The Governor of the State of Oklahoma is the head of state for the State of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma. The Governor is the ex officio Commander-in-Chief of the Oklahoma National Guard when not called into Federal use. Despite being an executive branch official, the Governor also possesses legislative and judicial powers. The Governor's responsibilities include making yearly "State of the State" addresses to the Oklahoma Legislature, submitting the annual State budget, ensuring that state laws are enforced, and that the peace is preserved.

The Governor will make decisions on pending legislation after it reaches her desk and she is able to review details and information surrounding the proposed legislation. Governor Mary Fallin welcomes citizen input during this process.

The Constitution of Oklahoma provides that the Governor has no jurisdiction in matters relating to the judiciary, city, county, federal government, or local law enforcement. The District Attorney of your area is the primary prosecutor for the state. Therefore, allegations of wrongdoing of local officials, including city or county officials, should be brought to the attention of the appropriate District Attorney. District Attorneys in the state answer to the registered voters in their respective judicial districts. District Attorneys are required to be licensed in the State of Oklahoma and complaints are investigated by the Oklahoma Bar Association. Complaints or concerns about judges should be directed to the Council on Judicial Complaints, c/o Administrative Office of the Courts, 1901 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Complaints or concerns about attorneys should be directed to the Office of the General Counsel, Oklahoma Bar Association, 1909 North Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

Every bill passed by the Legislature during regular session and prior to adjournment shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor. If she approves, she signs it. If not, she vetoes it and returns it to the Legislature with her objections. The Legislature can override her objections by a two-thirds majority vote.

Only members of the Oklahoma Legislature can introduce legislation. Governors can not introduce legislation. They may have their budgets and major program initiatives drafted into bill form for introduction, but the bills must have legislative sponsors before they can be introduced.

Once a bill has been agreed upon and passed in both houses in identical form, it is Enrolled and presented to the Governor. Bills (HB or SB) become law if passed by both houses of the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Joint Resolutions (HJR or SJR) have the force and effect of law if passed by both houses and signed by the Governor. Bills propose new statutes, amendments to existing statutes or repeal of statutes. Joint resolutions look like and proceed through the legislative process much like bills. Frequently, joint resolutions will not amend statute, but will have the full force and effect of law if approved by the Governor or by voters, i.e., in the case of joint resolutions containing state questions. Legislation which originates in the Senate is numbered consecutively beginning with "1," and legislation which originates in the House is numbered consecutively beginning with "1001."

During the legislative session, the Governor may "approve" or "veto" a bill within five days (excluding Sundays) or may refuse to sign it and allow the bill to become law "without approval" after the five-day period has elapsed. A bill may become law regardless of the Governor's veto if it is passed by 2/3 majority of each house. A bill enrolled in the last five days before Sine Die may not become law after final adjournment of the Legislature unless the Governor approves it within 15 days after adjournment. A bill not signed within 15 days after adjournment is said to have been "pocket vetoed." A bill that becomes law is officially filed with the Secretary of State.

Bills signed by the Governor become effective 90 days after adjournment of the Legislature. If the bill has an emergency clause, it becomes effective when signed by the Governor or on the date specified in the emergency clause if it is less than 90 days after adjournment. If the effective date of a bill is more than 90 days after adjournment, the law takes effect on the date specified.

As bills are acted on by the Governor, the official record is filed with the Secretary of State's office. The information on the Governor's legislative bill tracker, is provided for the public's convenience and does not constitute an official record.

The Oklahoma Legislature meets annually, beginning at noon on the first Monday in February and continuing until Sine Die, usually 5 p.m. on the last Friday in May. In odd-numbered years, the regular session also includes one organizational day in January. The Legislature meets at noon on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January and recesses no later than 5 p.m. on the same day. Legislatures are made up of two consecutive sessions, i.e., 1st Session of the 50th Legislature began in 2005 and the 2nd session of the 50th Legislature will begin in 2006. Normally, the legislature is in session Monday through Thursday of each week.

Yes. Letters of recommendation or support for appointments can be submitted to the Governor's Office. Letters of opposition can also be submitted in writing. The Governor's Office does not accept feedback on appointments verbally.

Applications for appointment are located on the Serve Oklahoma page of this website.

A full list of boards and commissions will be available soon on the Serve Oklahoma portion of this website.

