July 31, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 130 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
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ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 130
(Senate - July 31, 2019)
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[Pages S5244-S5246] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ RECOGNIZING THE 2019 ARKANSAS WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME INDUCTEESMr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductees and celebrate their contributions to our State and our country. Founded in 2014, the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame honors women whose contributions have influenced the direction of Arkansas in their community or the State as a whole. The [[Page S5245]] AWHOF recognizes women, contemporary or historical, who have achieved prominence within the State. By providing a place for women in the State to be admired, the AWHOF inspires future generations of young Arkansas women to achieve great things. Alice Andrews is a conservationist and a leading voice for environmental protection in Arkansas. As a farmer's daughter, Alice developed an interest in the environment and protecting land and water resources. Alice's conservation efforts began with advocacy work for the Buffalo River designation in 1972, which protects the river from industrial uses that may change its natural character or surrounding habitat. She has continued her efforts by serving on the Arkansas Trails Council, being appointed to the Arkansas Scenic Rivers Commission and serving as president of the Ozark Society. Alice has also been credited with helping preserve the landscape where iconic landmarks including the Big Dam Bridge, Two Rivers Bridge, and the River Trail, can be found. Her continued support and consultation with nonprofits, governments, and local churches have made Arkansas a better place for many generations to live, work and play. Olivia Myers Farrell is among Arkansas's most influential women in media. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock before starting her career as part of the advertising department at the Arkansas Writers Project at the Arkansas Times. She then cofounded Arkansas Business and Southern magazine in the years following. Olivia has been honored as a Young Achiever by the National Council of Women of the United States--one of only six women selected in 1984 and the first Arkansas woman to receive the honor. She then became the CEO and principal owner of the Arkansas Business Publishing Group, which has received numerous awards for outstanding journalism by its publications, including Arkansas Business, Little Rock Family, and Little Rock Soiree. In 1998, she cofounded the Arkansas Women's Foundation to improve the educational status and skills of Arkansas women and girls in STEM fields, promote philanthropy by and for women, and enhance the economic viability of emerging leaders in Arkansas. Her efforts in the community earned her the Distinguished Citizen Award given by former Governor Mike Beebe in 2012. Jo Luck attended Hendrix College before graduating from David Lipscomb College with a degree in education in 1963. Jo went on to earn a master's degree from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and served as the assistant director in the Governor's Office of Volunteer Services before becoming the first director of the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Under Governor Bill Clinton, she became the executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Under Jo's guidance, the economic impact of Arkansas' tourism industry more than doubled. In 1992, she became president and CEO of Little Rock-based Heifer International--a global nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger and poverty--where she served until 2010. Under her leadership, the organization's state-of-the-art, LEED-certified headquarters was designed and built. In 2011, Jo was appointed by Barack Obama to serve on the U.S. Agency for International Development's Board for International Food and Agricultural Development. She has worked throughout her career to improve food availability around the globe and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Charlotte Tillar Schexnayder was born in Tillar, AR, in 1923. When she was 16 years old, she enrolled in the University of Arkansas at Monticello while also freelance writing for the McGehee Times. She went on to become editor of the McGehee Times in October 1944. She and her husband Melvin worked at the newspaper for 6 years before purchasing the Dumas Clarion, which they owned for more than four decades. Although the paper was largely known for local news, Charlotte took an editorial stand on many issues, including the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock along with economic and development issues in Dumas, AR. Along with being a critical voice in local media, Charlotte was a board member of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce and served as the first female president of the organization. In 1975, Governor David Pryor appointed Charlotte to the Arkansas Board of Pardons and Parole, making her the first female to serve on the group's board. Charlotte went on to become president of many journalism organizations, including Arkansas Press Women, the Little Rock chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Federation of Press Women, the Arkansas Press Association, and the National Newspaper Association. In 1984, she was elected to the State house of representatives where she served until 1999. While in office, she was the lead sponsor for several bills, including the expansion of the Freedom of Information Act, a bill creating the Arkansas Ethics Commission, and the creation of a sales tax for a research center and endowed chair at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in alcohol abuse prevention. Charlotte's consistent efforts to improve her community and State are both courageous and groundbreaking. Carolyn Witherspoon graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1974 and continued her education at the UALR School of Law, where she graduated with honors in 1978. Throughout her legal career, Carolyn has advocated for promoting a healthy work-life balance and supported and founded organizations that serve