In the News

The U.S. House of Representatives last week honored Arkansas political giant Dale Bumpers, whose memorial service is today in Little Rock.

Two Arkansas lawmakers gave speeches eulogizing the former governor and U.S. senator, considered one of the state's most famous stump speakers and storytellers. Bumpers, 90, died on New Year's Day.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. French Hill, a Republican from Little Rock, read a short tribute to Bumpers, who was a Democrat. As he spoke, Reps. Steve Womack of Rogers and Rick Crawford of Jonesboro, both also Republicans, stood quietly and somberly beside him, with their hands clasped in front of them.

The Arkansas delegation, Hill said, had risen "to pay tribute to a dedicated public servant, an exceptional orator and a distinguished son of Arkansas...."