It’s rare for someone to speak so intimately to a huge room of people, but State Representative Charles Ortega managed to do just that at Boeing’s Hispanic Employees Network and Diversity Council Luncheon. The occasion, held at Altus Air Force Base, honored Ortega and distinguished guests on Sept. 24.

Ortega spoke of his grandparents and their trip to the United States from Mexico in the early 1920s. They followed the crops between Texas and up into Illinois, before settling inthe San Antonio area. In 1954 his grandparents relocated to Altus and were among the first Hispanics to own property here. Charles’ parents and siblings moved to Altus in 1955.

His first job, when he was six or seven, was to be water boy in the cotton fields. He was proud he could help contribute to the family and the workers. He decided to do his job to the best of his ability. His grandfather shortened a hoe handle and gave it to him to help chop (weed) cotton. It was hard work, from sun up to sun down and he preferred the water job. His grandfather told him, “You do the best you can.” Now Ortega “wouldn’t trade that time or those challenges,” he said, because they instilled in him his values. “When you work hard, you appreciate what you have.”

Ortega eventually went into law enforcement in Altus, which he said was a very good learning experience. But he just hadn’t found his niche. He moved on to oil production with Halliburton. He was told that he’d never see the end of oil production in his lifetime. In 1984 oil production went south.

Ortega went into business with his brother-in-law, Councilman Jack Smiley in 1992. Working for someone else can give you a feeling of security. “Going into business sounds great but reality is scary,” he said. He told himself if he applied himself as he’d done in other fields, then it would work. Well, it did. Their business, Smiley’s Tires, has done well and through it they’ve gotten to know many people in Altus and surrounding areas.

When he’d just gotten back from a mission trip to Africa, Ortega was sharing with others at his church regarding politics. “The African people are pillaged by their government,” he said. That conversaton led to concerted prayer for Africa, which in turn, led to praying for our government. His church group started praying for someone to represent the people in local government. Over three months the prayers changed from “Help us find someone,” to “Bring someone.” Then one day Ortega thought “Why don’t you do it?” He had a million reasons not to. He and his wife prayed for one year. Then they agreed for him to run for representative.

“We have an opportunity to participate to be part of what’s going on. We all participate in our future, but not everyone contributes...We have to want to change it bad enough.”

His fifteen-month campaign was an eye opener. He doesn’t seek the limelight, he said. “He who is first will be last.” Ortega stated that he is the first and only Hispanic who has served in the Oklahoma State legislature. He’s there, he says, to work diligently to represent Hispanics and all of us. He has no doubt that his life has been mapped out by One greater.

Speaking of humble beginnings, Ortega said that William Boeing started small. In 1910 Boeing purchased a Seattle shipyard. Now the Boeing Company will integrate and deliver parts to the International Space Station.

Directing his grand father’s words to Boeing employees, and really to all of us, Ortega said, “Be the best you can be, then you can contribute that to your company. We never know what opportunities we will have to contribute...I have no idea what’s next,” he said. “I take it one day at a time. I am honored to serve as a Hispanic. I have many eyes on me so I’m careful. And I thank you.”