Watts and the BCS
Politico has a story today about J.C. Watts representing the Bowl Championship Series as a lobbyist.
Not exactly a new gig. Watts, the former Oklahoma congressman and former Sooner quarterback, was hired by the BCS back in 2003 when the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the controversial football bowl system.
Oddly, I didn’t see Watts at the House hearing on Friday about the BCS. He has been spending a lot of time in Oklahoma in the last few weeks.
McClendon to Speak at Press Club
UPDATE: According to the press club, this luncheon has been postponed.
Aubrey McClendon, CEO of Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy, is scheduled to speak at a National Press Club luncheon on May 18.
McClendon will be the second big name from Oklahoma City to speak at the club in recent weeks. Country singer Toby Keith headlined a press club luncheon three weeks ago.
Boren Backs Apology to Indians
Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, has introduced a resolution in the House to apologize to Native Americans for the way they have been treated by the U.S. government.
Boren’s resolution is the same as one that has been offered in previous years by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, that apologizes for the “many instances of violence, maltreatment and neglect.”
Boren said, “My congressional district has the third highest concentration of Native Americans in the country. We have a community with deep Native American roots and long standing traditions. Native American tribes are one of the greatest driving forces for economic development across my district and state, and make an immeasurable contribution to the lives of all Oklahomans.
“The U.S. government broke hundreds of treaties it made with Indian nations; these were government-to-government treaties ratified by the U.S. Senate. The impact of many U.S. policies is the source of many of the social and economic disparities that tribes face today. It is time for our nation to face these injustices and reconcile our relations with the Native Americans.
“It’s important that we acknowledge injustices such as forced removal and painful events like the Trail of Tears. While this apology doesn’t recognize the complexity of those wrongs, it’s an important step in moving forward. From my seat on the House Natural Resources Committee, I will work with Chairman Rahall and Senator Sam Brownback to see that it gets the attention it deserves.”
