Speaker of the House: ‘Sacrifice over self’ should be guiding principle

Officially installed as the Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Rep. Brian Evans, R-Cabot, told his fellow lawmakers that “sacrifice over self” should be at the root of decision-making in the 95th General Assembly, which opened at noon Monday (Jan. 13) at the state capitol.

“Sacrifice over self. That is something that I trust that you are committed to doing,” he said during his acceptance speech after being unanimously chosen to lead the 100-member House.

Evans cited two small moments in his life that led to his running for public office and ascension as leader of the House chamber. In 1983, he served as a page in the Arkansas House and two years later, he served as a delegate to Boys State.

“Boys State was a week spent learning about servitude, statesmanship, civic duty, and accountability. It gave me an opportunity to see close and upfront how government worked from the local to the state level,” said Evans.

The House Speaker did not mention any specific issues that are likely to be debated in General Assembly, such as education, health care or public safety. His speech centered on broader themes of public service.

Evans cited a passage from the Bible, Mark 14: 3-9, which tells the story of an anonymous woman who poured an ointment on to Jesus and was criticized by religious leaders. For Evans, the story highlights the unnamed sacrifice that servants perform for others without regard for recognition.

“I ask you to join me in a commitment of free will sacrifice, selfless sacrifice of service, a service where we won’t be seeking a headline, a service where we praise those who make a sacrifice on our behalf,” he said. “Sometime in history, whenever years are to come, someone else will be standing in this chamber and they will reflect upon our time here and our service to our constituents in the great state of Arkansas. And it will be a service as a memorial, not to us, but as to each of those that we serve.”

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
One of the main functions on Day One of the Arkansas legislature is the naming of assistants and chairs for the House committees. House rules allow for the Speaker to name chairs and vice-chairs.

Evans named Rep. Carlton Wing, R-North Little Rock, as Speaker Pro Tempore. He named four assistant speakers pro tempore: Rep. Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro; Rep. Fred Allen, D-Little Rock; Rep. Kendra Moore, R-Lincoln; and Rep. Les Warren, R-Hot Springs.

Speaker Evans made the following committee chair and vice-chair announcements:

Education – Rep. Keith Brooks, R-Little Rock, chair; Rep. Brit McKenzie, R-Rogers, vice-chair
Judiciary – Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana, chair; Rep. Kendon Underwood, R-Cave Springs, vice-chair
Public Health, Welfare & Labor – Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage, chair; Jeremy Wooldridge, R-Marmaduke, vice-chair
Revenue & Tax – Rep. Fran Cavanaugh, R-Walnut Ridge, chair; Rep. David Ray, R-Maumelle, vice-chair.
Public Transportation – Rep. Mike Holcomb, R-Pine Bluff, chair; Rep. Jon Milligan, R-Lake City, vice-chair
Aging Children & Youth – Rep. Sonia Barker, R-Smackover, chair; Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, vice-chair
Agriculture, Forestry, & Economic Development – Rep. Roger Lynch, R-Lonoke, chair; Rep. Jeremiah Moore, R-Clarendon, vice-chair
City, County & Local Affairs – Rep. Justin Gonzalez, R-Okolona, chair; Rep. Bart Schulz, R-Cave Springs, vice-chair
Insurance & Commerce – Rep. John Maddox, R-Mena, chair; Trey Steimel, R-Pocahontas, vice-chair
State Agencies & Governmental Affairs – Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, chair; Rep. Rick Beck, R-Center Ridge, vice Chair
Rules – Rep. Jon Eubanks, R-Paris, chair; Rep. Shad Pearce, R-Batesville, vice-chair
Management – Rep. Deann Vaught, R-Horatio, chair; Rep. Steven Walker, R-Horseshoe Bend, vice-chair
Joint Energy – Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, chair; Rep. Zach Gramlich, R-Fort Smith, vice-chair
Joint Public Retirement & Social Security – Rep. Les Warren, R-Hot Springs, chair; Rep. Kendra Moore, R-Lincoln, vice-chair
Joint Advanced Communications & Information Technologies – Rep. Stephen Meeks, R-Greenbrier, chair; Rep. Austin McCollum, R-Bentonville, vice-chair
Joint Performance Review – Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, chair; Rep. Tony Furman, R-Benton, vice chair
Joint Budget – Rep. Lane Jean, R-Magnolia, chair; Rep. Lee Johnson, R-Greenwood, vice-chair
Joint Audit – Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs, chair; Rep. R.J. Hawk, R-Bryant, vice-chair
Arkansas Legislative Council – Rep. Les Eaves, R-Searcy, chair; Rep. Jack Ladyman, R-Jonesboro, vice-chair