Via The Town Crier

The first Faith and Freedom Fest was held from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at the Wayne “Biscuits” Short Field in Lake City.

The event was sponsored by the Lake City Christian Churches and included free admission with food, games, horse rides, archery range, musical entertainment and a special message from U.S. Congressman Rick Crawford.

More than 400 area residents attended the festival from surrounding cities of Lake City, Monette, Caraway, Black Oak, Leachville, Manila, Trumann, Brookland, Bay and Jonesboro. Many brought their lawn chairs and sat in the shade while listening to music by vocal groups and church choirs.

Churches taking part in the festival were Lake City First Baptist, Lake City Pentecostal, Lake City Assembly of God, Refuge Church and Nettleton Worship Center.

The festivities were kicked off by prayer, followed by Wendy Walling singing the National Anthem.

Lake City Mayor Jon Milligan welcomed visitors to the festival and invited them to take part in the games, food and fellowship.

“We only had about six weeks to work on this festival, but the response for help was overwhelming,” Milligan said. “Everyone seemed to be all for a festival that emphasized faith and freedom in America.”

“It is time for Christians to rise up,” said Wesley Ward, of Christian Liberty Foundation. “This was a Christian based event where people came together to have fun, to unite, and to pray for our nation.”

Serving on the Faith and Freedom Fest planning committee were Mayor Milligan, Wes Ward, Ty Koons, John Lorch, Rick Davis, Tony McCall, Nick Fletcher and Wendy Walling.

“We as believers are supposed to take care of the poor and down trodden and those in need,” said Nick Fletcher, pastor of Lake City Assembly of God Church. “As long as they keep giving tests at school, the children will continue to pray. We want to make sure children continue to have the power and ability to evoke the power of Jesus.”

“Thank you Lake City for reminding us why we are here,” said U. S. Congressman Rick Crawford. “Please continue to pray for people in leadership, as we need your prayers. We will host a prayer breakfast at Nettleton Baptist Church in Jonesboro at 7 a.m. July 1 to pray for our country and our leaders. Please keep spreading the word that prayer is still needed in our nation.”

Dear Friends,

I’m standing up to my party’s leadership to demand a floor vote on the Farm Bill as soon as possible, and I want you to know the facts about my work for Arkansas ag producers.

I joined 77 other lawmakers on a bi-partisan letter to the House leadership of both parties calling for a vote on the bill.  I’m also helping lead the effort behind a discharge petition when Congress goes back into session in September.  A discharge petition would require 218 signatures from lawmakers to force a floor vote on the bill.  I am working over the next month to help my colleagues build support for that effort.

Our farmers need the certainty that a full five-year farm bill would provide.  They are small business owners who must be able to plan and determine what investments to make in order to keep farming.  I will continue to do everything within my power to get a vote on the Farm Bill and to help build support for the bill among my colleagues.

As someone who owned a small business and ran for Congress to try to change the institution to be more effective, it is frustrating to me that this work has gone unfinished.  Rest assured I will keep pursuing every option available that could be helpful in moving this legislation forward.

My campaign has started a Facebook page dedicated to my work for Arkansas agriculture.  I hope you will “Like” and share this page with others.  [link]

The President, my opponent and their allies will continue the false attacks, and I need your help to make sure we get our message and the facts out.  I hope you can volunteer [link] to help my campaign and sign up to receive our emails [link].

I am deeply grateful for your continued support and encouragement.

Sincerely,

 

Rick Crawford

Member of Congress

 

The Facts About Rick Crawford’s Work for Arkansas Agriculture

Democrats have only 40 votes on the House floor for the farm bill.

“Even after it cleared the committee, and Peterson promised to secure at least 40 Democratic votes for the bill on the floor…”

(Devin Henry, “House’s one-year farm bill dies,” MinnPost.Com, July 31, 2012)

Rick Crawford is skipping the Republican National Convention to stay in Arkansas and help ensure struggling farm families get the help they need.

“My staff and I will be assisting producers as they cope with this terrible natural disaster…”

(Pete Urban, “Crawford to skip GOP convention” Arkansas News August 10, 2012)

Rick Crawford founded the House Rice Caucus to be the voice for Arkansas and the nation’s rice producers in Washington.

