DUNCAN — By The Banner staff 

Gov. Brad Henry stopped in Duncan Monday to talk education, health care, and his administration’s achievements, and to praise Duncan’s Jari Askins, who is running for lieutenant governor.

The Duncan stop was part of the governor’s “Oklahoma on the Move” RV tour that began Aug. 28 in Oklahoma City. This is the next round of the RV tour, which resumed earlier in the day in OKC and was to visit 16 communities, including Duncan, over a four-day period.

With a backdrop of students from Comanche’s alternative school, members of the Duncan High School band and Duncan Superintendent of Schools Sherry Labyer, Henry spoke of his administration’s efforts in improving Oklahoma’s status as a leader in education.

“I am so glad to see the students in the audience and the Demon Pride marching band here today because it’s so vital that students take an active role in the community. 

“That’s one reason my administration has focused so much on education and done so much for education, because we are not just training kids for jobs, we must teach them to be leaders.”

The governor noted that Oklahoma was getting noticed for its advances.

“We’re getting attention from across the country,” Henry said.

The governor’s Achieving Classroom Excellence Initiative was designed to help raise student performance and “better prepare young Oklahomans for life after high school.

 “In the past four years, we’ve raised teacher salaries and put significant new resources into classrooms.”

Other education initiatives touted by the campaign have included fully funding the OHLAP scholarship program for college and career technology educations and providing funding for full-day kindergarten across Oklahoma.

The governor also cited his efforts to improve access to early childhood education, helping the state win national recognition as one of the best programs in the country.

Askins, who also spoke to the Fuqua Park assembly, joined Henry in championing childhood education initiatives and praised first lady Kim Henry for her efforts in this area.

For his part, the governor warmly endorsed Askins as the state’s next lieutenant governor and both shared their enthusiasm for working together “to put Oklahomans first.”

“I have worked with Jari Askins for 10 years when I was in the Legislature and for four years as governor, and I can say without reservation that the people of Duncan have received superb representation.

“Jari and I have fought many battles together, and she has been a true ally and I know she will make a great lieutenant governor.”

Henry also talked about his administration’s goal of improving health care in the state and acknowledged the efforts of health care providers, business, industry and volunteers to do just that.

The governor noted the collaborative effort between Duncan Regional Hospital, Comanche County Memorial Hospital and Jackson County Memorial Hospital to create a regional cancer center.

He also spoke of similar partnerships to develop research centers with tribal governments in combating diabetes.

Noting that these diseases “affect thousands of Oklahomans,” he said, “the number is growing every day.

“Oklahomans shouldn’t have to travel hundreds of miles for health care; with these centers, Oklahomans can get the latest, most state-of-the-art care right here at home.”

Turning to one of his prominent campaign themes, Henry recalled that when he took office, the state had no “Rainy Day” fund for emergencies. That’s not true today, he said.

“On the eve of our Centennial, Oklahoma is truly a state on the move. Three years after walking into the worst budget crisis in state history, we’ve helped turn things around and sparked a resurgence in both prosperity and pride in Oklahoma.”

Stephens County Democratic Party Chairman Jimmy Beene, who also shared the stage with Askins and Henry, said the governor’s reception in Duncan was so positive that the governor took additional time to expand on his planned remarks and to stay afterward to visit with well-wishers in the park before heading on to the next series of stops that included Chickasha, Lawton and Altus.