Floor Statements

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas.

Established in 1975, members of the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas include producers, suppliers, businessowners, researchers, educators, and many other stakeholders. Together, they work to ensure the success of the catfish industry in both the Natural State and nationwide.

The Catfish Farmers of Arkansas has made enormous strides advancing its

unique interests over five decades by providing regular industry updates, supporting research, and promoting policies that support producers. The association has demonstrated time and time again its invaluable role on behalf of catfish farmers across the State.

As the birthplace of the commercial catfish industry, Arkansas has had a long and proud history with catfish production. Today, catfish is the leading aquaculture good in the United States, and the Natural State continues to be a top producer. This legacy of catfish production is widely appreciated and recognized by Arkansans.

In honor of its 50th anniversary, the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas will host the 2025 annual convention for the Catfish Farmers of America. By bringing in catfish producers from across the region, this event will honor both the present and past leadership of the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas for its efforts in elevating catfish production to consistently meet consumer demands for quality and availability.

Congratulations to the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas on 50 successful years. I applaud the organization's continued support for catfish producers and look forward to working together further to advocate for the industry and our farmers.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize Lorie Tudor who is retiring from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) after an accomplished career, including the last 4 years as its director.

Tudor started at ARDOT in 1981 as a clerk typist and served the agency for 14 years before departing to obtain an engineering degree. She then returned after graduating from the University of Memphis in 1997 to begin working as a civil engineer.

In March of 2020, she became ARDOT's first female director. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic and an emergency closing of the Hernando de Soto I-40 Mississippi River Bridge in 2021, as well as other major endeavors, her steady hand and trusted leadership made the transformation of our State's transportation network possible.

Tudor embodies the Arkansas spirit of service. Her commitment to the organization, its staff, and its role within communities across the Natural State has been essential.

During her 41-year tenure at ARDOT, she helped secure a stable and reliable funding stream; guided the completion of the Connecting Arkansas Program, which modernized our State's transportation systems; played an important role in several interstate designations; oversaw the final stages of construction of the Bella Vista Bypass; and ensured progress on key projects including I-30 and I-69, as well as the Thomas B. Schueck Highway.

She is a dedicated public servant who has spent her career striving to make Arkansas better. Tudor's expertise has been widely recognized, including her selection as president of the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and appointment to the State Board for Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors in October 2020, on which she served as president in 2023.

Director Lorie Tudor has served ARDOT and our State with incredible devotion and skill. I am grateful for all she has contributed to improve our State's transportation infrastructure and appreciate our valuable partnership. I know her impact will continue to be felt for generations to come and wish her the best of luck in retirement.

Madam President, I rise to honor the achievements of Steve Clark of Fayetteville, AR, whose work as the executive director of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce has contributed to the tremendous growth and success of the city and greater northwest Arkansas.

Mr. Clark recently retired after 16 years at the chamber, but his hard work and stewardship will continue to impact the area's direction for generations to come.

Fayetteville is best known as the home of the University of Arkansas, which is a critical economic engine for the city. However, the university is only part of the community's success. It also features approximately 4,000 businesses and a population estimated to grow by six people per day.

During his tenure at the chamber of commerce, Clark worked to grow economic opportunities in research, technology, and healthcare, while also supporting the city's existing business community. In addition, his commitment to inspiring the next generation of leaders created new opportunities for young people. He expanded the chamber's leadership program to include schools throughout the county and deserves tremendous credit for more than 1,000 people having participated in the Leadership Fayetteville Program. In addition, Clark led establishment of the Northwest Arkansas Fab Lab, where high school students can become certified robotics technicians.

Clark is a native Arkansan, born and raised in Leachville. Before his chamber career, he was the longest serving attorney general in Arkansas, chief of staff for Gov. David Pryor, and worked as an assistant dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law. He was also a municipal judge in Brinkley and founded InnerCare, a national behavioral health company.

I am grateful for Clark's dedication to our State and his many contributions to the continuing growth of Fayetteville, the region, and the Natural State. I wish him the very best in his retirement.

