J. Hill

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for his promotion of his constituents and their success in exporting and for his recognizing the importance of small business to the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley). My friend is from one of the most beautiful congressional districts in America, the Sierra Nevada.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments and for promoting this good work in his district, and I thank him for his public service. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an important piece of legislation that I am working on here in the people's House. The Ouachita Mountains inside the Ouachita National Forest stretches some 220 miles from my district in central Arkansas to eastern Oklahoma. For 50 years now, I have sought refuge and pleasure in visiting a remarkable corner of the rugged Arkansas Ouachita National Forest mountains called Flatside. It is named for a sandstone outcrop that dominates the forest below. Mr. Speaker, you can see in this photo on one very cold February day with a blanket of snow on the ground that I was looking west from the top of Flatside toward another high point in the wilderness area called Forked Mountain. My guide that day was my good friend of now 50 years and longtime neighbor in Little Rock, Don Hamilton. Don is a longtime member of the Ozark Society, a former board member for the National Wildlife Federation, and a tireless advocate for wilderness areas in our Nation. At the time of this photo, I was a Senate staffer, and Don was urging me to persuade my then boss, U.S. Senator John Tower, a Republican from Texas, to cosponsor Democrat Arkansas Senator Dale Bumpers' Arkansas Wilderness Act. This act would establish the 10,000 acres of public U.S. forestland around Flatside as one of nine new wilderness areas and the only one in the Second Congressional District. With Senator Tower's endorsements and the tireless work by Senator Bumpers and my Second District predecessor, Republican Congressman Ed Bethune, Flatside did, in fact, join the U.S. Forest Service wilderness rolls in 1984 when it was signed into law by President Reagan. At that time, the Flatside area was anticipated to be larger, encompassing the additional U.S. Forest Service lands that I am addressing on the House floor today in my new legislation. Over the ensuing years, the Forest Service and advocates were never able to craft a strategy whereby those acres left out of the 1984 designation could be included. When I joined Congress in 2015, I set about to design an approach that would expand Flatside to its originally contemplated size. First, I introduced the Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act, which passed in both the House and Senate in 2018 and was then signed into law by President Trump in January of 2019. This bill added what I called the Bethune Woods acreage to Flatside. Thanks to Congressman Bethune for his years of hard work on this area. This 640-acre addition had been coded by the U.S. Forest Service as wilderness and managed that way but had never been formally added to the boundaries of Flatside. As a companion measure, Senator John Boozman of Arkansas and I included in the fiscal year 2019 appropriations bill a provision whereby the Forest Service would complete a careful and thorough study of the other Federal forest lands around Flatside that might well meet the 1964 Wilderness Act definition and be eligible for inclusion. In May of 2021, Flatside's wilderness evaluation was completed by the Forest Service. They thoroughly examined all the areas in question and outlined the ones that they believed would qualify as wilderness if so designated by this House, by our Congress. Thus, Mr. Speaker, here we are, 40 years later, discussing my bill, H.R. 3971, the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act. This act implements the careful U.S. Forest Service study that was completed back in May of 2021. Further, I collaborated on the design of the measure with my colleague, the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Chair Bruce Westerman and his staff. This bill admits 2,200 existing qualifying public U.S. Forest Service acres to the existing wilderness area. Land that qualifies for wilderness designation in accordance with the May 2021 study and is currently already managed as potential wilderness by the Ouachita National Forest Management Plan. This measure is supported by our Arkansas Governor, Sarah Sanders, our parks and tourism leadership, our game and fish commission, our local officials in the nearby counties, and our outdoor recreation leaders, including The Ozark Society who was so instrumental in the 1994 work. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and complete the good work started by my predecessor so long ago, Congressman Ed Bethune, and initiated by President Reagan, signing the Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1984 into law. Today, we take this final step to complete Flatside Wilderness' original footprint and offer the wild beauty of The Natural State for generations to come. For me, Flatside has provided five decades of peace that was promised in John Muir's great poem that goes like this: Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. Honoring the Life of Ambassador C. Boyden Gray

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford), who is my good friend and a wonderful leader in the Law Enforcement Caucus in the House of Representatives.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dave Peresko. Mr. Peresko is a longtime veteran who served our Nation in the Vietnam war. Continuing his service to our country, Mr. Peresko began working for the U.S. Postal Service in Little Rock in 1973. During that work, Mr. Peresko was no stranger to any of our community members. His lively and kind spirit spread throughout our community, leaving a positive impact on everyone he came across. Completing over 45 years of service with the post office, Mr. Peresko retired from the post office just a few years ago in 2019. This very committed Kansas City Chiefs superfan brightened the city of Little Rock every day in the way he touched people and cared for them in his public service. We salute Dave in his retirement. