>> FROM THE SOUTH STEPS OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL, THIS IS THE INAUGURATION OF THE HONORABLE J. KEVIN STITT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA; THE HONORABLE MATT PINNELL, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA; AND STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

WE NOW JOIN THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY, LIVE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

♪ >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OKLAHOMANS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND ACROSS THE NATION, WELCOME TO THE 2023 OKLAHOMA INAUGURAL SWEARING-IN CEREMONY.

PROVIDING MUSICAL SUPPORT THROUGHOUT TODAY'S CEREMONY IS THE 145TH ARMY BAND, LED BY CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER, BRANDON MCMILLIAN.

THE 145TH ARMY BAND IS ONE OF THE FINEST RESERVE COMPONENT BANDS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND IS ASSIGNED TO THE OKLAHOMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

>> NOW, PLEASE WELCOME YOUR HOST FOR TODAY'S INAUGURAL CEREMONY, MR. CORBIN MCGUIRE.

[APPLAUSE] >> EMCEE: GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE INAUGURATION OF THE HONORABLE J. KEVIN STITT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] MY NAME IS CORBIN McGUIRE.

I'M A FRIEND OF GOVERNOR STITT'S.

I WAS HERE FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE INTRODUCING A THEN-UNKNOWN GOVERNOR-ELECT, J. KEVIN STITT.

AT THAT TIME, OUR STATE WAS HEARING A PHRASE ABOUT BEING A TOP-10 STATE.

I THINK SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT, OH, THAT'S JUST AN AMBITIOUS GOAL FOR A NEW GOVERNOR-ELECT.

OTHERS THOUGHT IT AS A CAMPAIGN SLOGAN OF SORTS.

FOUR YEARS LATER, OKLAHOMANS HAVE DISCOVERED WHEN IT COMES TO GOVERNOR STITT BEING TOP 10, IT'S NOT A NICE TO HAVE, IT'S A NONNEGOTIABLE.

WHAT THEY'VE ALSO DISCOVERED IS THAT GOVERNOR STITT'S MAGIC ISN'T EVERYTHING HE DOES ALL BY HIMSELF.

IT'S REALLY THE MOVEMENT THAT HE'S ABLE TO HELP CREATE.

IN FACT, IF YOU WERE STANDING NEXT TO ME, HE'D SAY, IT WASN'T ME DOING EVERYTHING ALL BY MYSELF.

IT WAS SCOTT MUELLER WHO STEPPED ASIDE FROM HIS BUSINESS AND SAID, I WANT TO HELP US BE TOP 10 AS HE STEPPED IN AS SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.

IT WAS Dr. CASEY WHO SAID, HEY, I WANT TO HELP US BE TOP 10.

IT WAS A MOVEMENT OF OUTSIDE BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN WHO NEVER SERVED BUT A GOAL TO BE TOP 10, JUSTIN BROWN, KEVIN CORBETT AND ON AND ON AND ON.

BUT IT WASN'T JUST THE OUTSIDE PEOPLE.

IT WAS THE INCREDIBLE SELFLESS PEOPLE THAT HAD BEEN ON THE INSIDE SERVING LONG BEFORE GOVERNOR STITT EVER ARRIVED, BLAYNE ARTHUR, TIM GATZ, SUSAN WINCHESTER AND MORE.

IT WAS ALSO THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S THE HOUSE MEMBERS, IT'S THE SENATE MEMBERS.

IT'S SENATE PRO TEM GREG TREAT'S LEADERSHIP.

IT'S SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE CHARLES McCALL'S LEADERSHIP.

OKLAHOMA, YOU DON'T GET TO BE TOP 10 JUST BECAUSE.

YOU DON'T GET TO BE TOP 10 ON YOUR OWN.

YOU DON'T GET TO BE TOP 10 WITH SPEECHES.

YOU DON'T DO IT WITH RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES, YOU DO IT WITH PEOPLE.

AND OKLAHOMA HAS THE VERY BEST PEOPLE.

AND SO, HERE WE GO, ABOUT TO ENTER THE SECOND HALF AS WE BRING EVERYBODY OUT.

THE MISSION HAS NOT CHANGED.

THE PEOPLE ARE ALL IN PLACE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, OKLAHOMA, THE LEADER IS BACK.

AND IT'S GONNA A LOT OF FUN.

[APPLAUSE] >> EMCEE: BEFORE WE BEGIN THE PROCESSIONAL, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK A FEW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY COMMITTEE; COMMITTEE CHAIR JOHN BUDD, DANA WEBB WITH THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTERPRISE SERVICES, STEVE MASON, JIM HASENBECK, CHRISTY BUSCH FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AMBER SHARPLES FROM THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL AND ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE FOR THEIR WORK IN ORGANIZING THIS IMPORTANT PUBLIC CEREMONY THAT MEMORIALIZES OUR SELECTION OF STATE LEADERS BY FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

>> EMCEE: INTERPRETING FOR THE DEAF ARE ANNE BYRD AND ROY WOODALL FROM THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF.

AND, THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LAST FRONTIER COUNCIL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA AND THE GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN OKLAHOMA FOR HANDING OUT PROGRAMS AND ASSISTING IN GREETING AND SEATING GUESTS.

[APPLAUSE] >>> NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE OUR SPECIAL GUESTS IN THE PROCESSIONAL.

THE THREE BRANCHES OF OKLAHOMA'S STATE GOVERNMENT ARE EACH REPRESENTED HERE TODAY, THE LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL, AND EXECUTIVE.

MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARE LED BY THE HONORABLE CHARLES MCCALL, SPEAKER OF THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND MRS. MCCALL AND THE HONORABLE CYNDI MUNSON, DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MINORITY LEADER.

PLEASE WELCOME THE MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[APPLAUSE] I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES McCALL.

WE HAD A GREAT VISIT.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YA SOME OF WHAT I LEARNED IN THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT THE HOUSE, AS WELL AS SPEAKER McCALL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, THE-HOUR IS THE LARGEST CHAMBER.

THERE'S 101 MEMBERS.

CHARLES A. McCALL IS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

SPEAKER McCALL GRADUATED FROM ATOKA HIGH SCHOOL IN 1998 AND WENT ON TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA IN 1992.

HIS FATHER WAS A MAJOR INFLUENCE IN HIS LIFE AND WANTED IMTO PURSUE A CAREER IN MEDICINE OR LAW.

BUT, INSTEAD, HE OPTED TO PURSUE BUSINESS AND RETURN TO HIS HOMETOWN TO JOIN HIS FATHER IN THE BANKING BUSINESS.