Madam President, I rise today to honor the achievements of Murry and Dee Henderson of Keiser, AR, who have been recognized as the 2024 Arkansas Farm Family of the Year.

This award is a proud reflection of the Henderson family's hard work and dedication to Arkansas' farming community and their many contributions to our State's top industry for over 23 years. They have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in agriculture that encompasses community leadership and engagement, resource and energy conservation, and efficiency of production.

The Hendersons' farm stretches across 4,000 acres, yielding diverse crops including cotton, rice, and soybeans. In addition to their farm, the family owns and operates Lepanto Crop Service, providing aerial application to 50 farmers across four counties.

As participants in the USDA's Conservation Stewardship Program, the Hendersons have actively incorporated a conservation-oriented focus, including utilizing soil moisture sensors to conserve water resources and cover crops to help prevent soil erosion.

Since 1947, the Arkansas Farm Bureau's Arkansas Farm Family of the Year Program has highlighted the first-class agriculture producers our State is blessed to host. The Hendersons' contributions to their community and Arkansas' farm industry are no exception.

Murry and Dee, as well as their two children Bryce and Macy, are incredibly hard-working and represent our State well, while embodying the tenets of the Farm Family of the Year Program.

As Arkansas Farm Family of the Year, the Henderson family will be competing with nine other State winners to vie for the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year title in Moultrie, GA. I join my fellow Arkansans in wishing them the best of luck.

Congratulations again to the Hendersons for their accomplishments, and I wish the family continued success in the years to come.

Madam President, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Entergy's Arkansas Nuclear One powerplant in Russellville. Since 1974, Arkansas Nuclear One has served as our State's only nuclear powerplant, providing communities and businesses with electricity for over half a century.

Arkansas Nuclear One has a proven history of delivering safe, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy for the Natural State. With an estimated 1,800 megawatts of combined capacity between the two units located on Lake Dardanelle, it provides enough energy to the electric grid to power 1 million households and businesses.

As our State experiences continued industrial and commercial growth, we can expect our energy sector to increasingly develop and support increased demand statewide.

Arkansas Nuclear One's operations employ over 1,000 full-time workers and hundreds of additional contractors who contribute to the region by supporting local businesses, restaurants, and more. Further, Entergy supports over 175 Arkansas companies through the exchange of materials and services, totaling an estimated $12 million in annual expenditures, which has a significant impact on our businesses and communities, with Arkansas Nuclear One contributing over $190 million to Arkansas's gross State product and generating $21 million in State and local tax revenue.

Plant employees have become integral members of the community through their involvement with volunteer work. Entergy has awarded over $100,000 to nonprofits in the area, and Arkansas Nuclear One employees partnering with Entergy have donated over $230,000 to the Arkansas River Valley United Way to bolster the financial stability, health, and education of vulnerable communities. Entergy also participates in other local nonprofits, such as the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program that provides Christmas gifts for children across the country, Summer Food for Kids, and other educational initiatives.

Our State is fortunate to have access to nuclear energy in this capacity, and the region particularly enjoys substantial benefits because of Arkansas Nuclear One.

As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I am pleased to highlight Arkansas Nuclear One as a strong component of an all-of-the-above energy agenda. As we celebrate the reactor's 50th anniversary, our State and local communities

will continue to value its role in the production of safe, affordable, and reliable American energy for many years to come.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize SMSgt Katrina Butler for her dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force and the Senate as a legislative defense fellow. Katrina has served as a vital part of my team since January 2024 as a trusted adviser on issues relating to the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Katrina enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in August 2006. She deployed in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel and was stationed at the Pentagon as a senior enlisted leader at U.S. Air Force headquarters. She has earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal, among other decorations.

Her effort and passion stood out as a valuable member of my legislative team. I am proud to have had someone like Katrina on my staff who understands the significance of maintaining America's air superiority and caring for our servicemembers and their families.