Beginning November 1, 2008 all Administrative Rules must be filed electronically. Senate Bill 1507, of 2008, requires Administrative Rules to be filed electronically with the Governor of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate. Filings made with the electronic system will comply with the filing requirements of the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act. If for some reason you are unable to file electronically, you must file a paper copy of the rules along with an explanation of why the rules could not be filed electronically. Once an electronic filing is completed, you will receive an email that will have the date and time that the filing was completed. This email will serve as an electronic receipt and will display the date and time that the Rules were filed. This email will be the electronic equivalent of the date-stamped paper copy of the Rules. Prior to filing electronically, you MUST have a username and password created. The State Filing system is available at this website. Link to SB 1507

Email your report in PDF or Word Document format as an attachment to: annualreports@gov.ok.gov The subject header should include the agency name and name of the report. (*To file reports with other state entities as may be required, please check with that entity or its website) (**The format for filing with the Governor may change at a later date)

Contact information for your state senators and representatives as well as federal elected officials can be found here or by contacting your County Election Board.

You may contact the director of the state agency directly, or put the disagreement in writing, forward it to the Governor's office so that we may forward them a copy of your concerns.

Inform the appropriate supervisors within the agency. You also may contact the State Auditor and Inspector if wrongdoing involves misuse of state funds. Otherwise, contact your local District Attorney or the State Attorney General.

You may mail your request to the State Capitol Bldg., Attn: Bill Distribution Office, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 310, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or call (405-521-5514). All legislative measures are available via the internet.

This information is contained in the Oklahoma Legislative Information System and is available on the Internet. It can also be obtained by contacting your representative or senator, the House Clerk's office (521-2711 in the Oklahoma City area or 1-800-522-8502 outside) or the Senate Clerk's office (405-524-0126).

You must first report any allegations of criminal activity to local law enforcement authorities to be investigated. When that agency completes the investigation, their findings will be forwarded to the district attorney's office in that judicial district. The agency's report will be reviewed by the district attorney or assistant district attorney who will determine who will be charged with what crimes. Neither the Governor nor the Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma has statutory authority regarding a district attorney's decision to charge or not charge a person with a crime.

The Constitution of Oklahoma provides that the Governor has no jurisdiction in matters relating to the judiciary, city, county, federal government, or local law enforcement. The District Attorney of your area is the primary prosecutor for the state. Therefore, allegations of wrongdoing of local officials, including city or county officials, should be brought to the attention of the appropriate District Attorney.

There are many state and local agencies that have statutory authority to investigate or audit allegations of wrongdoing within a municipality or township. If you have questions regarding the statutory operation of a municipality or township or if you are wanting information concerning city ordinances, you should contact the Oklahoma Municipal League at the following address: 201 NE 23rd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73105; (405) 528-7515. District Attorneys in the state answer to the registered voters in their respective judicial districts. District Attorneys are required to be licensed in the State of Oklahoma and complaints are investigated by the Oklahoma Bar Association. Complaints or concerns about judges should be directed to the Council on Judicial Complaints, c/o Administrative Office of the Courts, 1901 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Complaints or concerns about attorneys should be directed to the Office of the General Counsel, Oklahoma Bar Association, 1909 North Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

The separation of governmental powers prevents the Governor from interfering with or overruling the decision of an appointed judge or jury in any civil, criminal or workers compensation case. These matters are decided by the courts. It would be inappropriate for the Governor to become involved in a pending lawsuit. You should seek legal counsel. If you cannot afford legal assistance you should contact the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System at 405-325-0802 for criminal matters or Legal Aid of Oklahoma at 405-521-1302 for civil complaints. It is also beyond the scope of the Governor's power to change the outcome of a settled case. If you believe your case has been decided unjustly, you should consult with your attorney about possible appeals.

