State's chamber fete moves on up
Goodbye, barbecue restaurant basement; hello, Capitol Hill terrace.
With attendance at the event soaring, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce moved its annual congressional reception this year from Hill Country Barbecue Market in Washington to a rooftop overlooking the Capitol rotunda.
Roughly 220 people showed up at the 60th annual event Thursday, chamber officials said.
Guests included Gov. Asa Hutchinson, U.S. Sen. John Boozman and all four Arkansas members of the U.S. House. Former The Voice contestant Barrett Baber provided the entertainment.
Attendees shelled out $40 per ticket, and the event doubled as a fundraiser for the Arkansas State Society, a social organization for Arkansans and friends of Arkansas.
McGeorge Contracting Co., Nabholz Corp. and Nucor Corp., the Charlotte, N.C., steel company, were gold-level sponsors.
There were 10 silver-level sponsors, including AT&T, Entergy, Tyson Foods and the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The dozen bronze-level contributors included Walmart, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and Raytheon.
Although the barbecue venue had been popular, "we just outgrew them. That's all there was to it. Too many folks, which is a good thing -- a high-class problem," said Randy Zook, the chamber's president and CEO.
Scalise addresses fly-in Arkansans
Members of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce heard from another Capitol Hill power player during their annual fly-in.
Last year, they were briefed by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. This year, they got an update from Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La.
The congressman spoke about the shooting during a baseball practice in June 2017 that nearly claimed his life, and he recounted his road to recovery.
"By the end of this year. ... [I'll] be able to walk again without needing crutches, so I'm blessed. Lucky to be alive," he said.
Scalise, who visited Arkansas for fundraisers April 23 and 24, was invited to appear at Wednesday's breakfast by U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Hot Springs.
Twenty-six people journeyed with the Garland County contingent to Washington, according to Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce President Gary Troutman.
The trip gives the community's decision-makers an opportunity to weigh in on issues and interact with their representatives on Capitol Hill, Troutman said.
"I think it's healthy for our local people to see that, even at our level in Hot Springs, Ark., that we can come up here and make a difference in D.C.," he added.
Cotton's new book releases this week
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton has a new book that is being released Tuesday.
Titled Sacred Duty, it focuses on the Old Guard, the service members who assist with Arlington National Cemetery funerals, stand watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and participate in presidential inaugurations and state funerals.
Cotton, a Republican from Dardanelle, served in the Old Guard in between combat tours.
He will appear Monday on The View to promote the book.
William Morrow is the publisher. Initially, 150,000 copies are being printed, officials said.
The hardcover version retails for $28.99, although Amazon was offering it Friday for $18.89.
The book has received high marks from former Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He described it as "a moving, reverent history‚ a tribute really -- to 'The Old Guard' ... An ode to excellence and caring in service to the nation. It is an inspiring read for every American."
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 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Washington bureau? It's available on Twitter, @LockwoodFrank.
A Section on 05/12/2019