During the turn of the century, the railroad brought opportunity for further expansion out west. But it also brought with it the need for more wood. Crossties, bridges, train stations, and even the fuel for the trains demanded more wood than we were already consuming.

In fact, the Forest History Society claims that we consumed so much of it, by 1850 there was nearly 3.2 million miles of wooden fences in the United States. With that measurement, that means our fences could have circled the globe 120 times.

While our nation grew westward, forest land continued to be cut down and the demand for wood continued to increase. With no real plan for managing the land that was used, many logging companies simply moved on once they had been supplied with all they could get from the region.

As time went on, however, it became evident that our forests were a limited resource and their supply would soon become scarce if we couldn’t efficiently regrow our timber and understand healthy forest management.

With a focused objective to learn how to grow trees more quickly and replant logged areas successfully, among other important conservation efforts, the Forest Service designated experimental forests where research could be conducted.

The Crossett Experimental Forest, established in 1934, quickly became an exceptional model for working, sustainable forests that has since continued to contribute greatly to our understanding of forest management for over 90 years.

As the first field station in the Southern Forest Experiment Station, its main priority was to ensure that high-value saw logs could be produced from the secondgrowth southern pine stands in the region.

Loggers and landowners knew that first-growth (or old-growth) wood was preferred for its tighter cell structure that made the wood more durable and sturdy than the second-growth wood. So, ensuring they had products that could provide a good return on their investment was critical for their own financial success.

As the decades passed, the objectives of the experimental forest have changed to meet modern needs of our forestry industry. However, since the unfortunate passing of Dr. Bragg in 2023, who had directed the research of the experimental forest for two decades, we’ve seen virtually no research conducted.

As a licensed forester, I understand first-hand the importance of regional, realworld data. What’s more, Arkansas’s forestry industry is a major driver of our state’s economy, and its success and longevity rely on the most modern, science-based practices for how to best manage and conserve one of our most valuable natural resources.

That’s why I was excited to introduce a piece of legislation in August that allows the Crossett Experimental Forest to continue providing opportunities for research through a transfer of ownership from the federal government to the state government.

This week, Arkansas State Forester Kyle Cunningham was warmly welcomed to Washington where he served as a witness for the hearing held by the Committee on Natural Resources to discuss the benefits and possibility of this transfer.

His testimony and support for this proposed legislation are appreciated as we work to secure the great legacy of the Crossett Experimental Forest and keep active, hands-on research alive for future foresters to learn from and enjoy.

The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act directs $45 million annually toward improving maternal outcomes and requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to create Medicaid reimbursement for doula services.

Arkansas Act 625 updates the state’s rules for Medicaid’s provider-led care system. It allows certain Medicaid patients to go through a shorter, simpler evaluation process when they sign up with organizations that manage care. The change is meant to support new maternal health efforts and make it easier for people to get the care they need.

The policy arrives as Arkansas continues to rank among the states with the highest maternal and infant mortality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas’ maternal mortality rate was roughly 36 deaths per 100,000 live births in recent years, which is significantly higher than the national average. Infant mortality also remains high, with around 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing Arkansas among the ten worst-performing states. The state’s healthcare landscape is further strained by rural hospital closures; 53 of Arkansas’s 75 counties no longer have hospitals with labor and delivery units, forcing many families to travel long distances for care.

Doula coverage is intended to improve outcomes in this environment. Research from the Cochrane network found that women receiving doula support experienced shorter labor, were less likely to undergo cesarean deliveries, and reported more positive birth experiences. With Medicaid covering about 60% of births statewide, supporters say reimbursing doulas could expand access to a service shown to reduce complications.

Expectant parents have welcomed the change. Many reported difficulties affording doula care, particularly those on Medicaid who faced major decisions during labor without additional support. Advocates say the new policy will help level access across income levels.

To participate in Medicaid, doulas must follow a two-step enrollment process. First, they must receive certification through the Arkansas Department of Health, which verifies training and credentials for community-based doulas. After certification, doulas may apply to DHS to become Medicaid providers. DHS began outreach on September 1, launching an online portal with enrollment instructions, required forms, and training materials. According to DHS, once doulas submit complete applications, the Division of Medical Services typically processes approvals within 15 days. Only after approval can doulas bill Medicaid for services, and many expect an initial learning curve as providers adapt to insurance billing practices.

