Washington, DC - Marking his seventh visit to the Sooner State, Rep. Dick Gephardt made stops in McAlester and Oklahoma City Monday morning.  Despite the early hour, Gephardt enjoyed a strong showing of supporters at a breakfast meeting in McAlester before heading to an event at the Mary Mahoney Clinic in Oklahoma City where health care was the focus.

The meeting was also an opportunity for influential Rev. John A. Reed, President of the Oklahoma Baptist Convention, to make his formal endorsement of the Congressman's presidential bid.  The choice reflected a growing sentiment in Oklahoma’s African American community that Gephardt is the best candidate to create jobs and improve access to quality health care.

Pledging support, the Pastor commented "I did not choose Dick Gephardt because he is the only candidate, I chose to endorse him because he is the candidate that understands the issues that folks in this community face everyday.  He brings faith, integrity, and experience to job of president."

On a more lighthearted note, Rev. Reed added, "We need a tall, strong tree to replace the Bush we have in the White House." The comment drew laughter from the crowd of health care professionals and other African American ministers who were present for the endorsement.

Rev. Reed heads Oklahoma City's Black Ministerial Alliance and the Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal.  He is considered one of the Oklahoma's most influential leaders in the religious community.

Additional Sooner State Supporters will be announced every week until Oklahoma's Presidential Primary on February 3th.  A complete listing of Gephardt's Sooner State Supporters is available at:

           www.dickgephardt2004.com/oklahoma

           Sooner State Supporters for the week of January 6th:

                Ruby Ames, democratic activist, Tulsa
                Richard Armstrong, retired railroad worker, Yukon
                Lisa Blanco, Social Worker, McAlester
                Steve Brinlee, democratic activist, Wilburton
                Reverend A.D. Carpenter, New Hope Baptist Church, Tulsa
                Pauline Cates, retiree, McAlester
                Jolene Chastain, retiree, McAlester
                Shirley Cobb, democratic activist, Oklahoma City
                Rene deTurenne, former Arkansas Traveler Clinton White House Volunteer 1993-2001, Tulsa
                Ken Curtis, democratic activist, McAlester
                Roberta Durant, retired dietary manager, McAlester
                Buck Durant, retired civil servant, McAlester
                Bill Erwin, attorney, McAlester
                Sharon Erwin, writer, McAlester
                Lois Felder, democratic activist, Oklahoma City
                Summer Gaiski, member IBEW 1141, Midwest City
                Steven Gaiski, democratic activist, Midwest City
                Laura Garrison, Democratic Activist, Tulsa
                Jonathan Garrison, Democratic Activist, Tulsa
                Reverend Scott Gordon, Christian Ministers Alliance 3rd Vice President, and Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Sapulpa
                Mark Gregory, IBEW Local 1141, Oklahoma City
                Carolyn Lewis, democratic activist, Oklahoma City
                Jama Moore, high school teacher, Tonkawa
                Dr. Mike Moore, professor, Tonkawa
                Michael Pierson, student, member of Young Democrats, McAlester
                Lorine Powers, activist, Oklahoma City
                Rev. John A. Reid, Pastor, Fairview Baptist Church, President, Oklahoma Baptist Convention, Oklahoma City
                Mary Stauffer, Democratic Activist and Precinct Secretary, Pryor
                Cia Terauchi, Small Businessperson, Tulsa
                Earl Tillery, President TWU Retiree Association of Oklahoma, Collinsville
                Matt Wittman, democratic activist, McAlester
                Freddie Wright, democratic activist and member of USWA Local 998L, Oklahoma City