Senator Tom Coburn Makes Last Official Appearance At Tulsa Chamber Event

Dr. Tom Coburn is making one of his last appearances as a United States senator in Tulsa Tuesday.

Senator Coburn is speaking at the Tulsa Regional Chamber Congressional Forum Tuesday morning, his eighth appearance at the event. Chamber officials will also present him with a lifetime achievement award.

Coburn told his audience that probably the greatest thrill of his life was being able to say he's from Oklahoma, according to the Tulsa Regional Chamber.

His speech expressed his faith in the people of Oklahoma and the United States, saying there's not a problem in Washington, D.C. that can't be solved.

"When American doesn't lead, the world will fall apart," Coburn told the chamber audience.

Coburn announced in January that he is retiring from the senate this year. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, after serving three terms in the U.S. House. He was re-elected in 2010.

In announcing his retirement, he said, "As a citizen, I am now convinced that I can best serve my own children and grandchildren by shifting my focus elsewhere. In the meantime, I look forward to finishing this year strong."

1/16/2014: Related Story: Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn To Resign After Current Session

Before becoming a politician, Senator Coburn was a practicing physician in Muskogee and kept his practice open while he was in Congress.

Senator Coburn was treated for prostate cancer in 2011 and battled other health issues in recent years.

Oklahomans will pick Coburn's replacement in November.