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Earl Smith, who celebrated his 100th birthday on June 10. Mr. Smith, an Arkansas native, is a World War II veteran. Drafted at 19, he served in the Army and the Army Chemical Corps. He was also part of the Rhineland campaign and the northern France campaign and was awarded two Bronze Stars and a good conduct medal. Earl was married to his wife, Eloise, for 57 years. Together, they had two children, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Earl is still an active member of the community. He makes sure to attend all of his grandchildren's events and holds the longest membership in Lifeline Baptist Church. Earl also is the oldest member of the Little Rock VFW Post 9095. When asked about this remarkable birthday, he said: ``I had no idea I would live this long, but every morning when I wake up, I thank the good Lord for another day.'' I thank Mr. Earl Smith for his service to our beloved Nation and congratulate him for his 100th birthday. Honoring Dave Peresko

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jimmy Moses, who was recently honored for his work in downtown Little Rock for Little Rock's successful growth, redevelopment, and preservation over his many decades of leadership. Mr. Moses was featured in Block, Street, & Building magazine as a true difference maker, and I can certainly assure you, Mr. Speaker, that is understated. His family has exemplified values that made our State great for generations. They have not only benefited from their deep roots in Little Rock, but they have used those talents and love for the area to give back. Jimmy Moses is absolutely continuing that longtime Moses family tradition. Mr. Moses has worked in urban development and planning for years. He has worked on projects to restore historic buildings and facilitate creative development as our vital central business district of Little Rock has grown and changed over the past 40 years. Mr. Moses also serves as one of the founders of Moses Tucker Partners, a prominent real estate development firm in Little Rock. His background, skills, and passion demonstrate why he is so deserving of this important recognition. I am proud to recognize him as a visionary that has been so clearly dedicated to making our hometown a better place. Celebrating Earl Smith's 100th Birthday

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I missed Roll Call Numbers 144, 235, 238, 239, and 240. Had I been present , I would have voted YEA.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I missed Roll Call No. 140. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Steven Helmick of Donald R. Roberts Elementary in Little Rock for being named the 2023 Arkansas Elementary School Principal of the Year. Mr. Helmick is known for his outgoing personality and willingness to do whatever it takes to inspire his students, including running a mile for each of the 168 fifth graders in his elementary school, and camping out on the school's roof. Steven Helmick has turned Roberts Elementary into one of the highest achieving elementary schools in Arkansas, receiving a grade of A from the state education leadership. I congratulate Mr. Helmick on his well-deserved award and the outstanding work as Principal of Roberts Elementary.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, recently, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad was invited back into the Arab League after 12 years of being in exile. I can't tell you how incredibly frustrating and disappointing this is to many, particularly the innocent people of Syria who have endured more than a decade of war, murder, and torture. Assad's readmittance to the Arab League sends the wrong signal. It sends the signal to the rest of the world that his atrocious war crimes against his own citizens over the past twelve years are acceptable. A recent Reuters article had the headline Arabs bring Syria's Assad back into the fold, but want actions, action on the drug trade. Well that's rich, because the only reason there is an epidemic in the drug trade in the Gulf and the region, is because of Assad. Assad turned Russia and Iran to maintain his death machine, and now the Captagon drug trade, led by his cousins, led by his military, providing an independent source of funding for his regime while he poisons his neighbors and takes their money and fuels terrorism in the region. And yet he's invited back to the Arab League meeting. It's preposterous. My bill that passed last year's National Defense Authorization Act was called the Captagon Act and requires the U.S. Government to develop a multilateral and all of government approach to disrupting and dismantling the production of the Captagon drug right in the heart of Syria. Recently, the Treasury Department along with our ally the United Kingdom, took steps to sanction key actors in Assad's inner circle who are producing and trafficking Captagon. This is a good step, but it's months late Mr. Speaker It's in the right direction of disrupting and dismantling the trafficking networks associated with this illicit drug. But it's just a good start, and it comes years after we know the deadly impact of Captagon in the region, on families, but also fueling of terror by Assad through the billions of dollars transferred from that illicit trafficking. So it's critical that governments across the globe to continue to show their support for the Syrian people by denouncing those who seek to normalize relations with the repulsive regime, granting Assad admittance to the Arab League once again sends the opposite message, it rewards barbaric behavior. The United States government has an obligation to sanction Assad in our efforts to dismantle the Captagon drug trade and hold Assad accountable for his war crimes. And that's why I'm pleased this week to cosponsor the Middle East Subcommittee Chairman Joe Wilson's new bill H.R. 2302, The Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act. This bill was passed this week unanimously in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congress will act where this administration has continuously failed to consistently do so. I look forward to supporting this bill on the House floor and seeing it signed into law.