Senate committee honors Sen. Cecile Bledsoe and long‑time staffer Phil Price

The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee opened its session with tributes to two long‑serving public servants. Chair Jack Latham recognized Senator Cecile Bledsoe for roughly 20 years of work on public health matters and thanked her for her ‘‘commitment to public health and all the work that you did for the state.’’

Latham also read a letter honoring Phil Price for ‘‘40 years of dedicated service to the state of Arkansas’’ and presented him with additional remarks and a gift from committee members and House colleagues. In his remarks, Price received letters noting his roles with the Bureau of Legislative Research and as a senior legislative analyst and special advisor to multiple committees. Representative Ferguson and other members described Price as ‘‘a tremendous asset’’ who helped train staff and support committee operations.

Chair Latham and members framed the tributes as expressions of gratitude and moved on to the committee's scheduled business following the recognitions.