During her tenure in my office, she made integral contributions to the U.S. Senate Air Force Caucus, leading multiple trips and hosting numerous key leader engagements that helped grow the relationship between lawmakers and the service during an active year.

As she is soon to be promoted to the rank of chief master sergeant, Katrina's character and consistent display of knowledge, leadership, and devotion deserve to be recognized and rewarded.

I am incredibly grateful for her dedication to serving the people of Arkansas. Both in the Nation's Capital and while visiting the Natural State, she spoke with and actively listened to our State's military, veterans and their families.

We have been very fortunate to have Katrina's expertise and knowledge enhancing my team's work on defense and veterans policy. I also want to thank her husband Mr. Shikeem Butler and her beloved children Jaden, Laila, and Micah for their support during her time in uniform. Growing up in a military family, I understand that service in the Armed Forces is a family affair and impossible without their sacrifice.

We appreciate Katrina's continued service to the U.S. Air Force and all her heartfelt, committed work as a member of my staff. Having her on my team has been a privilege, and she will always be welcome. I know she will remain an asset to our military and veterans in addition to any other endeavors she pursues; I wish her and her family the best and congratulate Katrina on this well-deserved promotion.

Madam President, I rise today to congratulate Harold Johnson of Walnut Ridge for his decades of service to memorialize and champion Arkansas' legacy in aviation history.

Johnson was born in Saline County where he fostered an interest in aviation from a young age. This passion led him to become a pilot and flight instructor and, later, a commercial pilot for 18 years.

His experience in the skies was perhaps most notable for a harrowing encounter while serving as a copilot during the hijacking of Southern Airways Flight 49 on November 10, 1972. During this ordeal that lasted over 30 hours and spanned the U.S., Canada, and Cuba, Harold was able to ensure all passengers landed safely, despite having been shot in the arm.

After his retirement from commercial flight, Johnson channeled his continued love for aviation into the creation of an aviation shrine in Walnut Ridge, AR, which will celebrate its 26th anniversary on March 2, 2025.

As president and founder of the Wings of Honor Museum, he began a new mission to preserve the stories of Arkansas veterans through reflection and education by repurposing the Walnut Ridge Army Flying school and surrounding historical buildings.

The museum's growth and success are a direct result of Johnson's efforts and desire to inspire members of his community and far beyond. Wings of Honor is home to hundreds of aviation cadet class books, airfield records, aerial navigation charts, and the biographies of over 21,000 Arkansans who served in WWII. Beyond the numerous artifacts, aircraft, and unique visual displays, it is his tangible love of learning and keeping history alive that will continue to leave an impression on guests and visitors.

From his days as a pilot to his natural role as a community leader and teacher, Johnson's dedication and impact have been celebrated widely. He was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2017 and was named the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce 2024 Man of the Year.

I thank him for his years of stewardship that generated such tremendous success for the Wings of Honor Museum and the Walnut Ridge community and wish him all the best with continuing to prepare a new generation of leadership to carry on that important legacy.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Madam President, our farmers are hurting. Increased input costs, high interest rates, and depressed commodity prices have created dark conditions in rural America. Farmers, lenders, and community leaders in all regions of the country are saying the same thing: Farmers desperately need help.

When you look at the numbers, it is clear, the pain our farm families are living through. As of the end of November, row crop farmers nationwide are projected to lose more than $29 billion, corn growers will lose more than $11 billion, soybean producers will lose $5.7 billion, and wheat farmers will lose more than $5 billion. The numbers aren't better for other commodities. Cotton, sorghum, rice, and peanut producers are ending 2024 with projected average losses of over $200 per acre.

The reality behind these losses is even more worrisome. For some producers, this is the second or third consecutive year of negative cashflow. This means many farm families are ending 2024 in the red: unable to pay off this year's operating loan, unable to get the loan to farm in 2025, and facing the reality of being the generation to have lost the family farm due to extreme market conditions beyond their control. One Arkansas farmer recently shared that he had the best crop yield of his career, but he is still underwater because commodity prices are well below the cost of production. Even for producers who haven't seen severe losses in 2024, the concern for 2025 continues to escalate as margins are forecasted to remain poor.

