WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren introduced legislation today in the U.S. House of Representatives to designate the Bennington Postal Building as the Wes Watkins Post Office and the USDA portion of the Agriculture Center at Lane, Ok after Watkins. A former U.S. Representative and Oklahoma State Senator, Watkins will be honored by having the post office and both agriculture facilities bear his name permanently.
“Congressman Watkins is a devoted public servant who served the people of his state and community with distinction,” said Boren. “I am pleased to have an opportunity to honor his service with this legislation,” Boren added. “Congressman Watkins was a mentor to me as a young member of his Congressional staff. He continues to be a positive influence on me, all who know him, and for many communities throughout Oklahoma.”
Watkins was born December 15, 1938 in DeQueen, Arkansas, but graduated from Bennington High School in 1956. He attended Oklahoma State University graduating in 1960 and earned a master’s there in 1961. After graduation, Watkins returned to work as an administrator at OSU and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C. He also served in the Oklahoma Air Nation Guard from 1960 to 1967 and the Oklahoma State Senate in 1975 and 1976. Watkins was then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978 from Oklahoman’s Third Congressional District, and served consecutive terms until 1991. He was again re-elected to the U.S. House in 1996 and served until 2002. Watkins is currently retired from public life and resides in Stillwater with his wife, Lou. He is still very active on various business, economic, and community development projects throughout the state of Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma State University portion of the agricultural center at Lane, Ok already bears the name, Wes Watkins Agriculture Research and Extension Center. However, Boren’s legislation would name the federal portion, USDA South Central Agricultural Research Laboratory portion of the Ag Center, after Watkins as well. Boren’s legislation was referred to the House Government and Oversight Reform Committee and once passed in the U.S. House of Representatives will be sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
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