Paroles, commutations and pardons must be approved by the members of the Pardon and Parole Board before being presented to the governor for her consideration. A parole releases an inmate to the street for the remainder of his or her sentence or moves the inmate to a consecutive sentence. It does not eliminate or change the duration of the sentence. A parole always comes with certain conditions such as supervision by a parole officer, and may include conditions such as substance abuse treatment or obtainment of a GED. If the conditions of the parole are violated, the parole can be revoked, returning the inmate to prison for the duration of his or her sentence. A commutation changes the length of a sentence. For example, a 10 year sentence can be commuted to five years. Sentences can also be commuted to "time served," ending the sentence and releasing the inmate to the street unconditionally. Not all paroles and commutations result in release from prison. Inmates may be paroled or commuted from one sentence to a consecutive sentence and not released from prison. A pardon is not a parole or commutation. Pardons do not clear a criminal record, but do acknowledge that someone has worked hard to become a productive, law-abiding citizen after making mistakes in the past. Those who are currently incarcerated cannot apply for a pardon and a pardon will not release you from prison. Only those who have discharged all their sentences, completed parole, or served at least five years under supervision and have no pending charges may apply for a pardon. The Governor cannot pardon federal convictions or convictions from other states. For more information about pardons, please visit the pardon and parole board's website at http://www.ppb.state.ok.us/ and through the Governor's Pardon and Parole Status Look Up at http://www.ok.gov/governor/parole/parole_lookup.php. For more information on expungement, visit the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation's Expungement Questions page on their website.

The Governor has 30 days in which to act on a parole file after the file physically arrives in this office. The file will not arrive in our office until the parole process unit of the Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Pardon and Parole Board are finished with the file. This usually takes about 60-90 days. After that time period, the file will be forwarded to our office where we will act within 30 days of receipt. The entire process from the date the Board recommends the inmate to the date the inmate gets out of prison can take anywhere from 60 days to 120 days or longer depending on the circumstances of the recommendation and whether the inmate has any stipulations to complete first. Paroles to another state generally require more time than paroles within Oklahoma. The case manager of the inmate can check the state of the inmate's file on the Offender Management System. The governor cannot parole anyone without a recommendation from the Pardon and Parole Board. If you have thoughts or concerns about an upcoming parole or commutation, please feel free to share those thoughts with the Governor's Office through letter or email.

State Questions 705 and 706 (Legislative Referendums 330 and 331) creating the Oklahoma Education Lottery Act and Trust Fund were overwhelmingly approved by Oklahoma voters Nov. 2, 2004. The Oklahoma Education Lottery Act creates the Oklahoma Lottery Commission, a board appointed by the governor to operate the state lottery. The governing board will write rules regarding the conduct of lottery games. At least 45% of gross proceeds from ticket sales will be returned as prizes. The net proceeds of the lottery will be used for education purposes and will equal at least 35% of ticket proceeds, except in the first two years. The remaining funds will be used to pay Lottery Commission expenses, employee salaries, and payments to vendors and retailers. The Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund is an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution stipulating that monies from the fund may only be used for education and may not be used to replace other state funds used to support education. The State Board of Equalization will determine if any of the monies in the trust fund are being used to replace state funding of education.

The lottery requires some money start-up costs such as hiring employees, procuring office space, contracting with vendors and purchasing equipment.

Governor Brad Henry announced the appointments of the seven-member Oklahoma Education Lottery Commission Feb. 21, 2005. The panel is charged with establishing and operating the Education Lottery overwhelmingly approved by Oklahoma voters in November. Appointees include: Ron Norick, Oklahoma City businessman, manager of Norick Investment Company, former mayor of Oklahoma City (1987-98); Cindy Ball, Muskogee educator, 2004 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, 2002 Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Teacher of the Year; James Orbison, Tulsa attorney, former chair of Oklahoma Transportation Authority, former director of Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka; William Paul, Oklahoma City attorney, former senior vice-president Phillips Petroleum, former director Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, former president American Bar Assoc.; George R. Charleton, Jr., Tulsa businessman and owner: Charleton Investments, Charleton Construction Company, Charleton Catering and Tulsa- area Subway Sandwich Shops. 1989, 1991 Minority Retailer of the Year, 1993 Tulsa Small Businessman of the Year; Linda Dzialo, Ph.D., Lawton educator (retired), former vice-president for student affairs, Cameron University, former assistant superintendent, principal and classroom teacher, Lawton Public Schools; Thomas F. Riley, Jr., Stillwater; businessman/CPA, executive vice-president/CEO of Chickasaw Telecommunications, former employee of Price Waterhouse Coopers audit and tax department. State law requires the commission to include at least one attorney, one accountant and one professional with marketing experience. No more than two appointees can come from the same congressional district. Members are prohibited from having any interests that conflict with lottery duties. All underwent an OSBI background check. Although commissioners can begin serving immediately, they must be confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate. Under the Education Lottery statute approved by voters, the commission is responsible for hiring an executive director to oversee the implementation and daily operation of the lottery. The panel must also approve all procurements and contracts, in addition to promulgating rules to govern lottery games.