HIS FATHER SET AN EXPECTATION THAT IF HE WAS GOING TO JOIN THE RURAL BANKING BUSINESS, HE NEEDED TO BE PREPARED TO SERVE AND CONTRIBUTE PERSONALLY IN THE COMMUNITY.

AFTER SERVING, AND SEVERAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, HE WAS ASKED TO RUN FOR A CITY COUNCIL POSITION.

BUT HE APPROACHED HIS FATHER AND SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, THE TIME IS NOT RIGHT.

HE HAD OTHER PERSONAL AND BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITIES.

BUT HIS DAD SAID, IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT BEST FITS YOUR PERSONAL CALENDAR.

IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

SO, HE SERVED IN THAT ROLE.

AND AFTER THE SPEAKER WAS APPROACHED TO RUN FOR MAYOR IN ATOKA WHERE HE WENT ON TO SERVE FOR SEVEN YEARS.

THEN, HE WAS ELECTED TO THE HARDEST.

AFTER FOUR SHORT YEARS, HE WAS APPROACHED TO BE SPEAKER.

SPEAKER CHARLES McCALL HAS NOW BEEN SWORN IN FOR HIS FOURTH TERM AS SPEAKER, MAKING HIM THE LONGEST-SERVING SPEAKER IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

HIS MOTHER, BARBARA McCALL WAS A GREAT INFLUENCE.

SHE LOVED AND HELPED ALL PEOPLE.

SHE LIVED THE BIBLE.

HIS MOTHER SAW HER SON SWORN IN AS SPEAKER IN JANUARY OF 2017 BEFORE TRAGICALLY PASSING AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY A MONTH LATER.

THE SPEAKER TOLD ME HE'S EXCITED ABOUT THE MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, SAYING THEY'RE NOT THERE JUST TO HOLD A TITLE AND FEEL IMPORTANT.

THEY'RE THERE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OKLAHOMA.

WHEN I ASKED HIM WHAT -- WHAT MAKES YOU SUCCESSFUL?

WHAT'S MADE YOU EFFECTIVE?

HE SAID IT THIS WAY: I DON'T APPROACH IT AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; I TRY TO BE LISTENER OF THE HOUSE.

AS THE MEMBERS CONTINUED TO ENTER, I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE AND THANK AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS INAUGURAL CEREMONY.

THIS EVENT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF ORGANIZATIONS.

THIS INAUGURAL CEREMONY: THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL, THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS, THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THE OKLAHOMA MILITARY DEPARTMENT, THE OKLAHOMA OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTERPRISE SERVICES, OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, THE OKLAHOMA STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, THE OKLAHOMA CITY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, THE OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND, OKLAHOMA'S STATEWIDE PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK, THE OKLAHOMA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY, O-E-T-A.

[APPLAUSE] IF YOU'D ALLOW ME, I'D LIKE TO JUST TAKE A MINUTE, AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MARK BURGET.

MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT MARK BURGET, WHO WAS GOVERNOR STITT'S FIRST GENERAL COUNCIL DIED SUDDENLY JUST NINE DAYS AGO.

HE WAS A LAWYER FOR 2YEARS.

IN 1988, HE WAS NAMED THE FIRM'S FIRST-EVER MANAGING DIRECTOR, WHICH MAKES IT ALL THAT MUCH MORE REMARKABLE AFTER BEING NAMED MANAGING DIRECTOR, THREE YEARS LATER HE WALKED AWAY FROM IT ALL, FROM THE MONEY, FROM THE TITLE, FROM THE CAREER, AND HE DID IT TO JOIN SEARCH MINISTRIES, TO TEACH THEGEL TO ANYBODY THAT WOULD LISTEN.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR ASKED HIM TO SERVE OUR STATE, WE KNEW WE WERE HIRING FAR MORE THAN JUST A LAWYER.

HE WAS A TEACHER, A LISTENER, A COUNSELOR, A PRAYER WARRIOR.

HE WAS THE PERFECT STUDY DURING UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.

HE LOVED JESUS CHRIST AND HIS WIFE OF 47 YEARS, ELAINE, WITH WHOM HE RAISED FIVE SONS.

MARK NEVER WANTED PRAISE OR RECOGNITION, AND I CALLED ELAINE, HIS WIFE, I SAY, WHAT DO I SAY?

SHE SAID, IT'S SIMPLE.

READINESS -- TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE LORD, TO PLEASE HIM AND BEAR FRUIT.

MARK BURGET, YOU DID ALL THOSE THINGS.

WE LOVE YOU AND ARE GONNA MISS YA.

[APPLAUSE] >> EMCEE: OKLAHOMA IS NAMED BY AND FOR ITS GREAT NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL NATIONS.

THE 39 DISTINGUISHED FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES WHO CALL OKLAHOMA HOME REPRESENT THE FIRST GOVERNMENTS IN THIS LAND.

WE RECOGNIZE AND WELCOME THE REPRESENTATIVE AND LEADERS OF THESE TRIBAL NATIONS.

WILL YOU PLEASE STAND?

[APPLAUSE] >> EMCEE: WE ARE HONORED TO BE JOINED ON THE PLATFORM TODAY BY FORMER GOVERNORS AND FIRST LADIES AND FIRST GENTLEMEN OF OKLAHOMA.

PLEASE STAND AS YOU ARE INTRODUCED.

THE HONORABLE FRANK KEATING AND MRS. CATHY KEATING; THE HONORABLE BRAD HENRY AND PLEASE WELCOME TWO OF OUR THREE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSIONERS, PLEASE STAND AS YOU'RE INTRODUCED.

NEW COMMISSIONER KIM DAVID WILL BE TAKING HER OATH OF OFFICE LATER TODAY.

THE HONORABLE BOB ANTHONY AND Mrs. NANCY B. ANTHONY.

[APPLAUSE] THE HONORABLE TODD HIETT.

[APPLAUSE] >> EMCEEWE'RE JOINED ON THE PLATFORM BY SOME OTHER VERY SPECIAL GUESTS, THE GOVERNOR'S PARENTS, THE REVEREND JOHN L. STITT AND MRS. JOYCE STITT; AS WELL AS HIS BROTHERS, KEITH AND KENT STITT.

[APPLAUSE] >> EMCEE: NOW, PLEASE WELCOME MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE, MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE LED BY THE HONORABLE GREG TREAT, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE, ACCOMPANIED BY MRS.

TREAT.

AND THE HONORABLE KAY FLOYD, DEMOCRATIC LEADER OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME THE MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE.

[APPLAUSE] I ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH SENATE PRO TEM GREG TREAT, AND I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF OUR DISCUSSION, REALLY, REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION.

