February 1st Speaker’s Ball Details Announced

Speaker T. W. Shannon

Staff

Former Governor Frank Keating and his wife, Cathy, will be emcees for the Speaker’s Ball on February 1st.

That’s among details released early today by the Oklahoma Speaker’s Ball, Inc. and its executive director, Marian Free.

The event will honor Speaker T. W. Shannon. The speaker who started the Speaker’s Ball, Rex Privett, will speak via video. Privett, a Democrat, was speaker from 1967 to 1973.

Free said, “The Oklahoma Speaker’s Ball has a rich history as a collegial celebration that honors not only the Speaker…but also the overarching goals shared by all Oklahoma officials: to protect, strengthen and grow the state they know and love. The 2013 Ball will carry forward this time-honored tradition and also introduce a new sense of cachet benefitting Oklahoma’s exceptional momentum.”

Free said Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson, will perform the national anthem. Also performing will be music legend Diana Ross.

Among those featured at the event will be Shannon’s personal mentors, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, Congressman Tom Cole, Publisher Russell Perry and former Congressman J. C. Watts.