From Commissioner Steven Dow...
Howard is a tremendous public servant and wonderful person. I have had the pleasure of working with him on issues affecting low-income and vulnerable Oklahomans for nearly two decades-- during both his time in the Senate and as he's led DHS. He is a man of extraordinary integrity and deep and abiding faith. He possesses a huge heart and genuine compassion for his fellow human beings. His list of accomplishments while leading DHS is incredibly impressive, from our nationally renowned child care system to our award-winning efforts in adoptions, child support enforcement, and family formation. Howard epitomizes what it means to excel in the business of human services. I will miss him dearly, Yet I take some comfort in knowing that the impression he has made on DHS and human service delivery in Oklahoma and across this country will endure long after his departure.
From Commissioner Michael Peck...
It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the retirement of OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick. He has been a great inspiration and source of hope to me for the last twelve years that I have sat on the Commission. His passion, wisdom, kindness, gentleness, and intelligence were consistent traits portrayed throughout his entire thirteen plus years as our director of human services. His ability to make me appreciate that everything was not as bad as I thought during low times was only equaled by his reminding me that things were not as good as I thought during better times. His true sense of fairness and ability to empathize with disadvantaged, vulnerable, and mistreated people of all ages taught me to open my heart when I encountered people who were less fortunate. When I face difficult situations, I often catch myself asking, "what would Howard Hendrick do?" I owe a debt of gratitude to Director Hendrick for making me a better person simply by being such a great example of how people should treat each other. OKDHS was given the best of Howard Hendrick for his entire career there and history will show he was unsurpassed not only in our state but in the entire nation as a Human Services Director.
With great admiration,
Michael Peck, Commissioner