HE SHARED WITH ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SENATE AND HIS BACKGROUND.

THE OKLAHOMA SENATE IS COMPOSED OF 48 MEMBERS, EACH REPRESENTING AN ELECTORAL DISTRICT IN OUR STATE.

PRO TEM TREAT GREW UP IN CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA AND GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL IN 1996.

FROM THERE, HE ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WHERE HE GRADUATED PHI BETA KAPPA.

DURING HIS SENIOR YEAR IN THE SUMMER OF 1999, HE SPENT THREE MONTHS WORKING FOR Dr. COBURN WHEN HE WAS IN THE U.S. HOUSE.

THE DOCTOR HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON PRO TEM TREAT AND ULTIMATELY INSPIRED HIM TO PURSUE A CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

PRO TEM TREAT SAID IT WAS Dr. COBURN THAT HELPED ME UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE THAT IF I WANTED THINGS TO CHANGE, I NEEDED TO GET INVOLVED.

PRO TEM TREAT WORKED WITH Dr. COBURN AGAIN IN 2004 BY HELPING RUN HIS U.S. SENATE RACE.

AND IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT HE MET HIS WIFE, MARISA, WHO HE'S BEEN MARRIED TO FOR 17 YEARS.

PRO TEM TREAT SAID ANOTHER IMPACTFUL PERSON IN HIS LIFE WAS HIS GRANDFATHER.

Dr. WILLIS WAS A WORLD WAR II PILOT AND RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.

HIS CO-PILOT WAS KILLED OVER ITALY.

DESPITE THAT, THE DOCTOR COMPLETED THE MISSION TO SUCCESS.

AFTER THE WAR, Dr. WILLIS COMPLETED MEDICAL SCHOOL, MOVED TO TULSA, HAD THREE CHILDREN, SHORTLY AFTER, ADOPTED AN ADDITIONAL THREE CHILDREN.

HE GREW UP WITH HIS FIVE AUNTS AND UNCLES AND SEEING THE RESULTS OF HOW HIS GRANDPARENTS' ADOPTION CHANGED LIVES FOR THE BETTER, IT HELPED SHAPE THE ISSUES PRO TEM TREAT IS PASSIONATE ABOUT TODAY.

I ASK SECRETARY BRIAN BINGMAN WHAT MADE PRO TEM TREAT SO SPECIAL.

YOU COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON HIM TO GET IN THE WEEDS.

YOU KNOW WHEN HE'S TELLING YOU SOMETHING, HE'S DO YOU KNOW HIS DUE DILIGENCE AND IT'S CORRECT.

PRO TEM TREAT AND HIS WIFE HAVE THREE CHILDREN, MASON, COOPER AND OLIVIA.

>> EMCEE: REPRESENTING THE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT ARE THE JUSTICES OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT, THE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, AND THE COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS.

LEADING THE SUPREME COURT IS CHIEF JUSTICE, JOHN KANE IV AND VICE-CHIEF JUSTICE, DUSTIN ROWE.

THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS ARE LED BY PRESIDING JUDGE SCOTT ROWLAND AND VICE-PRESIDING JUDGE ROBERT HUDSON.

NOW ENTERING ARE THE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS.

PLEASE WELCOME THE MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY OF OKLAHOMA'S THREE HIGHEST COURTS.

[APPLAUSE] >> EMCEE: WE ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET MEMBERS, WHO ARE WITH US TODAY.

PLEASE STAND WHEN I ANNOUNCE YOUR NAME AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS, HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL THE END.

THE HONORABLE MATT PINNELL, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY OF TOURISM, WILDLIFE AND HERITAGE THE HONORABLE BRIAN BINGMAN, AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

THE HONORABLE BLAYNE ARTHUR, SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE THE HONORABLE CHAD MARISKA, SECRETARY OF COMMERCE & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THE HONORABLE JOHN LAWS, SECRETARY OF BUDGET.

ADMINISTRATION.

SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

ENVIRONMENT.

THE HONORABLE KEVIN CORBETT, HEALTH.

THE HONORABLE JUSTIN BROWN, SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES REGULATION.

INNOVATION.

THE HONORABLE TIM GATZ, SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION THE HONORABLE JOHN NASH, SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OPERATING OFFICER.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR STATE.

[APPLAUSE] >> EMCEE: AND, NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

THE HONORABLE KIM DAVID, CORPORATION COMMISSIONER AND MR. DAVID.

[APPLAUSE] THE HONORABLE GLEN MULREADY, INSURANCE COMMISSIONER AND MRS. MULREADY.

[APPLAUSE] THE HONORABLE LESLIE OSBORN, LABOR COMMISSIONER.

[APPLAUSE] THE HONORABLE RYAN WALTERS, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND MRS. WALTERS.

[APPLAUSE] THE HONORABLE TODD RUSS, STATE TREASURER AND MRS. RUSS.

[APPLAUSE] THE HONORABLE GENTNER DRUMMOND, STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MRS. DRUMMOND.

[APPLAUSE] THE HONORABLE CINDY BYRD, STATE AUDITOR AND INSPECTOR AND MR. BYRD.

[APPLAUSE] THE HONORABLE MATT PINNELL, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND MRS. LISA PINNELL.

[APPLAUSE] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ESCORTED BY MAJOR GENERAL THOMAS MANCINO, THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD, THE HONORABLE J. KEVIN STITT, GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND HIS WIFE MRS. SARAH STITT.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC: "STARS AND STRIPES"] [MUSIC: "STARS AND STRIPES"] [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC: "STARS AND STRIPES"] [MUSIC: "STARS AND STRIPES"] [MUSIC: "STARS AND STRIPES"] PLEASE REMAIN STANDING AS PASTOR RODNEY FOUTS OF NORTH CHURCH IN OKLAHOMA CITY, GIVES TODAY'S INVOCATION; AND PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS.

THE COLORS WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR'S HONOR GUARD FROM THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD.

>> LET US PRAY.

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME, YOURS, OH, GOD, IS THE GREATEST, POWER, GLORY, MAJESTY AND SPLENDOR.

YOU ARE THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, SEEN AND UNSEEN.

ALL BELONG TO YOU.

YOU ARE THE KINGDOM.

YOU ARE HEAD OVER ALL THINGS.

MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROVISION AND BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES AND THIS STATE.

LET US HEED THE WORDS OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN AS HE SAID, WE HAVE GROWN IN NUMBERS, WEALTH, AND POWER, BUT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN GOD.

IT BEHOOVES US, AS PRESIDENT LINCOLN CONTINUES, TO HUMBLE OURS, CONFESS OUR SINS, AND PRAY FOR CLEMENCY AND FORGIVENESS.

