Washington News in Brief

LR pupil dines at White House

She’s among 55 youths feted for their healthful, fun recipes

President Barack Obama makes an appearance Friday in the East Room of the White House at a dinner for the winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, including Aspen Smith, 11, of Little Rock.
President Barack Obama makes an appearance Friday in the East Room of the White House at a dinner for the winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, including Aspen Smith, 11, of Little Rock.

WASHINGTON -- Aspen Smith, 11, was among those recognized at the White House on Friday for creating a recipe for Arkansas baked almond catfish for the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, a nationwide recipe challenge for kids.

Aspen was invited to join winners from the other U.S. states as well as four territories and the District of Columbia at a kids' "State Dinner" at the White House. A luncheon for 55 children, each with a parent or guardian, featured a selection of the winning recipes and a visit with first lady Michelle Obama, followed by a trip to the White House kitchen garden.

Aspen, a student at Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, is the daughter of Lee and Veronica Smith of Little Rock.

Michelle Obama told the children that the panel of judges for the challenge picked their recipes from more than 1,000 entries, and that their recipes were the most healthful, tastiest and most fun to eat.

"You blew the judges away with your talent and creativity," she said. "You came up with some of the catchiest recipe names imaginable."

The event is part of her Let's Move! healthy lifestyle initiative, and she urged the children to go back and talk with friends and relatives about eating healthfully.

"I want you to think about kind of how you can move this issue forward in your communities," she said. "That is the only thing that I ask."

After President Barack Obama spoke, cast members from the Broadway musical Aladdin performed, and the children toured the White House garden.

Aspen's recipe can be found online at www.pbs.org/parents/lunchtimechallenge/winners/arkansas-baked-almond-catfish.

On the Hill

U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., met Wednesday with the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America students from Valley View High School and with Arkansas 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus delegates. On Thursday, he escorted Revis Edmonds of Jonesboro to the White House and met with Lyon College student Robbi Riggs.

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., accompanied the Otwell and Peterson families of Waldo on a tour of the White House. On Friday morning, he appeared on C-Span's Washington Journal and gave a tour of the Capitol to visitors from Hot Springs.

On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., met with 58 Arkansas 4-H delegates visiting the Capitol. On Friday, Womack spoke on the House floor in recognition of Agnes Lytton, Mary Sue and Betty Lynn Reagan of Rogers, who designated a $1.2 million estate gift to support the University of Arkansas libraries.

U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., met with Dave Elswick's Patriot Tour Group on Tuesday. He went to the Arkansas' Day Dinner at the National Guard Association of the United States Building and met with Arkansas State 4-H on Wednesday. On Thursday, he spoke about International Religious Freedom on the House floor.

On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., met with Carl Loewer of Wynne, Dwain Morris of Pocahontas, Bruce Alford of Lewisville, Randy Arnold of Alma, Chuck Davis of Ashdown, Ron Hubbard of London, Tom Cox of Russellville and Tony Wilkie of Forrest City, who were in Washington, D.C., with Farm Credit Services of Arkansas. On Wednesday, he spoke with Springdale schools Superintendent Jim Rollins.

U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., sat down Tuesday with Upward Bound students from Arkansas State University at Beebe. On Wednesday, he met with Matthew Broderick of Benton to talk about adoption and the child-welfare system. On Thursday, he met with Planned Parenthood of Arkansas, and spoke with House and Senate interns about his personal experiences and public service.

Huckabee and Clinton

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won a straw poll held during the National Sheriffs' Association Conference and Presidential Forum in Baltimore, his campaign announced Thursday.

On Monday, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is to give a speech about economic policy at the New School in New York, N.Y.

CQ Roll Call reported Tuesday that Clinton has scheduled several meetings on Capitol Hill this week with members of the black, Hispanic and Asian-Pacific American caucuses.

Farm Credit Award

On Wednesday, Boozman received the 2015 Friend of Farm Credit award from the AgriBank District Farm Credit Council, the national trade association representing institutions of the Farm Credit System.

Interns

Westerman is accepting applications for unpaid fall interns in his Washington and Hot Springs offices through Aug. 7.

Application information is online at westerman.house.gov/services/internships.

Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Contact us at (202) 662-7690 or swire@arkansasonline.com.

SundayMonday on 07/12/2015

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