Rep. Bill Graves On List Of Twentieth Century Heroes

The quarterly statewide conservative newspaper for the past two decades places Graves at number eight on the heroes list.

The Oklahoma City Republican "has set the standard by which all other legislators can be judged," Constitution editor and co-owner Steve Byas wrote."No truer friend of the taxpayer exists in the Oklahoma House of Representatives." Graves is the only state legislator on the top 10 heroes list.

The list of outstanding state leaders will be announced in the Oklahoma Constitution when the last issue of the 20th century is published this week, Byas said.

Graves said, "This is quite an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as the articles number one choice, Democratic former Gov. Raymond Gary, and the late E.K. Gaylord, the newspaper magnate who is number two on the list."

"Bill Graves has stood up to the forces of liberalism, when many other lawmakers quaked under their desks," the Constitution asserted. "It would be hard to imagine the Oklahoma House, and indeed our state, without him since the late 1970s."

Throughout his political career, Graves, an attorney, has fought for legislation to outlaw abortion. He also said he wants to return prayer to the classroom and to other school functions. Graves consistently has opposed tax increases and has fought against unbridled state spending.

The father of two daughters and four sons, Graves is a member of the House Committee on Community and Family Responsibilities.