SRES 115119th CongressIntroduced

A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable David Lyle Boren, former Senator for the State of Oklahoma.

Introduced: Mar 5, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill is a Senate resolution honoring and expressing sorrow over the death of David Lyle Boren, a former U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. It provides a concise biographical overview of his life and public service, highlighting roles at the state and federal levels (Oklahoma House member, Governor, U.S. Senator, and later President of the University of Oklahoma) and noting key accomplishments and leadership positions. The resolution communicates condolences to the family, directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit the resolution to the House and to the Boren family, and states that the Senate will adjourn in memory of Senator Boren. As a ceremonial measure, it does not authorize policy changes or confer any fiscal implications.

Key Points

1The resolution commemorates the death of the Honorable David Lyle Boren, former Senator for Oklahoma, who died on February 20, 2025, at age 83.
2It provides a detailed bio: born in 1941, educated at Yale (bachelor’s degree, 1963), Rhodes Scholar at Oxford (master’s, 1965), OU College of Law graduate (1968), and early political career in the Oklahoma House (1967–1974) plus service as a captain in the Oklahoma National Guard (1968–1974).
3Boren’s public career included becoming the youngest governor in U.S. history at age 33 (elected in 1974, served one term) and a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma (1979–1994). He chaired several important committees, including the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (1987–1992) and served on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee and the Finance Committee.
4After leaving the Senate, Boren served as President of the University of Oklahoma (1994–2018), where he led reforms such as opening the Honors College, expanding study abroad, undertaking beautification projects, and supporting athletics.
5The resolution notes a notable distinction: Boren was the first Oklahan to hold the roles of state legislator, governor, senator, and university president. It also records his passing and his surviving spouse, Molly, and two children, Dan and Carrie.
6Procedural actions: The Senate expresses sorrow, asks the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House and transmit an enrolled copy to the family, and, upon adjournment on the adoption date, stands adjourned in memory of Senator Boren.

Impact Areas

Primary: The Senate and the people of Oklahoma, along with colleagues and institutions that may memorialize Senator Boren’s contributions; largely symbolic with no policy or fiscal changes.Secondary: The Boren family and the University of Oklahoma community, which may reference his legacy and leadership.Additional impacts: Reinforces ceremonial practices of lauding notable public figures; contributes to the historical record of Oklahoma’s and the nation’s political leadership.

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