Maternal health advocates say implementation will require ongoing work, particularly in rural counties where provider shortages are most severe. They encourage the state to explore incentives to keep doulas practicing in underserved communities. Still, the new reimbursement rules mark a significant step toward improving maternal care statewide and expanding access to support for expecting families.

M

In the hot summer of 1787, James Madison convinced delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia to approve an entirely new kind of government for the new nation. But the real test came when the states were asked to consider the new document. Madison, one of the Founding Fathers, was a man of principles but he often found it was difficult to make these ideals a reality. At only 5’4” and with a quiet voice, his stature never allowed him to stand out but his ideas sent him far above the rest.

The fight for ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and 1788 would be one of the major tests of the new nation’s ideals. Madison passionately argued in favor of ratification, proclaiming, “Every word decides a question between power and liberty.” The three branches of government created a government of limited power designed for accountability to all parts of the government with enough power to take action when needed but one that would respect the rights of the people.

Madison worked with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write The Federalist, a series of 85 essays in New York newspapers attempting to convince that critical state to ratify the constitution. In one of his most famous Federalist essays, Madison responded to fears of open partisanship tearing apart the country by saying that the principle of free elections and majority rule promised by the Constitution would make it difficult for one faction to permanently dominate the country without responding to the people. By 1788, enough states had ratified the Constitution to allow the new government to begin.

Virginia voters elected Madison to the House of Representatives for the first Congress. Though he initially did not believe that a bill of rights was necessary, critics of the new Constitution worried there were not enough protections for the people. Nevertheless, Madison made the Bill of Rights a priority once he arrived in New York City, then the nation’s capital. Drawing from his experiences in Virginia, he drew heavily from the Virginia Bill of Rights and proposed twelve amendments on June 8, 1789. These amendments would guarantee freedom of speech and religion, jury trials, and due process of law for everyone, among other freedoms. Ten of the amendments were ratified by December 15, 1791, and became the cornerstone of the civil liberties of the people. A proposed amendment regarding the initial number of seats in the House of Representatives was dropped and forgotten about, and the other lost amendment stating that Congress could not accept pay raises without an election first was not ratified until 1992 as the Twenty-Seventh Amendment.

As disputes rose in the new government, new political factions emerged. With Thomas Jefferson, he co-founded what is now the Democratic Party in 1795, which is now the oldest surviving political party in the U. S. As part of an agreement with Hamilton of the leading Federalist Party, the capital was moved to Washington, DC, by 1801.

After Jefferson’s election as president in 1800, Madison was chosen to serve as Secretary of State. As he helped craft foreign policy, he helped push through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which doubled the size of the nation overnight. However, a continuing war between Great Britain and France led Britain and France to both blockade American ships while Britain went so far as to kidnap American sailors on the high seas and incite Native American tribes in the West to attack American settlers. With Jefferson, he proposed a number of policies to resolve these issues, but they were blocked at every turn.

In 1808, Jefferson decided not to seek a third term, and Madison quickly became the favorite to succeed him. Madison won the election easily and would be re-elected in 1812. His wife Dolley, whom he married in 1794, continued to serve as a close advisor to him and became the center of Washington social life.

However, problems with Britain continued. In 1812, he asked Congress for a declaration of war, and the War of 1812 began. However, the nation was unprepared for war, having only a small army and navy and little financing available. And the nation was divided over the war. Though the US won a number of important victories, there was also a steady series of disasters. In 1814, the British attacked Washington, DC, leading the Madisons and the government to flee the city. The British set the White House and most of the city on fire before leaving. British losses convinced them to agree to a settlement of the war with the Treaty of Ghent on Christmas Eve 1814. Realizing the serious problems the nation faced during the war, he spent the last years of his presidency pushing for a national bank, economic development, and a new system of roads and canals to build the nation.

After the presidency, he quietly returned to Virginia. He largely stayed out of the public eye but quietly advised his successors and other prominent politicians. In 1829, he served as a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention, the state’s latest attempt to modify its government. In his later years, his health declined and personal debts mounted. He died quietly at his home on June 28, 1836, at age 85.

In 1908, the State of Virginia established James Madison University. The federal government also put Madison’s image on the rare $5,000 bill. Numerous other schools across the nation have been named for him. The Constitution he helped construct for the nation is now the oldest constitution still in use in the world and has only been amended 17 times since the ratification of the Bill of Rights. Nineteen counties across the country were named in his honor, including Madison County, Arkansas.

