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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chris Powell | chris.powell@sos.arkansas.gov | (501) 683-0057
(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 this Saturday evening, December 2nd, starting at 5:30
pm.
If you cannot join us this Saturday, the Capitol will be
open to the public during the holiday season during regular business hours Monday
through Friday from 8 am to 9 pm, and on weekends and holidays from 10 am to 9
pm.
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