Terry Mac Hyman
Posted by Martha Reddout

© Marietta Monitor
17 Apr 2009, Page 3

A Senate bill honoring the late State Rep. Terry Hyman is on its way to the governor’s desk after being passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Senate Bill 662, by State Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield and State Rep. Paul Roan, designates a section of State Highway 32 from Interstate 35 west to the Jefferson County line as “State Representative Terry Hyman Memorial Highway.” A similar measure, House Bill 1769, by Roan and Crutchfield awaits a vote in the Senate.

Hyman, 56, died while operating equipment on his Love County farm last year.

Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, said the bill found overwhelming support in both houses and that it was a tribute to how well loved Hyman was by many of his fellow legislators.

“Representative Hyman was a personal friend of mine and his death has been devastating for me,” Crutchfield said. “I miss him greatly as do many of my colleagues and this legislation is the result of our loss. I truly felt the need to honor this great man.”

Roan, D-Tishomingo, said he and fellow legislators still feel the pain of such a sudden death.

“We miss his presence in our lives,” Roan said. “Rep. Hyman was as loved personally as he was respected professionally.”

State Rep. Samson Buck, who was elected to fill the seat vacated by Hyman’s death and co-authored both bills, said Hyman deserved the honor.

“There was no other legislator like him,” Buck, D-District 49, said. “He was well loved in his community, and it was obvious that he cared about his neighbors and friends in the way he looked out for them in his legislative actions.”

State Rep. Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore, co-authored Senate Bill 662 and House Bill 1769.

"Representative Hyman earned the respect and friendship of fellow legislators and his constituents,” Ownbey said.

State Rep. Wes Hilliard, who co-authored House Bill 1769, said he was proud to support the legislation.

“I felt such a horrible loss when I learned of Rep. Hyman’s death,” Hilliard, D-Sulphur, said. “He was a wise legislator and a close friend. He deserves his recognition.”