We have been taught that a certain party is the only party that is for... Whatever the hot topic is for the day. I have heard people talk about how and why they vote a certain way, because of their parents. No matter who is on the ballot they will vote for a 'blue dog' if they are on the right side of the ballot. And that is a problem, especially today.

I remind people that it was the Republican party who eliminated slavery and it was the Democrat party who ushered the U.S. into both World Wars. It is no doubt that no matter which party lead the issues, slavery would have been ended and we would have entered the World Wars eventually. The moral justice of the people will eventually prevail, or the people will fail.

The study of history is a study of the future. It seems no matter how hard we try, history keeps repeating itself.

There is a bit of history trying to repeat as we see the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) emerge in candidates around the country. The platform seems to be embraced by a rather large segment of our population. I believe they are influenced by ideologues and people from other countries in an attempt to try a failed idea of governance in our very successful nation. We are successful because of the way we are governed. We are not perfect but we are able to fix that which needs to be fixed. We are able to protect that which needs protecting.

So, here it is in writing. And those in the said party who wish to push back and respond, please do. I am trying to understand why one would support one who vehemently opposes the constitution and the support to protect it and this nation.

The following is the DSA: Platform:

The DSA updated its national political program, titled 'Workers Deserve More', focusing on major structural changes to the United States government and economy.

Government Overhaul:

Calls to abolish the U.S. Senate, dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and replace the presidency and Supreme Court with a single, Congress-subordinate legislative body.

Economic Reforms:

Demands ze r o - c o s t universal healthcare (Medicare for All), a Green New Deal, public ownership of major corporations, and universal rent control.

Social and Labor Policy:

Proposes a 32-hour work week with full pay, canceling all student debt, racial reparations, and the eventual abolition of police and prisons.

Would someone help me understand how this is going to work?

The policy applies to healthy adults ages nineteen through sixty-four who are enrolled in the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me program, commonly known as ARHOME. Participants must work, attend school, or volunteer at least 80 hours each month unless they qualify for an exemption. Exempt groups include pregnant and postpartum women, disabled veterans, caregivers of young children, and individuals with significant medical needs. State officials say about 210,000 Arkansans were enrolled in ARHOME as of May.

The new requirement stems from federal directives in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, which mandates that Medicaid expansion states establish work and community engagement programs by the start of 2027. Arkansans who are not exempt and do not comply will face suspension or denial of Medicaid coverage beginning January 1 of that year. Even with the upcoming changes to Medicaid expansion in Arkansas, officials are moving forward with this plan to stay in line with federal guidelines.

During the soft launch, the Department of Human Services is running automated checks to determine whether beneficiaries are meeting the requirement or fall into an exemption category. No penalties will be imposed in 2026, but beneficiaries will receive notices informing them of their status so they can prepare for full enforcement the following year. Beginning January 1, 2027, those who are not in compliance will have 30 days to demonstrate that they meet the requirement before coverage is suspended.

Before the soft launch, DHS held five town halls across the state, including a virtual option, to explain the upcoming changes. Beginning July 1, the agency followed up with mailers, emails, and text messages to ensure beneficiaries were aware of the timeline and expectations.

Officials say the revised program maintains the original goal of supporting Medicaid recipients in achieving economic independence while meeting federal requirements.

Beneficiaries can track their status or report work activities online through Access Arkansas, by phone, or by visiting a local DHS office. For those needing assistance finding work or training, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas offers career services statewide. National estimates predict the new work requirement will reduce federal spending on Medicaid by three hundred twenty-six billion dollars over the next decade.

State leaders emphasize that the transition period is designed to help beneficiaries understand what is expected well before any coverage changes occur.

They encourage Arkansans to keep their contact information updated and to ask questions early if they are unsure about their exemption status or how to document their activities. DHS officials say they will continue outreach efforts throughout the year to reduce confusion and ensure that recipients have access to the tools and resources needed to comply. The agency notes that the goal is not to remove people from coverage, but to support long-term stability and improved health outcomes.

