(MUSIC PLAYS)
No Audio: Cheryl Willie, Longtime Administrative Assistant to Howard Hendrick
Cheryl Willie: Howard, February 28, 2012; this is the day 
that the Lord has made and we will be glad in it. Congratulations. 
Thank you so much for taking me on the ride for the last 25 years. 
Almost one third of my life and it's just been a wonderful ride 
and I appreciate the privilege and honor to work for you. I love you. 
I love your family and I look forward to continued relationship after your retirement. 
I love you friend. 
No Audio: Dr. Terry L. Cline, Oklahoma Commissioner of Health
Dr. Terry Cline: Howard, this is what I hope will be one of many opportunities to wish you well. 
I would like to thank you personally for the contributions you've made to our state 
which have been significant over many, many years. 
Thank you for your friendship, Howard. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your generosity. 
Thank you for your gift of servitude to the people of this state. 
We owe you a debt that can only be played out by generations to come, who won't remember any of us 
but whose lives have been enhanced and enriched by the work that you have done. 
No Audio: Mary Myrick, President Public Strategies, Inc.
Mary Myrick: Hey Howard, as you go toward your retirement I'm going to share with you 
one of my favorite sayings and that is, "You only live once but if you live right, once is enough." 
And my friend, you have lived right. 
You've made a difference to a lot of people from this state and around the country. Thanks so much. 
No Audio: Howard Hendrick, Director Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Retired
Howard Hendrick: I remember when I came to DHS from the Senate, I kind of promised myself 
I wasn't going to look back. 
I wasn't going to look back and say, "Oh, I wish I'd done this or I wish I'd done that." 
I made a decision that I was going to leave the practice of law, 
I made a decision I was going to leave... this is going to be a pretty significant change for me. 
But, I think I just felt a sense of "ought-ness." That is a very important part of it. 
You just... it's something you ought to do, you feel that you ought to do this. 
Rita Murry: Director Hendrick is here with Buddy Massey on only his second day in office. 
Welcome Director Hendrick. Welcome Buddie.
No Audio: Buddie Massey, Host 
Buddie Massey: Thanks, Rita. 
Well, it has become a habit on the current events show to have a special guest on-set every month. 
This month is no different. Welcome. 
Director Hendrick: Thank you, Buddy 
Buddy Massey: ...to the department and the current events show on SATTRN. 
Director Hendrick, we are really honored to have you here this morning. I would like to get started. 
If you would, talk for just a few minutes about your initial reaction to becoming the new director. 
Director Hendrick: Well, the Human services family has be very gracious in welcoming me 
and it's been an honor to participate and yesterday I reported to work 
in Canadian County at the county office. 
Got to meet Justin Goodins and the good people in El Reno 
and get out in the field to see where the action is really at. 
Six week ago this wasn't even on the radar screen. 
I had already organized my campaign for re-election to the State Senate 
and some members of the Commission approached me and one thing led to another. 
It's been a dramatic change in my life very quickly. 
No Audio: July, 1999
Buddy Massey: Thank you, Rita. 
Well, it has become an annual event for Senator Hendrick to come down and visit with us. 
Good morning again. 
Director Hendrick: Itís good to be with you Buddie. 
Buddie Massey: Thank you. Senator Hendrick, I can't believe it, 365 days. 
Director Hendrick: It's been very fast. It's been the fastest year of my life. 
Buddy Massey: (laughs) Well, we thought you might want to say something like that... 
(fade out audio) 
No Audio: Rita Murray, CPS, CEO Leadership Development Expert
Rita Murray: Howard, on behalf of all of my colleagues at the University of Oklahoma 
and all the educational institutions nation-wide that you have called on 
for effective research, we want to thank you. Thank you for including us. 
Thank you for being part of the educational and professional development of so many of the staff of DHS. 
God bless you and I look forward to a continued relationship with you in the future.
No Audio: Charles Waters, General Counsel OKDHS 
Charles Waters: Five years ago, I was thinking back, I can't believe it's been five years ago, 
but five years ago, those of us... I've been General Counsel for 20 years. 
I've served under every director except Lloyd Rader and no one has made it five years. 
(laughter) 
Charles Waters (continues): And the reason is... and there's good reason for that. 
It is the toughest job I have ever, ever seen. 
And if someone would have come to me in June of '98 and said, "Charlie," 
and I'm not a gambling man but if someone said, 
"Charlie, you know, I'll bet you any amount of money that this next Director 
is going to serve five years. 