In the last few months, there has been a significant shift in the spirit of our farmers. After years of unprecedented challenges, they are discouraged and pleading for stronger tools to help survive these conditions.

Farm groups are sounding the alarm. The American Farm Bureau says there are clear economic warning signs of need in rural America. Agricultural Council of Arkansas President Nathan Reed described the conditions that Natural State farmers are facing as ``virtually impossible to net anything but a significant loss regardless of crop, yield or safety net coverage.''

The severity of these losses has left many producers questioning if they have a future in farming. Established farmers are hesitant to risk what little equity remains, while young and beginning farmers don't have the capital necessary to survive these conditions.

The Southwest Council of Agribusiness expressed concerns about the full-time farm and ranch families unable to continue and the consequences that would result with these farms being ``lost or forced into consolidation.''

The USDA has acknowledged the hardships some producers are experiencing as a result of natural disasters, but it is not enough. Federal assistance must support agriculture producers facing market losses, and it needs to happen quickly. Producers need an efficient mechanism to provide 2024 economic assistance and certainty for 2025 through an improved farm safety net.

It is an understanding that is gaining support on both sides of the Capitol. In an Appropriations Committee hearing last month, Senator Hyde-Smith called for the robust and swift delivery of emergency assistance to agriculture producers because of adverse market conditions. I appreciate the leadership of House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson and Congressman Trent Kelly for recognizing the urgent need and proposing a solution.

Congress should provide significant economic assistance to producers before the end of the year. We need to provide producers with the certainty and the predictability to be able to go to the bank and have confidence that help is on the way so that they can continue farming.

In recent meetings with members of the Texas Farm Bureau, the Midwest Council on Agriculture, USA Rice, and the Arkansas Farm Bureau, who have been growing food and fiber for generations, they are worried about what the banker will say when they go to get credit for the 2025 crop year and what that means to their future in the industry. If Congress does not act appropriately, I worry many of these producers may not be around next year.

Agriculture is an important part of our country's heritage and our economy. Our producers grow an abundant and affordable supply of food and fiber. They must have the tools they need to manage this extremely difficult market. We must help our farmers recover from the sizable losses they realized in 2024 and give them certainty for 2025. This assistance is crucial to the viability of agriculture in the United States.

I yield the floor.

Madam President, I rise today to honor Mikayla Hulvey, an outstanding young Arkansan who has earned the Civil Air Patrol's (CAP) prestigious General Carl A. Spaatz award.

Mikayla is currently a CAP cadet with the 115th Composite Squadron in Rogers, and she plans to join the U.S. Marine Corps as a pilot in the coming years.

The Spaatz award is the highest honor a cadet can receive. It requires rigorous testing, both academic and physical, where candidates demonstrate their aptitude in leadership, fitness, aerospace knowledge, and character. In winning this award, Mikayla has distinguished herself as a remarkable young woman with a bright future ahead.

During her time as a cadet, Mikayla's unwavering drive has helped her rise through the ranks of flight sergeant, deputy commander, and cadet commander in her squadron.

Outside of her time with the Civil Air Patrol, Mikayla prioritizes academics while being a devoted member of her community. She is an Honors Society member who has served as a student body representative and participates in multiple sports including archery, cross country, and track. She also volunteers at her local church as the children's church assistant and drama team participant, in addition to being a dedicated martial arts student who serves as an assistant instructor in Tae Kwon Do.

Mikayla is an exceptional young person who embodies the ideal qualities of our men and women in uniform, and I am confident she will serve our Nation well in the future.

She is certainly deserving of this distinguished award. I congratulate Mikayla and wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Alec Farmer on his upcoming retirement from the Arkansas State Highway Commission after 10 years of dedicated service, including as chairman since 2023.

In 2015, Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Alec to the Arkansas State Highway Commission in light of his exemplary record of public service. As a native of northeast Arkansas, he has spent a lifetime contributing to and uplifting his community, the region, and our State.