Finally, (part 3 in the ad hoc series) you should, in the best way possible, respond. ' To respond means to say or do something as a reaction to a person, action, event, or force. It can mean giving an answer in words, reacting physically, or showing a positive change when treated.' (google ai summary definition) If you took time to listen after you stopped talking, you may find that a proper response to the conversation, be it in person, live or on some social media site, is in order. The response very well may be silence or just walk away. It is not always easy for some to just walk away, just as it is to keep our mouth shut.

It takes two ears to listen and hear what others are saying. It takes two eyes to see everything we need to see. Two eyes gives us depth perception, giving us the ability to navigate without hurting ourselves. Two ears gives us perception of where sound is coming from. However, it might be a sign we need to listen more than speaking. It takes all our senses to interpret the communication others are trying to convey.

Depending on the situation, our response may need to be done in a timely manner. A simple touch may calm a weary soul when no words needed. Can you determine when you should just be there and not say words. Or, there may need to be a word of encouragement when an obvious failure has taken place. When there is a need correction or gently guidance can be useful. We tend to overuse this because we don't listen enough to understand the real need.

Response for correction is always better when it is done in the most redemptive and gracious possible manner, and timing is everything.

All this has been said and shared because of a needed response to, not just one but several situations. I can imagine the situations you are now thinking about. And, if you have any particular one in mind, it might be what needs to be responded to, not by me, but by you. Every day a new one pops up and needs to be responded to in the most appropriate way.

We listen. We speak. We respond. It doesn't stop there. We must always be attentive to the voices around us. We must always be ready to give a kind word to one in need. We must be ready to defend, if needed, and heal when able.

From our family and friends to foreigners and foes, we will respond and be responded to. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Knowing that time is a sign of wisdom. Being able to respond in the right way is a sign of courage. Being consistent in both is integrity.

Our country needs people with integrity who have wisdom and courage. That person is you, or should be.

Last week I said 'shut up' and this week continues the ad hoc series.

Just keeping you mouth (or text,...) shut doesn't at all mean you are listening. There are a lot of people who shut up do so just to catch their breathe or to get another run at the target.

When you are in a conversation that seems lopsided it is best to just let them run out of things to say and move on. You can easily let it continue by–I will this and you won't believe me–just speaking, saying anything. If you are caught in one of those conversations, you will never get the last word. Just smile and be quite, walk away in a polite manner.

That brings up something we seem to have forgotten, being polite. This isn't straying away from the art of listening it is what helps us listen better and with understanding. Being polite is listening. It is listening to the other person trying to communicate something of themselves to us.

Listening requires more than just hearing words. Listening means understanding what is being said. I can hear someone speak to me but if they are speaking in a language I don't understand, I have no idea what they are trying to communicate to me. We must first understand the language they are speaking.

Language is the method by which we share thoughts, ideas and feelings. It is more than words it combines every element of our senses to fully share with another person. The more intimate or close we are to someone the more senses we use to share our feelings, thoughts or ideas. Listening requires us to interpret all those signals to understand the other person.

We may never completely understand the other person in full but the more we listen the better we become at understanding. The way guys and girls communicate is an ideal example. I can understand when a guy explains something and can get it accurately most of the time. I seem to never get what girls are saying and always miss the mark. (I think they just change their mind too much.) Case closed.

Culture, whether is be age, gender or race, plays a part in understanding what you are listening to. And, don't forget where or how they were brought up. Listening has to include background influences, both in speaking and listening. Know where they're coming from.

I said all this to try and understand what I am listening to and why others aren't listening. I am hearing a lot of people speaking of things for which they know not what they are saying. I mean, what they are saying just doesn't add up or make sense in a world of so much information. I think there is a breakdown in communication .

I’ll be the first to admit that when I recently strolled through the vegetable aisles at the store, trying to decide what to buy, my overriding feeling was one of concern.

A show of hands: How many have avoided salad products for several weeks now? Between iceberg lettuce causing a massive cyclospora parasite outbreak because the defective product was sent to retailers and restaurants, we also have jalapeno peppers and cucumbers with salmonella.

They say (they, being the experts) that while we should avoid bagged salads, it’s OK to eat whole head lettuce as long as we throw away the outer two or three leaves and then wash the rest under running water.

For right now, I’m going to pass. Those same experts concede that completely washing cyclospora off lettuce leaves is very difficult. Buying from your local farmers markets might be the best bet right now, until this cyclospora outbreak goes away.