And not only serve five years but is going to be extraordinarily successful. 
And he's going to be well-respected and well-liked by the employees and by providers 
and by the Legislators and even if they're Democrat or Republican and all the Governors..." 
(laughter) 
Charles Waters (continues): " ...and by people throughout the state." 
I would have said, "You're absolutely an idiot." 
(laughter) 
Charles Waters (continues): "There's no way that's going to happen." 
But that is exactly what's happened and we just really appreciate you 
and the great work that you do, Howard. 
Howard, I just want to wish you the very best. 
As you know, I've been in this job now about 30 years and I'm somewhat of an historian. 
And I can tell you that nobody has achieved more than you have. 
And over the last 14 years you've achieved all kinds of records in all the programs 
for which you ought to... for which we're grateful. 
But the most important thing is how you've gone about it. 
You've gone about it with compassion and integrity that's earned the love and respect 
of people throughout the state. So we want to wish you well. 
Get a much-needed rest and I'm looking forward to seeing what's in the horizon for you. 
I know you'll be blessed because you're truly a man after His own heart. Thank you, Howard.
No Audio:  Representative Laura Boyd, Executive Director Oklahoma Therapeutic Foster Care Association
Rep. Boyd: Howard, I want to congratulate you on this retirement. 
We have worked together now for over 20 years and it has been a joy and a pleasure and an honor. 
Now, I have to point out however, that when you and I first started working together 20 years ago, 
I had long flowing hair and look what you've done to me now. There's not much left. 
But, with all the costs that we've shared together, all the ups and downs, 
this state is so much better off and so much further ahead for all that you have given, loved, 
breathed and bled for children and families these many, many years. We love you. 
We'll miss you and we'll look forward to seeing you fishing, on the golf course, 
at sporting events, whatever. God bless, Howard. 
No Audio: Steve Bailey, Former Human Services Commissioner
Steve Bailey: Howard, I just want you to know how much I love you and care about you 
and what a great leader you've been for this agency. 
I want you to know what a privilege it was to be a part of the group that recruited you and hired you. 
I do believe that was one of my finest hours to be able to be involved in that. 
That Commission just wholeheartedly supported you. 
You have such a passion for people in Oklahoma and for the needy, I've always admired that. 
I appreciate the fact that you were always innovative. 
I appreciate the fact that you brought technology, real technology, into this agency. 
You had a great deal to do with that. 
But I think most of all, Howard, I appreciate the fact that you've had such... 
and you have such a great, great heart for people. I'll always appreciate you. 
You're a great man. You're a great human being. You're a great friend of mine. 
I look forward to seeing you again, Howard. Good luck to you.
No Audio: Phil Motley, Chief Financial Officer OKDHS
Phil Motley: Howard, I'd like to just simply say, "thank you." 
Thank you for the leadership for the past 13 years and thank you 
for the moral compass you've been to many of us. 
I also thank you on behalf of our clients and in my opinion we've greatly benefitted the citizens 
and the clients that we've had the privilege to serve with you over the last 13 years. 
And, thank you for caring. Thank you for caring for people, the clients we serve and we as employees. 
Thank you very much and please stay in contact.
No Audio: Honorable Richard Kirby, Associate District Judge Oklahoma County 
 Hon. Richard Kirby: As my friend, I have to say that I'm happy for you to be moving on 
because I've watched some of the things that have been said about you 
and I've been angry because I know you. 
I know who you are and I know how well you worked for the state of Oklahoma, 
so I'm happy that stress will be off of you. 
But as a citizen of the state of Oklahoma and as a judge in the state of Oklahoma 
that specializes in juvenile cases, I have to say I'm incredibly sad, 
because I've never met a more dedicated public servant and I've never met a man 
that has made a difference in more children's lives than you have. 
I'm going to miss you so much. I'm going to miss my friend. 
I'm happy for you but the state of Oklahoma has lost a star. 
Cheryl Willie: And Howard, I just want you to know, in both of our stints, 
the one in the Senate and then the one over here at DHS, you have upheld everything that the Lord 
has expected of you and I admire that of you and it's made my time with you really special. 
I do know that in James 1:27, He directs that we take care of the widows and the orphans, 
and that we remain unstained by the world. 
And you've certainly done that in your time in serving the people of the state of Oklahoma. 
I love you like a brother and I look forward to our continued growing relationship 
with you and your beautiful family. I love you all. Thank you. 
(MUSIC PLAYS)