level through tough legislation that provides this core function of state government in funding and resources. On the local side, I am pleased with the selection of Jerry Fry as the superintendent of the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center facility. I have had the pleasure of working and conversing with Jerry before and have complete confidence that he is the man for the job. He has a tough road ahead of him, but I look forward to working together.

I am committed to working with legislators, state officials and people across my district and the state to find solutions. Anyone with ideas, questions or concerns, please contact my office at (405) 557-7349 or by e-mail at josh.cockroft@okhouse.gov.


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