After graduating from Arkansas State University, he earned a J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. Farmer has operated his family's farm and property investment and management company while also playing an active role on numerous boards and commissions throughout his professional life. That commitment has encompassed roles on the Craighead Conservation District, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, the Arkansas State Police Commission, the Arkansas Agricultural Board, as well as several positions on various municipal and economic development-focused organizations in Jonesboro including 4 years on the city council.

Since his appointment to the Highway Commission, he has devoted himself to helping lead the diligent maintenance, construction, and expansion of our State's highways and broader transportation infrastructure.

During his tenure as a commissioner, he has provided invaluable leadership and vision, which has helped facilitate projects across the State including 2,600 miles of roads and over 800 projects in northeast Arkansas alone. His efforts have been instrumental in the passage of permanent funding for State, municipal, and county roadways; designating two interstates; and granting safe passage for farm equipment. Most recently, Chairman Farmer helped coordinate the redesignation of U.S. Highway 67 into Interstate I-57, a major milestone in the effort to further connect Arkansas with the rest of the country.

He has consistently prioritized meeting the public's expectations for quality surface transportation in their own communities and across Arkansas. That mindset has helped deliver tremendous progress that will continue to be felt for years to come.

His commitment, over 25 years of public service, has been so significant that Craighead County Judge Marvin Day declared Friday, September 13, 2024 as ``Alec Farmer Day.''

I know he has been gratified to follow in his father's footsteps in serving on the Arkansas Highway Commission, and our State is better for their efforts. As he prepares to depart the commission, I want to extend our deepest gratitude on behalf of all Arkansans for using his time, skills and resources for such important work. I greatly appreciate his friendship, partnership and dedication, and wish him all the best in his next chapter.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a special occasion in my hometown of Fort Smith, AR: the 58th class reunion of Northside and Southside High School's class of 1966.

This event marks the first time these two rival high schools have come together to celebrate the anniversary of their graduation. Since many of the graduates had been schoolmates at various Fort Smith elementary and junior high schools, it is appropriate that they share the celebration of their high school graduation. It should be noted that the class of 1966 was the first to graduate from Southside High School.

As a proud Northside Grizzly myself, who was only a few years behind them, I saw the impact both schools' graduates had in our community then and in the years since. Sadly, many of the class of 1966 are no longer with us. Through the deep connection of shared experiences, these men and women come together again to remember those who have gone before and to reconnect with those remaining.

Many things helped bond Fort Smith's youth during this period, including new music that became poetry and played an important part in high school life. Motown produced anthems and dance tunes that are still requested today.

In 1966, the average new home price was $14,200. A new car cost just $2,600. Gasoline was 52 cents per gallon. The first episode of ``Star Trek'' was broadcast. The miniskirt became a fashion standard, changing the way young women would dress for the remainder of the decade. Ford and Chevrolet introduced the Mustang and Camaro muscle cars.

But 1966 was a year marked by sharp contrasts. The United States had more than 500,000 troops in Vietnam; the Black Panther Party was forming; and China initiated its Cultural Revolution. The Civil Rights movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., continued to press for equality and justice for all Americans.

Closer to home, 1966 was also the year that five Black students successfully integrated Fort Smith high schools. These students forever transformed Northside athletics and helped demonstrate the important lesson that our society is stabilized, not destroyed, when everyone enjoys the same rights.

Certainly, every senior year is unique. The Fort Smith classes of 1966 shared a year of experience and observation. Led by their families and teachers, they have gone on to establish lives and families, contributing their own measure to our collective society. I am proud to mark their 58th class reunion as part of the U.S. Congressional Record.

Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate and recognize Jeanie Wilcoxon on being named Arkansas's 2025 Teacher of the Year by the Arkansas Department of Education.

Jeanie is a fourth-grade math teacher at Chenal Elementary School in the Pulaski County Special School District in Little Rock. She has been a teacher for 25 years, 13 of which have been spent in this district.

