Arkansas’ lawmakers’ guests varied for State of the Union
WASHINGTON — A sitting governor, Miss America and one congressman’s former teacher are among the guests set to attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address this evening.
Members of Congress may invite one guest to watch the president deliver the address in the House of Representatives chamber. The president and top congressional leaders can bring multiple guests.
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., will bring Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy. According to Boozman’s office, Alaska’s senators — Republicans Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan — introduced Boozman to Dunleavy last August when the senator was in Alaska as part of his farm bill listening tour.
When Boozman, of Rogers, learned Dunleavy would be in Washington during the week of the State of the Union, the senator extended an invitation for Thursday’s address.
“I’ll join Senator John Boozman of Arkansas at the State of the Union address on Thursday,” Dunleavy said on social media. “I’m honored to be his guest and eager to collaborate on critical issues like agriculture and food security. Looking forward to the discussions ahead!”
Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., of Little Rock, invited Teresa Belew, board chairman of Speak Up About Drugs, an organization raising awareness about overdoses and drug misuse. Belew additionally serves as a member of the Arkansas Alcohol and Drug Abuse Coordinating Council, which oversees spending related to addressing risky alcohol and drug use.
Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., will bring Miss America Madison Marsh. The Fort Smith native was crowned Miss America in January. A second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Marsh is the first active-duty service member to be crowned Miss America.
Marsh visited Capitol Hill in February in her capacity as Miss America. She used her trip, in part, to speak to lawmakers about the importance of funding pancreatic cancer research.
“Her remarkable strength and story are an inspiration for all. I had the honor of nominating her to the Air Force Academy as a senior at Southside High School, and I have the honor now to bring her as Miss America to this year’s State of the Union Address,” Womack, of Rogers, said in a news release.
Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., will attend the State of the Union with Albert McCoin, the congressman’s former agriculture teacher.
Westerman, of Hot Springs, announced the selection on Feb. 23 while celebrating National FFA Week, an annual affair recognizing the youth agriculture organization. Westerman was part of the Fountain Lake High School chapter and later served as Arkansas FFA state president.
“The investments that Mr. McCoin made in my life as an FFA member played a large role in shaping me into the man I am today,” Westerman said.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., of Little Rock, and Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., of Jonesboro, have opted not to bring guests.
Biden will begin his speech around 8 p.m. Central time. Most major networks and news stations will provide coverage of the speech, as will the White House’s YouTube and social media channels.