Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am here today to pay tribute to Isadore Banks, a proud World War I veteran, important leader in the community, and someone I am proud to say made east Arkansas his home. In June of 1954, Isadore became the victim of a heinous racially charged murder for which his attackers were never found. I ask all my fellow colleagues to stand with me today to honor the memory of this great man and also to condemn such senseless acts of violence in the history of this Nation.

Although born in Georgia, after serving in World War I, Isadore Banks would come to call Crittenden County, Arkansas, home. As a place where racial tensions ran high at the time, Isadore made a name for himself as one of the most successful farmers in the area.

Isadore was acutely aware of troubles faced by the black community. He used his business savvy to help create a cotton gin business that helped to support other black farmers, and would often buy school supplies for black schools around town that were in need. He is

most notable for almost singlehandedly bringing electricity to the town of Marion in the 1920s.

In a time of heavy racial violence, Isadore Banks became an inspiration to the whole community, and something of a political leader. His strength and courage in the face of these challenging times, and his compassion for the plight of his fellow man will serve as a reminder to us all--that we should never carry hate in our hearts, but always love in our actions.

My blessings and prayers go to Isadore's family. We shall never forget him.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to the Honorable Judge Steve cGuire, an eight term County Judge of Mississippi County, Arkansas. For 16 years he has worked hard to maintain a strong, unified Mississippi County that has benefited in overall wealth, job growth, and prosperity for its residents. Over the years, he has kept an open ear and mind to everyone he has worked with, and although he surely deserves his retirement he will be missed by all.

Steve has been a lifelong resident of Mississippi County. After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a business background, he earned an advanced degree in Agricultural Engineering.

A former intelligence officer of the U.S. Navy himself, Steve made it an important part of his life to continue to support veterans as a member of both the American Legion Post 24 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7075.

Steve has continued to share his knowledge and passion throughout his career as a member of the Osceola Rotary Club, Arkansas Waterways Association, Lower Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association, County Judges Association, Blytheville/Gosnell Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors, and as an Honorary Board Member of both the Blytheville and Osceola Chambers of Commerce.

I wish Steve, his wife of 46 years, Anne Tyler, and the rest of his family all my love and respect, and a long happy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to my dear friend, and great Arkansan, Bill Nix. Bill spent his whole life in Arkansas as a cattleman, and was a friend to everyone he met. Regretfully, he passed away earlier this year and leaves behind a wonderful family, great memories, and a great many friends who will miss him forever. I ask my colleagues to stand with me and honor a man whom everyone was lucky to have known.

From the start, Bill was committed to Arkansas. He grew up in Ash Flat in Sharp County, Arkansas, which he would continue to call home for the rest of his life. After graduating from Ash Flat public school, Bill bought the Ash Flat Livestock Auction in 1958. To this day, the business continues to flourish.

Bill was always very involved in county and district fair boards, as well as the Cattlemen's Association. He always participated in Future Farmers of America livestock sales, where children would play the part of the cattle and hog sellers. Bill had a loving habit of always over- compensating the children for their cattle and hogs--he loved the livestock business and was always trying to encourage others to come into the business.

Above all else, family was the most important thing in the world to Bill. They stood by each other even in business. He and his wife, Alice, and their children worked side by side in the Sale Barn, which Alice continues to own and operate today. Through this labor of love, it is no wonder that this is the most successful business in the history of the city of Ash Flat.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to John Ed Regenold, a

passionate public servant, a devoted family man, and my friend. In February of 2005, John Ed was appointed State Highway Commissioner by Governor Mike Huckabee, where he has continued to be an important force in Arkansas.

Outside of his work as Commissioner, John Ed has made a point to be an active voice in the public discourse for improving the State of Arkansas. He has served on numerous commissions and boards such as the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. He is also a member of the St. Francis Levee Board and is a commissioner for the District 17 Drainage District.

Whenever and wherever he found a place he could help others, John Ed put his energy wholeheartedly and humbly into the job. He found a home as the Chairman of the Mississippi County Hospital System Board and as a member of the Arkansas Northeast College Foundation. Among all these accomplishments he also found the time to serve as a member of the board of the First National Bank of Blytheville.

