[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S89-S90]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      REMEMBERING EARNIE BLACKLEY

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of 
Izard County Sheriff Earnie Blackley. Sheriff Blackley passed away on 
January 4, 2020, after a brief battle with cancer.
  He first joined the Izard County Sheriff's Department in 1993 after 
having previously worked as a police officer in Greenville, MS, and 
served as chief deputy for 18 years before being elected sheriff in 
2018.
  Sheriff Blackley was a dedicated law enforcement official; a devoted 
husband, father, and grandfather; and a man of faith. His obituary 
noted how he was known for hosting fish fries to benefit a variety of 
causes and organizations. The outpouring of love and support shown to 
the sheriff and his family since his diagnosis is a testament to how 
well he served his community and how much that service was recognized 
and appreciated by all it impacted.
  After being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in May of last year, 
Sheriff Blackley asked for prayers as he faced this serious diagnosis 
head on while also continuing to serve. Over 1,000 people reportedly 
turned out to a fundraiser in his honor shortly thereafter.
  Sheriff Blackley was clearly a leader who inspired love, confidence, 
and respect. I am tremendously grateful for his decades of service in 
law enforcement and for the way he lived his life.
  I join with many in his community and across the State of Arkansas in 
mourning his passing and praying for his loved ones, including his wife 
Theresa, during this difficult time. On behalf of everyone in Arkansas, 
I pray

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God will bless the Blackley family and the people of Izard County as 
they cope with this loss and celebrate the life of Sheriff Earnie 
Blackley.

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