[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17721]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JONES CENTER

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I commemorate the 15th 
anniversary of the opening of the Jones Center For Families in my home 
State of Arkansas. The Jones Center, located in Springdale, is a 
220,000 square foot facility that provides educational, recreational, 
health, and community programs and various services to individuals and 
families across northwest Arkansas.
  The center will celebrate its 15th birthday with a public festival on 
Sunday, October 24, featuring a proclamation by Springdale mayor Doug 
Sprouse and family activities including children's crafts and games, 
pumpkin painting, live music, birthday cake, and ice cream. The event 
will be open to the community free of charge, including access to all 
swimming pools and the ice skating rink.
  The Jones Center opened in 1995 as a gift to the community from the 
late Mrs. Bernice Young Jones, wife of Harvey Jones, founder of the 
Jones Truck Lines. According to its mission statement, the center is 
proud to provide a place where ``all are welcome'' in the heart of 
northwest Arkansas. In keeping with Mrs. Jones' wish that no one be 
turned away, the center offers facilities and services at minimal or no 
cost to everyone regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or economic 
status.
  Under the leadership of Rick McCullough, executive director, the 
Jones Center welcomes more than 1 million visitors per year, with an 
operating budget of $2.4 million. Programs and amenities at the center 
include an ice rink, junior Olympic competition swimming pool, fun pool 
with slide, fitness room, a chapel/auditorium, a computer center, and 
numerous other meeting rooms, playgrounds, and athletic courts.
  I have visited the Jones Center often, and I commend the staff and 
volunteers for their efforts to better their community and provide 
recreational and social opportunities in a safe, modern facility. I 
salute the entire Springdale community as they celebrate the 15th 
anniversary of this unique gathering place in the heart of northwest 
Arkansas.

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