[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8254-H8256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RON ROBINSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 3, 2017, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) is recognized 
for 60

[[Page H8255]]

minutes as the designee of the majority leader.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
one of Arkansas' marketing and public relations geniuses and a dear 
friend, Mr. Ron Robinson, who recently passed away at the age of 75.
  Born and raised in my hometown of Little Rock, Ron had a natural 
talent for media and journalism at a very young age. As a teenager, he 
worked as a sports writer for the Arkansas Gazette and was paid $1 an 
hour.
  After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a degree in 
journalism, Ron joined the Air Force, serving as a public information 
officer. He quickly rose to the rank of captain and earned a Bronze 
Star for his service in Vietnam and the Air Force Commendation Medal in 
1969 for his support of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon.
  A year later, he joined Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, CJRW, as 
director of public relations. He would eventually become chairman and 
CEO until his retirement in 1996.
  Ron received many awards for his contributions to Arkansas and the 
journalism industry. He was honored in 2005 as a distinguished alumnus 
of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and inducted 
into the Lemke Journalism Society Hall of Honor in 2016.
  Ron was a role model and friend for many across the State of 
Arkansas, and I extend my respect, affection, and prayers to his 
friends, his family, and his many, many mentees during his years of 
service.


               Honoring the Life of David W. Mullins, Jr.

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today to honor the 
life of a longtime work colleague and friend, David W. Mullins Jr., who 
recently passed away at the age of 72.
  David had a remarkable career of public service, including working in 
both the Department of the Treasury and as a member of the Federal 
Reserve Board of Governors. It was a pleasure to work with him in 
Domestic Finance at the Department of the Treasury under President 
George H.W. Bush.
  David's journey began in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where his father was 
president of the University of Arkansas. David attended Fayetteville 
High School before graduating from Yale University with a degree in 
administrative sciences. He then pursued graduate work at MIT, and 
there he completed his Ph.D. in economics and finance.
  David's public service began shortly after the stock market crash in 
1987, and his expertise proved vital toward the rejuvenation of the 
economy and the resolution of the savings and loan crisis under the 
Reagan and Bush administrations.
  Mr. Speaker, he was a thoughtful leader, a friend to many, and I 
extend my respect, affection, and prayers to his friends, family, and 
loved ones.


           Honoring the Life and Legacy of Mr. Don Zimmerman

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
one of Arkansas' statewide leaders, Mr. Don Zimmerman, who recently 
passed away at the age of 75.
  Don worked as executive director for the Arkansas Municipal League 
for over four decades and was there at the time of his death.
  A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in business 
administration, Don first joined the Arkansas Municipal League back in 
1966 as a field representative before working his way up to the 
executive director position in 1974.

  Two years ago, he became the first State Municipal League employee to 
be recognized by the National League of Cities for 50 years of service. 
Don also served two terms on the board of directors of the National 
League of Cities.
  Mr. Speaker, he was a friend to many across our State of Arkansas, 
and I extend my respect, affection, and prayers to his friends, family, 
and loved ones.


            Recognizing Olan Wages, One of Arkansas' Finest

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize one of Arkansas' 
finest, Olan Wages, who recently died at the age of 95.
  A veteran of the Army, who served in World War II, Olan Wages was at 
the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Wages' story is one that makes all 
Arkansans proud. For his service, he was awarded two Purple Hearts with 
oakleaf cluster, four Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, a World War 
II Commemorative Medal, a Normandy Jubilee of Liberty Medal, and a 
French Legion of Honor Medal, among others.
  Mr. Wages is survived by his three loving daughters, Brenda, Marcia, 
and Kay.
  Mr. Speaker, Olan's example is one all Americans and Arkansans can 
admire, and I extend my respect, affection, and prayers to his friends, 
family, and loved ones.


            Recognizing the Achievements of Kevontae Carter

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of 
Kevontae Carter, a junior at Philander Smith College in my hometown of 
Little Rock. I am pleased to announce that the White House Initiative 
on Historically Black Colleges and Universities has named him an 
inaugural Competitiveness Scholar. Competitiveness Scholars are 
students who have exhibited exceptional academic achievement, 
engagement with their communities, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
  Kevontae, who is majoring in biology and minoring in mathematics, was 
personally nominated for this honor by Philander's president, Dr. 
Roderick Smothers. A leader on campus, he serves as a student 
ambassador for the United Negro College Fund, of which Philander is the 
only member in the State of Arkansas.
  Mr. Speaker, I honor Kevontae's commitment to excellence and commend 
him on being named to this distinguished fellowship.


                      Recognizing Ms. Annie Abrams

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, it gives me a lot of pleasure today to 
recognize a dear friend and a civil rights icon from Arkansas, Ms. 
Annie Abrams, and wish her a very, very happy 87th birthday.
  Ms. Abrams has served her State and country tirelessly throughout her 
career, from her involvement in the desegregation of Central High 
School to her role with the Arkansas Teachers Association, including 
becoming the first African American PTA president at Central High.
  Born in Arkadelphia, Ms. Abrams moved to Little Rock at the age of 13 
to pursue a better education, and she graduated from Dunbar High School 
and later Philander Smith College with a degree in special education.
  She continues to be involved in many local community service 
organizations, including the Little Rock Central High Integration 50th 
Anniversary Commission, a commissioner for the Fair Housing Commission, 
and treasurer of the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus.
  As a local educator and civic and community leader, Ms. Abrams has 
enriched the lives of countless Arkansans and Americans. She is the 
busiest woman I know, particularly for someone on the cusp of an 87th 
birthday.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to our next opportunity to be together, 
and I thank her for her lifetime of service to our community.


