I am writing you as a member and former chairman of the Arkansas History Commission and as a citizen of Arkansas who believes, like you, that preservation of our history is a key to freedom in a republic. Unfortunately, there are those who do not appreciate the importance of Arkansas History. 29 members of the House of Representatives at the State Capital have either voted against, or failed to vote for, an appropriation to operate the Arkansas History Commission after July 1, 2011. Failure to fund the History Commission will shut down the ability of Arkansas residents to do genealogical research on their family history, eliminate access to county records, back editions of Arkansas newspaper in the State, civil war records, and many other resources which were used by 14,000 Arkansas residents last year. Imagine Arkansas being the only state in the union during the Civil War sesquicentennial that will not have public access to civil war veteran's records. As soon as you receive this e-mail and certainly over this coming weekend, March 5 and 6, I urge you to contact the 29 members of the House of Representatives listed below and urge them to preserve Arkansas history and fund the Arkansas History Commission. For your information, there is a modest increase in the appropriation for the sole purpose of paying increased rent and a cost of living index to the historians working for the Commission.
PLEASE DO NOT DELAY MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS THIS WEEKEND. If you are unsuccessful in reaching your representative, then call them at the State Capital Monday morning: the number is 501-682-6211. As you are aware, the Arkansas History Commission houses the original Arkansas Constitutions, the original Arkansas Traveler painting, and thousands of other rare documents. We will be the laughing stock of the nation if our History Commission is shut down July 1st. Please act immediately.
Representative Duncan Baird (R) P. O. Box 185, Lowell, 72745
Phone
479-439-1717
Email
Duncan.Baird@arkansashouse.org
Representative Nate Bell (R) P. O. Box 2103, Mena, 71953
Phone
479-394-5665
Email
nate@natebell4arkansas.com
Representative Lori Benedict (R) P. O. Box 22, Sturkie, 72578
Phone
870-481-5966
Email
sunrisecattleco@centurytel.net
Representative Mark Biviano (R) 118 Emerald Lake Drive, Searcy, 72143
Phone
501-230-5751
Email
mkbiv@cablelynx.com
Representative John Burris (R) 923 West Prospect Avenue, Harrison, 72601
Phone
870-688-6181
Email
burrisforstaterep@gmail.com
Representative Charlie Collins (R) 3225 East Piper Glen, Fayetteville, 72703
Phone
479-283-9303
Email
clcollins6@cox.net
Representative Jane English (R) 35 Forest Glade Circle, North Little Rock, 72120
Phone
501-257-7670
Email
jane.english@arkansashouse.org
Representative Jon S. Eubanks (R) 2543 Greasy Valley Road, Paris, 72855
Phone
479-438-0533
Email
Jon.Eubanks@arkansashouse.org
Representative Jeremy Gillam (R) 1825 Missle Base Road, Judsonia, 72081
Phone
501-729-0042
Email
jeremy@growing49.com
Representative Kim Hammer (R) 1411 Edgehill, Benton, 72015
Phone
501-840-3841
Email
kimdhammer@yahoo.com
Representative Justin T. Harris (R) P. O.Box 880, West Fork, 72774
Phone
479-871-8542
Email
Justin.Harris@arkansashouse.org
Representative Debra M. Hobbs (R) 3901 Arnold Avenue, Rogers, 72758
Phone
479-636-3982
Email
debra.hobbs@arkansashouse.org
Representative Karen S. Hopper (R) P. O. Box 864, Mountain Home, 72654
Phone
870-431-8934
Email
karen.hopper@arkansashouse.org
Representative Loy Mauch (R) 593 Fendley Road, Bismarck, 71929
Phone
501-865-3132
Email
loy.mauch@arkansashouse.org
Representative David Meeks (R) 2625 Donaghey Ave,#108, PMB301, Conway, 72032
Phone
501-277-9340
Email
David.Meeks@arkansashouse.org
Representative Stephen Meeks (R) 552 Highway 225 E, Greenbrier, 72058
Phone
501-205-3272
Email
Stephen.Meeks@arkansashouse.org
Representative David J. Sanders (R) P. O. Box 25847, Little Rock, 72221
Phone
501-227-7077
Email
davidjamessanders@gmail.com
Representative Gary Stubblefield (R) 2542 Skeets Road, Branch, 72928
Phone
479-635-4314
Email
gary.stubblefield@arkansashouse.org
Representative Bruce Westerman (R) P. O. Box 1399, Hot Springs, 71902
Phone
501-321-2276
Email
bwforarkansas@hughes.net
NON-VOTING
Representative Denny Altes (R) 8600 Moody Road, Fort Smith, 72903
Phone
479-646-8981
Email
aaltes@aol.com
Representative Ann V. Clemmer (R) 7415 Camille Drive, Benton, 72019
Phone
501-316-0364
Email
avclemmer@sbcglobal.net
Representative Jon Hubbard (R) 2104 White Lane, Jonesboro, 72404
Phone
870-919-4507
Email
hubbard_jon@yahoo.com
Representative Donna Hutchinson (R) 24 Rillington Drive, Bella Vista, 72714
Phone
479-283-2165
Email
donna.hutchinson@arkansashouse.org
Representative Lane Jean (R) 1105 Lawton Circle, Magnolia, 71753
Phone
870-234-5433
Email
l_jean@sbcglobal.net
Representative Josh Johnston (R) 970 Lone Star Road, Rose Bud, 72137
Phone
501-556-1951
Email
josh.johnston@arkansashouse.org
Representative Allen Kerr (R) 1429 Merrill Drive, Little Rock, 72211
Phone
501-225-3170
Email
allen.kerr@arkansashouse.org
Representative Bryan B. King (R) 871 County Road 814, Green Forest, 72638
Phone
870-438-4565
Email
bryan.king@arkansashouse.org
Representative Andrea Lea (R) P. O. Box 1342, Russellville, 72811
Phone
479-967-4922
Email
andrea.lea@arkansashouse.org
Representative Henry "Hank" Wilkins, IV (D) 717 West 2nd Avenue, Pine Bluff, 71601
Phone
870-536-6366
Email
hank.wilkins@arkansashouse.org
6525 Magnolia Dr.
Mabelvale, AR 72103
501-888-6981
gobgob3@mindspring.com