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend, Mack McLarty, for receiving the Legacy of Leadership Award at the 35th annual Arkansas Business of the Year ceremony. Mr. McLarty is chairman of the McLarty Companies and was White House Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton. Mack also served as the National Petroleum Council and the Council on Environmental Quality at the request of President George H.W. Bush. While Chief to the President Clinton, he advised on a wide range of international and domestic issues such as the 1993 deficit reduction package, the North American Free Trade Agreement and multiple trips as it relates to attending the G7 economic summits. Today Mack is a respected senior advisor in both the public and private sectors and a prominent public speaker who shares his thoughts and experiences in the realm of U.S. trade and foreign policy. Along with this recognition for his public service, Mr. McLarty was awarded the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Medal and the Center for the Study of the Presidency's Distinguished Service Award. I congratulate Mr. McLarty on this recognition and thank him for his lifetime of public service at the national level and at home in Arkansas.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 70th anniversary of our alliance between the United States and The Republic of Korea. To commend this momentous occasion, Speaker McCarthy and Leader McConnell invited Republic of Korea President Yoon to visit the House Chamber and address Congress in a joint meeting. From the ashes of the Korean conflict to one of now the world's largest and most successful economy, The Republic of Korea is a testament to America's dedication to support market economics and democracy. The successful alliance between the U.S. and The Republic of Korea has maintained his peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region for those past seven decades. Now, more than ever, it's critical that the U.S. continue to support our ally and their efforts to protect their vibrant democracy and prosperous economy for the daily threats from North Korea and the growing aggression of the Chinese Communist Party. I thank President Yoon for his leadership, for the tenacity of the Korean people, to come from an authoritarian republic to truly a democratic one, and for building one of the top ten largest economies in the world. That's an amazing transformation over those seven decades. Together, we'll continue to promote freedom and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate 125 years of the International Paper Company. International Paper, IP, was founded in January 1898 and they celebrated their 125th anniversary in January, an incredible milestone in our Nation. Their company is committed to providing essential products that people depend on, including being one of the world's largest producers of fiber-based products. Essential paper and paper products are important in our everyday lives, ensuring goods are protected, and keeping consumers safe. They're a driver of local economic development in our great state. There are over 550 IP employees in six facilities throughout Arkansas, which 150 of those work at the Conway, Arkansas graphic plant. I congratulate International Paper for their 125 years of service, and I look forward to their continued impact on Arkansas and around the world.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and Arts, Conway High School, eStem Charter High School, Little Rock Central High School, and North Little Rock Center for Excellence for advancing to the state coding competition. Out of more than 160 teams, these five are part of 16 teams that were selected to advance to the state competition. The top three finishing teams will receive monetary rewards of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place for each member of the team. The money will be placed in a 529 college savings plan account to help those students with their journey towards earning a college degree. I thank the Our Kids Code for providing the grant money for the winning teams, and I congratulate the students for qualifying for the state competition.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the reopening of our magnificent Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. The museum, located in downtown Little Rock, reopened on April 22 after almost four years since closing for renovation and expansion. After years of planning, the museum has been reimagined into a beautiful work of art itself. The architecture firm, Studio Gang, led the design which preserves historic elements of the building but includes other critical, interesting, and tasteful elements, making it into one of the most influential museums in the country. The museum has much to offer, from the visual and performing arts, to full art educational experiences. The goal is to create a cultural space where our community can engage with a diverse portfolio of artistic perspectives and come together to see beautiful temporary exhibitions and participate in the wonderful array of educational courses. I thank all involved for their efforts in making this renovation possible and congratulate the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts for this new chapter in their history in our state.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of central Arkansas during the recovery period after our devastating tornado that hit our district last month. Our neighbors immediately began to work hand in hand, neighbor to neighbor, to rebuild our community. Many volunteered and worked tirelessly to set up emergency shelters in our local schools and churches to ensure those impacted by this severe storm had safe housing in the wake of the tornado. The response of our leaders at the state, county, and city level was invaluable to be commended. The incredible efforts and active emergency response from Governor Sarah Sanders, Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Mayor Terry Hartwick of North Little Rock, Mayor Jeff Elmore in Jacksonville, and Mayor Mary Jo Heye-Townsell of Sherwood, and many others all saved lives and accelerated the recovery process. Not only did we witness their outstanding response and an outpouring of local volunteers, but we saw the swift action of our first responders and our essential businesses. Entergy Arkansas began repairs to the local power grid as soon as the storms passed, and many of our lineman and