   Recognizing the Anniversary of the Central High School Integration

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, 61 years ago today, all eyes were on South 
Park Street that fronts the beautiful facade of Central High School in 
Little Rock, Arkansas. Just days before, the Arkansas Governor, Orval 
Faubus, had called out the National Guard to prevent nine Black 
students from entering that school on September 4.
  Central High and its beautiful neighborhood had become ground zero in 
the march to end the five-decade legacy of Plessy v. Ferguson, separate 
but equal. Now, just over 3 years after the Brown v. Board of Education 
decision, it was time for action.
  In a few days, on the 25th of this month, we will celebrate the 
successful integration of Central High School when the Little Rock Nine 
entered the school, escorted by the 101st Airborne Division.
  It is fitting today, Mr. Speaker, that we pay tribute to the Little 
Rock Nine, their defenders, and the successful end to separate but 
equal. I am proud to recognize this important milestone today on this 
House floor and remember passing the bill 1 year ago that I authored 
that expands the park boundary of the National Historic Site at Little 
Rock Central High School. This is a historic and an important 
touchstone for all those modern-day history travelers retracing the 
steps of the civil rights movement.

[[Page H8256]]

  The National Historic Site Visitor Center was opened in 2007 on the 
occasion of the 50th anniversary of Central High's integration. My bill 
extended the park boundaries to take in the houses that fronted the 
school along South Park Street so that future generations will be able 
to picture that street just as it was and reflect on those 21 days of 
trauma back in 1957.
  Bringing the properties into the boundary of the site provides the 
National Park Service with more tools and flexibility for partnering 
with the homeowners to historically preserve their front facade and the 
yards of those homes. Together with the school, the seven homes across 
the street from Central High will now stand as a living monument to the 
civil rights movement in Arkansas and the United States.
  I want to thank the National Park Service superintendent at that 
site, Robin White, for her leadership and her persistent work with the 
community to enhance it as an educational resource and a key stop on 
the Civil Rights Trail.
  The Little Rock Nine's brave actions integrating Little Rock Central 
High will forever be remembered for their unparalleled role in ending 
so-called separate but equal. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize 
the 61st anniversary of these brave actions by those young people.

                              {time}  1715


      Recognizing the Accomplishments of Women Throughout History

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the important 
accomplishments of women throughout history and to call attention to 
the millions of women across the globe who lack access to education and 
are denied access to opportunity.
  Small businesses are the engines of our economy in Arkansas and 
across our entire Nation. They create and support jobs within our local 
communities and employ approximately half of all private-sector workers 
in the United States.
  According to the Small Business Administration, 30 million small 
businesses in the U.S. make up over 99 percent of our Nation's 
businesses; and of those, 11.4 million are women-owned businesses, 
employing nearly 9 million people. They are centers of innovation, 
discovery, and opportunity, empowering and equipping Americans for 
success.
  Everyone should have the opportunity to rise, but in America, women 
entrepreneurs face barriers to certain business resources that many 
males with similar aspirations don't.
  We have got to work hard for our hardworking Americans and our 
hardworking American families. In Arkansas, Winrock International is 
doing just that through its Arkansas Women's Business Center. The 
Arkansas Women's Business Center provides training, counseling, and 
access to capital for women who want their business to grow and become 
competitive.
  Though obstacles to entrepreneurship and opportunity also exist 
outside the U.S., there are entities, including Winrock, supporting 
solutions that promote prosperity and provide a means for women to 
flourish around the world.
  I had a chance to visit with a very hardworking, enterprising, caring 
young woman from my hometown of Little Rock, recently, whose innovative 
efforts were to eradicate hopelessness and give hope to those in 
poverty by lifting them up and aiding their pursuit of happiness and 
promoting the fruits of the dignity of work.
  Anna Taylor is the founder of the clothing company Judith & James of 
the nonprofit James127 Foundation. She started her remarkable journey 
during her family's mission work in Africa.
  Inspired by the desire and drive of the Kenyan women she encountered, 
Anna set out to work with them to ensure that they have the opportunity 
to provide for their loved ones and themselves. Today, her foundation 
provides practical and hands-on sewing training to Kenyan widows, 
offering hope and a future to women whose communities have been ravaged 
by poverty and disease.
  When you empower women, you empower their communities.
  For too long, too many young girls and women throughout the world 
continue to be denied an effective education. We must continue to work 
to address this injustice and ensure that all women are provided 
fundamental freedoms in the political, social, cultural, economic, and 
civic fields.
  So I would like to applaud the House on its recent passage of H.R. 
5480, the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act, and 
commend my fellow Arkansan, Senator John Boozman, for introducing its 
companion in the Senate.
  As the proud father of a daughter studying hard in college--I hope 
she is studying hard--I believe that it is critical that we all support 
all of our aspiring young women. I urge the Senate to act quickly on 
this important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                          ____________________