“The inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives’ Rice Caucus was held on Wednesday.  The mission of the Rice Caucus is to educate House members and the general public about the role rice plays in the economy.”

(“House Rice Caucus holds inaugural meeting,” DeltaFarmPress.com, October 27, 2011)

Crawford worked to ensure that rice farmers were treated fairly in the House Agriculture Committee-passed farm bill.

“Crawford emphasized that this would not work for rice farmers. Instead, the House bill would allow rice farmers to select a revenue loss coverage plan that is similar to the old counter-cyclical payments.”

(Christina Verderosa, “Crawford:  Farm bill is good, bipartisan,” DeWitt Era Enterprise, July 18, 2012)

The Agricultural Council of Arkansas praised Rick Crawford’s efforts along with Chairman Frank Lucas and Ranking Member Collin Peterson for producing a strong, bipartisan farm bill in the House Agriculture Committee.

“The Agricultural Council of Arkansas appreciates the work of Chairman Frank Lucas and Ranking Member Collin Peterson in drafting the House farm bill.  We also appreciate the work of Congressman Rick Crawford, who has been a strong advocate for Arkansas farmers as a member of the House Agriculture Committee.”

(Press Release, “Statement on the House Farm Bill,” Agricultural Council of Arkansas, July 9, 2012)

Rick Crawford has introduced the Farm Risk Abatement and Mitigation Election Act, or the FRAME Act, to establish tax-deferred farm savings accounts to help farmers better prepare for drought or other disasters in the future.

“Often times federal disaster assistance does not arrive fast enough. In fact, some farmers in our district are just now receiving aid from requests they made in 2009. During times of disaster, farmers cannot wait for the federal government. Farmers who choose to invest in FRAME Accounts would not be hamstrung by a sluggish federal disaster response. FRAME Accounts would give farmers a safety net to stay in business when they are most vulnerable.”

(Rick Crawford column, “Week In Review,” Spring River Chronicle, February 8, 2012)

Rick Crawford passed legislation to keep the Obama Administration’s EPA from taking more from ag producers’ pockets at a time they can least afford it.

“The legislation would modify the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule by raising its exemption levels for fuel storage capacity to better reflect the spill risk and financial resources of farms.”

(“FUELS Act passes House on voice vote,” Western Farm Press, August 6, 2012)

Rick Crawford, standing up for American catfish farmers and better food safety for consumers, fought to keep the catfish inspection program at USDA.

“Arkansas Rep. Rick Crawford, with catfish producers among his constituents, then brought out the big stick…”

(David Bennett, “House Agriculture Committee debates USDA catfish inspection program,” Delta Farm Press, July 12, 2012)

Rick Crawford was thanked by the Arkansas Rice Federation for his work on the Farm Bill.

“Brantly also gave special thanks to Congressman Rick Crawford of Arkansas…”

(KARK 4 News, “Arkansas Rice Federation Supports Farm Bill“ ArkansasMatters.com July 6, 2012)

Rick Crawford works across party lines when it’s in the best interests of farmers and ranchers.

“The National Association of FSA County Office Employees (NASCOE) appreciates Representatives Boswell and Crawford bipartisan leadership…”

(“NASCOE Commends Committee Passage of Boswell-Crawford Amendment in Farm Bill” Oklahoma Farm Report July 13, 2012)

Rick Crawford worked with Democrat Congressman Sanford Bishop to create the House Chicken Caucus to fight for the nation’s poultry industry.

“We want to protect the industry and grow it. That’s our goal.”

(Peter Urban, “House Chicken Caucus Takes Flight” Times Record March 22, 2012)

Rick Crawford will stand up to anyone proposing legislation that will hurt farmers, even members of his own party.

“At a time when more and more people have to rely on the productivity and stability of American agriculture, now is not the time to pose a threat to the very food source on which they rely.”

(“Agriculture, Rural Development, Food And Drug Administration, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012” Capitol Words June 16, 2011)

Rick Crawford was one of only 4 legislators to host a field hearing for the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and he held it in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

“Crawford says the hearing is one of only four field hearings and will provide an opportunity to ensure the new Farm Bill protects rural communities and the viability of agriculture in the South.”