John Ed is one of the smartest minds Arkansas has ever seen, and without people like him guiding the way, the State would be a much different place. His career is a reflection of his compassion, intellect, and commitment to improving Arkansas. I ask all my fellow colleagues to rise and honor with me the great work of John Ed Regenold.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of Tony Bell. Tony was a businessman, a passionate follower of both the local and national political scenes, a lover of music and gadgets, and most importantly a loving husband and proud father.

Tony was the co-owner and operator of Tomorrow's Child Learning Center in Blytheville, Arkansas--a facility dedicated to helping young children with development and learning problems. When not working, Tony dedicated his time to others through volunteer work and community organizations. He was a member of the Lions Club, a Mason, and served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club.

Tony was never one to stay still for too long. In his free time, you could find him tinkering with electronics or listening to music. Friends sought his help if ever they needed something repaired; always willing to help, Tony would oblige.

Although never a politician himself, Tony was always immersed in the local political scene and never far from the stump. Through fundraising, civil debate with fellow residents and a general enthusiasm for the democratic process Tony served as a light for others interested in politics and a great example of what it means to be an actively engaged citizen.

To Tony's family I extend my deepest condolences, and have only fond memories to tell of Tony. He was a man that found happiness in helping others, and I ask my colleagues to join me now in recognizing a life devoted to community, family and politics--and my friend, Mr. Tony Bell.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to Edward M. Cunningham. On July 19th, 2010 the cause of justice in America and Arkansas lost one of its faithful servants, Edward M. Cunningham of Jonesboro, Arkansas.

After completing special agent training in the FBI, Edward Cunningham dutifully served for over 30 years in law enforcement. He was also a United States Navy Veteran following his service in World War II. His stations would take him to San Francisco in 1951, Little Rock in 1964, Blytheville in 1967, and Jonesboro in 1971. These cities were made safer and their futures brighter by his work and dedication.

He would employ these many years of expertise in his tenure as Chief of Police in Jonesboro from 1979 until his retirement in 1987. Even after his retirement he continued his work by helping to educate the next generation of law enforcement agents by teaching Criminology at Arkansas State University.

A cancer survivor of 51 years, he pledged his time and efforts to encourage and support those battling cancer through his work with the St. Bernard's Auxiliary. Edward Cunningham was a magnanimous individual and a beloved member of his community.

I send Edward's family my deepest condolences for their loss, and hope they can find some comfort in the thought of the powerful and positive mark he left on the communities he served. I ask today of my fellow colleagues that we stand and honor the legacy of Mr. Edward Cunningham.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of a Medal of Honor recipient, a committed advocate of veterans' rights, and a true American hero. On July 17th, 2010 Nick ``Nicky'' Bacon passed away at the age of 64 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He lived a life of service to our nation's military, our country and our state.

Nick Bacon served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1984; in his service he displayed a love of country and faithful service to his fellow soldiers. While serving, he risked his life and led two platoons forward through heavy enemy fire to save men pinned down on the battlefield. It was for this act of selfless valor and courage under fire that Nick Bacon earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. In his long and dedicated career he was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and Purple Heart.

Following his service in the Army, Nick Bacon served his fellow veterans and his state as Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs and President of the Medal of Honor Society. He had steadfast support for the veterans of Arkansas and was instrumental in the creation of the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery and the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery Beautification Foundation.

I wish First Sergeant Bacon's family the deepest condolences for their loss. Nick Bacon conducted his life in a selfless, dedicated manner that we all should aspire to; his service and sacrifice will not soon be forgotten in his state or by his fellow soldiers. I ask today of my fellow colleagues that we stand and honor the legacy of First Sergeant Nick Bacon.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and work of Bill Gwatney, a public servant, faithful husband and father, and a true Arkansan, who worked tirelessly as the State Chair of the Arkansas Democratic Party, and previously as a State Senator for 10 years. He was a man dedicated to public office, and is sorely missed by many. It is my humble request that we stand and recognize the life and work of Mr. William Gwatney.

Over the past two decades, Bill Gwatney served the public good of Arkansas in one position or another. From 1993 to 2002, Bill served as an Arkansas State Senator, and also served as the financial chair for Mike Beebe's run for Governor in 2006. In 2008, he also received the honor of being selected as a superdelegate for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. When he was not directly involved in Arkansas politics Mr. Gwatney owned and managed three successful car dealerships.

Bill was also honored by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Athletic Department, who posthumously inducted him into their Hall of Fame.