Listeria has surfaced, with the producer voluntarily expanding its own recall, and the list of potential bagged items affected is long: green beans, bell peppers, yellow and zucchini squash, and cucumbers. The produce was sold at a wide variety of retailers across many states.

But it’s not only salads that are a problem right now. There are the 1.5 million dozen eggs contaminated with salmonella and sold under different brand names.

And we have organic blueberries with E. coli.

And pistachio nut butter, made in Italy and sold by a big box store, that’s contaminated with salmonella.

Our best bet: Sign up for email alerts that will tell us quickly what foods are being recalled. Start with the FDA (www.fda.gov/food), and include alerts from the USDA (www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls) and FoodSafety (www.foodsafety. gov). Consumer Reports (www. consumerreports.org) will send phone alerts for food recalls if you sign up. Put “food safety alerts” in the search box.

(c) 2026 King Features Synd., Inc.

Home canning has long been a tradition in many households, allowing families to enjoy fruits, vegetables, jams, and other foods long after the growing season has ended. The fair's canning division celebrates that tradition while recognizing the skill and attention to detail that goes into producing safe, highquality preserved foods.

When evaluating exhibits, safety is always a top consideration. Experienced judges can often recognize signs that indicate whether a product has been processed correctly. One important detail is proper headspace, which is the space left between the food and the lid. Too much or too little headspace can affect both the quality and appearance of the finished product.

Recommended headspace varies depending on the product. Jellies, jams, and sweet spreads generally require one-fourth inch of headspace, while fruits, tomatoes, and pickles typically need one-half inch. Vegetables and meats usually require between 1 and 1¼ inches. Taking the time to follow these recommendations can help create an attractive, highquality exhibit.

Presentation also plays a major role in competition. Clear liquid, consistent color, and a product that appears properly cooked can help make a favorable impression. Entries should be displayed in clean, standard canning jars with lids that are free from rust and dents. Commercial jars, such as those originally used for mayonnaise, peanut butter, or coffee, are not permitted for fair competition.

Another feature judges notice is uniformity. Fruits, vegetables, and other canned items should be cut and packed as evenly as possible. Consistent size and shape create an attractive display and demonstrate the care taken during preparation.

Participating in the Calhoun County Fair is a rewarding way to share your talents, preserve local traditions, and learn from other exhibitors. Whether you are entering homemade jelly, pickles, tomatoes, or garden vegetables, a little extra attention to quality and appearance can go a long way.

Gather your best jars, prepare your entries, and join the competition at this year's Calhoun County Fair. Your next canning project could be a blue-ribbon winner.

Canning recommendations included in this article are adapted from University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service educational resources.

A major focus of the study is the state’s funding formula, including foundation funding and the resource “matrix” that outlines staffing and operational needs for a standard 500-student district. Lawmakers also assess compliance with long-standing legal benchmarks, particularly the Arkansas Supreme Court’s decision in Lake View School District No. 25 v. Huckabee. That ruling requires the state to provide an equal and adequate education and to monitor how well districts are able to meet student needs. The adequacy review additionally tracks expenditures, categorical funding, and updates to teacher retirement and health insurance programs.

The 2026 review began in February, with committee chairs Senator Jane English and Representative Keith Brooks inviting all members of both Education Committees to participate. Their work continues more than two decades of legislative oversight prompted by the Lake View decisions. In 2001, the Pulaski County Chancery Court found Arkansas’s school finance system inequitable and unconstitutional. The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the ruling in 2002, citing the state’s failure to define adequacy, low statewide academic rankings and benchmark scores, high college remediation rates, uncompetitive teacher pay, recruiting challenges, and unmet needs among students in poverty, English learners, and districts with either low income or rapidly growing enrollment.

In reaffirming that all students must receive an adequate education on a substantially equal basis, the Court directed the state to define adequacy, evaluate public education statewide, and monitor how revenues are spent to ensure equal opportunity.

Current data highlight ongoing challenges. Under the state’s long-term ESSA plan, 80 percent of students in each federally reported subgroup are expected to score proficient. No subgroup has met that benchmark. No grade level between third and tenth grade has exceeded 39 percent proficiency in reading or science, or 43 percent in math.

Currently, schools receive an average of $15,499 per student from a combination of local, state, federal, and grant sources.

