Chickasaw citizen Tom Cole, who will represent Oklahoma's 4th Congressional District in the 108th Congress, will enter his freshman term in the House with a leadership position.
Congressman-elect Cole was selected as one of several assistant majority whips by House Majority Whip-elect Roy Blunt of Missouri. The Majority Whip is the third-ranking member of the House leadership, behind the Speaker and the Majority Leader.
Rep. Blunt, who will replace Tom Delay, was quoted in the Tulsa World as saying, "Tom will be an excellent addition to our whip organization. I look forward to working with him every day to move the Republican agenda." As assistant whip, Cole will play a role in helping find the necessary votes to pass legislation advanced by the Republican leadership and/or the White House.
This will give the state more influence on a wide range of issues.
"I am honored to help serve in this special capacity," Cole told the Tulsa World. "America is looking for a productive Congress that works to grow our economy, protect the homeland, balance the budget and strengthen our national defense. I will work tirelessly to be an effective member of the majority whip's team."
