Arkansas' top youth volunteers of 2012 were Joseph McCollum, 16, of McGehee and Alexandria Hunter, 14, of Arkadelphia. Joseph was honored for playing a pivotal role in expanding a Boys and Girls Club meal program that feeds children from poor families in his county. Alexandria was recognized for packaging party supplies into “birthday bags” and distributing them to food pantries and a women and children’s shelter so that families with little or no money can still celebrate birthdays. They both received $1000 and a free trip to DC where they were honored for their commitment to service.

Applicants for 2013 awards must complete their online application by November 6, 2012. Students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service within the past 12 months.

- Col. (Ret.) David A. Lively of Hope

and Col. (Ret.) Roy “Doug” House of Cato (a former member of my staff!) on being inducted into the Arkansas Military Academy's Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame on Saturday!

mericans have seen the national debt rise by more than $5 trillion. President Obama ignored the recommendations of his own Debt Commission and repeatedly pushed for budgets that would make our debt crisis even worse. And while the House has passed a responsible plan that restores spending discipline under Chairman Paul Ryan’s leadership, the Senate remains AWOL – having failed to pass a budget in over 1,200 days. Today’s bleak milestone provides 16,000,000,000,000 reminders that President Obama and his friends in the Senate have no plan to address our national debt.