women worked countless hours to restore power, even when themselves were affected. One lineman I met with was in his bed at the time of the tornado and the roof torn off his apartment, and after a day off from that tragedy was out there working 16 house a day to connect the power to his neighbors. Countless time put in neighbor for neighbor. Entergy Arkansas's corporate office also donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross to be used toward tornado recovery efforts, with an additional pledge of up to $50,000 matching employee donations. The Arkansas Food Bank did an incredible job of delivering food, water, and other necessary items throughout our communities to ensure those affected by the storms were supported by necessary goods. Additionally, our local restaurants, our local businesses all donated hundreds of meals and supplies to those in need. I thank our community for demonstrating generosity and thoughtfulness during a time of great need. They simply demonstrate that core value that we all take pride in Arkansans and Americans.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the fire chief from the Enola Area Fire Department, James Chance, who is preparing to retire. James is no ordinary chief. He's a volunteer who's been with the Faulkner County Department since 1973 and became chief in 1983. When he first started at the Enola Area Fire Department, they had a single brush truck to use as an engine, tanker, and rescue. The department did not have an ISO rating. Now, the department has three stations, eleven fire trucks, and an ISO rating of five. According to his peers, James responded to every emergency despite how urgent or not it was. He spent two nights at 2:00 a.m. putting up barricades on flooded roads during bad storms or responding to the 10th false medical alert alarm in the middle of the night. I thank Mr. Chance for over 50 years of selfless service to the citizens of Faulkner County and congratulate him on his retirement.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend, Jim Keet, on being named Arkansan of the Year. Throughout his life, Jim has been an outstanding and active member of our state civic affairs, and particularly in central Arkansas. Jim served both in the House of Representatives and in the Arkansas State Senate in the 1990s. In addition to his years of public service, he's one of our state's most successful entrepreneurs. He's president of the Keet Management Company and chairman of JTJ Restaurants, where he has operated at 155 restaurants over the past five decades. Beyond his success in business and politics, he has served on the Board of Director for 20 years at EasterSeals Arkansas. EasterSeals is an organization that seeks to empower those with disabilities to have fulfilling lives and become active members of their communities. As the founder of the Arkansan of the Year Award, while with EasterSeals Arkansas, this honor comes full circle now for Jim. His tremendous work ethic and dedication to improving the lives of Arkansas deserves this recognition. I'm proud to call Jim a friend and congratulate him on this expectational honor.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Staff Sergeant Benjamin Cotton and Staff Sergeant Alan Smith of the Arkansas Army National Guard for winning this year's International Sniper Competition. This competition allows soldiers to display their abilities in a rigorous environment designed to put their extensive training to test against 35 international teams. The team included New Mexico Army National Guard member Eric Vargas, and they completed three days straight testing of their shooting skills, physical endurance and problem solving as they took on a variety of scenarios with multiple weapons systems. Staff Sergeant Smith enlisted in 2003 and Staff Sergeant Cotton in 2006. Both have deployed to Iraq and they've served as sniper team leaders and marksmanship instructors with the Army National Guard. In addition to serving their country, they serve our communities as firefighters. Their leadership abilities and mental fortitude earned them this competition, and I'm honored to add these men to my recognition for this outstanding accomplishment across 35 very competitive international teams.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Margaret Gaines, who celebrated her 100th birthday on February 19th of this year. Margaret Gaines has been a resident of Central Arkansas her entire life. She grew up in Griffithville, Arkansas, and currently resides in Searcy, where she's lived for the past 62 years. Throughout her life, she's seen and remembers many historic events, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal and President John F. Kennedy's visit to Arkansas to dedicate the Greers Ferry Dam in Heber Springs. Mrs. Gaines believes the secret to her long life is plenty of exercise from gardening which she learned to do during the Great Depression. She still grows a garden every year. I wish Margaret Gaines a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their work in bringing these important resolutions to the floor, and I stand in strong support of them in calling for the release of Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. I thank my great colleague, Haley Stevens, for our work together as co-chairs of the Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad here in this House, and I am grateful for her relentless advocacy for Paul and his family. While we continue our work to get Americans out of these countries that are holding them only because they have a blue passport, I believe more has to be done, Mr. Speaker, to stop this trend that you can simply take and wrongfully hold an American with impunity. Mr. Speaker, listen to these statistics from the Foley Foundation's 2022 report: 175 percent increase in the incidents of U.S. nationals being wrongfully detained compared to the previous decade; a 60 percent increase in the average duration of a U.S. national's captivity over the past 11 years. Mr. Speaker, 75 percent of U.S. nationals currently wrongfully detained are held by who? Iran, China, Venezuela, Syria, Russia. From 2012 to 2022, an average of 34 Americans were wrongfully held by foreign governments each year. Now, when you put that in contrast to the decade of 2001 to 2011, there were only five. This