women. She served as the commissioner of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission from 1978 until 1981, when she became the president of the Arkansas Association of Women's Lawyers. Her law practice has centered on representing private and public employees in defending employment-related matters, including title VII litigation. Her practice has led her to serve as president of the Pulaski County Bar Association and the Arkansas Bar Association, where she became the first woman to hold that position. As one of the top lawyers from Arkansas, she has been honored to serve on the Union Internationale des Advocats. Carolyn has also earned recognition from the American Psychological Association, the Society for Human Resources Management, and the State of Arkansas. Her firm has been honored with the WE WORKs Award three times for incorporating flexibility in workplace practices. Under her direction, Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon, and Galchus is the only firm in the State of Arkansas with 50 percent ownership by female attorneys. Her community involvement includes serving on the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault and as former president of the Women's Foundation of Arkansas, as well as providing legal services to low-income people through a program known as VOCALS. We can be proud of Carolyn's contributions to the legal community in our State, country, and internationally. Diane Frances Divers Kincaid Blair was born in Washington, DC in 1938. She graduated cum laude from Cornell University's Department of Government in 1959. When she returned to Washington, she served as an analyst for the President's Committee on Government Contracts, a research assistant with the Senate Special Committee on Unemployment, and legislative secretary and speechwriter for former U.S. Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri. After marrying Arkansan Hugh Kincaid, she moved to Fayetteville in 1963. Diane completed her master's degree through the Department of Political Science at the University of Arkansas in 1967. The following year, Kincaid became a part-time lecturer in political science at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and in 1979 became an assistant professor of political science. In 1971, Governor Dale Bumpers appointed Diane to chair the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women. In 1976, Governor David Pryor selected her to chair a commission on public employee rights. In 1980, she was appointed to the commission for the Arkansas Educational Television Networks, where she served until 1993. She also served as an advisor for the Clinton-Gore campaign in 1992 and 4 years later worked on the President's reelection campaign. President Clinton appointed Diane to the board of directors of the U.S. Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which she later chaired. Diane authored two books, including ``Arkansas Politics and Government: Do the People Rule?'' which is used by many Arkansas colleges and [[Page S5246]] universities as part of their curriculums. Blair passed away in 2000 of lung cancer, but left behind a legacy of service and dedication to the State of Arkansas. Louise McPhetridge Thaden was born in Bentonville on a small family farm and became interested in aviation at an early age. She attended the University of Arkansas, but never graduated. Instead, she continued to pursue her love of flying, taking her skills to Kansas and eventually California and working various jobs until she eventually earned her pilot's license. She became the only female pilot to simultaneously hold the women's record for speed, altitude, and solo endurance, beating out Amelia Earhart and other pilots at the National Women's Air Derby in 1929. Together Earhart and Thaden formed the Ninety-Nines, an advocacy group for women pilots. Additionally, Louise opened a flight school for women at the Penn School of Aviation and raised the scholarship money for its first 12 students. In 1932, she set a refueling endurance record of 196 hours in the air over Long Island. In 1936, Louise became the first woman to win the Bendix Transcontinental Air Race from New York to Los Angeles. She was the 1937 recipient of the Harmon Trophy, which is the highest honor given to a female pilot. Her achievements have been honored in numerous ways, including by the community of Bentonville, where its airport now bears her name, as well as by former Governor David Pryor's declaration of August 22 as ``Louise M. Thaden Day.'' She was posthumously inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame in 1999. Louise's pioneering and competitive spirit will continue to inspire future generations of pilots and women for many years to come. The final inductee, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Beta Pi Omega Chapter, was chartered in Little Rock in 1937. It is the oldest graduate chapter in the State of Arkansas. The chapter's 265 members regularly complete service projects and host health fairs, workshops, education programs, voter drive, and fundraisers. The group's members use their education, skill, and expertise to make an impact in the community. Beta Pi Omega has sponsored the chartering of two new Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters in the State, Gamma Alpha Chapter at Philander Smith College and Epsilon Phi Chapter at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Through the years, over 500 High School seniors and college students have received scholarships or other assistance from Beta Pi Omega. The chapter has been recognized for its programs and partnerships with the Little Rock School District, American Heart Association, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Lions Club International. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Beta Pi Omega chapter has demonstrated a true commitment to improving Arkansas for future generations of citizens in all corners of the State. Congratulations to the 2019 Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame inductees. We are grateful for their contributions to our State and the work they have done to inspire all Arkansans to achieve great things and help their neighbors and fellow citizens through their efforts to uplift and improve their communities. ____________________
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