Reflections from History and Faith: A father’s legacy

I’ve heard it said, “There are no extraordinary men... just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.” I do believe the latter part of this statement to be true, because the annals of history are replete with examples which pay tribute to such men.

However, I also believe there are in fact extraordinary men, even great men who not only by their actions in extraordinary circumstances but by their virtue and character in the ordinary circumstances of life speak volumes to us by both word and example.

One of those is my subject here. There is no way I can do this man justice in just one column or even one book for that matter, but I will honor him here as best I can. Born Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington is known as the “Father of our country” and has been described as “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

When he was leaving home to begin what would become a lifelong service to his country, the parting words of his mother, Mrs. Mary Washington, included: “Remember that God is our only sure trust. To Him, I commend you...My son, neglect not the duty of secret prayer.”

Washington would later say: “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.

Through his creation of a personal prayer book at age 20, his witnessed prayers at Valley Forge, and his many supplications to Almighty God as President on behalf of his beloved nation, Washington was indeed faithful in heeding his mother’s admonition.

This was never more revealing than in his “Earnest Prayer” as expressed in his Circular Letter Addressed to the Governors of all the States on Disbanding of the Army, June 14, 1783, from Newburgh, New York, as he sought retirement and refuge from public service.

In it, Washington stated, “Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”

Washington continued, “I have thus freely declared what I wished to make known, before I surrendered up my public trust to those who committed it to me. The task is now accomplished. I now bid adieu to your Excellency, as the chief magistrate of your State, at the same time I bid a last farewell to the cares of office and all the employments of public life.” tempered by moral restraint rooted in his Christian faith.

There are four important ways George Washington contributed to our nation. First, he was an ambassador and major in the French and Indian War.

Second, he was the commanding general of the Continental Army during the War of Independence.

Third, he presided over the writing of our Constitution. And fourth, he served as our first president under the U.S. Constitution.

George Washington didn’t just believe in these principles and help institutionalize them in his beloved country — he lived by them.

During America’s War of Independence, Washington’s character alone was crucial to holding the struggling United States together. It is told that during one of the War’s battles, at Mommouth, New Jersey, in June 1778, the American troops were on the brink of destruction when General Washington appeared on the field. Soldiers stopped and stared at the tall, stalwart figure as he spurred his horse up and down the line, halting the American retreat. The young Marquis de Lafayette would remember that sight for the remainder of his life, how Washington rode “all along the lines amid the shouts of the soldiers, cheering them by his voice and example and restoring to our standard the fortunes of the fight. I thought then, as now, that never had I beheld so superb a man.”

After Washington’s death, Reverend J.T. Kirkland said of him, “....no one could express, more fully, his sense of the Providence of God, and the dependence of man.”

When

King George III heard that Washington would resign his commission to a powerless Congress (essentially refusing the opportunity to be a king), he told the painter Benjamin West: “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.”

It has been said that Washington was less eloquent than [Thomas] Jefferson; less educated than [James] Madison; less experienced than [Benjamin] Franklin; and less talented than [Alexander] Hamilton. Yet, these men and many others looked to Washington for wisdom and leadership. They knew from his personal virtue and character that he could accept, exercise and relinquish power — all with assurance, humility and purpose guided by religious principle and

However, even beyond these most notable contributions to his country, there are less-known facets about him. Washington was a successful farmer and entrepreneur. He owned and operated an integrated farming operation in which his own innovation and designs constantly improved the efficiency of his operation and the quality of his products. A part of his vision for America was a country of both freedom and prosperity, a republic driven by innovation, self-reliance, and the use of its own resources.

Washington was, as biographer James Flexner called him, the “Indispensable Man” of the American founding. Another author described Washington as the quintessential American. Without George Washington, there probably would not be a United States of America as we’ve known and lived it.

More than 70 bills have been signed into law since the 2023 Regular Session began and several more are now making their way to the Governor’s desk.

In the 6th week of the session, the House passed bills addressing mental health access, payment to our county jails, teacher retirement, and voter input on tax measures.

On Thursday, the House passed HB1181. This bill seeks to address a shortage of mental health professionals in the state by establishing the Counseling Compact in Arkansas. The compact allows professional counselors licensed and residing in compact member states to practice in other member states without the need for multiple licenses.

That same day the House passed SB 72. This bill requires the Division of Correction to begin paying reimbursements to county jails for holding state inmates from the day the inmate is sentenced. Currently, reimbursements can start after the division receives commitment orders.

Earlier this week, the House passed SB116. This bill would allow a classroom teacher that leaves active employment for a period of time and then returns back to employment, to purchase the gap years at actuarial cost with the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. The purpose of this bill is to encourage experienced teachers to return to the classroom.

The House also passed HB1027. This bill would require voter approval for any new advertising and promotion tax or any increase of existing advertising and promotion tax. Currently, this tax can be levied by county quorum courts.

Other bills passing the House this week include the following:

HB1006-This bill states that an employer that covers abortions or travel expenses related to abortions for employees shall provide 12 weeks of paid maternity leave to eligible employees.

HB1334-This bill creates the Restroom Access Act. It requires retail establishments to allow access to employee restrooms for customers with certain medical conditions.

HB1325-This bill states that if a county board of election commissioners decides to hold early voting at an additional polling site, the hours the additional early voting polling site is open shall be the same hours as the county clerk’s designated early voting location.

