$1 Million for Saline County Airport

The Saline County Airport in Benton is set to receive $1 million in federal aid through the Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for FY05 that passed the House this week.

The funding included in the bill, which must still pass the U.S. Senate, will be used to purchase and install an instrument landing system.

Working with the folks in Saline County over the past several years to build this airport has been a very rewarding process. The new airport will mean increased safety and efficiency for the flying public in Saline County and all of Central Arkansas. Funding to purchase and install an instrument landing system will help.

Upon completion, which is expected in the fall of 2005, the Saline County Airport will have a 5,000 foot runway and full parallel taxiway, apron, tie-down space for 30 aircraft, fueling facilities, and a 4,000 square foot terminal. The project has received $15,197,415 in federal funds to date. 1,200 acres of donated land outside of Bryant was used for the county's local match.

Little Rock-based Heifer International will receive the 2004 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world's largest humanitarian award, worth $1 million. When I first read about the Hilton Humanitarian Prize, I knew that Heifer was a worthy applicant and that the rest of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation would be happy to join me in their nomination.

Heifer International has been alleviating hunger and human suffering throughout the United States and the world for over 60 years. I am so happy that their very significant humanitarian efforts have been recognized through the prestigious Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. The considerable award will go a long way to help Heifer International continue to 'Pass on the Gift.' When I was a little boy, I remember we saved pennies for a Heifer project to buy ducks. Time produces new projects and methods, but the goals are the same: to help people.

Also present at the announcement, accompanied by a water buffalo, was Armine (Mint) Chermue, a member of the Akha tribal group in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Years ago, Mint's desperately poor family received a water buffalo from Heifer which helped her family raise the money to send Mint and her brother and sister to school. Although most tribal families cannot afford school fees for their children, Mint now has an education degree from Chiang Mai University.

Heifer emphasizes long-term results rather than temporary aid. Today, in 38 U.S. states and 50 countries Heifer is providing more than 30 types of animals--from goats and guinea pigs to bees and elephants--along with training in environmentally sound agricultural practices and other resources to assure that Heifer's original gift of self-reliance will be passed on from generation to generation. A central feature of Heifer's approach, "Passing on the Gift," requires every family who receives Heifer animals to give female offspring to another family in need. That family then does the same, multiplying the impact of Heifer's programs until entire communities become self-sustaining. For more information, visit http://www.heifer.org/

Reverend Betsy Singleton of Little Rock, who is married to Congressman Snyder, served as Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. Reverend Singleton, pastor of Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church in Little Rock, opened the House Session with prayer.

Following is text of Reverend Singleton's prayer:
God,
This time of year
In this particular year
When hometown fairs are judging jams,
And bannered booths tout candidates with free bumper stickers,
We hold our opinions fervently,
Our convictions with less compromise,
Each vote with care.

We confess that we are a people of preferences,
Each as unique as squares on a blue ribbon quilt
Stitched together by someone who favored
Cotton print over synthetics.

Daily, God, there are choices in this democracy
That lead us to debate, delay, exhaustion,
Hope --
And then, together,
We speak for the people
Who send us to represent them,
The ones who, last weekend,
Got together in that small American town we call "Home" --
The fireman, the teacher, the homemaker,
The beauty queen, the clown, the cowboy --
And held the annual parade down Main Street
Because out of many,
They believe we really are one.
Today, God, may we be one.
Amen.

Rev. Betsy Singleton, who is married to Congressman Snyder, gave the opening prayer at the House of Representatives Thursday.