Bill was respected and loved by many as a man who appreciated integrity and honesty in his business, as well as in his personal life. Throughout his rise as a politician and successful businessman, Bill maintained a sense of humor, humility, passion, and respect for others that was magnetic to those around him.

I wish Bill's family the deepest condolences for their loss, and hope they can find some comfort in the thought of what a powerful and positive impact Bill's personality had on those he met, and those that carry his memory on. He has left an indelible mark on the state of Arkansas, and I ask today of my fellow colleagues that we stand and honor the legacy of Mr. William Gwatney.

Thank you, Madam Chairman, for the great job you have done and the concern for the people that you have exhibited.

For the time that FEMA has existed, the exception being during the Clinton administration when James Lee Witt ran that agency, FEMA has exhibited an incredible inability to get anything done and accomplished. FEMA, in my part of the world, is worse than the natural disaster that they came to deal with. When we see FEMA show up, it strikes fear in the hearts of grown men and women and small children.

So I thank the chairman for this bill, the constraints she put in this bill as it relates to the floodplains and the designation of them, and urge the passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to Randy Yarnold. His accomplishments are numerous, but his service to the students of Wynne High School and the community of Wynne over the past four decades is what warrants our recognition and our thanks today.

Randall Mitchell Yarnold was born in Malvern, Arkansas on March 8, 1948, the second of four children of Clyde and Velma Yarnold. In 1966, he graduated as commencement speaker from Malvern High and enrolled at Henderson State University, where he graduated with a BSE in Speech and Debate four years later. That fall, he began his teaching career at Wynne High School. Sponsorship of the Drama Club was included in his duties, and so began a legacy that would lead him to direct 60 plays and touch thousands of lives over his 40-year career.

Yarnold is retiring from his profession after having taught over 13,000 students in the classroom, including every graduating student at Wynne High School since 1994. He also served as the voice of Yellowjacket football as the school's stadium announcer. Between 1975 and 2006, he never missed a home game, and due in part to his personality, Yellowjacket Stadium was named the fourth best place to see an Arkansas high school football game.

His patient guidance and passion for theatre have inspired many of his students to pursue successful careers on stage over the years, while his contagious enthusiasm for all the things he did--teaching, directing, and community service--moved many of his peers, including his creative partner, Ms. Sherry Phillians, to volunteer their time towards achieving whatever goal he pursued.

Yarnold is truly devoted to his students--supporting them at games, recitals, and pep-rallies. It is his dedication to his home, however, that moves me to speak today. The values of service to others and commitment to community are rarely seen with such distinction and dedication. His impact was good and great. On behalf of the United States Congress I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and honoring the lifetime and career achievements of Randy Yarnold.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to Lynda Dixon. Her successes are many, but it is her outstanding service to our beloved state that truly sets her apart. I am proud to honor Lynda Dixon for her lifetime of service to her community, our state and our country.

Lynda Dixon was born in Tulare, California and her family moved to Atkins, Arkansas when she was two years old. She is the youngest of four children. She attended Atkins Public Schools and graduated in 1961.

Dixon is retiring from her current position as the Director of Special Services at the Clinton Presidential Library Foundation. Throughout her career, Lynda has been involved in politics. She began her political career in 1976 in Russellville, Arkansas, working for a Prosecuting Attorney. In 1983, she left to serve as personal secretary to Governor Bill Clinton. In 1992 when Governor Clinton was elected President of the United States, she managed his Arkansas office and served as travel companion to his mother, the late Virginia Kelley. Lynda began working for the Clinton Presidential Foundation in 2001.

Dixon remains active with the Arkansas Democratic Party and is a lifetime member of the Arkansas Democratic Women and Senior Democrats of Arkansas. She is also a past-member of the Board of Directors of United Cerebral Palsy; volunteers with the Arkansas Foodbank Network; is a member of Volunteers in Public Schools; served on the Partners in Education Committee sponsored by the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce; mentors at Clinton Elementary Magnet School and is often fundraising for political and charitable organizations she supports. She is a member of Second Baptist Church and McKinney/Maloch Sunday School Class.

Lynda Dixon embodies the values of service, leadership and commitment to community that has made our state and our nation the

great place it is today. She has dedicated her life to serving people and we are grateful for the impact she has made. On behalf of the United States Congress I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and honoring the lifetime and career achievements of Lynda Dixon.

