Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a proclamation Tuesday that designates the month of November as “Family Month” in the Sooner State.
The move dedicates November to “celebrating families, fostering unbreakable bonds, and championing core family values through social media, strategic partnerships, and community engagement,” Stitt’s office wrote in a press release.
“Studies show that married men ages 18 to 55 are twice as happy compared to their single peers. But today, unfortunately, we’re seeing fewer and fewer people get married,” the governor said during a ceremony in the state capital of Oklahoma City.
“You know, in 2005, 50% of men ages 25 to 35 were married. Today, only 28% in that same age group are married. Another staggering statistic are less than 5% of households with a married mom and dad are in poverty. So families working together are lifting themselves out of poverty,” he continued. “We can’t just pass laws. I’ll tell people all the time, whether it’s Washington, D.C. or Oklahoma City, you can’t just pass laws and solve some of these social problems that our society is facing.”
“I want Oklahoma to be the most pro-family state in the nation,” Stitt said while surrounded by Oklahoma families.
The governor’s Family Month Campaign includes a number of benefits and promotions that will be offered to families during the month of November.
In one instance, the state’s Department of Tourism will be offering free admission and waived parking fees at select state parks during the weekend before and after the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Tourism is Oklahoma’s third largest industry – and it’s because tourism is powered by families,” said Shelley Zumwalt, the Executive Director of the Department of Tourism. “If your priority is family, there’s no better place to be than Oklahoma. I am proud to partner with Governor Stitt’s Office to offer free admission and waived parking fees at select parks across Oklahoma. This month, bring out your family and let’s enjoy Oklahoma together.”
The Oklahoma Restaurant Association will also be partnering with the governor’s office to provide discounts at certain locations during Family Month.
“There is no better place to make memories with family than the dinner table at Oklahoma Restaurants,” said James Leewright, CEO of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. “For Family Month, select restaurants across the state will offer discounted prices for families, free meals for kids, and more. I’m proud to join Governor Stitt in making Oklahoma the most pro-family state while providing families a warm haven for meal time.”
The state is also working with a number of non-profit organizations to promote family values, according to local outlet KFOR.