The Oklahoma Eagle

OKLAHOMA CITY State Capitol -Representative Darrell Gilbert faces legislative term limits and will soon retire from the Oklahoma House of Representatives, but he will depart with a solid legacy of advancing mental and medical health care and social services issues in the state.

Representative Gilbert, D-Tulsa, began his legislative career twelve years ago when he was elected to serve House District 72.  For the 51st Legislature he served on the Arts & Culture Subcommittee, the County & Municipal Government Subcommittee, and the Public Health Committee.

“Representative Gilbert was a strong advocate for mental health awareness, and he was earnest in his efforts to promote awareness of these issues in hopes of creating a healthier Oklahoma,” stated Democrat Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague.

During his 12 years in office he has amassed legislative accomplishments in the field of mental health.  Highlights of his advocacy efforts include: passing legislation to redistribute unused prescription drugs from nursing homes to county and charitable pharmacies for the medically indigent; playing an instrumental role in the establishment of the Systems of Care program for children’s mental health; effectively advocating for and helping pass legislation for mental health insurance parity; successfully establishing funding for the development of a residential substance abuse program for pregnant women with dependent children; and establishing licensure for drug and alcohol counselors.

“Rep. Gilbert had a unique understanding of his district and the people who call it home,” said Democratic Caucus Chair Chuck Hoskin, D-Vinita. “Darrell walked on the floor of the House each day intending to work hard to represent his constituents and fight for their concerns at the Capitol.”

In both 2000 and 2002 Representative Gilbert was recognized by the Mental Health Association in Tulsa with the Public Policy Award. The Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Certification Board awarded him with Legislator of the Year in 2002, the same year that the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) designated him as Oklahoma Legislator of the Year.  He was inducted into the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s Child Advocates Hall of Fame in 2003 for his contributions to reforms in children’s services. He was bestowed the Marion Jacewitz Award in 2005 and 2008 for his significant contributions to help increase Child Abuse Prevention by the Intra-agency Task Force on Child Abuse Prevention so that more at-risk families can receive prevention services statewide.

Prior to Representative Gilbert’s legislative career he received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the University of Tulsa in 1972, and became an accomplished graphic artist. In addition to his service in the Legislature Representative Gilbert is heavily involved in his community. He served on the Board of Directors for Crossroads Clubhouse, the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association in Tulsa, the Board of Directors for the Life Senior Services, and the Parent Child Center’s Advocacy Committee, to name a few.

Representative Gilbert and his wife Kathryn reside in Tulsa. They have three children, Karyn Fox, Darren and Shawn.