(Lindsey Tugman, “House Agriculture Committee to hold Ark. Hearing” Today’s THV March 27, 2012)

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, May 3, 2012

CONTACT:

Justin Brasell / jbrasell@gmail.com

 

60 Plus Association Presents Rick Crawford with Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award

 

Legendary entertainer Pat Boone, spokesman for the 60 Plus Association, announced that Representative Rick Crawford has earned the group’s highest honor, the Guardian of Seniors’ Rights award.

 

In a statement released by 60 Plus, Boone remarked, “I’m still singing at concerts, but today I’m singing the praises of Representative Crawford. Seniors can depend on Representative Crawford.”

 60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin, who founded the organization in 1992, presented the award last week at a ceremony on Capitol Hill. 60 Plus is a national non-partisan senior citizens group.

“Representative Crawford can be counted on to preserve Social Security and Medicare,” Martin said. “Crawford is a tax cutter, protecting the pocket books of senior citizens, and Representative Crawford is fighting wasteful spending of our tax dollars which has our government now borrowing over 40 cents of every dollar to pay its bills. Seniors have to live within their means and so should our government.”

The Association’s Guardian Award is presented to Democrats and Republicans in Congress based on their “senior friendly” voting records.

60 Plus Background:  The 60 Plus Association is a 20-year-old nonpartisan organization working for death tax repeal, saving Social Security and Medicare, affordable prescription drugs, lowering energy costs and other issues featuring a less government, less taxes approach as well as a strict adherence to the Constitution.  60 Plus calls on support from over 7 million activists.  60 Plus publishes a newsletter, SENIOR VOICE, and a Scorecard, bestowing awards on lawmakers of both parties who vote “pro-senior.”   60 Plus has been called, “an increasingly influential senior citizen’s group.”

Pat Boone Background:  Pat Boone, 77, and his wife, Shirley, have been married for 57 years and reside in Beverly Hills, California.  Boone is also familiar to audiences as a star of film and television. Boone has had 38 top-ten hits since his recording career began in the 1950s, and, according to Billboard magazine, holds the record for the most consecutive weeks (220) on the charts by any performer.

Crawford Background: Rick Crawford and his wife Stacy are both graduates of Arkansas State University.  They live in Jonesboro with their two children. Crawford serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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April 16, 2012

CONTACT: Justin Brasell / jbrasell@gmail.com

 

Fundraising Reports: Crawford raises more than three challengers combined

Crawford raised $252,058.99 and has $459,659.62 in the bank

Jonesboro, Arkansas – First District Congressman Rick Crawford announced today that his campaign raised $252,058.99 during the first three months of 2012.  Crawford’s total for the first fundraising reporting period of 2012 was more than that of the three Democrats vying to challenge him combined. Crawford, who has no opponent in next month’s primary election, now has $459,659.62 cash on hand for the November General Election.

“My heartfelt gratitude goes out to our generous supporters throughout the First District and across the State of Arkansas.  With their help I will continue fighting to rein in out-of-control spending in Washington and stop President Obama’s assault on rural America,” said Crawford.  “Our campaign is moving full steam ahead.  We are continuing to grow our organization and will keep working hard to earn the support of First District voters. This year’s election will be one of the most critical in our nation’s history. The House of Representatives must continue to be a check on Barack Obama and his failed policies that are making our rural economy worse.”

Crawford’s total contributions for the period exceeded that amounts raised by his three challengers combined. Scott Ellington raised $19,955.60, Gary Latanich raised $38,894.00, and Clark Hall raised $123,828.25 from January through March. Crawford’s campaign war chest is now more than triple the size all the other candidates combined in Arkansas’s First District. Crawford has $459,659.62 on hand for the General Election. Scott Ellington has $5,976.26 on hand, Gary Latanich has $1,513.00 on hand and Clark Hall has $130,257.94 on hand.

Crawford Background: Rick Crawford and his wife Stacy are both graduates of Arkansas State University.  They live in Jonesboro with their two children. Crawford serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

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