Rep. Carey offers presentation at SE
Press Release Date: 08-06-2010
State Rep. John Carey offers comments during a recent presentation at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
DURANT, Okla. – State Representative John W. Carey of Durant highlighted the Southeastern Organizational Leadership Development (SOLD) program with a presentation entitled "One Person Can Make a Difference."
The program was held Sept. 9 in the Russell Building on the Southeastern campus.
Carey earned his bachelor of science degree in Banking and Finance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1992. He became an investment consultant for Durant’s First United Bank and Trust and was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives and has served the 21st district since 2002.
During the presentation, Carey touched on his childhood and stressed the importance of parents raising their children the right way, adding there is little more important than a strong work ethic.
"My mother returned to school and that added some duties to my role at home," Carey said. "I had to do some cooking and laundry and I didn’t think that was good. Looking back now, I am extremely proud of my mom. She would take her lunch break from another job and attend a class while earning her degree.
"I once took a summer job that involved heavy manual labor and after a couple of days told my dad I was going to quit. He questioned me and I told him I had hired on for all summer.
"He spoke of the importance of keeping your word and I returned to that summer job and did what I said I would do. My dad was a fireman and every one of them had other jobs since they were on 24 hours and off 48. I can remember being in the fire station when something needed to be done. Those men didn’t look for a handout, they just did whatever it was and went on about their business."
"I owe a great deal to my parents and I hope to pass that work ethic on to my children. I credit any success I have had to my wife. My job in the House means many hours away from home."
One big thing he learned quickly is that everybody who came to his office had a personal reason.
"Everybody’s issue is the most important and that’s a lesson I have always tried to keep in mind during my time as a representative," Carey said. "You must treat people with respect every day, treat them as if it mattered and it will.
"We should all try to help at least one person per year to have the same or more opportunities as we have experienced.
"In this way, one person can truly make a difference."