is the chairman's point: There was a 580 percent increase in the past 10 years of Americans being taken and held hostage--mostly by governments. It is shocking. The number of releases of Americans is not keeping up with new detentions. While the Levinson Act and our current hostage response efforts are important pieces to ensuring better transparency for our detainee families who are at home suffering--I think that process has significantly improved in the recent years, and I thank the State Department for that--it is still clear that adversarial countries believe they can take and hold an American with impunity. We must do more. While we work on doing more, I will continue to come to this House floor and support resolutions like the ones we are voting on today. They are critically important to show the families and the wrongful detainees that the U.S. House stands with them and demands their release. Mr. Speaker, I call on all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support Paul and Evan and their families with their votes today. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I certainly thank Chair Wagner and Ranking Member Sherman for their strong words of support for my bill, the Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act, which, as Ranking Member Sherman noted, passed out of our committee unanimously by voice vote, but it also has passed this House of Representatives, Mr. Speaker, twice already. Most Americans are prohibited from investing in a wide variety of businesses. Unless you are rich enough, or what is called by the SEC, an ``accredited investor''--meaning that you make more than $200,000 per year or you are worth at least a million dollars, not including your house--you are not really allowed to easily invest in private markets, only in our public companies. Meanwhile, new businesses are staying private for longer because bad policy from Washington has made it increasingly expensive for companies to become public, to go public, and to remain a public company. In my view, Mr. Speaker, that is not fair, and it is not smart. The current accredited investor rules favor the rich and the affluent over people who have knowledge, that are working maybe in their own area of expertise, and then it effectively discriminates against someone who would be poor or potentially in a minority community. In fact, the Securities and Exchange Commission argues that 1.3 percent of accredited investors are African American, and only 2.8 percent are Latino, even though they make up a third of our country. Are you telling me they don't have the investment expertise or the knowledge to invest in a company they are interested in? Of course, they do. Small businesses and startups in Arkansas and across the country are integral to our Nation's economic growth, innovation, and job creation. From my years of experience in helping small firms raise capital, I know this bill will enhance capital formation and offer long-term wealth appreciation for those with the knowledge to apply it. This legislation simply provides individuals who demonstrate a strong understanding of an offering the opportunity to invest in private offerings. This is good for Arkansas and good for entrepreneurs across our country. This is about giving those previously limited to only investing in public market opportunities a chance to build savings and investment and wealth in private companies. If you have the knowledge and expertise, you ought to be given the chance to invest in an industry that you know very well. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Vargas) as well as the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), an original cosponsor of this bill, for their support of this legislation. I thank the ranking member and the chairwoman for their support, and I urge all my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the reopening of our magnificent Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts. The museum, located in downtown Little Rock, reopened on April 22 after almost 4 years since closing for renovation and expansion. After years of planning, the museum has been reimagined into a beautiful work of art itself. The architecture firm Studio Gang led the design which preserves historic elements of the building but includes other critical interesting and tasteful elements, making it into one of the most influential museums in the country. The museum has much to offer from the visual and performing arts to full art educational experiences. The goal is to create a cultural space where our community can engage with a diverse portfolio of artistic perspectives and come together to see the beautiful temporary exhibitions and participate in the wonderful array of educational courses. I thank all involved for their efforts in making this renovation possible and congratulate the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts for this new chapter in their history in our State. Congratulating Jim Keet

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate my dear friend of some five decades, Cathy Owen, on her induction into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame. Cathy is a trailblazer and role model for women in banking in Arkansas, having served the banking community for over 50 years. She has been with Eagle Bank for over 40 of those years in various roles, most recently as chairwoman since 2012. During her time at Eagle Bank, she has worked tirelessly to build the bank into a large, respected community bank. Over the years, she and her team have been dedicated to customer service and developing outstanding products and services. Outside of her achievements in the banking industry, she remains an active leader in our community. She is a generous volunteer and supporter of Baptist Health Foundation, Fifty for the Future, and the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, among many other endeavors. I have had the privilege of working with Cathy in the industry for decades during my time in banking. I am proud to call Cathy a friend. I thank her for her many years of outstanding service in the community and congratulate her on this well-deserved induction into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame. Command Sergeant Major Steven Veazey Retiring From Arkansas Army National Guard