Inhofe says he won’t take part in Tulsa holiday parade (says Christ missing from event name)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe announced Tuesday that he will not participate in Tulsa’s Parade of Lights until organizers put “”Christ” back in the event’s title.
“Last year, the forces of political correctness removed the word ‘Christmas’ and replaced it with ‘Holiday’ instead,” the Oklahoma Republican said.
“I am deeply saddened and disappointed by this change.”
Inhofe, who served as Tulsa’s mayor from 1978 to 1984, said he had participated in the parade annually, riding horseback as his children and grandchildren watched.
“I did not do so last year, because I’m not going to ride in a Christmas parade that doesn’t recognize Christmas,” he said.
“I am hopeful that the good people of Tulsa and the city’s leadership will demand a correction to this shameful attempt to take Christ, the true reason for our celebration, out of the parade’s title. Until the parade is again named the Christmas Parade of Lights, I will not participate.”
Scheduled this year on Dec. 11, the downtown parade dates back more than 70 years.