The Governor's Office cannot accept resumes or recommendations for individuals interested in employment with the lottery commission. Employment decisions will be at the discretion of the executive director of the lottery commission. Open positions most likely will be announced in newspapers, posted with the Office of Personnel Management on OKCareers.OK.gov

Oklahoma has much to offer the business community. One recent study ranked Tulsa and Oklahoma City the first and third most inexpensive cities in which to do business, while another study ranked Oklahoma in the top three pro-business states for 2004. Oklahoma offers employers a central location, a moderate climate, inexpensive utilities, a low cost of living and a great quality of life. Our Quality Jobs Act, which rewards businesses for creating new jobs, has become a model for business incentives around the country and our CareerTech vocational training system is the envy of the world. If you are interested in locating or expanding your business in Oklahoma, please take time to review the wealth of information on the Oklahoma Department of Commerce website. The Secretary of Commerce staff are ready to provide whatever information or assistance you may need in making the right decisions for your business.

Major U.S. Cities Equidistant between New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City and Canada, Oklahoma provides convenient access to all the major cities in the U.S. Southwest Region of the U.S. Oklahoma is a prime location to serve manufacturing and distribution facilities in the Southwest and surrounding markets. North America Being centrally located in the United States and in the heart of the Nafta corridor, Oklahoma has equal access to markets in Canada and Mexico. Airports With two international airports and other commercial airports in major cities, Oklahoma can meet your needs for air passenger service and distribution. Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport and Tulsa's International Airport let you send or receive cargo to and from any point in the world. Over a dozen major air and cargo carriers serve Oklahoma. Waterways The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System is the nation's most inland all weather seaport, linking Oklahoma to major U.S. markets along the Mississippi River and the ports. This commercially navigable 445-mile waterway, which enters the Mississippi River at river mile 599 above New Orleans, provides for barge shipping over 10 million tons per year. Two publicly developed Oklahoma ports at Catoosa and Muskogee are on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Railroads Railroads in Oklahoma continue to be a vital resource for the growing manufacturing, merchandising and distribution economy in our state. 14 rail carriers serve a large portion of the state support transportation system. Motor Freight Oklahoma is America's trucking hub, offering same day delivery to over 75 million people and overnight delivery to 94% of the nation. I-35 runs north and south, I-40 travels east and west and I-44 reaches the industrial northeast. Hundreds of distribution firms take advantage of Oklahoma's One-Stop fleet registration system.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce provides one-stop location assistance to companies considering new domestic or international investment. Oklahoma is one of the best places to pursue the American Dream of financial prosperity, a happy and balanced life, and unlimited opportunities for success. (Information provided by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce).

Through the Oklahoma Tax Commission, (405) 521-3160.

There is no general license to own and operate a business in Oklahoma. Many businesses, business owners and/or employees, such as beauty salons and restaurants, require specific licenses and permits to operate in the state. Using the beauty salon example, the business does not require a license, but the beauty operators do need a license. You may also need to register your business with the Secretary of State or Oklahoma Tax Commission. Learn more

This business activity is considered in the general category of a General Contractor, for which there is no specific state license. Out-of-state contractors must contact the Oklahoma Tax Commission at (405) 521-3279 to register and pay a bond (if working on commercial properties). They must also contact the county clerk where the work is located and register the starting and ending dates for the project.

Resellers need a Sales Tax Permit that can be obtained through the Oklahoma Tax Commission, (405) 521-3160.

It is not required to register a trade name. However, you may want to check the Oklahoma Secretary of State website Business Services section to determine name availability. Once you determine the name you want is available, you can register the name with the State using the Trade Name Report to protect the name of your business.

A DBA is called a Trade Name Report and is filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, (405) 521-3911.

