Womack reaches a roll-call record
WASHINGTON -- When it comes to showing up for votes, nobody else in Congress can match U.S. Rep. Steve Womack.
Since his election in 2010, the Republican from Rogers has never missed a roll call.
Until last week, Womack and U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., were the only four-term congressmen with perfect records.
But Friday, Amash showed up late, and his streak ended.
The Michigander was busy denouncing health care legislation supported by the White House, Politico reported, and didn't realize that the clock was running out.
By the time he realized his error, it was too late.
Informed that the voting had ended and could not be reopened, Amash wept, Politico said.
While Amash was wiping away tears, Womack and crew were banging out a news release.
Womack, it noted, has not missed any of his 4,294 votes and now owns "the longest consecutive voting streak held by any sitting Member of U.S. House of Representatives."
In a telephone interview shortly after returning recently to Northwest Arkansas, Womack said he's glad that his record is unblemished.
"There's a lot of luck involved," he said. "I haven't had an illness or a personal hardship that has prevented me from being in Washington on a day of votes. Things happen to people, and it will happen to me eventually."
Until then, he's going to keep showing up.
"Voting is a serious undertaking, and it's why I'm there, really. It's a major part of my responsibilities," he said.
Hill extols college on its anniversary
U.S. Rep. French Hill last week congratulated Philander Smith College on its 140th anniversary, and he predicted that many more decades of success will follow.
In a speech Thursday on the House floor, Hill told colleagues that the historically black school in Little Rock is "an early higher education institution built and created by former African-American slaves -- the first such institution west of the Mississippi River."
The Republican from Little Rock praised the school's contributions to the state and the nation, calling it "particularly important to Arkansas' history, economy and higher education community."
With an enrollment of about 760 students, Philander Smith "continues to play an integral role in preparing predominantly minority and low-income students for careers and employment in Arkansas and throughout our country," Hill said.
Arthritis sufferer issues D.C. appeal
Philip Ruth of Hot Springs traveled to Washington, D.C., for last week's Arthritis Foundation's Advocacy Summit, asking members of Congress to support research, treatment and education efforts focusing on the disease.
"As a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, I know the drawbacks, pain and limitations of the diseases. I feel it is important to educate patients and families and eliminate barriers for treatment while providing affordable treatment options with help from government appropriations," Ruth said via email.
While on Capitol Hill, Ruth met with U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs as well as U.S. Sens. John Boozman of Rogers and Tom Cotton of Dardanelle. All are Republicans.
"I trust my story, shared with my congressmen, will convey the need for new and continued funding to support the crippling diseases of arthritis that impacts more than 50 million Americans," Ruth said.
He hopes one day there'll be a vaccine that prevents or lessens the effects of arthritis.
Westerman's spokesman said the meeting was useful.
"The best way to learn about an issue is through personal interaction with Americans experienced in these matters," said Ryan Saylor.
Firefighters make rounds at Capitol
A group of Arkansas firefighters visited Capitol Hill last week.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman's office said the delegation included Wade Marshall, Benton; Brian Couch, Jonesboro; Darrell Clark, Fort Smith; and Seth Rainwater, El Dorado.
The visit coincided with the International Association of Fire Fighters' annual legislative conference, which ended Wednesday.
The International Association of Fire Fighters is a labor union affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
Boozman honored for law to aid pilots
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association recently awarded its annual Freedom to Fly Award to U.S. Sen. John Boozman.
The Republican from Rogers serves as co-chairman of the Senate General Aviation Caucus and helped pass legislation that makes it easier for private pilots flying small aircraft to keep their flight status.
The measure did not change the standards for commercial pilots or those flying large planes.
Critics said the previous regulations were unreasonably burdensome and costly.
The association appreciates Boozman's "leadership on issues that matter to pilots," said Mark Baker, the group's president.
Boozman highlighted the role of the industry in Arkansas.
"General aviation is important to our economy. It supports jobs for thousands of Arkansans and more than $500 million annually in economic activity in our state. I am honored to receive this award and will continue to advocate for issues important to the industry," the lawmaker said in a written statement.
Schedule for week busy for Crawford
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford attended a ribbon cutting Monday for the Louis Dreyfus Co.'s new grain elevator in West Memphis. On Tuesday, he met with members of the Little River Drainage District board of supervisors. On Thursday, he spoke with members of the Arkansas PTA and the Mississippi River Commission, his office said.
On Wednesday, the Republican from Jonesboro testified before the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
In his remarks, he stressed "the importance of the Army Corps of Engineers project funding to the First District of Arkansas."
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or [email protected]. Want the latest from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Washington bureau? It's available on Twitter, @LockwoodFrank.
SundayMonday on 03/12/2017