LORD, FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS, PRESENT AND PAST, AND HELP US THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST US.

LED US IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR YOUR NAME'S SAKE.

MAY WE NOT BOW TO TEMPTATION BUT COME HUMBLY ON OUR KNEES TO THE KING OF KINGS, JESUS CHRIST.

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, POWER AND GLORY FOREVER AND EVER.

FATHER, WE COME TOGETHER ON THIS HISTORIC AND SOLEMN OCCASION TO INAUGURATE OUR GOVERNOR.

MAY YOUR STRENGTH BE UPON THE GOVERNOR, FIRST LADY AND THEIR FAMILY.

MAY THEY PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH EVEN AS THEIR SOULS PROSPER.

YOU HAVE ENTRUSTED THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS GREAT STATE TO OUR GOVERNOR, SO WE PRAY FOR HIM.

WE ASK THAT YOUR DIVINE PRESENCE RESTS ON HIM.

WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE HIM WISDOM TO GUIDE US INTO THE FUTURE.

ALSO, GIVEN THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD.

AND GRANT HIM FAVOR WITH YOU FIRST AND FOREMOST AND THEN WITH ALL THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE AND THOSE WELL BEYOND THESE BORDERS.

MAY OUR GOVERNOR LED US IN WHAT IT MEANS TO TRULY LOVE GOD WITH ALL OF HIS HEART, ALL OF HIS SOUL, ALL OF HIS MIND AND ALL OF HIS STRENGTH.

AND MAY WE FOLLOW SUCH AN EXAMPLE KNOWING THAT OUT OF SUCH A PASSION WILL FLOW A GENUINE LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY, SKIN TONE, ECONOMIC LEVEL, FEARLESS, MOTHERLESS, ELDERLY, DISABLED, UNBORN, THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND THE MORE.

OUR GOVERNOR NEEDS YOU, O LORD, AND WE ALL DO, TOO.

SO, SINNED AMONG US, THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE, WE CALL OKLAHOMA, A RERIVAL OF HOPE AND OF HOLINESS.

AS THE BOOK OF PSALM SAYS, WON'T YOU REVIVE US AGAIN SO PEOPLE CAN REJOICE IN YOU, OUR LORD AND GOD.

WE CALL OUT TO YOU FOR THE ETERNAL THINGS THAT CAN ONLY COME FROM YOU; WE CHOOSE YOU'RE SPIRIT OVER OUR FLESH; YOUR MORALITY OVER OUR DESIRE FOR MATERIALISM, YOUR PURPOSE OVER OUR PRIDE.

MAY WE FOLLOW OUR GOVERNOR AS HE FOLLOWS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

NOW IN THE DAYS AHEAD, MAY ALL OF US LIVE HOLY, HUMBLE AND HUNGRY FOR MORE OF YOU.

LORD, WE DEDICATED THIS GOVERNOR'S INAUGURAL CEREMONY TO YOU.

MAY THIS BE THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DAY FOR OKLAHOMA AS WE SURRENDER OURSELVES BEFORE YOU AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ALONE AS OUR LORD, OUR SAVIOR AND OUR REDEEMER.

AND FINALLY, FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL WHO WRITES: NOW, ALL GLORY TO GOD WHO IS ABLE, THROUGH HIS MIGHTY POWER, AT WORK WITHIN US, TO ACCOMPLISH INFINITELY MORE THAN WE MIGHT ASK OR EVEN THINK.

GLORY TO HIM AND THE CHURCH AND IN CHRIST JESUS THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS FOREVER AND FOREVER, AMEN.

♪ ♪ ♪ PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY THE CHILDREN OF OKLAHOMA'S FIRST FAMILY -- NATALIE, HOUSTON, PIPER, REMINGTON, AND KATE STITT -- AND FOR THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, SUNG BY MISS ELLA PHILLIPS.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

♪ O SAY CAN YOU SEE ♪ ♪ BY THE DAWN'S ♪ ♪ EARLY LIGHT ♪ ♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY ♪ ♪ WE HAILED ♪ ♪ AT THE TWILIGHT'S ♪ ♪ LAST GLEAMING ♪ ♪ WHOSE BROAD STRIPES ♪ ♪ AND BRIGHT STARS ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE PERILOUS ♪ ♪ FIGHT ♪ ♪ O'ER THE RAMPARTS ♪ ♪ WE WATCHED ♪ ♪ WERE SO GALLANTLY ♪ ♪ STREAMING ♪ ♪ AND THE ROCKETS'♪ ♪ RED GLARE ♪ ♪ THE BOMBS BURSTING ♪ ♪ IN AIR ♪ ♪ GAVE PROOF ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪ ♪ THAT OUR FLAG ♪ ♪ WAS STILL THERE ♪ ♪ O SAY, DOES THAT ♪ ♪ STAR-SPANGLED BANNER ♪ ♪ YET WAVE ♪ ♪ O'ER THE LAND ♪ ♪ OF THE FREE ♪ ♪ AND THE HOME ♪ ♪ OF THE BRAVE ♪♪ [APPLAUSE] REMAIN STANDING AS WE PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF FALLEN VETERANS OF ALL SERVICES.

[MOMENT OF SILENCE] [MILITARY BAND PLAYING "TAPS"] [MILITARY BAND PLAYING "TAPS"] [MILITARY BAND PLAYING "TAPS"] PLEASE BE SEATED.

NOW, PLEASE WELCOME SANTA FE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR AS THEY SING “GOD BLESS AMERICA” .

♪ [SANTA FE SOUTH HS: “GOD BLESS AMERICA] [SANTA FE SOUTH HS: “GOD BLESS AMERICA] ♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE ♪ ♪ STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH THE LIGHT FROM ABOVE ♪ ♪ FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE PRAIRIES ♪ ♪ TO THE OCEANS WHITE WITH FOAM ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME SWEET HOME ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE ♪ ♪ STAND BESIDE HER AND GUIDE HER ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE NIGHT WITH THE LIGHT FROM ABOVE ♪ ♪ FROM THE MOUNTAINS ♪ ♪ TO THE PRAIRIES ♪ ♪ TO THE OCEANS WHITE WITH FOAM ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME SWEET HOME ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA, MY HOME, MY HOME SWEET HOME ♪ ♪ GOD BLESS AMERICA, AMERICA, MY HOME ♪♪ [APPLAUSE] THE TIME HAS COME FOR OKLAHOMA'S EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS TO TAKE THEIR OATH OF OFFICE.

THE OATH WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY INCOMING OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN KANE.