Assistance from personal resources, such as family and friends, followed by traditional financing through a local lending institution where you have an established relationship are usually the most common methods for funding your start-up business. Some businesses may qualify for assistance in the form of loan guarantees from the Small Business Administration (SBA). In fact, most financial institutions will require an SBA guarantee. Many banks have departments that specialize in SBA lending. An SBA Prequalification Intermediary can help you to prepare your application for a loan. To find the intermediary closest to you, contact the SBA district office in Oklahoma City at (405) 231-5521. It is possible non-profit organizations could find some financing assistance through federal or foundation grants. Any reputable lender and many grant administrators will expect to see a thorough business plan.

Typically, grant money is only available to assist non-profit organizations. If your business is non-profit, you will want to start with the www.grants.gov and Foundation Center websites. However, the availability of grant funds for for-profit businesses is extremely limited and typically highly specialized. We have found no consistent, reliable source for small businesses either public or private. We do not want to discourage you from searching for such funding, but the Oklahoma Department of Commerce is not aware of for-profit grant funding.

You can get one-to-one assistance through one of the many Oklahoma Small Business Development Centers located throughout Oklahoma. To find the closest center to you, call (800) 522-6154 or visit the OSBDC website. You may also find business plan help through one of Oklahoma's Career Technology Centers. Visit their website to learn more about the help available. If you prefer to go online to get help, visit the Small Business Administration Business Plan Basics website.

There are several organizations that certify minority-owned businesses; each is different in its emphasis, depending on your target market. For instance, there are certification programs if you want to compete only in the private sector or for federal contracts. Click here for a list of the certification programs available. Certification as a minority-owned business can be an asset in competing for contracts and in procurement needs. For more information, visit the Minority-Owned Business page.

Like minority business owners, women-owned businesses have several advantages when competing for contracting opportunities in Oklahoma. To qualify for Oklahoma Department of Commerce certification as a woman-owned business, a business must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled on a day-to-day basis by one or more women. To apply for certification, download and complete the Women-owned Business Certification Application. Mail the completed document to: Oklahoma Department of Commerce Woman-owned Business Certification Program P.O. Box 26980 Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0980 For more information on the certification program and additional resources, visit the Women-Owned Business page.

Yes. Commerce's Export Solutions team provides comprehensive assistance to businesses wishing to develop their global markets. Export Solutions, working closely with the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers workshops, information and one-to-one consulting to help businesses with exporting needs. This group provides assistance in customs, foreign permits, financing, and market analysis as well as hosts foreign trade missions and sponsors global catalog trade shows. To learn more, visit the Global Assistance section of the Department of Commerce website or contact the Export Solutions team at (800) 879-6552.

There are dozens of resources available to help you with your start-up business. Here are few: ? If you are just starting out, a great online resource is the Small Business Administration Frequently Asked Questions page. ? For help a little closer to home, visit the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center website and find a location closest to you. The OSBDC provides workshops and consultation throughout the year at numerous locations around the state. ? Perhaps you would like to learn more about Oklahoma business incubators that accelerate development and success of start-up and existing businesses. ? The Commerce Developing Your Oklahoma Business section provides links to other helpful resources. ? The Tulsa Metro Chamber Small Business Council mentors early-stage businesses and the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce offers a handy document for download called "10 Steps to Starting Your Own Business".

Oklahoma doesn't have Indian Reservations. We do, however, have 39 federally-recognized tribal nations' headquarters in the state, and rank second to California as the state with the largest Native American population.

Garth Brooks was raised in Yukon, a western suburb of Oklahoma City. He went to college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where he began his country & western music career in a local club called Tumbleweeds.

There are three locations in Oklahoma that are under the administration of the National Park Service: the Chickasaw National Recreation Area at Sulphur which used to be called Platt National Park, the Washita Battlefield National Memorial Monument at Cheyenne, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial in Oklahoma City. Another 'national' site that is popular with campers is the Ouachita National Forest, located in southeastern Oklahoma.

Buffalo herds can be viewed at one of four locations in the state: Woolaroc Museum Ranch near Bartlesville, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska or at the Pawnee Bill Museum & Ranch in Pawnee.

You can contact the Oklahoma Indian Legal Services at (800) 658-1497 or (405) 943-6457 for a copy of their "Tracing Your Indian Roots" brochure. The Oklahoma Historical Society library in Oklahoma City provides archives and other information as well on this subject.

