BBQ is bait state chamber of commerce uses to reel in D.C. crowd

WASHINGTON -- At Hill Country Barbecue Market, time was up, the lights were flickering out and Colonel Josh & The HonkyTonk Heroes had climbed onstage, a not-too-subtle sign that the Arkansans needed to leave.

But still they lingered, dozens of people from across the Natural State who finally, reluctantly surrendered the space once the Telecaster, bass and pedal steel guitar began to play.

By the time the last guest departed, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce officials had acknowledged a simple but incontrovertible culinary truth: even in Washington, D.C., nothing beats barbecue.

After holding the annual dinner for decades in hotel banquet rooms, chamber President Randy Zook said the event has found a new home.

"We'll do it at this barbecue place next time," he said. "This is a big hit. It's a great spot. It's convenient for the staff and the delegation. ... The food's good. It's hard to argue."

More than 150 Arkansans showed up for the May 24 event, which started at 6:30 p.m. and kept going until well after sundown.

Roughly half of them were businessmen participating in the Chamber's 57th annual "Fly-In," jetting from Arkansas to Washington to meet with lawmakers and U.S. Chamber of Commerce officials.

Many of the others work for the Arkansas lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

The state's entire congressional delegation -- four representatives and two senators -- showed up, digging into beef brisket and roasted chicken, pork and beans, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread.

Waiters shuffled to and fro, passing out margaritas, Shiner Bock beer and cups of bread pudding.

"The barbecue's fantastic," Rep. French Hill said. "We were, like, in the Crystal City Marriott or something last year, so this is a big step up."

Few gatherings attract more people from back home, the Little Rock Republican said.

"It's nice also for the delegation to be together and hear from businesses big and small," he said. "It's always worthwhile."

While guests devoured the food, each lawmaker stood up and spoke.

Rep. Steve Womack told the crowd that the delegation members would continue to cooperate and put Arkansas first. It's a message the Rogers Republican delivers every year.

"I always try to let them know that the delegation is on the same page, working well together," he said. "And when that happens, I think it's a great legislative outcome."

As the event stretched into its third hour, guests slowly began to trickle out, but the decibel level in the room remained high.

"One of the hallmarks that this has been a great event is people aren't leaving," Sen. John Boozman said. "They're continuing to visit long after it's been officially over. That's a good thing."

And it wasn't just the conversation that was enjoyable. "The barbecue was excellent and, as usual, I ate too much of it," the Rogers Republican said.

Rep. Rick Crawford also praised the food, though he insisted that the sauce is somewhat better in eastern Arkansas.

"Being in the Delta region, you've got that Memphis barbecue influence, obviously, and Texas and Memphis don't [get along] in barbecue styles," the Jonesboro Republican said.

That doesn't mean that he's knocking Hill Country, he added. "This is good for D.C. ... It's about as good as you're going to find here."

For years, the meal was known as the Salute to the Arkansas Congressional Delegation Dinner. These days, it's got a shorter title -- the "Congressional Dinner."

The folks who created the event more than a half-century ago would've been amazed to see so many Republicans in the crowd. Back then, the state's delegation was 100 percent Democrat.

Even eight years ago, the Republicans were heavily outnumbered; that changed after the election of President Barack Obama. In today's delegation, no Democrats are left.

Regardless of which party is in power, officials say the trip and the dinner are beneficial.

Zook said the events help foster "better relationships, better opportunities to know the staff, primarily. We all know the delegation members, but it's the staffers that we really need to be acquainted with."

Knowing them and their areas of expertise "makes for more efficient communication and helps us know exactly who to reach out to when we've got an issue," he said.

Metro on 05/31/2016

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