Oklahoma House of Representatives
Media Division
July 28, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Charles Key
Capitol: (405) 557-7354
Rep. Key Comments on Kay Beach Case
Kay Beach, mother, wife, patriot and Christian, is doing what the Oklahoma Legislature failed to do
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Charles Key issued the following statement today and was joined by other legislators:
“Why is a traffic court case of importance to all Oklahomans? Kaye Beach is challenging the lawfulness of the collection of her biometrics and other personal information as a requirement to acquire a state driver’s license. Biometrics is defined as measurements of the body. Examples of biometrics include fingerprints, iris scans, facial recognition and DNA.
“Kaye attempted to renew her driver’s license but was denied. She was later cited for driving with an expired driver’s license. She again attempted to renew her license but was denied. On July 21, 2011, Kaye’s citation was dismissed after her attorneys, Ben Sisney and Jon Echols of the law firm Echols and Associates, presented her case to the Norman City Attorney’s office. Sisney and Echols expressed appreciation for the time and consideration provided by the Assistant City Attorney.
“The dismissal of Kaye’s criminal charge is not the end of the story. Rather, this is the beginning of what is expected to be a robust legal journey through the Oklahoma court system. Kaye plans to file a civil suit which could potentially ensure that not just Kaye’s rights, but the rights of all Oklahomans, are protected.
“In past legislative sessions, bills have been offered that would have served to protect all Oklahoma citizens from the unwarranted collection and sharing of their personal and biometric information – but that legislation was not permitted to be heard even in committee. Additional legislation that would have specifically protected the religious rights of Christians actually passed in one chamber only to be prevented from being heard in the other chamber. This “Biometric Religious Exemption” legislation, which was supported by members of both political parties, made it all the way to a conference committee only to be quashed by former Speaker Benge who independently made the decision not to allow the legislation to progress. The biometric religious exemption bill would have allowed Christians to opt out of being enrolled into a single global system of identification that directly links a person’s body to their ability to buy, sell and travel.
“The situation in the Oklahoma State Legislature is such that a powerful few, such as a committee chairman or the Speaker, can decide the fate of a bill denying constituents proper representation. If your state lawmaker is not in a leadership position, their ability to introduce and have legislation passed is unfairly hindered. We remain hopeful that current leadership with the support of the people and state legislators will end the practice of a few making decisions for all. Oklahomans should join other states that require bills be heard at the authors’ request.
“It is a sad day when an Oklahoman must take individual legal action to protect her God given rights. While I do not encourage other Oklahomans to take such action, I think it is justified in this case and I support Kay Beach one hundred percent.”