HB1307-This bill authorizes the State Treasurer to divest certain investments if financial providers discriminate against energy companies, firearms entities, or otherwise refuse to deal based on environmental, social justice, and other governance-related factors.

The House will begin the 7th week of the session on Monday, February 20.

You can watch all committee meetings and House floor proceedings at arkansashouse. org.

Arkansas is changing the eligibility requirements for people who are enrolled in ARHOME, a category of Medicaid the program. Beginning next year they will have to work, volunteer in their community or continue their education in order to continue receiving benefits.

The state must first get approval from the federal government, which pays for 90 percent of the cost of ARHOME. The state pays 10 percent.

The governor and top officials at the state Department of Human Services expressed confidence that the federal government would approve the change. They also are confident that if the work requirement is challenged in federal court, it would be upheld.

This recent work requirement is different from one that was challenged and struck down in court in 2019. The previous requirement caused about 18,000 people to lose Medicaid coverage because they failed to work or seek employment.

The new work requirement will not drop people from the Medicaid rolls. Instead, people who do not work will be transferred to a different category of Medicaid with fewer benefits.

About 345,000 people are enrolled in ARHOME, which the legislature created with Act 530 of 2021. The program is for people with incomes below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, which for an individual is less than $18,000 a year.

The state buys private health insurance for people in ARHOME. A focus is to improve the overall health of people who are particularly vulnerable, such as women with high risk pregnancies. Also, ARHOME has programs for residents of rural areas who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness, and young people who have been in foster care or juvenile detention.

The private insurance that ARHOME provides will cover the costs of mental health treatment and social services that traditional Medicaid does not cover. If someone enrolled in ARHOME is dropped for failure to work, he or she would still be covered by traditional Medicaid.

The fact that enrollees won’t completely lose Medicaid coverage makes the new work requirement distinct from the previous one. Also, it’s the reason state officials are confident the federal government will approve it, and why it would withstand a legal challenge.

ARHOME is one category within the state’s traditional Medicaid program, which provides coverage for more than a million Arkansas residents. Medicaid pays for long term care for senior citizens. It pays for residential care and community services for people with disabilities. It pays for doctor visits and hospital stays for low-income families.

The end of the Covid-19 pandemic will greatly affect Medicaid programs throughout the United States. During the pandemic, the state received extra Medicaid funding from the federal government, but at the same time the state was limited in its ability to remove people from its rolls.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services has already begun preparing for the expected official declaration of the end of the public health emergency. People enrolled in Medicaid should expect to receive letters asking them to submit updated information about their income, so that DHS can determine whether or not they remain eligible.

The family income threshold is higher for children than for adults. It can happen that parents are dropped from Medicaid because they get a job or a raise, but at the same time their children can remain eligible for ARKids First or other Medicaid programs.

Obituaries

Charlotte Jo Carter Coburn

Charlotte Jo Carter Coburn, age 81, passed away in her home, Sunday, February 12, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. Mrs. Coburn was born November 18, 1941, to the late Henry and Jewell Carter in Brady, Texas.

Jo was a smart, fun-loving lady with a lot of spunk and quick wit. Patti Jones, of Mena, has been a close dear friend of Jo’s for 50 years. She has given us more insight into Jo’s life before we knew her. They met each other in a real estate office in Las Vegas where Jo was working in mortgages and loans. Patti and Jo became friends for life then. Jo moved to Las Vegas in the 1960’s where she lived for many years. She started her professional career as Secretary to the President of Nevada State Bank. She worked in the mortgage loan business for many years and opened a mortgage loan processing company when she moved to Austin, Texas. She also had a gift shop and plant care service in the metropolitan area.

In 2009, upon retiring, she moved to Mena, where Patti lived. She had fallen in love with this town by reading the Mena newspapers of Patti’s over the years and visiting. That same year, she met Douglas Coburn and they were married in the fall of that year. They were happily married for 13 years.

Jo was rather athletic and competitive in her younger years. She enjoyed golf, snow, and water skiing, plus ice and roller skating. She also enjoyed reading and watching TC judge and detective shows from her recliner. Jo loved all animals and gave her favorite dogs, Jigger and Buttons loving care.

Jo had many wonderful neighbors and friends who helped with food and visits during her illness, the Alleys, Genungs, Lands and Floyds. Elite Home Health and Hospice were a God-send. We could not have managed this alone. Housekeeping help Charity and Mark Mabry and Angela Ferrill were super. Jo loved you all! Thank you so much.

Mrs. Coburn accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior when she was younger. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. Brother Vernon Payne will be conducting the service.

Mrs. Coburn is survived by her husband, Douglas Coburn, sister-inlaw, Lynnda Carter Mullin of Austin. Many nieces and nephews, plus her adopted Mena family, Bill and Becky Bell and family, Stephen and Jane Coburn, Clay and Erma Coburn of Monticello, Jimmy and Martha Ann Barrett of Dumas, and Steve and Mary Moore of Benton, plus a host of grands and great-grands.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Jewell Carter; sister, Sandra Brooks of Mena, and 3 brothers, H.C. Carter Jr., Travis Carter, and Marcus Dodson.

Mrs. Coburn’s service will be held at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Pallbearers will be Stephen Coburn, Bill Bell, Steve Moore, David Dodson, Chris Lee, and Beaux Vaughn. Honorary pallbearer will be Clay Coburn.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com