The Osage Tribal Museum in Pawhuska has been maintained by the tribe for 70 years. It is the oldest tribally owned museum in the country, a news release states.

House Concurrent Resolution 1065 was sponsored by Rep. Scott BigHorse, D-Pawhuska. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins signed the resolution's proclamation during a ceremony at the Capitol.

"We are honored that the state of Oklahoma has recognized one of our national treasures," Osage Chief Jim Gray said, adding that the museum is unique among American Indian museums nationwide.

The museum includes thousands of artifacts dating to the 1700s. The collections include 6,000 photos, some dating to 1870, and Osage Indian art by Russian Todros Geller.

Divorces, unwed births costing state, study says

Divorce and births to unwed mothers cost Oklahoma taxpayers more than $400 million each year, according to a national study released Tuesday.

Nationwide, "family fragmentation" costs Americans at least $112 billion annually, the study reported.

Several Republican lawmakers and Oklahoma family- and marriage-initiative officials addressed the study's Oklahoma-related findings at a Capitol news conference.

The study found that nearly 69 percent of Oklahomans living in poverty live in an "unmarried household."

It also said the state spends about $150 million for welfare benefits and $208 million more in legal expenses related to crimes tied to childhood poverty. Oklahoma forgoes $72 million in tax revenue due to family fragmentation, the report states.

The report found that government marriage-strengthening programs benefit taxpayers, "even with very modest success."

The study was led by a Georgia College and State University economist and funded by the Institute for American Values, the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, Georgia Family Council, and Families Northwest.