Rice farmer writes: Embrace Cuba trade
WASHINGTON -- Dow Brantley, chairman of USA Rice and the Arkansas Rice Federation, used the editorial pages of an influential Capitol Hill newspaper Tuesday to call for an end to Cold War-era restrictions on trade with Cuba.
The Hill published Brantley's guest editorial in which he praised Gov. Asa Hutchinson, U.S. Sen. John Boozman and U.S Rep. Rick Crawford for supporting "expanded trade opportunities for businesses and industries like [his]."
"However, we need additional champions in Congress to continue this momentum to normalize trade so that Cuba can once again become a major U.S. trading partner.
"If we are successful in lifting the outdated and harmful trade embargo, we can ensure that an island of more than 11 million people can enjoy the same rice that grew in my backyard and in thousands of backyards across our state," he wrote.
Brantley is one in a long line of farmers; he grows rice in England.
Arkansas' five win conservative honors
The American Conservative Union gave its Award for Conservative Excellence to the state's two Republican U.S. senators, John Boozman of Rogers and Tom Cotton of Dardanelle. Twenty senators received the distinction after scoring between 90 percent and 100 percent on the group's annual scorecard. Three of the state's Republican U.S. representatives, Rick Crawford of Jonesboro, French Hill of Little Rock and Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs, received the Award for Conservative Achievement after scoring 80 percent to 89 percent.
Begun in 1964, the Washington-based group "seeks to communicate and advance the goals and principles of conservatism," its website says.
Westerman serves sharp words to EPA
Fourth District U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman had a sharp exchange last week with EPA Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran. The Hot Springs Republican was at a hearing of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the topic was "Examining EPA's Predetermined Efforts to Block the Pebble Mine, Part II."
The Pebble Mine is in Alaska and contains gold and copper deposits; opponents say it poses a threat to Bristol Bay and to salmon in the area.
Limitations on the project crafted by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act were criticized by Republican lawmakers, who accused the EPA of colluding with mine opponents.
"Whether there's a mine in Alaska, I really don't care about that. But what I do care about is if you'll screw people over in Alaska or Colorado, you'll screw them over in my state, as well. So why should anyone else in America think that you or your agency would ever be transparent and fair?" Westerman said.
Boozman, Hill stop by for pill drop-off
U.S. Sen. John Boozman and 2nd District U.S. Rep. French Hill appeared Saturday at Ferguson's Furniture's parking lot in Benton for Operation Medicine Cabinet XII.
The program encourages people to drop off prescription medication that has expired or is no longer needed so that it can't be obtained and used improperly.
"Since 1999, opioid overdose deaths have quadrupled. Nationwide 44 people die from prescription abuse or misuse every day. Arkansas Take Back is responsible for removing more than 72 tons of unneeded medication, estimated at 201 million pills from Arkansas homes," Boozman said in a news release.
Hill called prescription drug abuse "a serious problem."
"At the age of 18, my daughter knew four people that lost their lives due to the influence of prescription drugs. That's tragic. Prescription drug abuse has become an epidemic in Arkansas and throughout our country," Hill said in the release.
Crawford takes time for Jonesboro visits
First District U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford appeared at a meeting of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters last week and spoke "about the need to change how we communicate about agriculture and agriculture policy, Cuba trade, and agriculture technology," his office said.
The Jonesboro Republican also met with Jonesboro constituents who are affiliated with the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association.
He also paid tribute to students from Valley View High School in Jonesboro who participated in the We The People National Finals last week at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and on Capitol Hill.
Participants held simulations of congressional hearings.
We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program "promotes civic competence and responsibility among the nation's upper elementary and secondary students," according to its website.
A high school from Oregon won this year's national competition.
2 set to sip coffee, talk with Arkansans
Third District U.S. Rep. Steve Womack is holding a "Coffee with the Congressman" event Monday at Parkview Pizza, 108 South 2nd St. in Flippin from 9-10 a.m.
Fourth district U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman will be drinking coffee with constituents Thursday at Waldron City Hall, 370 Featherston, at 9 a.m. and at the 4-H Building, 211 De Queen St. in Mena at 1 p.m.
Caffeine also will be consumed Tuesday at 9 a.m., when Westerman holds a "Coffee with the Chiefs" event at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The gathering "provides an opportunity for members of law enforcement and fire safety officials to interact and connect with clergy leaders and the local church to exchange information and ideas for reducing crime, arson, and other safety issues in Pine Bluff," his office announced.
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690, flockwood@arkansasonline.com or on Twitter @LockwoodFrank
SundayMonday on 05/01/2016