Johnny Cash statue unveiled at U.S. Capitol

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Singer, songwriter, activist and Arkansas native Johnny Cash is now represented in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

A statue of Cash, who was born in Kingsland, Ark., and spent his childhood in Dyess in the Arkansas Delta, was unveiled Tuesday (Sept. 24) in Emancipation Hall at the national capitol complex. Arkansas’ Congressional delegation and Gov. Sarah Sanders joined other dignitaries and artist Kevin Kresse of Little Rock in revealing the 8-foot tall sculpture.

Cash is the first musician in history to be included in the National Statuary Hall Collection and his statue is one of two honoring Arkansas icons. Civil rights pioneer Daisy Bates, whose sculpture was unveiled earlier this year, also represents the state.

Johnny Cash statue unveiled at U.S. Capitol

A statue of Arkansas-native Johnny Cash was unveiled Tuesday (Sept. 24) in the U.S. Capitol.

Boozman congratulates summer interns on service to Arkansas

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the efforts of students who served Arkansans as interns in his Washington, D.C. and state offices this summer.

“These sharp and motivated students have been a great help to the people of Arkansas during their time in Washington. I appreciate their dedication to helping my staff address issues concerning Arkansans and providing vital services. They truly have taken advantage of the unique opportunities available to them in our nation’s capital,” Boozman said. 

Hadley Burke, Anna Kate Davis, Kate Edelen, Katie Gage, Buddy Gaston, Alex Holder, Camryn Hughes, Hunter Ross and Sydney Roulhac completed a five-week internship in Boozman’s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various aspects of their work. Each intern was also afforded the chance to shadow the senator, a unique opportunity giving them rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senator John Boozman pictured with Washington interns on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. 

Connor Ragan interned in the senator’s Lowell office where he supported state staff in outreach to Arkansans.

Hadley Burke is from Bentonville and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2021. She is a rising senior studying economics and political science at the University of Arkansas Honors College. Hadley serves on the Associated Student Government executive board and is a member of her sorority Chi Omega Psi. She studied abroad in London, Spain and the Galapagos Islands.

Anna Kate Davis is from Little Rock and graduated high school in 2021 from the Baptist Preparatory School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas studying agricultural business with a pre-law emphasis and is pursuing minors in Spanish and legal studies. On campus, she is involved in the Agricultural Business Club, the Honors College, Bumpers College Peer Mentor Program, Greekwide Student Ministries and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Anna Kate plans to attend law school after her May 2025 graduation.   

Kate Edelen is from Chesterfield, Missouri and graduated from Marquette High School in 2021. She currently attends the University of Arkansas and is majoring in nursing with a general business minor. Kate is a member of the Student Nurses Association and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

Katie Gage is from Charleston. She is a 2021 graduate of Charleston High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where she is studying finance and legal studies. She serves on the executive board of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and holds many leadership positions on campus. After graduating, Katie plans on attending law school. 

Buddy Gaston is from Little Rock where he graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School. He is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where he is studying agricultural business with a marketing and management concentration. Upon graduation, Buddy plans to attend law school. 

Alex Holder is from Little Rock and graduated from Pulaski Academy. She is studying finance and accounting at Texas Christian University, with plans to attend law school after graduation. She is involved in leadership in the Neeley School of Business, Student Government Association and Alpha Delta Pi. 

Camryn Hughes is from Crossett and graduated from Hamburg High School in 2019. She is a May 2024 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. During her time in Fayetteville, she studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. She recently accepted a job as press assistant for Senator Tom Cotton in his Washington, D.C. office.

Connor Ragan is from Rogers. He is a 2022 graduate of Rogers High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where he is studying political science and criminology with a legal studies minor. He is an active member of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Nu and of the UA Order of Omega Chapter. After graduation, Connor plans to attend law school.

Hunter Ross, is from Greenbrier. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in May with a degree in business administration in business economics. He will return to Fayetteville in the fall to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Hunter is also a proud member of the Arkansas Air National Guard where he serves as a drill status intelligence analyst at the 188th Wing in Fort Smith.  

Sydney Roulhac is a native of Pine Bluff and a 2021 graduate of White Hall High School. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas where she is studying communication with a minor in marketing. On campus, she serves on the Associated Student Government Executive Council as the Student Body Secretary and is a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, Order of Omega and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. 

Learn more about internship opportunities in Boozman’s Washington and state offices here. 

Westerman delivers remarks at unveiling of Daisy Bates statue in U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) delivered remarks at the unveiling of a statue of civil rights activist and journalist Daisy Bates in the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol.

Congressman Westerman's remarks, as delivered:

“Imagine, as an eight-year-old girl, you learn that years before, your mother had been raped, murdered, and dumped in a pond. That was young Daisy Gatson Bates’ story in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, not far from the Louisiana line.

