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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Danielle Fusco | danielle.fusco@sos.arkansas.gov | (501) 682-5286
(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – Arkansas Secretary of State
Mark Martin will host the 79th Anniversary of the State Capitol Lighting
Ceremony. This year’s event will be hosted by North Little Rock Police Officer
Tommy Norman. Officer Tommy Norman has been a police officer with the North
Little Rock Police Department since 1998; in that time, Tommy has become a
national star for his dedication as a police officer and as a leading voice for
community policing. Tommy’s social media following of over one million people allows
him to share his experiences and the positive impact he has on his community.
He has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox
News, CNN, and in The New York Times.
For the remainder of his term, Secretary of State Mark
Martin has chosen to honor those who have dedicated themselves to public
service at each year’s lighting ceremony. This year, we honor law enforcement
officers. The ceremony will feature the Arkansas State Police Honor Guard, Allison
Walton, an officer with the Little Rock Police Department, will sing the
National Anthem and State Capitol Police Officer John Ingram will give the
invocation. The 2017 Capitol Christmas ornament features the Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. For Secretary Martin’s final Capitol Lighting Ceremony, we will
honor those who are serving, or have served, in the military.
This annual event is special for all Arkansans. The
tradition of lighting the Capitol began in 1938, when then Secretary of State
“Crip” Hall began this time-honored tradition as a gift to children at Arkansas
Children’s Hospital. He himself suffered from polio as a child and wanted
to help lift the spirits of children suffering from life threatening
illnesses. Not only did he lift their spirits, but as a leader, he showed
empathy, kindness, and joy to these children in their time of need.
In honor of this tradition, we continue to light the
entire Capitol Building so it will be visible from Arkansas Children’s
Hospital. Representatives from Arkansas Easter Seals will assist with the
lighting.
Weather permitting, the Capitol Lighting will be followed
by fireworks. After the fireworks, the public is invited to come into the
Capitol for activities and to see all of the Christmas decorations. The
Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir will perform on the second floor of the
rotunda. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to see all of the children
in his workshop, also in the second floor rotunda. Author Carol Dabney
will be reading “Twas the Mouse Before Christmas” in the Old Supreme Court
Room.
Come join us for a great time of holiday fun at your
Arkansas State Capitol next Saturday evening, December 2nd, starting at 5:30
pm.
If you cannot join us next Saturday, the Capitol will be
open to the public during the holiday season during regular business hours
Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, and on weekends and holidays from 10
am to 3 pm.
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