As part of the adequacy process, lawmakers may consider changes across several areas. In funding, they can revise the tool used to determine foundation funding; increase or decrease funding levels; adjust what is funded; alter spending restrictions; or change distribution methods. Policy-related options include modifying staffing levels, adjusting curriculum requirements, changing accountability structures, or expanding district flexibility. Statutory considerations may involve refining the definition of adequacy, revising what must be studied, expanding how statutory duties are carried out, or introducing new data elements and fund codes to support more precise analysis.

The adequacy study will conclude with a final report containing recommendations for the 2027–2029 biennium. Each recommendation must include timelines, implementation steps, responsible agencies, required resources, and draft legislation. The final report is due to the Senate President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House by November 1.

Sometimes, if not more often than not, we should just keep our mouth shut. There are a lot of, let me put this gently, idiots out there. I use that more so for the way people act, talk or, in today's world, text or post.

Don't misunderstand me, I can be an idiot sometimes by the definition google AI gives, 'An idiot is an informal word for a very foolish, silly, or stupid person. It describes someone who lacks good sense or does something clumsy and unwise.' So if you do something that can be define within those parameters, you could join me in that group.

The best way to not expose

yourself to being or acting like and idiot is to plead the fifth– keep you mouth shut. People generally wonder sometimes if you are and idiot so just don't open your mouth and remove any doubt. (I had to get that in there somehow.)

Yep, I will call you and idiot if the need arises but it is always to point out the need for you to keep your mouth shut.

Most people are not stupid but like most people we get caught up in the moment and expose ourselves to unnecessary ridicule and embarrassment. As last week's article discussed the addiction of social media, there is also and addiction to being right all the time and letting people know it. We all like to be right. But we are not right all the time.

There is a time to speak up and there is a time to keep silent. There is a time to defend and time to retreat. It is much more noble to speak up and defend others, especially if they are unable, than to defend yourself.

We live in a free country that gives freedom to the idiots to speak their mind. I live in country where I have the freedom to keep my mouth shut, which is probably what I should have done here.

M

“Liberty without virtue would be no blessing to us,” wrote Dr. Benjamin Rush. Rush was one of the leading scientific and medical minds of the colonies, alongside Ben Franklin. He became a noted politician, social reformer, philosopher, and physician.

Benjamin Rush was both in January 1746 on his parents’ farm in what was then just outside Philadelphia. He was the fourth of seven children, but his father died when he was only five. His mother, overwhelmed with seven children and running a store and a farm, sent him and an older brother to live with his uncle, who ran a school.

He was extremely intelligent and was sent to the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and earned a bachelors degree at age 14 in 1760. Because there were no medical schools in the colonies, he apprenticed under a Philadelphia doctor in order to learn medicine. In 1766, he went to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland to advance his medical studies. He returned to Philadelphia in 1769 and began practicing medicine.

Rush became close friends with fellow Philadelphian and scientist Ben Franklin. Franklin would help pay for Rush’s early medical education and secured him a position as professor of chemistry at the College of Philadelphia, the college co-founded by Franklin that became the University of Pennsylvania. The two would work very closely together on local causes and remained strong allies throughout the American Revolution.

He became a fierce critic of corruption and British abuses of power. “Where there is no law, there is no liberty,” he once wrote. He joined the Sons of Liberty, a group that originated in Boston with Samuel Adams that organized protests against the British. After Ben Franklin convinced Thomas Paine to journey to Philadelphia from England in the years before the American Revolution, Rush soon became friends with him and gave Paine advice on his famous pamphlet Common Sense.

Rush married Julia Stockton in 1776, and they had 13 children together. However, only nine survived to adulthood. One son, Richard Rush, would serve in the cabinets of six presidents.

He also became a delegate to the Second Continental Congress in 1776 as fighting spread between the British and the colonists. He advocated independence and would sign the Declaration of Independence. In 1777, he stepped away from the Continental Congress to spend the next year as surgeon general for the Continental Army.

Rush would serve as a delegate to Pennsylvania’s ratification convention for the new Constitution. In December 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the Constitution, following Delaware.

He joined the staff of Pennsylvania Hospital in 1783. That year, he also founded Dickinson College in nearby Carlisle. He worked to expand what had been a small boarding school into a respected university and named it after John Dickinson, then the governor of Pennsylvania, an early leader of the movement against the British, and author of the Articles of Confederation, the nation’s first constitution.