She is a graduate of Dumas High School who pursued higher education first at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where she earned a bachelor of science in elementary and secondary physical education. She went on to complete postbaccalaureate work in elementary education at Louisiana State University.

Jeanie displays an immense commitment to her students inside the classroom, and the results of her diligent and innovative approach are evident with her math students consistently ranking in the top 3 percent of standardized test scores.

Her dedication doesn't stop when the class bell rings. She also gives her time to academic and athletic extracurricular activities, including previously serving as a high school athletic coach and organizing clubs to promote skills like coding to help students apply their curriculum and lessons to the real world. Jeanie's efforts both inside and outside the classroom create a fun and dynamic learning environment that helps her students gain confidence and develop skills they need for future success.

Throughout her career, Jeanie has been recognized by her peers and leaders for her successful instruction in addition to being beloved by students. She previously has been honored as the Pulaski County Special School District Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024 and earned the Iberville Parish Teacher of the Year award for 2006-2007.

As part of her duties as Teacher of the Year for Arkansas, Jeanie will travel the State to share best practices and promote the teaching profession. She will also serve as a nonvoting member on Arkansas's State Board of Education.

Jeanie's dedication towards her students exemplifies what it means to be a teacher, mentor, and leader, and I am extremely proud that she is receiving the recognition she richly deserves. I wish her the best of luck during her tenure as our State's top educator.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize Ms. Cynthia Edwards, as her tenure as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Arkansas comes to a close.

We have been fortunate to have Ms. Edwards's careful and expert guidance at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture since 2011. In that time, the department has continued to make strides in bettering the lives of Arkansans, especially our farmers and ranchers, and much of this progress can be directly attributed to her dedication to the industry.

Growing up in DeWitt, AR, Ms. Edwards is no stranger to the agrarian charm the Natural State is renowned for. DeWitt is a small community in the Arkansas Delta, a region of the country where people roll up their sleeves and work hard until the job is done.

The same can be said for Ms. Edwards. A lawyer by trade, with undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Arkansas system, she has dedicated her career to public service, first working under a great leader for the State Senator Blanche Lincoln and culminating in her work for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

The lasting impact on the state of Arkansas that Cynthia Edwards is responsible for will be hard to even measure, as well as her influence on future generations of women hoping to pursue careers in the areas of agricultural law and policy. Her example is an inspiration, and it is exciting to see others following in the path she has paved.

I congratulate Ms. Edwards on her outstanding service to the State of Arkansas and its agricultural pursuits and wish her the best in her retirement.

Mr. President, I rise to honor the achievements of Pat Johnson of Pocahontas, AR.

As a lifelong resident of Randolph County, Pat has made it her mission to preserve local Black history.

There is no better example than her vision and leadership in creating the Eddie Mae Herron Center, a space that allows residents to connect with the past and learn about the contributions of African-Americans to our Nation's fabric.

Located in a former Black church and segregated one-room schoolhouse, the center is named after Eddie Mae Herron, Pat's teacher when she was a student at the school. That is a testament to the impact of a single educator on the lives of so many young Arkansans, helping inspire lifelong learning and appreciation for African-American culture.

What stands out to me is Pat's determination and dedication in her pursuit to expose more and more in her community to its history-- because embracing the past gives future generations a better understanding about the experiences and influences of their ancestors. Through artifacts, exhibits and pictures, Pat Johnson is uplifting the stories of the men and women whose legacies still shape life there today, as well as impact our country.

For more than two decades, she has devoted her life to educating her family, friends, and neighbors about the path of nearly 200 years of African-American history and culture in northeast Arkansas, and she isn't letting her foot off the gas. I appreciate her tireless work to curate these stories, traditions, and heritage that might otherwise be lost to history.

She is most deserving of the Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship for her years of active engagement and leadership.

I am confident she will continue to play a critical role in preserving the past to educate the future.

I proudly celebrate her contributions to her community, the State of Arkansas, and our country as we congratulate her on this tremendous honor.