CINDY BYRD, GENTNER DRUMMOND, TODD RUSS, RYAN WALTERS, LESLIE OSBORN, GLEN MULREADY, AND KIM DAVID, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ALL RIGHT.

IF YOU WILL EACH RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, REPEAT AFTER ME.

I, STATE YOUR NAME, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT, OBEY AND DEFEND -- >> THAT I WILL SUPPORT, OBEY AND DEFEND -- >> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES -- >> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> AND THAT I WILL NOT KNOWINGLY -- >> THAT I WILL NOT KNOWINGLY -- >> RECEIVE ANY MONEY -- >> RECEIVE ANY MONEY.

>> OR OTHER VALUABLE THING -- >> OTHER OTHER VALUABLE THING -- >> FOR THE PERFORMANCE OR NONPERFORMANCE.

>> FOR THE PERFORMANCE OR NONFORMS OF ANY ACT OR DUTY PERTAINING TO MY OFFICE OTHER THAN THE COMPENSATION -- >> OTHER THAN THE COMPENSATION SHOULD BY LAW.

>> ALLOWED BY LAW.

>> I FURTHER SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE MY DUTIES AS -- STATE YOUR OFFICE -- TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY -- >> TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

>> SO SO HELP ME GOD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] >> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY INAUGURATED STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[APPLAUSE] AND NOW, CHIEF JUSTICE KANE WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL.

PLEASE COME FORWARD.

[APPLAUSE] >> REPEAT AFTER ME -- [LT.

GOVERNOR OATH OF OFFICE] [LT.

GOVERNOR OATH OF OFFICE] [LT.

GOVERNOR OATH OF OFFICE] CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] [BAND PLAYING] CONGRATULATIONS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PINNELL.

[APPLAUSE] IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO ASK CHIEF JUSTICE KANE TO ADMINISTER THE GOVERNOR'S OATH OF OFFICE TO THE HONORABLE J. KEVIN STITT, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, SARAH STITT.

[APPLAUSE] IT'S A RARE PRIVILEGE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADMINISTER THE OATH TO THE GENTLEMAN THAT APPOINTED TO THE SUPREME COURT.

Mr.

GOVERNOR, ARE YOU READY?

>> I'M READY.

>> YOU'LL RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, PLEASE.

[GOVERNOR OATH OF OFFICE] [APPLAUSE] [GOVERNOR OATH OF OFFICE] [APPLAUSE] [GOVERNOR OATH OF OFFICE] [GOVERNOR OATH OF OFFICE] >> YOUR SECOND TERM IN OFFICE COMMENCES.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] IT IS MY GREAT PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE THE HONORABLE J. KEVIN STITT, 28TH GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

[BAND PLAYING RUFFLES AND FLOURISHES AND 32 BARS) THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, CORBIN.

THANK YOU, PRO TEM GREG TREAT, SPEAKER CHARLES McCALL AND MEMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THANK YOU TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE ELECTED STATEWIDE OFFICIALS.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO ROLLING UP MY SLEEVES AND WORKIN WITH YOU ON IMPORTANT TASKS WE HAVE AHEAD OF US TO MAKE OKLAHOMA A TOP 10 STATE.

[APPLAUSE] AND THANK YOU TO MY FRIENDS REPRESENTING THE TRIBAL NATIONS THAT ARE HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU -- [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN KANE AND JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT.

I WANT TO ALSO THANK GOVERNOR KEATING FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND TO MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE, SARAH.

I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY WITHOUT YOU BY MY SIDE OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS.

AND TO MY SIX CHILDREN, NATALIE, MY NEW SON-IN-LAW, JOSEPH, DREW, KATE, PIPER, REMINGTON AND HOUSTON, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND I'M SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU.

THANK YOU TO MY MOM AND DAD, MY TWO BROTHERS THAT ARE HERE, SARAH'S FAMILY.

HONORED GUESTS, FRIENDS, AND MY FELLOW OKLAHOMANS, IT IS WITH DEEP GRATITUDE AND THANKS TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER, AND WITH DETERMINATION IN MY HEART, THAT I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, OUR HISTORY WAS MARKED BY BOONS AND BUSTS.

THE CYCLE LEFT US DEPENDENT ON A FEW INDUSTRIES AND SPECIAL INTERESTS.

AND IT LEFT US WITH A SENSE OF MEDIOCRITY, AS IF WE WERE FORCED TO ACCEPT OUR STATE WAS BOTTOM OF THE BARREL OR LIMITED.

BUT OKLAHOMANS PROVED OUR PEOPLE ARE THE ANSWER TO OUR GREATEST CHALLENGES.

IT'S WHY THE NATION KNOWS AND RESPECTS A TERM WE COINED AS THE OKLAHOMA STANDARD.

IN OUR HARDEST CHAPTERS, OKLAHOMANS HAVE SHOWN THAT COMPASSIONATE HOPE FOR OUR FELLOW CITIZENS ARE WHAT UNITES AND SUSTAINS US.

THIS IS THE QUALITY THAT DEFINES OUR FUTURE AND POTENTIAL, AND IT IS THE CHARACTER OF OKLAHOMANS THAT WE MUST PRESERVE AND CONTINUE TO TEACH TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

FOR DECADES, WE WERE RESTLESS, WE ASK WHY OUR STATE WASN'T GROWING AND SECURING NEW OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE REST OF THE NATION.

WE BEGAN TO SEE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO BREAK THE CYCLES OF THE BOOMS AND THE BUSTS.

WITH OUR VAST LAND AND OUR ABUNDANT NATURAL RESOURCES, WITH OUR PEOPLE AND WORK ETHIC, WITH OUR FAITH IN GOD, AND WITH OUR SHARED HISTORY AS A STATE, WE COULD BUILD A STRONGER ECONOMY AND MORE SUSTAINABLE OKLAHOMA.

WHEN I TOOK OFFICE FOUR YEARS AGO, THE STATE WAS IN THE THROES OF ANOTHER DOWNTURN.

WE WERE MERGING FROM YEAR AFTER YEAR OF BUDGET SHORT FALLS AND A GOVERNMENT IN DISARRAY FROM POLITICAL FINGER-POINTING AND SHIFTING BLAME.

SPENDING FREEZE IN THE GOOD YEARS LEFT US VULNERABLE IN THE DOWN YEARS.

IN SHORT, GOVERNMENT WAS NOT WORKING AND WAS NOT GENERATING THE PROMISES OF CERTAINTY AND STABILITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

AS YOUR GOVERNOR, I CAST A VISION FOR A TURNAROUND THAT WOULD PUT OKLAHOMA ON A JOURNEY TO BE VIEWED NATIONWIDE AS A TOP 10 STATE.

