September 21, 2024 Issue, Page 11 of 12

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 + 11 Lankford Introduces Resolution Declaring September as “National Literacy Month” OKLAHOMA cITY, to thrive in the classroom, effective literacy instruction sponsored by Senators Chris include the National Parents tion for Family Literacy, it is OK - Senators James Lank- workforce, and community. for students of all ages. We Van Hollen (D-MD), Mar- Union, Ed Trust, and Educa- estimated that low levels of ford (R-OK), Bill Cassidy, Recognizing September as need to do a better job of sha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike tors for Excellence. adult literacy could be cost- M.D. (R-LA), and Jack Reed National Literacy Month reaching learners where they Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R- Reading is a cornerstone ing America as much as $2.2 (D-RI) introduced _a_resolu celebrates continued educa- are and not letting them slip AL), Shelley Moore Capito for personal growth, eco- trillion a year. In recognition tion designating September tion for learners at every lev- through the cracks.” (R-WY), Susan Collins (R- nomic opportunity, and a of National Literacy Month, 2024 as “National Literacy el.” said Lankford, “Our students deserve bet- ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), strong society. Reading pro- throughout the month of Month” in an effort to raise “Reading unlocks op- ter. Unless reading proficien- Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin ficiency by third grade is one September, schools, libraries, awareness about the impor- portunity and strengthen- cy improves, we are at risk Heinrich (D-NM), Cindy of the most important pre- non-profits, and other orga- tance of literacy, to boost lit- ing literacy for Americans of of losing an entire genera- Hyde-Smith (R-MS), An- dictors of whether a student nizations will host a variety eracy support programs, and all ages will help us build a tion of productive, successful gus King (I-ME), Mitt Rom- will graduate high school of activities, events, and free to encourage more Ameri- stronger society,” said Reed. adults,” said Cassidy. “This ney (R-UT), Bernie Sanders and succeed in a career, ac- workshops highlighting the cans of all ages to read. The “Tm proud to work with resolution highlights this (VT), Tommy Tuberville cording to the American importance of building and resolution passed the Senate Senator Cassidy and our crucial issue and the impor- (R-AL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Academy of Pediatrics. Ac- strengthening literacy skills unanimously this week. colleagues to introduce this tance of our work to improve Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), cording to a 2020 study by and the benefits of reading “Reading and writing important resolution that child literacy” and Roger Wicker (R-MS). Gallup in partnership with on healthy development. skills empower Oklahomans amplifies the need for more The measure is being co- Supporters of the resolution the Barbara Bush Founda- PSO Files Proposal to Purchase Natural Gas Generation Plant in Oklahoma TULSA, Okla. projected power needs using plant” said PSO President 795 megawatts (MW) of long- and John Hancock Infrastruc- - Public all available options were Service Company of Oklaho- an existing local facility while and Chief Operating Officer term power to PSO’s genera- ture Fund, in June 2024. evaluated, Green Country was ma (PSO) filed for Oklahoma supporting the Oklahoma Leigh Anne Strahler. “PSO’s tion mix by June 2025, which If approved as proposed, the the top choice for balancing Corporation — Commission economy. purchase of this cost-effective, primarily includes renewable average residential customer value and efficiency. This pur- (OCC) approval to purchase “Adding this natural gas local resource is a win for our energy and natural gas. PSO using 1,100 kWh per month chase is the most economical a natural gas combined-cycle facility to our fleet allows us customers and for the com- entered into an agreement to would see an increase of $7.24 solution to provide customers generation plant located in to serve our customers effi- munity.” purchase the plant from J- or 5% of their total bill by June with current power genera- Jenks, Oklahoma. This. pur- ciently and reliably without If approved, the existing Power, a 50/50 joint venture 2025. Through a competitive tion needed for today and well chase will meet customers’ the need to construct a new 4l-acre facility would add between a Tokyo-based entity bidding process that ensured into the future. MERRITT Digital Footprint Samantha Rother Luke Zybach CBA’s National Merit Finalists Cor Bible Academy is competition for some 6,870 Na- pleased to announce that seniors tional Merit Scholarships worth Samantha Rother and Luke Zy- nearly $26 million that will be bach have been named as semi- offered next spring. finalists in the 2025 Nation- To be considered for a Mer- al Merit Scholarship Program. it Scholarship award, semifinal- Recently, officials of the Na- ists must fulfill several require- tional Merit Scholarship Corpo- ments to advance to the Finalist ration announced the names of level of the competition. more than 16,000 semifinalists About 95 percent of the semi- in this yeans 70th annual Na- finalists are expected to become tional Merit Scholarship Pro- finalists, and approximately half gram. of the finalists will go on to win ‘These academically talented a National Merit Scholarship high school seniors have an thereby earning the title of Mer- opportunity to continue in the it Scholar. We proudly support the students, staff and administration at CBA Schools Lipscomb Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Kyle Zybach, CPA, MBA ZYBACH & FAIRCHILD,CPAs, PLLC | Phone: 580.225.1883 Pas| 2302 W. Third St. Mobile: 405.406.8179 Fax: 580.225.1897 Fifth and sixth graders get Manners and Etiquette Rotation’s lesson on Digital Footprint. They can see how it might hurt their future Elk City, OK 73644 job applications and college admissions. Groups discuss how to develop a positive social media presence. Moran Equipment Yes Finance We proudly support the students, staff and administration at Merritt Schools Great Plains Bank First National Bank 319 Industrial PAWY 1414 W. 3rd St., Elk City, OK Chad & Jenae Rippetoe Elk City, OK 73644 Lipscomb Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 580.225.1525 980.225.2575 LocalLoanGroup.com