Oklahoma Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton leads effort to commemorate 90th anniversary of Black Sunday

Photo of the Black Sunday dust storm from the National Weather Service

On Monday, April 14, 2025, Senate Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton led a resolution commemorating the 90th anniversary of Black Sunday and reminded Oklahomans of the continuing need to protect and conserve our soil, water, and other natural resources. The bipartisan resolution was passed in the Oklahoma Senate with a unanimous aye vote. “This is a resolution that not only signifies what happened that day but also what’s happened since then in making our state a much better place to live,” said Senator Paxton.

“For me, the significance of Black Sunday has always been personal.” Says Trey Lam, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Lam continues, “My mother, Betty, still recounts the ride home from church in Beckam County as she and her brother Tom watched the black wall of dust roll up behind them. My grandmother stopped the car at a neighbor’s house, and they raced to the root cellar. Only later, when my Father introduced me to soil conservation did I understand that April 14, 1935, was the turning point that led to the end of the Dust Bowl with the birth of America’s voluntary natural resources conservation movement. My hope is we never forget.”

The State of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Senate commemorate the 90th anniversary of Black Sunday to remind Oklahomans of the importance of our soil resources. We appreciate the recognition of the effort made by our local conservation districts, OCC, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the Oklahoma Conservation Historical Society and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

"Black Sunday, April 14, 1935, was one of the most environmentally devastating days and worst dust storms in our state's history.” Says Ben Pollard, President of the Oklahoma Conservation Historical Society. “The Dust Bowl became the catalyst for the soil conservation movement in our country which has greatly benefitted Oklahoma. It is important Oklahomans be reminded of this history and the importance of protecting our soil resources. The Oklahoma Conservation Historical Society thanks the State Senate for adopting the resolution commemorating the 90th anniversary of Black Sunday and for its continuing support for conserving our soil and other natural resources."

Read the full resolution here: https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20INT/SRES/SR14%20INT.PDF