Not seeking Re-Election

Since 1997, the people of the First Congressional District of Arkansas have entrusted me to serve them in Washington. It has been an honor I have never taken for granted and for their support I will be eternally grateful. After much prayer and consideration, I have decided it is time for me to return home to Arkansas. The people deserve a representative who has the ability to rise to the numerous challenges that face our state and our nation. As a lifelong farmer, time has taken its toll on my health and I am no longer able to serve the district with the vitality I once possessed. Therefore, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2010. I am at perfect peace with this decision and look forward to returning to the farm and my home state of Arkansas.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2010

Today, I am proud to join with all Americans as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He called on Americans to fulfill our nation's promise of Democracy while inspiring our nation's most profound movements by uniting people from all walks of life. On this day we remember and honor his struggles, his accomplishments and his life.

Dr. King faced resistance, encountered threats and ultimately gave his life for the civil rights cause. By challenging our nation to live up to the ideals bestowed to us by the founding fathers, Dr. King instilled a new generation with hope that the American dream is available to all, and not limited by the color of your skin.

While we have made significant strides marching towards the Promised Land that Dr. King spoke of, social injustices he fought against still exist. In honor of his birthday, let us all recognize the full depth of Dr. King's vision and recommit ourselves to establishing equality for all Americans. His legacy remains an inspiration to our nation and we must continue to honor his dream by working to dispel intolerance and social disparities wherever they arise. Although a shadow fell on our nation with Dr. King's untimely departure, his work, his dream and his legacy continue to serve as an example for us all.

Earthquake in Haiti

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti as they struggle to recover from Tuesday’s earthquake. We especially pray for families who are still waiting to hear from loved ones and for the continued successful rescue efforts of survivors. The rebuilding may be tireless and long, but the United States will do all we can to help the people of Haiti move forward from this tragedy to rebuild their communities and their lives.

Anyone seeking information about U.S. citizens in Haiti can e-mail the State Department at Haiti-Earthquake@state.gov

If you are interested in providing assistance or expertise in Haiti, you can contact the Center for International Disaster Information for details. The Center, operated under a grant from the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, has established a dedicated page to coordinate Haiti support at: http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/