Tulsa Irving Procks Honored with Oklahoma Governor Disability Employment Awards of Excellence

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Sixteen individuals from across the state, five employers and two prominent media outlets were honored during the annual “Governor’s Disability Employment Awards of Excellence” recently held at the Phillips Pavilion on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City. KOCO-TV Channel 5 Anchor Paul Folger emceed the event.

Originally created by former Governor and First Lady George and Donna Nigh 29 years ago, the awards recognize individuals with disabilities with a Governor’s commendation for “Outstanding Achievements in Employment.” One of this year’s winners included Tulsa’s Irving Procks, who received his award from Oklahoma Secretary of State Chris Benge and Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Ed Lake.

Procks was nominated for the honor by Sassin & Associates Inc. Program Manager Tammy Pitts. She said Prock’s had been a homeless man for nearly 30 years, but his outlook has changed drastically since he started working in February 2013.

“He was staying at the Salvation Army and packing a big green duffel bag on his shoulders,” Pitts said. “Once Praetoria Group hired him as a janitor, Irving never missed a day, and the previously quiet and soft-spoken man has found his confidence. The company likes him so much they offered him more hours and put him in a leadership position over other janitors.”

She said Procks is paying the back taxes on his family home, living on his own, and he still visits his old friends at the Salvation Army and Day Center. Tulsa Rebuilder also came to his home and fixed it up, putting in new walls, a roof, doors, sinks, ceiling fans and plumbing at no cost to him.

“Irving has proven to me that, given the chance, you can do anything you desire with support, confidence, caring and discipline,” she said. “Irving’s whole attitude and demeanor have changed for the better; it is absolutely wonderful to see who he has blossomed into. Irving deserves to be recognized for his dedication, commitment and loyalty.”

The Governor’s Disability Employment Awards of Excellence competition and program is co-sponsored by the Governor’s Office, the Oklahoma DHS Developmental Disabilities Services, the Oklahoma DRS and the Oklahoma Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst. Award winners are annually selected by a panel of public servants and volunteers who either serve people with disabilities or represent organizations that provide direct care for them daily.

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Irving Procks receives an Oklahoma Governor’s Disability Employment Award of Excellence.