WHEREAS, Senator Mark Allen is completing his 12th year of service to the citizens of District 4 in the Oklahoma State Senate; and

WHEREAS, first elected in 2010, Senator Allen was elected as Majority Whip by his caucus in 2016 and appointed Sportsmen's Caucus Chair. He currently serves as chair of the Senate Energy Committee and is a sitting member of the General Government and Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee; Public Safety; Rules; and Transportation Committees; and

WHEREAS, throughout his tenure, Senator Allen has also served as vice chair of the Transportation and Veterans and Military Affairs Committees as well as a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development, Insurance and Judiciary Committees; and

WHEREAS, Senator Allen was born and raised in Enid, but moved to Wilburton in 1962, where he later graduated high school. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy Seabees as a heavy equipment operator from 1968–1970. He then moved back home to southeastern Oklahoma and bought the family business, Allen Rathole, in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Senator Allen enjoys the great outdoors and sportsman activities. He is an endowment member of the NRA, has served as a member of the Pajaro Gun Club Board of Directors, is a life member of the National Sporting Clays Association and American Quarter Horse Association, and enjoys memberships to Ducks Unlimited, the Sallisaw and Poteau Chambers of Commerce and the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association; and

WHEREAS, State Question No. 632, adopted September 18, 1990, and effective January 1, 1991, limits the length of service for a member of the Legislature to a total of 12 years. As a result, Senator Allen will not be eligible to stand for reelection this year; and

WHEREAS, Senator Allen will be remembered for his dedication to Oklahoma's energy, agriculture and wildlife industries, evident by his legislation to support oil and gas and advocacy for the coal industry, and his work with the Sportsmen's Caucus to promote Oklahoma's expansive hunting and fishing opportunities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 58TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate, on behalf of the citizens of Senate District 4 and all citizens of this state, expresses its gratitude to Senator Mark Allen for his service in the Oklahoma State Senate.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to Senator Mark Allen.