JEFFERSON CITY - Two-term former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating will be the featured speaker at the Missouri Republican Party Gala at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 30th at the Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa and Convention Center in Branson, MO.

"Governor Keating is an unwavering supporter of conservative ideas and is recognized as a public official who cares deeply about the direction of our country. We are pleased to have him share with our State Convention attendees Senator McCain’s vision for a stronger and more prosperous America,” said Doug Russell, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party.

Gov. Keating became the second governor — and the first Republican — to win two consecutive terms as Governor of Oklahoma. Keating faced an often-hostile Democratic majority in both houses of the legislature as he led the drive to reform his state’s welfare system and other social programs. The welfare law passed in 1995 was one of the first of its kind in the nation and reduced Oklahoma’s welfare rolls by more than 70 percent by 2001. He also went to war on crime with tough parole policies and truth-in-sentencing laws in a campaign he credits with turning the corner on rising crime rates.

Prior to his election, Keating had a long career in public service and federal law enforcement.  Keating, a former FBI agent, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, and finally as associate attorney general, the third highest-ranking official in the U.S. Department of Justice.