E2 Summit in Utah has spot for Cotton
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton snagged an invitation to this year's E2 Summit in Park City, Utah, which kicked off Thursday. E2 stands for "Experts and Enthusiasts." The gathering of business and political leaders is organized by former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Last year's gathering featured many of the 2016 presidential candidates. This year's invitees included House Speaker Paul Ryan, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whitman.
Park City is the ski resort town and home of the Sundance Film Festival, roughly 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.
Cotton's office said he and U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., were scheduled to answer questions during a session moderated by Dan Senor, a former Romney foreign-policy adviser and Fox News contributor. Sasse made headlines in February when he helped launch the #NeverTrump movement, writing that he couldn't support a candidate whose "relentless focus is on dividing Americans, and on tearing down rather than building back up this glorious nation." Cotton, like most Republicans in Congress, has said he will back New York businessman Donald Trump over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for president.
LR girl earns place at first lady's table
Lily Radtke, a student at Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, has been invited to attend the annual Kids State Dinner at the White House.
The 11-year-old was the Arkansas winner of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, a contest that encourages children to cook and to come up with recipes that are healthy and nutritious. Lily's menu includes spring rolls, edamame salad and watermelon skewers.
She and 55 other young chefs will dine with first lady Michelle Obama in Washington on July 14.
3 from state hear India premier talk
On Wednesday, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint meeting of Congress, there were at least three Arkansas guests in the gallery listening to his speech.
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers invited University of Arkansas Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ashok Saxena to see the foreign head of state.
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro welcomed Dr. Dharmendra V. Patel, a Jonesboro cardiologist.
Shash Goyal, vice chairman of the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission, was the guest of U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock.
Disability jobs plan gets support of Hill
U.S. Rep. French Hill last week introduced what he is calling the Social Security Disability Insurance Return to Work Act. The measure "would help keep the program solvent and its benefits available to those who need them. The goal is to develop effective and innovative projects that will incentivize and assist people that want to get off of the rolls and back to work," the Republican from Little Rock said in a news release.
Sens. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Dardanelle, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, have introduced the measure in the Senate.
Womack gives talk on 'efairness' taxes
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack spoke at the National Conference of State Legislatures' annual meeting last week in Washington, highlighting what's been dubbed "efairness."
The Republican from Rogers has sponsored legislation that would require online businesses to collect sales taxes and forward them to the states. Shops on Main Street and in shopping malls are required to charge sales taxes, putting them at a competitive disadvantage against those that are able to sidestep the taxes.
A number of Arkansas state lawmakers were scheduled to attend, a Womack spokesman said, including House Speaker Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia; 2016 House Majority Leader Mathew Pitsch, R-Fort Smith; House Speaker Pro Tempore Jon Eubanks, R-Paris; House Minority Leader Michael John Gray, D-Augusta; 2014-15 House Majority Leader Ken Bragg, R-Sheridan; and Senate President Pro Tempore Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy.
Christian activists hear from Boozman
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, along with several of his colleagues, spoke to Christian conservative activists Thursday during an event at the U.S. Capitol.
Concerned Women of America and the Faith and Freedom Coalition organized the Capitol Hill Town Hall, which featured U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., and others.
It was part of the two groups' Road to Majority Citizens' Lobby Day.
The Concerned Women of America official who introduced Boozman described him as "a strong, effective, steady voice for the conservative movement" and "a man of faith and character." The Republican from Rogers and his wife, Cathy, "have a ministry here in Washington. They reflect Jesus here in our national capital," she said.
While some of the speakers focused on culture issues -- abortion, same-sex marriage and transgender restroom access -- Boozman talked about the economy, national defense, American values and humanitarian assistance to Africa.
The role of the activist is crucial on Capitol Hill, Boozman told the crowd. "We're working hard and trying to get things done, trying to do the right thing and yet it just doesn't get done without the grass-roots," he said. "I know there's expense involved, there's hassle involved, there's standing around and being tired involved, but it's so, so very important that you're here."
Westerman honors 5 District 4 youths
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman gave a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, honoring young Arkansans from the 4th Congressional District who will be attending the nation's service academies.
Benjamin Wiggins of El Dorado, Kimberly Monterosso of Camden and Parker Ross of Hot Springs are headed to West Point in New York. Nicholas Amerson of Pearcy and Krisanna Reynolds of Smackover are bound for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.
"Arkansas has a history of academy alumni. These include Gen. Douglas MacArthur, supreme allied commander in the Pacific during World War II; and Brig. Gen. William O. Darby, leader of what would later become the Army Rangers. Their example is one of courage and excellence under any circumstances. With this rich tradition before them and through their own accomplishments, there's no doubt these students will do their very best -- bringing honor to themselves, their families, and their state," Westerman said.
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or flockwood@arkansasonline.com. Want the latest from the Democrat-Gazette's Washington bureau? It's available on Twitter @LockwoodFrank.
SundayMonday on 06/12/2016