[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15740]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN LASTING MEMORY OF JOHN W. PARKERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2005

  Mr. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life and legacy 
of John W. Parkerson, who passed away at the age of 59 in Hot Springs, 
Arkansas on April 21, 2005. John was born on October 18, 1945 in 
Paragould, Arkansas, in the hills of Greene County. John distinguished 
himself as a husband, father, grandfather, lawyer, and legislator.
  A graduate of Hot Springs High School, John considered Hot Springs 
home and was driven by the ideal of improving the lives of the citizens 
of Garland County. After graduating from Hendrix College, John attended 
the University of Arkansas Law School and graduated in 1971. John was 
extremely active in the Hot Springs community, including the Arkansas 
Bar Association, the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Board, Abilities 
Unlimited, and the Hot Springs Rotary Club. Additionally, he became the 
first Garland County Small Claims Court Judge and was a member of the 
Garland County Community College Board of Trustees.
  John spent 12 years in the Arkansas Legislature and once ran for the 
United States House of Representatives, commenting the best part of 
politics was the people it gave you the opportunity to meet. John led a 
life of public service and dedication in every endeavor he undertook 
and will always be remembered for his tremendous devotion to Arkansas.
  John truly led an exemplary life. My deepest sympathies go out to his 
wife Sanda, his son Christopher Parkerson and daughter-in-law Kim, and 
son Ben Parkerson, and his grandchildren.

                          ____________________