[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
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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.
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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.
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