Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 Summary

• Recognizes and celebrates four African American judges who achieved historic firsts in Oklahoma's judicial system: Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange (Chief U.S. District Judge), Justice Tom Colbert (Chief Justice of Oklahoma Supreme Court), Judge David Lewis (Chief Judge of Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals), and Judge Carlos Chappelle (Chief Judge-Elect of Tulsa District Courts).

• Honors Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange for becoming the first African American Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma in 2008 and the first African American woman to serve as U.S. attorney for that court in 1998.

• Commends Justice Tom Colbert as the first African American appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court (2004) and the first to serve as Chief Justice and Vice Chief Justice of that court.

• Applauds Judge David Lewis as the first African American appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals and the first to serve as Chief Judge of that court (sworn in January 2013).

• Directs distribution of the resolution to all four judges in recognition of their dedication and service to Oklahoma.