This week, I personally addressed caucus members from the 4th Congressional District at the Arkansas Economic Developers Association Annual Conference in Little Rock and led a dialogue on how my congressional office can be best utilized for economic development in the region.  I was also pleased to be joined at the conference by my district director and director of economic development, Chris Masingill, who has recently been named to the board of directors for the Arkansas Economic Developers Association.  Together, we hope to be an avenue for partnership with state and local officials, as well as private organizations, to advance economic prosperity for all of south Arkansas.

Later this week, I returned to the conference to participate in a legislative panel discussion, where I was joined by Senators Tim Hutchinson and Blanche Lincoln and Congressman Marion Berry.  At the conference, I stressed to the Economic Developers that I am here to be an advocate for information and resources above and beyond the annual appropriations process.  

I am committed to doing all I can as your United States Congressman to see that we stop the loss of population and jobs in the Fourth District.  In order to do so, I believe we must invest in better infrastructure, look to attract new industries to our area, and ensure that our young people get the very best education possible.  I will continue to fight in Washington and at home to see that we accomplish that.