Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today spoke on the House floor to honor the milestones of Clay Henry—a legendary sports journalist—and Canoo—a high-tech advanced mobility company with announced headquarters in Northwest Arkansas. Womack’s tributes celebrated Clay’s retirement after a journalism career of enormous success and professionalism and Canoo’s recent announcement that NASA had chosen them to produce a transportation fleet for astronauts part of the Artemis program.
Transcripts of Womack’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found below. Additionally, you can watch his full speeches by clicking the following links: Clay Henry (video) and Canoo (video)
Clay Henry Speech
Watch Congressman Womack honor Clay Henry here.
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of one of Arkansas’s most admired sports journalists—Clay Henry.
“Clay has retired after decades of covering Arkansas Razorback athletics, notably the Publisher of Hawgs Illustrated, the weekly publication dedicated to the coverage of our beloved Hogs.
“It was natural for Clay, given that he was the son of another legend in sports journalism—Orville Henry. I’m quite confident his introduction to Razorback sports was while he was still in diapers. Then later as a stat man for the Arkansas Gazette at the age of 14. He was produced by the best, tutored by the best, and like those before him, became the best.
“Stops along the way at publications like the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway and the Tulsa World helped prepare him for a gig with a new Arkansas magazine called Hawgs Illustrated. Leaving the Tulsa World for an upstart might have been a tough decision for a lot of people, but with Clay, it just seemed a natural fit. After all, Clay was a Hog, not a Sooner.
“He partnered to buy the publication with George Billingsley before eventually selling to Stephens Media, then later to the Hussman Company, WEHCO Media, which became the sole owner. In every step, the common denominator that found its way in the mailboxes of Hogs fans everywhere was Clay Henry. Lots of contributing writers, photographers, and salesman—but only one Clay Henry.
“Twenty-seven years as Publisher. And now, off to the Norfolk River, where the trout now have a full-time enemy, that is when Jean Ann, his bride of 43 years doesn’t have him doing honey-dos, or assuming the Razorbacks don’t come calling.
“Congratulations, my friend, for a journalism career of enormous success and professionalism, the Hog Nation is forever grateful.”
Canoo Speech
Watch Congressman Womack celebrate Canoo’s NASA mission here.
“Madam Speaker, more than half a century ago, Americans walked on the Moon for the first time.
“Now, a new lunar mission is upon us in 2024—and the Third District of Arkansas will support this next step in space exploration.
“NASA has chosen Canoo, a high-tech mobility company with announced headquarters and facilities in Northwest Arkansas, to produce a transportation fleet for astronauts part of the Artemis program.
“That’s right… As the crew prepares for their historic launch, they will be moved by state-of-the-art vehicles manufactured in Bentonville!
“A demonstration of ingenuity and the Natural State’s focus on harnessing emerging technology and novel ideas. Great things can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together!
“I’m so proud that the future of space discovery is being supported by the Third District and our incredible workforce.
“The pioneering spirit of Arkansas and America will be on display as fully suited astronauts ride to their liftoff location.
“Congratulations to Canoo! You are playing a role in such an incredible moment in history.
“From Arkansas to the Moon—and then eventually to Mars—your work is ‘driving’ innovation forward!”
Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
Original source can be found here.
