Arkansas House committee approves slate of honorary resolutions recognizing residents, organizations and local projects

An Arkansas House committee approved a slate of ceremonial resolutions Thursday honoring individuals, schools, fraternities, community projects and local economic-development efforts.

The committee adopted about a dozen resolutions by voice vote, with presenters moving each measure for passage and no recorded opposition. Resolutions approved included honors for a pediatric cancer patient who has met with state leaders, recognition of Down Syndrome Day outreach groups, and awards for school and community sports teams and civic organizations.

The measures were largely ceremonial and celebratory, intended to recognize achievements or encourage community events rather than create new policy or allocate funds. Representative Keith Brooks, who presented House Resolution 10 79 honoring “DJ Daniel,” said DJ "was given the honor of being an honorary Secret Service agent by President Trump in the State of the Union address" and noted the child had been diagnosed with brain cancer in February 2018 and later honored at the State Capitol. Representative Brooks asked the committee for a favorable vote.

Other presenters described local initiatives and organizations. Representative Bridal Evans said House Resolution 10 80 honors the city of Cabot for broadband and tourism efforts, noting the city used a $20,000,000 bond to become one of the state’s early multi-gigabit cities by partnering with an internet service provider called Connector First and later opening a 28,000‑square‑foot sports facility known as Game Time at the Grounds. "It was a $20,000,000 bond project," Evans said, and the facility includes nine full-size basketball courts, 17 volleyball courts, 27 pickleball courts and indoor turf fields.

Representative Mindy McAlinden presented a resolution recognizing Down Syndrome Day and described local support services in northwest Arkansas, including a chapter that serves nearly 200 families and coordinates events and a hospital partnership to provide resources for new parents. Several resolutions honored school teams and coaches, local volunteer literacy efforts described as the Conway Qantas bookcase project, and long-serving public officials including a juvenile judge retiring after 34 years.

Votes at a glance: The committee passed the following resolutions by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

- House Resolution 10 79 — Honor DJ Daniel; presented by Representative Keith Brooks; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 70 — Recognize Down Syndrome Day and related services; presented by Representative Mindy McAlinden; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 73 — Support for the Arkansas 250 commission and bicentennial-related activities; presented by Speaker Evans; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 80 — Honor city of Cabot for broadband and tourism initiatives (Cabot multi‑gig bond project; Game Time at the Grounds); presented by Representative Bridal Evans; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 72 — Honor Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated; presented by Representative Jesse McGruder; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 77 — Honor Rogers wrestling champions; presented by Representative John Carr; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 74 — Honor Conway Qantas bookcase literacy project (20 years, 1,000th bookcase); presented by Representative Mary Bentley; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 81 — Honor sculptor Kevin Cressy for the Johnny Cash statue and other work; presented by Representative Tippi McCullough; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 82 — Recognize Mount St. Mary Academy golf team (amended to correct chronology); presented by Representative Tippi McCullough; outcome: passed as amended. - House Resolution 10 83 — Recognize Catholic High School for Boys (Rockets) golf team; presented by Representative Tippi McCullough; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 76 — Honor Judge Stacy Zimmerman on retirement after 34 years as juvenile judge for Washington and Madison counties; presented by Representative Kendra Moore; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 71 — Designate March 2025 as American Red Cross Month; presented by Representative Joey Carr; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 75 — Designate March 12, 2025, as Stars of Life Day to recognize EMS professionals; presented by Representative Joey Carr on behalf of Representative Schultz; outcome: passed. - House Resolution 10 78 — Honor Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for 118 years of service; presented by Representative Jay Richardson; outcome: passed.

Most presenters offered brief remarks describing the honorees or local programs; there was little committee discussion and no recorded amendments except for House Resolution 10 82, which was amended on a point of chronology before passage. No financial appropriations, policy changes or referrals were proposed during the items listed here.

The meeting concluded after the committee adopted the final resolutions.