[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 100 (Monday, June 22, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4342-S4343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   RECOGNIZING ARKANSAS POWER LINEMEN

 Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, I would like to recognize 12 
Arkansas power linemen who recently traveled to Guatemala as volunteers 
with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's 
International Foundation to put into action cooperative principle 
number 6--cooperation among cooperatives. On their recent trip, Doug 
Evans, Kyle Metcalf, Andy Caywood, Michael Counts, Andy Ward, Brent 
Hufstedler, Kirk Kempson, Kris Rankin, Joey

[[Page S4343]]

Burk, Paul Garrison, Ryan Hayes, and Will Glover donated their time and 
expertise to help those less fortunate.
  Over 19 days, these men built an electric distribution system that 
extended 4 miles to the agricultural communities of Jolom Ijix and 
Zapotal. Their work connected homes to an electric grid powered by a 
small hydroelectric plant, helping bring electricity to these 
communities for the first time. Electricity plays a critical role in 
providing health care, education, access to clean water, and economic 
opportunity, and I am proud to have these Arkansans help the people of 
Jolom Ijix and Zapotal along the path towards long-lasting growth.
  These 12 men and the many other volunteers from electric co-ops in 
Arkansas have traveled to Guatemala for rural electrification projects 
in recent years. Their compassion and spirit represent the best of our 
State. As a result of their efforts, the residents of these Guatemalan 
communities will see an immeasurable improvement in their quality of 
life. These volunteers, like others before them, have created a lasting 
impact on regions that need help the most.

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