I SAID, WE COULD BE TOP 10 IN EVERYTHING WE DO.

MY DESIRE WAS SIMPLE.

TO GIVE OKLAHOMANS THE CONFIDENCE AND BELIEF THAT WHEN WORKING TOGETHER, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

WE TAKE SECOND PLACE TO NO OTHER STATE.

AND, FRIENDS, I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT TODAY THE AMERICAN DREAM IS ALIVE AND WELL RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] WE BUILT THE LARGEST SAVINGS ACCOUNT IN OKLAHOMA'S HISTORY, TURNING BUDGET DEFICITS INTO NEARLY A $4 BILLION SAVINGS ACCOUNT, THE FOUNDATION FOR A TOP 10 FUTURE.

[APPLAUSE] WE GAVE TEACHERS ANOTHER PAY RAISE, BRINGING OUR POLICY EDUCATORS TO TOP IN THE REGION IN PAY AND BENEFITS.

[APPLAUSE] WE GAVE OUR BRAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS A LONG-OVERDUE PAY RAISE AND THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SUPPORT AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

[APPLAUSE] WE STOOD UP FOR AND DEFENDED THOSE WHO DEFENDED US, BACKING OUR VETERANS AND SUPPORTING OUR STATE'S WORLD-CLASS MILITARY BASES.

WE'VE MADE -- [APPLAUSE] >> WE'VE MADE STATE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE TAXPAYER, ENDING THE STATE'S HISTORY OF LENDING OUR LARGEST AGENCIES DECISIONS TO UNELECTED AND UNTOUCHABLE BUREAUCRATS.

[APPLAUSE] >> WE GAVE -- WE GAVE PEOPLE SECOND CHANCES AND SURROUNDED THEM WITH THE SUPPORTS TO SUCCEED.

WE DOUBLED OUR PIPELINE OF NEW BUSINESSES MOVING TO OUR STATE.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING THE HARD WORK AND COLLABORATION OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THIS PLATFORM WHO SERVE WITH ME IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

[APPLAUSE] RIGHT AWAY OUR TOP 10 VISION WAS PUT TO THE TEST.

WHEN WE GATHERED ON THESE STEPS FOUR YEARS AGO, NONE OF US COULD HAVE IMAGINED A PANDEMIC WOULD TEST THE CORE OF WHO WE ARE AS AMERICANS, AS OKLAHOMA CITY, AND AS NEIGHBORS.

WE HAD TO ASK OURSELVES, WOULD WE LOOK ONLY TO THE GOVERNMENT TO SAVE US?

WOULD WE SIMPLY BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES AND WAIT OUT ANOTHER BUST?

NOT THIS TIME.

IN 2020, OKLAHOMA DID NOT PUT OUR CONSTITUTION IN THE ATTIC.

NOR, DID WE SET ASIDE THE PRINCIPLES OF OUR FOREFATHERS WHO SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEEING THE INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

[APPLAUSE] THE GREAT AMERICAN DREAM HAS ENDURED IN THIS STATE, AND NOW, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO OKLAHOMA AS THE PLACE TO FIND OPPORTUNITY AND TO LIVE FREELY.

OKLAHOMA HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE STATES IN THE NATION TO LIVE, TO WORK, AND TO RAISE A FAMILY.

IN FACT, NEW CENSUS DATA RELEASED LAST WEEK NOW RANKS OKLAHOMA AS TOP 10 IN STATES WITH HIGHEST NET MIGRATION.

BECAUSE -- [APPLAUSE] >> BECAUSE WHEN OTHER STATES SHUT DOWN, OKLAHOMA CHOSE FREEDOM AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

WE LED WITH BOTH COURAGE AND COMPASSION, AND WE DID NOT SURROUND OUR CITIZENS TO GROUP THINK.

TOGETHER, WE FORTIFIED OUR FOCUS THAT FREEDOM AND FAIRNESS WOULD DELIVER HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.

IT'S THIS SPIRIT THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GUIDE US AND DELIVER THE TOP 10 OUTCOMES WE KNOW OKLAHOMA CAN ACHIEVE.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE OUR MARCH TO THE TOP.

IT WILL COME BY BUILDING A STRONG ECONOMY, AN EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT PREPARES ALL CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS, A LIMITED GOVERNMENT THAT IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, AND A CULTURE THAT RESPECTS AND PROTECTS EACH PERSON'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FAIRNESS, FAMILY, AND FREEDOM OF FAITH.

[APPLAUSE] WHEN THE WORLD WAS AT A STANDSTILL, AND WHILE OTHER ECONOMIES CRUMBLED, OUR STATE'S ECONOMY GREW.

WHEN OTHER STATES EXPERIENCED A SETBACK, OKLAHOMA DISCOVERED ITS COMEBACK.

DURING A PANDEMIC, WE CUT TAXES FOR EVERY SINGLE OKLAHOMAN, AND FOR JOB CREATORS TO KEEP BUSINESSES GROWING.

THAT HAS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN DELIVERING THE MOST DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY.

AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP MOVING THE NEEDLE ON REDUCING TAXES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, AND GETTING GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY.

BECAUSE IN OKLAHOMA, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T CREATE JOBS; GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IS TO ENSURE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR EVERYONE TO COMPETE, NO MATTER YOUR CURRENT ECONOMIC STATUS, RACE, ETHNICITY, OR BACKGROUND.

WE WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO CHASE THEIR DREAMS AND TO MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER TODAY AND INTO THE NEXT GENERATION.

[APPLAUSE] TO PRESERVE OUR HEALTHY ECONOMY, WE MUST ALSO PREPARE OUR NEXT GENERATION.

I'M HONORED TO BE HOSTING TODAY THESE YOUNG PEOPLE SITTING IN FRONT OF ME.

PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME STUDENTS FROM THE INCREDIBLE SCHOOLS OF BROKEN ARROW, DEER CREEK, DOVE, SANTA FE SOUTH CHARTER, CROSSINGS, AND OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN.

[APPLAUSE] TO THE STUDENTS AND TO YOUR PARENTS, I WANT YOU TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM ME.

I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT OKLAHOMA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM IS RANKED NEAR THE BOTTOM.

I WILL FIGHT EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR YOU BECAUSE I KNOW THAT TEXANS ARE NOT SMARTER THAN OKLAHOMANS, NEITHER ARE THE PEOPLE IN FLORIDA, TENNESSEE, ARIZONA OR MICHIGAN.

WE ARE AMERICA'S PIONEERS.

WE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO FUELED THE NATION'S EXPANSION, WE ARE THE DREAMERS, THE GO-GETTERS, THE CAN-DOERS.

IT'S TIME TO RETHINK EDUCATION IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S TIME FOR THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS TO ADDRESS WHAT'S WORKING, WHAT'S NOT.

IT'S TIME TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO THINK, NOT WHAT TO THINK.

[APPLAUSE] AND THAT MEANS WE MUST GIVE STUDENTS MORE ACCESS TO LEARNING METHODS THAT FIT THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS.

WE NEED MORE SCHOOLS, NOT LESS SCHOOLS, LIKE THE FEARMONGERS CLAIMED WHEN WE CALLED FOR CHANGE.

WE HAVE EXAMPLES OF THIS EMERGING ALL ACROSS OUR STATE, LIKE THE AVIATION ACADEMY IN NORMAN, WHICH IS PREPARING STUDENTS, TODAY'S YOUTH, TO BECOME PILOTS AND AIRLINE MECHANICS.

AND LOOK TO SANTA FE SOUTH CHARTER.

THEY SANG FOR US TODAY.

THEY ARE ADDRESSING A UNIQUE NEED FOR SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY BY EMBRACING FAMILIES WHERE A CHILD COULD BE THE ONLY BILINGUAL SPEAKER IN THEIR HOME, INSTEAD OF IGNORING A CHILD'S LANGUAGE, SANTA FE SOUTH EMPTY BRACES IT AND TEACHES CHILDREN HOW TO NAVIGATE BOTH LANGUAGES TO THEIR OWN PERSONAL SUCCESS.

WE EXPANDED EDUCATION FREEDOM FOR MORE STUDENTS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE EVERY KID DESERVES THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER ECONOMIC STATUS OR ZIP CODE.

[APPLAUSE] JUST ONE YEAR AGO, AFTER WE PASSED THE OPEN TRANSFER LAW, THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ARE NOW TAKING ADVANTAGE AND CAN NOW CHOOSE TO ATTEND A SCHOOL THAT BETTER FITS THEIR NEEDS.

LIKE CHARLES PAGE HIGH SCHOOL IN SAND SPRINGS, WHICH CREATES A TAILORED LEARNING PLAN FOR EVERY ONE OF THEIR STUDENTS.

RURAL SCHOOLS, LIKE WOODWARD ARE PARTNERING WITH CAREER TECHS, AND I THAT ARE THRIVING.

PARENTS, WE'RE GONNA FIGHT FOR YOU.

WE'RE GONNA CHANGE AND CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO.

WE'RE GOING TO BREAK OUT OF THE BOTTOM AND WE'RE GOING TO BREAK INTO THE TOP 10.

[APPLAUSE] OKLAHOMA, OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN DEPEND ON THE CHOICES WE MAKE TODAY.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN, NOT JUST THE NEXT GENERATION, BUT TODAY'S CHILDREN, RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF US, ACCESS TO TOP 10 EDUCATION CHOICES.

BECAUSE EDUCATION IS NOT THE ONLY GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS WE'RE GOING TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE FOR CHANGE AND MEASURABLE OUKS.

WE HAVE BUREAUCRATS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WHO THINK THE ONLY SOLUTION TO IMPROVING THE PLIGHT OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS IS MORE GOVERNMENT.

BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YA, MORE GOVERNMENT IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEMS.

MOST OF THE TIME, GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM.

[APPLAUSE] YOU RE-ELECTED ME TO MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE LIMITED AND MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU.

ONE OF THE CLEAREST EXAMPLES OF OUR PROGRESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

FOUR YEARS AGO, THE LEGISLATURE GAVE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THE ABILITY TO HIRE THE DIRECTOR TO RUN THE AGENCY UNDER A UNIFIED VISION.

AS A RESULT, WE HAVE CLOSED FOUR PRISONS, SAFELY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF INMATES BY OVER 5,000.

WE GAVE OUR FRONTLINE PROFESSIONALS A MUCH-NEEDED PAY RAISE, AND WE SAVED THE TAXPAYERS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

WE DID THIS ALL WHILE REDUCING CRIME AND LEADING THE NATION IN THE LOWEST RECIDIVISM RATE.

[APPLAUSE] ACROSSEL IS STATE AGENCIES, WE'VE PUSHED FOR FLAT BUDGETS, AND WE'VE SHRUNK THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT.

WHILE ALSO DELIVERING BETTER, MORE EFFICIENT SERVICES TO THE TAXPAYER.

AND THERE'S MORE TO DO.

I BELIEVE OKLAHOMANS RECOGNIZE THAT, TOO.

BECAUSE IT WAS YOU, THE VOTER, WHO REJECTED SPECIAL INTERESTS LAST NOVEMBER THAT WERE FIGHTING TO STOP OUR TOP 10 AGENDA.

YOU RECOGNIZED THAT THESE HIDDEN GROUPS WERE FIGHTING TO PRESERVE THEIR MONOPOLIES, THEIR CONTROL AND UNFAIR ADVANTAGE.

YOU DEMANDED A LEADER WHO IS HERE FOR ONE PURPOSE: TO SERVE YOU, THE PEOPLE.

TO SERVE ALL FOUR MILLION OKLAHOMANS AND TO MAKE OKLAHOMA A TOP 10 STATE.

[APPLAUSE] AND I PROMISE THAT WHILE I'M IN THIS ROLE, I WILL WORK TO MAINTAIN YOUR TRUST AND PUT YOU THE TAXPAYER FIRST.

AND I WILL FIGHT TIRELESSLY TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT DO THE SAME.

TODAY, I OFFER ONE FINAL PLEDGE: TOGETHER, WE WILL PROTECT OUR WAY OF LIFE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'LL PROTECT A AFFIRM -- FARMER'S RIGHT TO WORK ON THE LAND, UNBORN CHILD'S RIGHT TO LIVE.

WE'LL PROTECT -- [APPLAUSE] >> WE WILL PROTECT THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FOR ALL AND EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO WORSHIP FREELY.

[APPLAUSE] WE WILL PROTECT PARENTS' RIGHTS TO RAISE AND EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION.

[APPLAUSE] >> WE WILL PROTECT CITIZENS' RIGHTS TO SPEAK AND THINK FREELY AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS, WE WILL STAND UP AND DEFEND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS OVER GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

[APPLAUSE] AND TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THIS PLATFORM WITH ME TODAY, WE ARE ONLY HERE FOR A SHORT TIME.

NOW IS THE TIME.

IT'S TIME TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH BIG IDEAS AND TO GET THEM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE FOR TODAY'S CHILDREN AS WELL AS THE NEXT GENERATION.

BECAUSE I BELIEVE WHAT YOU DREAM ABOUT, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT, AND WHAT YOU WORK FOR, IT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

YOU'RE EITHER GREEN AND GROWING; OR RIPE AND ROTTEN.

AND OKLAHOMANS VOTED TO KEEP GROWING, TO KEEP DREAMING, TO KEEP BELIEVING.

AND IN CLOSING, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECALL PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S WORDS IN HIS SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

THE CIVIL WAR WAS DAYS AWAY FROM COMING TO ANnd.

IT WAS A WAR OF AMERICANS FIGHTING AND KILLING AMERICANS OVER DEEPLY HELD BELIEFS OF HOW THIS COUNTRY WOULD VIEW FREEDOM, FAIRNESS, AND A HUMAN LIFE MOVING FORWARD.

LINCOLN HAD CAMPAIGNED AMID UNPRECEDENTED DIVISION.

AND IN WINNING RE-ELECTION, WE CALLED FOR CITIZENS TO SET ASIDE MALICE TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND TO EXTEND CHARITY TO ALL, TO GIVE GRACE TO THE FELLOW AMERICAN THAT HAD BECOME AN ENEMY IN WAR AND TO FULFILL THE PROMISE OF A NATION FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL WAS EQUAL UNDER THE LAW.

HE CALLED AMERICANS TO FOCUS ON THIS WORK LEFT TO FINISH.

A WORK ORDAINED BY GOD TO BUILD AMERICA AS A LAND OF FREEDOM FOR ALL.

FRIENDS, TODAY I'M ASKING YOU TO JOIN ME.

LEAVE WASHINGTON, D.C. TO ITS POLITICAL GAMES, AND LET'S FOCUS HERE AT HOME WHERE WE'RE ALL OKLAHOMANS.

AS OUR CONSTITUTION AND PREAMBLE -- [FLY OVER] [APPLAUSE] >> AS OUR CONSTITUTION'S PREAMBLE SAYS: MAY WE INVOKE THE GUIDANCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, MAY WE PROTECT AND CONTINUE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY, MAY WE EXECUTE A FAIR GOVERNMENT, AND MAY WE PROMOTE HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY CITIZEN.

AND, OKLAHOMA, MAY WE BE UNITED WHAT THE FUTURE WILL HOLD WHEN WE ARE COMMITTED TO FREEDOM AND FAIRNESS FOR ALL.

GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF THE OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT WAS THE 137TH FIGHTER WING OF THE OKLAHOMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD, STATIONED IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] AND NOW, A 19-GUN SALUTE BY THE GOVERNOR'S HONOR GUARD FROM THE OKLAHOMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

[ARMY NATIONAL GUARD 19-GUN SALUTE] [GUNFIRE] [APPLAUSE] PLEASE WELCOME BELLA BROWN WHO WILL PERFORM OUR STATE SONG.

[APPLAUSE] [SINGING "OKLAHOMA"] [SINGING "OKLAHOMA"] [APPLAUSE] AS TODAY'S CEREMONY DRAWS TO A CLOSE, THE BENEDICTION WILL BE OFFERED BY GOVERNOR STITT'S FATHER, THE REVEREND JOHN L. STITT.

[APPLAUSE] LET US PRAY.

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND OUR GOD, AS WE STAND HERE TODAY AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS CEREMONY, WE RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS THE DAWNING OF A NEW YEAR AND THE DAWNING OF A NEW TERM OF OFFICE FOR GOVERNOR STITT.

WE CONFESS OUR GREAT NEED OF YOUR CONTINUED PRESENCE AND GUIDANCE AS WE FACE THE UNKNOWN FUTURE.

WE ALL COME WITH OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS, BUT YOU ALONE KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS, AND ONLY YOU ALONE CAN GIVE US THE STRENGTH, THE WISDOM, AND COURAGE TO ALWAYS DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN YOUR SIGHT IN THE COMING DAYS.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACIOUS HAND THAT HAS PRESERVED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND YOUR WORD SAYS, BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD.

AND I'M REMINDED OF THE WORDS OF PRESIDENT REAGAN.

HE SAID, IF WE EVER FORGET THAT WE'RE ONE NATION UNDER GOD, THEN WE WILL BE A NATION THAT HAS GONE UNDER.

WE THANK YOU, FATHER, FOR THE TORCH OF FAITH THAT WAS HANDED TO US BY OUR FARE FATHERS.

GIVE US TODAY THE SAME COURAGE AND WISDOM THEY HAD AS THEY TRUSTED YOU TO BUILD THIS GREAT NATION.

IT WAS YOU ALONE, HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT GAVE US OUR PROSPERITY, OUR FREEDOM, OUR LIFE, OUR PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

AND THIS FAITH IN YOU BY OUR FOREFATHERS IS THE FOUNDATION AND THE HERITAGE FOR ALL OKLAHOMANS.

SO, HELP US NOT TO LEAN TO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, BUT TO SEEK YOUR GUIDANCE DURING THE DIFFICULT TIME THAT WE ARE GOING TO THROUGH AS A NATION.

JESUS TAUGHT US TO PRAY.

THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON HEAVEN AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

LORD, WE PRAY TODAY THAT WE WOULD COLLECTIVELY TURN FROM OUR SINCE, TURN FROM OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING AND APPEAL TO THE MERCY OF HEAVEN FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION.

FATHER, I PRAYER THIS LIGHT OF RICH ITCHOUSNESS WOULD CONTINUE TO SHINE OVER THIS GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE PRAY FOR GOVERNOR STITT, HIS STAFF, AND ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AS THEY CONTINUE TO EMBRACE THE VALUES OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS IN MAKING OKLAHOMA A PLACE WHERE ANYONE CAN COME AND PURSUE THE WILL OF GOD FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR BUSINESSES.

AND FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE PROMISE AND THE HOPE OF THIS NEW YEAR.

WE LOOK FORWARD WITH EXPECTANCY AND WE JOIN OUR FAITH WITH ALL BELIEVERS AND ALL VOTERS WHO LIVE HERE THAT YOUR WILL BE DONE IN THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND THAT YOUR WILL WOULD BE DONE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THESE THINGS I ASK IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, WHO BY HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, HAS GIVEN US HOPE FOR THIS WORLD AND THE WORLD TO COME.

AMEN.

>> AMEN.

[APPLAUSE] PLEASE BE SEATED WHILE THE 145th BAND PLAYS THE RECESSIONAL.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> Announcer: YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE INAUGURATION OF THE HONORABLE J. KEVIN STITT, THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE NOW RETURN YOU TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING ON O.E.T.A.

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