FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          April 17, 2006

HOUSE SPEAKER TO ADDRESS NORTHWESTERN GRADUATES

            The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives will deliver the keynote address to graduates at Northwestern Oklahoma State University during commencement exercises on Saturday, May 6.

            Rep. Todd Hiett of Kellyville will speak to approximately 300 graduates during the 10:30 a.m. ceremony at Northwestern’s Ranger Field.

            “Speaker Hiett has been a friend to Northwestern and to higher education,” said Dr. Paul Beran, university president. “He demonstrated great leadership last year during the challenging negotiations over the higher education bond issue. He also appreciates the issues that affect rural Oklahoma

            “We are pleased that he has accepted our invitation to deliver the commencement address.”.”

            Hiett is in his final term as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and is a candidate for lieutenant governor. In 2004, he was elected speaker after Republicans gained the majority for the first time since 1920. Before gaining the majority, Hiett served as the minority leader.

            A rancher and dairyman in Creek County, Hiett was elected to the legislature in 1994 at age 27. His first agricultural operation came at age 15 with a hay baling service, and he owned his first farm while a student at Oklahoma State University. Upon graduation and marriage to his wife, Bridget, they returned to Creek County to open a dairy. In 2002, they transitioned their operation into beef cattle production.

            Hiett has been honored for his service by the Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Career and Technology Board and the Research Institute for Economic Development. He is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and the OSU Alumni Association. Hiett is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Oklahoma.

            Hiett and his wife have three children – Jimmy, John and Hillary.

-NW-

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