I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3634. My bill would name the U.S. Post Office in Swifton, Arkansas, for George Kell, a native son of Arkansas' First Congressional District.

Throughout his life, George Kell distinguished himself as an athlete, a broadcaster, a businessman, and a public servant. He enjoyed a long career in Major League Baseball with the Athletics, Tigers, Red Sox, White Sox, and Orioles.

During his 15-year playing career, Kell made the All-Star team 10 times and established himself as one of the greatest third basemen in the American League. For his accomplishments, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

After his retirement from baseball, Kell returned to the Detroit Tigers organization as their TV announcer, a position he held for almost 40 years. His broadcasting career allowed him to connect with generations of new fans who were too young to ever see him play the game.

Despite all of his accomplishments in baseball, George Kell was simply a good friend and neighbor to those who knew him best. Throughout his life, he kept returning to his hometown of Swifton, a place he loved like no other. He was an active and respected member of the community, serving on the Arkansas Highway Commission for 10 years, and his career gave him the opportunity to see it all. He knew there was no place like home.

Kell died in Swifton in March of this year at the age of 86. It was a tremendous loss that was felt by his friends and family and the State of Arkansas. George Kell's enduring popularity is evidenced by the fan mail he continued to receive long after his retirement.

It is a fitting tribute that we name the Swifton post office, where he went regularly to correspond with his fans across the country, after this great citizen. It's the least we can do for a friend and a native son of the First Congressional District of Arkansas, and I urge that the House pass H.R. 3634.

Mr. Speaker, on November 6, 2009, I made a mistake and voted ``nay'' on H.R. 3788 (rollcall vote 867). I meant to vote ``yea'' on H.R. 3788. I have the highest respect and appreciation for Corporal Joseph A. Tomci and his family, and I apologize for any anguish my vote may have caused them. His service is greatly appreciated, and this honor is a fitting tribute to him and his family.

I thank the gentleman from Arizona, and I certainly thank him for his leadership in getting this bill to this point. I appreciate the ranking member and the good work that they have both done in a very fair and nonpartisan way to serve this country, and also the staff of the Energy and Water Subcommittee and what a magnificent job they have done.

This is a very special bill to the First Congressional District of Arkansas. It makes continued investment in our flood protection ability in the operations and maintenance of our flood protection system. It adds money for construction where construction is needed, for investigations where investigations are needed and more study needs to be done.

The Department of Energy has moved forward with the appropriations in this bill. We tried to do what we can to improve the solar energy research, the biofuels research, vehicle technology research, hydrogen technology, energy-efficient buildings, industrial technologies, and weatherization grants. All of these things are an investment in the future of this country and our ability to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And that's what the committee had in mind. I think our leadership has done a great job with all these things.

We also make a serious investment in electricity delivery and reliability. In the area of the science and the basic sciences, we have made another serious investment.

I think that this is the kind of thing that the Appropriations Committee was created for--to make these decisions, make the necessary investments in the future of this country, and continue to build our infrastructure, protect our people, and provide the opportunity for us to be successful.

I urge passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise here today to pay tribute to the City of Jonesboro on the 150th anniversary of its establishment. I stand to recognize this milestone in the City of Jonesboro's history and reflect on how far this community has progressed.

The City of Jonesboro is located in Craighead County, which was created in 1859. Despite the opposition of State Senator Thomas Craighead, the Arkansas Senate created the new county from parts of Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett Counties. In an effort of goodwill, State Senator William Jones, who represented St. Francis and Poinsett Counties and was a proponent of the bill, named the new county after Senator Craighead. In return, once the county seat of Jonesboro was established that same year, it was named in honor of Senator Jones.

In 1860, historical records indicate Jonesboro had a population of 50. Currently,

the city is a bustling community approaching 60,000 people and has grown to become one of the strongest economic centers in the state. Jonesboro is known for award winning school districts, Arkansas State University, outstanding medical centers, and a regional destination for arts and entertainment. Jonesboro is an outstanding community to me and I am honored to represent all of the wonderful people who call Jonesboro their home.

Over the past 150 years Jonesboro has seen many changes but one thing remains the same--the people of this city, throughout good times and bad, have always come together to cherish, celebrate and support one another. This is what makes the community unique and it is their key to success. I am certain the City of Jonesboro has a bright future and will continue to be the cornerstone for prosperity in our state.