Back To Work

After a short recess we are back at it, although a light agenda awaited us today. Rep. Fred Allen, (D)-Little Rock, passed his bill out of the House requiring all health care providers to pay for prostate screenings. Rep. Allen Kerr, (R) Little Rock, who spoke against the bill, ran into a hostile group of legislators, with the end result being overwhelming support and passage of the bill. This wasn't really a hot button issue, but it did generate our first real debate on the floor. Speaking of hot button legislation, Rep. Bill Sample (R) Hot Springs, will bring his immigration bill before my Judiciary committee either Thursday or next Tuesday. Immigration questions have always brought a great deal of passion from both sides, and this one will certainly fill that bill. By the way, I want to thank UACCH Chancellor, Chris Thomason, for inviting me out to the college yesterday to watch the inaugural ceremonies with the students and staff. It was my pleasure to watch history being made and see how these young people responded. Also, Senator Teague and I attended the Martin Luther King celebration in Hope on Monday, and both of us had the honor of speaking to the packed house at Providence Baptist Church. My good friend and former Hope Mayor, Floyd Young, was the keynote speaker and he did a masterful job of expressing his thoughts on the past and his hopes for the future. Good job by a good man.