On top of that, imagine you learn the white men who did this to your black mother were never brought to justice - never held accountable – how would you feel?

Fifty-four years later, in an interview, she said, ‘I was so tight inside, there was so much hate. And I think it started then without me knowing it. It prepared me, it gave me the strength to carry this out.’

Fortunately, Daisy Bates took the advice of her dying adopted father and channeled her anger and hate into a lifelong motivation to make a difference, to seek justice in a world where there was injustice.

Ben Victor, the sculptor of the statue, when asked, ‘what stands out to you most about Daisy Bates?’ He replied, ‘her courage really stands out to me. I’ve depicted her in motion because she was a woman with a cause. She is smiling, showing her optimism in the face of great adversity. And of course, her role as a journalist and publisher are highlighted by the pen and notepad in her right hand and the newspaper in the left.’

Daisy bates was a courageous woman. She often spoke about being afraid. Afraid when rocks were being thrown through her window. Afraid that a bomb or assassination could happen. Afraid when she told the Little Rock Nine, quote ‘one of us might die in this fight. And I said to them, if they kill me, you would have to go on. If I die, don’t you stop.’

We know that courage does not mean an absence of fear. But true courage, the example of courage Daisy Bates gave us all, is to face our fear, to overcome it, and to do the right thing. What a remarkable story the great state of Arkansas has chosen to tell by placing this beautiful statue, the statue of Daisy Bates, here in our nation’s Capitol, in this sacred hall.

Hopefully, as her story is told over, and over again, it will be a small semblance of the justice she so faithfully sought. Not just justice for herself, but justice for all.

It is a day we can be proud to honor one of our own. It is a day to be proud to be an Arkansan. Thank you.”

Womack Announces Winner of 2024 Congressional Art Competition

Van Buren, AR—April 24, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today announced Dylan Gray, a senior at Haas Hall Academy, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for the Third District. Dylan’s artwork, entitled “Jessica,” will now be sent to Washington, D.C. and displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Congressman Womack said, “The closer you look, the more interesting I find Dylan’s piece. I’m impressed by his technical skills and how well the mixed media application was accomplished. I congratulate Dylan on the great achievement of winning the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Soon his work will hang in the halls leading to the People’s House to be admired by members and thousands of visitors to the nation’s capital. As always, I’m proud of the impressive participation from the Third District, which showcases the talent and creativity of the young people of our special community.”

1st Place Dylan Gray, Haas Hall Academy, “Jessica”, with Congressman Womack

This year’s competition featured 58 pieces of art from several different high schools throughout Arkansas’s Third Congressional District. Entries were reviewed by a panel of local judges, including Victor Gomez (Curatorial Associate, Contemporary Art, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art), Mayor Joe Hurst (City of Van Buren), and Ken Francis (Siloam Springs High School retired art teacher of 23 years).

“Top 5” Finalists:

• 1st Place: Dylan Gray, Haas Hall Academy, “Jessica”

• 2nd Place: Hannah Evans, Arkansas Arts Academy, “Girl with Red Hair”

• 3rd Place: Vivien Scholl, Haas Hall Academy, “Skyfall”

• 4th Place: Annika Timboe, Siloam Springs High School, “Annika Timboe”

• 5th Place: Ayree Maner, Greenwood High School, “A Father’s Love”

Submissions were also considered for the Patriot Award, which honors a piece that celebrates and artfully represents American ideals. This recognition was presented to Leah Drummonds, a junior at Rogers High School, for her “Long Blue Line” artwork. This year’s winner of the People’s Choice Award, which was decided by the public via online vote, went to Anna Hagan, a senior at Har-Ber High School, for “Solstice.”

This is the 14th year Womack has hosted the Congressional Art Competition in the Third District. This nationwide contest is held annually to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the United States and in each congressional district.

Rep. French Hill On Supporting Commission To Probe Insurrection, Bill To Fund Black Colleges

By MICHAEL HIBBLEN

A bill in Congress which would create an independent commission to investigate the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in January is now in the hands of the Senate. A week ago, the House passed the bill with 35 Republicans joining Democrats to support the proposal.

But the future of the bill is unclear with Democrats needing the support of 10 Republicans to avoid a possible filibuster. GOP leadership is opposing an investigation.

One Republican House member who did vote to create the commission was Rep. French Hill of Arkansas’ 2nd district. He spoke with KUAR News on Wednesday afternoon during All Things Considered.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/rep-french-hill-supporting-commission-probe-insurrection-bill-fund-black-colleges

U.S. Rep. French Hill of Arkansas' 2nd congressional district, seen here in 2018, was one of 35 Republicans to join Democrats in voting to support creation of an independent commission to probe the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS