Senator Jim Inhofe | 2005

United States Senator Jim Inhofe is a leading conservative voice in the Senate and is a strong advocate of common sense Oklahoma values including less government, less regulation, lower taxes, fiscal responsibility and a strong national defense.

Senator Inhofe was first elected to the Senate in 1994 to complete the unexpired term of Senator David Boren. He was re-elected in 1996 and again in 2002.

In January 2003, Senator Inhofe became the Chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee. As Chairman, his priorities include strengthening our Nation's infrastructure, continuing strong environmental protections and improving national security. He has worked to restore common sense and sound science to the regulatory decisions of the Environmental Protection Agency on such issues as climate variability, clean air mandates, wetlands, and endangered species.
 
Senator Inhofe was a key participant in the negotiations amongst agricultural producers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during the development of the 2003 federal confined animal feeding operations rule. Inhofe has consistently been willing to assist Oklahoma’s livestock producers, our pork producers, during the development of the Region 6 National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit. In addition, Senator Inhofe has been a supporter of expanded access to agriculture around the world.

The Senator also serves as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Prior to his service in the U.S. Senate, Senator Inhofe served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Oklahoma's First Congressional District which encompasses Tulsa County. He also served in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives and was then elected to the State Senate where he served two terms and became Minority Leader. From 1978 to 1984, he was Mayor of Tulsa.

Senator Inhofe grew up in Tulsa and graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in economics. He served in the U.S. Army and has been a small businessman working in aviation, real estate and insurance for over 30 years.

The Oklahoma Pork Council is proud to honor our Senator – United States Senator Jim Inhofe – for his service to the pork industry, our state, and our nation with the 2005 Distinguished Service Award.