Our state parks do not honor the Golden Age Passport. A discount is given to visitors from states who in return give Oklahoma seniors a discount when they visit those states. At the present time, those states are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Tennessee and West Virginia.

The National Weather Service issues a storm watch when conditions are favorable for a storm to develop. A storm warning is issued when a storm is in progress.

If you believe you are in the path of a tornado, seek cover in a low place such as a ditch. Do not stay in your vehicle. If indoors, go to a basement if possible or the center part of the structure, such as a closet, bathroom or hallway.

You can obtain a passport by going to a post office. Most of the branch post offices offer this service, but it would be best to call ahead. Some have certain days they do it and take the picture, etc. For more info on passports, visit the federal travel site.

Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet if riding on a motorcycle. Some city ordinances also require that headlights be on at all times.

If the vendor will be selling art or craft items and is an Oklahoma resident, a sales tax permit must be obtained from the Oklahoma Tax Commission at (405) 521-3279. Vendors selling food or beverages must obtain a permit from the Oklahoma Health Department at (405) 271-4200 to participate at these type of events.

There are several locations around the state that have trails for all terrain vehicles and off road vehicles. You can search for these locations on the Oklahoma Department of Tourism website under Things To Do, Outdoor Recreation, Trails.

The area you are referring to is part of the Salt Plains Federal Wildlife Refuge near Cherokee in northwest Oklahoma. (We also have a state park with cabin accommodations located adjacent to the refuge.) This is the only location in Oklahoma where you can dig for the tea-colored selenite crystals. Refuge personnel recommend you bring a good-sized shovel, a coffee can or other rigid container to dip in water, something to put the crystals in and clean water to clean up with. They also suggest you wear a hat and sunscreen in warmer months because the salt flats tend to be hotter and more windy. The digging grounds are open to the public at no charge from sunup to sundown April 1 through October 15. For more information, call the refuge at (580) 626-4794.

The Amtrak station in Oklahoma City is located in the downtown area on E.K. Gaylord between Reno and Sheridan. It is considered a 'whistle stop' station because there are no ticket agents on site. (the station is currently undergoing renovations and restoration, but is still serviceable to travelers.) For tickets, it is recommended you contact a travel agent or Amtrak at (800) 872-7245. Parking is available across the street in an underground lot at the Myriad Convention Center for $6 per day. There are two hotels within one block of the station, the Westin and the Renaissance Marriott. No taxis or rental cars are on site at the Amtrak station, but the city does operate a trolley route between the downtown area and Meridian Avenue, where numerous hotels and restaurants are located. Bricktown, Oklahoma City's newest entertainment district, is adjacent to the Amtrak station where the Bricktown Ballpark, and several restaurants and clubs are located. The Greyhound Bus Station is located three blocks from the Amtrak station.

Oklahoma has three commercial airports -- Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton -- that service most national carriers. Fort Sill is located on the north side of Lawton, therefore, visitors to this military base would fly into the Lawton airport which is located on South 11th Street about five miles from the base. For website links to Oklahoma's airports and military installations, click on Information Center on the Oklahoma Department of Tourism home page, then select Visitor Info.

Turner Falls is a city park of Davis, located in southcentral Oklahoma. Its biggest attraction is the 77 foot waterfall and other natural pools where visitors frequently travel in the summer to cool off. There is also camping and picnic facilities in the park. To get there, take Exit 51 from I-35 and follow the signs. If you go to Site Search from the Oklahoma Department of Tourism home page, and enter turner falls, you should pull up information about this location.

Oklahoma's nickname is the Sooner State. During the late 1800s, land runs were held in what is now Oklahoma. The movie, Far and Away, with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman was about one of these land runs. The name, sooner, was used for those landrunners who snuck past the territory markers prior to the actual shotgun start in search of the best land areas. Much of northern and central communities in Oklahoma was established in a matter of hours. Norman is one of these communities, which is also the home of the University of Oklahoma, whose mascot is a sooner.

St. Joseph's Old Cathedral Church in downtown Oklahoma City erected this statue as a result of the Oklahoma City bombing that occurred in 1995. The church is located at 307 NW 4th Street, just south of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. You will find the statue of Christ weeping behind their church, which is open to the public 24 hours a day. (Information provided by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department).