He became an outspoken defender of education, public schools, and the education of women, declaring, “Freedom can only exist in the society of knowledge. Without learning, men are incapable of knowing their rights.” Rush helped educate an estimated 3,000 medical students.

Rush was a devout Christian, though his religious ideas shifted throughout his life. He co-founded the Pennsylvania Bible Society, and helped Rev. Richard Allen co-found the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first major denomination led by African-Americans.

He remained active with many different causes. He was also an outspoken abolitionist and against the death penalty. He pushed for reforms in the criminal justice system, trying to push Pennsylvania away from corporal punishment and public beatings to a penitentiary system to punish wrongdoers.

In 1791, he became treasurer of the U. S. Mint, serving in that capacity until his death. In 1804, he consulted with Meriwether Lewis as to what medical supplies they would need on the long Lewis and Clark Expedition. After Thomas Jefferson left the White House in 1809, it was Rush who encouraged Jefferson and John Adams to reconcile their friendship that had been strained by years of political fights.

In April 1813, he contracted typhus and died several days later at age 68. After his death, a number of his students moved to the West and established Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1837, named in his honor. Many scholars have praised his efforts to improve the study of psychiatry and medicine, though many of his ideas and techniques had long since been considered outdated. He has sometimes been called the Father of American Psychiatry. The American Psychiatric Association includes an image of him in their organization’s seal. A school in Philadelphia as well as a number of parks and schools have been named for him.

Ashley Walukevich, the Director of White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, opened the meetings and welcomed the members of the Arkansas Senate and House. Director Walukevich encouraged members to utilize staff and engage the White House on any federal agency or White House policies that impact Arkansas. Emily Domench, Executive Director of the Permitting Council, discussed her role in coordinating and fasttracking the permitting process for large scale business and infrastructure projects across multiple federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Department of the Interior. Most recently, Arkansas was able to utilize the “Fast 41” program (Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act) to expedite the lithium bromine extraction project in the Smackover Formation.

Sean Cairncross, National Cyber Director, discussed the need to strengthen our nation’s defense against critical infrastructure cyberattacks through scalable statefederal pilot programs as well as public-private partnerships to enhance innovation and reduce bureaucratic burdens. Director Cairncross also discussed the need for AI data centers and emphasized the importance of their development as a matter of national security, while recognizing that the data centers should also pay their share in the development of power generation necessary to operate.

JC Miller, Senior Policy Advisor, discussed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and recently approved waivers for healthy foods and work requirements for able-bodied working adults aged 18-64.

The conference concluded with remarks from Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. He detailed the extensive coordination among federal, state, and local officials to ensure safety during the World Cup and the nationwide America 250 celebrations. Mullin also discussed how local police forces could partner with and receive funding from federal law enforcement agencies, including funding available through the 287(g) program. Local law enforcement agencies that are interested in participating should contact the Department of Homeland Security.

M

The nation's first presidential election in 1788 produced no surprises. George Washington was elected unanimously. Though not required by the Constitution, Washington chose a board of three advisors, his cabinet, to advise him. To get the nation working on a paying basis, the choice was obvious, his trusted old friend Alexander Hamilton of New York.

In 1789, President George Washington appointed Hamilton, already a successful lawyer, banker, and veteran as the first Secretary of the Treasury. He came in with many bold ideas. However, he soon clashed with the new Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. His plans for the federal government combined with his animated selfconfidence and intelligence bristled against Jefferson and his more reserved but equally intelligent nature.

Hamilton made his first priority to develop a system of revenue to keep the government financially viable. Hamilton hoped his would guarantee the future wealth and economic stability of the nation. His proposals, outlined in three reports to Congress between 1790 and 1791, sparked controversy. He called for consolidating all state debts in the federal government and creating a system of debt management through interest-bearing debt certificates, which concerned citizens who feared having any national debt. He called for creating a privatelyowned bank that would house government funds, the Bank of the United States, which concerned Americans in a time when many banks were unstable and many questioned the morality of charging interest.

Eventually, many of his ideas were adopted, which led to the creation of U. S. Savings Bonds. He convinced Congress to establish the U. S. Mint in 1791. Hamilton wanted a nation that was economically self-sufficient and foresaw an urbanized and technological future for the nation. Contrarily, Jefferson foresaw America as a nation of farmers who worked for themselves rather than investors. To help gain support for his ideas, Jefferson and Hamilton made another agreement that changed the nation – they agreed that the nation’s capital would move from New York City to a new, centralized city on the Potomac River, which became Washington, DC.

