A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the El Dorado office of Bruce Westerman, United States Representative for the Fourth District of Arkansas, was held on the steps on the Union County Courthouse Thursday morning.
Westerman took to the podium to thank his constituents for the opportunity to represent them as their congressman and to compliment Union County on its many amiable traits.
“I can’t even begin to explain how important El Dorado is for the Fourth District,” he said. “It’s a place where the economy is doing well, but it can be better, just like anywhere. It’s a place where your colleagues from across the state are a little bit envious of because of the industry and the manufacturing and the great things that are happening here in this part of the state. It’s a natural place to have an office.
“After discussing the economic development plans for El Dorado and the job market with Mayor Hash, and the real estate market with County Judge Loftin, it sounds like El Dorado could be the envy of the area with all y’all have going on here,” he continued.
Ben Gilmore, field representative and constituent services, will be managing Westerman’s office in suite 406 of the Union County Courthouse.
“If you have a problem, and you can’t get a hold of me, contact Ben, because he’ll get your information to us in D.C. We want to work hard to serve you and to be your representative, your voice in Congress. I appreciate the opportunity that the people from the 33 counties of the state of Arkansas has given me to be their voice in Congress,” said Westerman.
The congressman said that opening the El Dorado office is all about serving the constituents of the district he represents. Crediting Union County’s central location in south Arkansas and its industry, Westerman said that El Dorado was the obvious choice in opening another office.
“I feel fortunate to be representing El Dorado and Union County,” he said, adding compliments to El Dorado Festival and Events, the El Dorado Promise, and the many industries located here.
The first term U.S. Congressman serves on the natural resources, budget, and science, space and technology committees of the House.
With a broad range of committee assignments, Westerman said he has been doing substantial work on the budget committee as they work toward getting the first new budget through the United States House and Senate since 2005. The budget committee hopes to have that project completed by the end of the month.
One project that Westerman is working on for the natural resources committee, he said, include efforts that would benefit the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge.
“I’d like to see about getting the flood waters in there the time of year that we could attract more ducks to Felsenthal because I know that’s extremely important to this area, not only for the outdoorsmen, but also for the economy,” he said.
The fourth congressional district spans all but one of the Arkansas counties bordering Louisiana, most of western Arkansas, and all the way up to Madison County in the northwest portion of the state.
Westerman’s Washington D.C. office is located at 130 Cannon House Office Building and can be reached at (202) 225-3772.
Gilmore can be reached at (870) 864-8946 or [email protected].