[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 27 (Monday, February 9, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    CONGRATULATING ROBERT ARRINGTON

  (Mr. Hill of Arkansas was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
President Robert Arrington on his recent selection to lead the Arkansas 
Development Finance Authority.
  President Arrington succeeds President Mark Conine, who served the 
authority from May of 2021 until his departure during 2025. President 
Arrington has worked at the authority since 2014 and was previously the 
vice president of homeownership and public finance.
  The ADFA was established by then-Governor Clinton in 1985 to promote 
economic growth and community development across Arkansas.
  President Arrington is a former municipal securities principal with 
over 25 years of public finance experience and is a graduate of the 
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate President Arrington on his selection and 
wish him many years of faithful service to the great State of Arkansas.

                              {time}  1215


                Petit Jean State Park 100th Anniversary

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
recent celebration of the 100th anniversary of Petit Jean State Park, a 
landmark of natural beauty and historical significance in central 
Arkansas.
  Established in 1923 and dedicated in 1925, Petit Jean was Arkansas' 
first State park and helped inspire and initiate the entire Arkansas 
State Park System. The Civilian Conservation Corps later built many of 
the enduring features, including cabins, trails, and the historic 
Mather Lodge. For a century, families have enjoyed its scenic 
overlooks, hiking trails, Cedar Falls, and the landscape.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Petit Jean State Park on its centennial 
and its enhancement of the beauty of the Natural State. I thank the 
many State park rangers and related staff for all of their 
contributions to conservation, recreation, and enjoyment in the Natural 
State.


Commending National Guard Enlistment in the Second District of Arkansas

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
outstanding patriotism of Arkansas' Second Congressional District, 
which was the highest-producing district for Arkansas National Guard 
enlistments in fiscal year 2025.
  Our district led the State in Army National Guard recruitment, 
contributing 314 new soldiers, and accounted for 47 percent of all Air 
National Guard recruits statewide. In total, the Second District 
produced 351 enlistments in 2025, surpassing any other congressional 
district in the State.
  These young men and women have chosen a path of duty, sacrifice, and 
leadership. Their decision to serve reflects on the strong values of 
central Arkansas and the deep respect our communities all hold for our 
Nation, its defense, and the men and women who wear the uniform.


                       Honoring Dr. Linda Jackson

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. 
Linda Jackson.
  Last year, Dr. Jackson was honored with the Outstanding Alumna of 
2025 Award from the University of Arkansas Community College at 
Morrilton.
  This incredible woman overcame life's toughest challenges and 
hardships, experiencing extreme poverty at a young age. She was forced 
to drop out of school in the eighth grade to take care of her disabled 
brother.
  Despite this, Mr. Speaker, she earned her associate of science and 
associate of arts degrees at the University of Arkansas Community 
College at Morrilton in 2014 at age 33. She continued her education, 
earning seven more degrees after leaving UACCM, balancing her time 
between her studies and raising her 10 children. In 2025, she passed 
the State board exam for the credential of family nurse practitioner.
  Dr. Jackson's story is a story of hard work, perseverance, 
determination, and triumph.


                 Celebrating Doug Zollner's Retirement

  Mr. HILL of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good 
friend Doug Zollner, dedicated advocate for the Natural State.
  After three decades of being a mentor, leader, and giant in the world 
of conservation, Doug has decided to retire from the Nature Conservancy 
offices in Arkansas.
  Doug's efforts and expertise in conservation have enriched our State. 
Doug's leadership helped drive more than $30 million in public funding 
to Arkansas for forest management.
  He also cofounded the Fire Learning Networks, a national 
collaboration of fire practitioners helping 14 countries around the 
world. Just last year, he visited Tanzania to share fire and forest 
management strategies and tour Katavi National Park.
  Congratulations to Doug for his dedication to conservation, to the 
Nature Conservancy, and to forest management practices. I wish him the 
very best in retirement.

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