His disputes with Jefferson led to the creation of the first political parties in the U. S. Hamilton resigned from the treasury in 1794. In the 1796 election, he disagreed sharply with both presidential candidates Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. He attempted to interfere with Adams’s candidacy, leading to Adams winning narrowly and Jefferson becoming vicepresident. Adams, unhappy with Hamilton, locked him out of the government. Hamilton’s standing took a hit with revelations of an extramarital affair.

Still determined to have a voice in the political debates, in 1801, Hamilton and a number of other prominent opponents of Jefferson met to discuss founding a newspaper. The meeting took place at the home of Scottish immigrant and businessman Archibald Gracie, whose home, Gracie Mansion, is now the official residence of New York City mayors. The paper, The New-York Evening Post, has been printed for more than 200 years and is today The New York Post.

In 1804, Aaron Burr ran for governor of New York. He lost by a wide margin. Hamilton, who had long been a political rival and had seen Burr replace his father-in-law Philip Schuyler in the Senate, had written a number of pamphlets questioning Burr’s suitability for office. Burr was enraged by Hamilton’s remarks, blamed him for his defeat, and challenged him to a duel.

Since dueling, then a serious social problem, was already illegal in New York, the two rivals took their fight across the Hudson River into New Jersey. It was nearly the same spot where Hamilton’s eldest son died at age 19 in a duel in 1801, again over disputes over his father’s politics. Who fired first is still in dispute, and both families still allege the other came with dishonorable intentions. Nevertheless, in the early morning hours of a July day, the Vice-President of the United States and the former Secretary of the Treasury faced off in a fight to the death. They faced off with the standard single-shot .54 caliber pistols. Hamilton’s shot went over Burr’s head and into the trees, while Burr’s shot slammed Hamilton square in the abdomen. Hamilton was brought back to his home where he died the next day, not even 50 years old.

Burr found his career over and reputation in disgrace, but he never stood trial for the death of Hamilton. Hamilton’s wife Elizabeth would outlive him by 50 years, dying at age 97 in 1854. She raised their remaining children and became active in many charity works, including raising money to build the Washington Monument and co-founded the New York Orphan Asylum Society, caring for hundreds of children.

Hamilton himself was honored with schools, counties, and streets named for him. In 1929, his face was put on the $10 bill. His reputation underwent a renewal with the premiere of the popular Broadway musical Hamilton in 2015, much to the appreciation of his descendants. Perhaps his most significant legacy was the framework for the federal government finance system still in use today, and his words from The Federalist are still quoted in debates over constitutional law.

The first draft for our government’s framework, the Articles of Confederation, proved unsuccessful – as most first drafts usually are – because too much power was placed into the hands of the states.

Our Founding Fathers were reeling from the tyrannical rule of a powerful unitary government in which all power resided in a single, centralized national authority. So, their goal was to create a form of government in which no single group or individual could gain too much power or control over the people.

Seeking to discover how the power of the federal government could be better balanced while still keeping the same idea of states’ rights, the Founders met once again, in Philadelphia in 1787, to draft what we now know as the Constitution. While the word itself isn’t explicitly used, the concept of federalism is woven throughout the language of the document.

It’s been 238 years since the Constitution was ratified, and the United States has successfully functioned under this idea of federalism ever since, setting an example for similar systems of government across the globe.

Serving my own time in the Arkansas State Legislature, I have been privileged to gain a deep understanding of how the state and federal government work separately but also hand-in-hand.

Now serving in Washington, it remains a high priority to work closely with and hear directly from officials on the state and local levels. Earlier this month, I was pleased to welcome several members of our State Legislature to Washington, D.C., where we met to discuss several important issues impacting Arkansans.

These men and women in the State Legislature understand the direct needs of the folks they serve. That’s why I see it as such an important part of my job here in Congress – on the federal level – to work directly with these senators and representatives on the state level so that we can push Arkansas-specific agendas across the finish line here in Washington.

It’s a great privilege to get to serve here in Congress and be a part of this incredible system our Founding Fathers created. It’s a form of government that started as an experiment but has since proved to be the very best in the world. We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, which is why it will remain an honor and responsibility that I do not ever take lightly to represent the people of the Fourth District in the halls of Congress.