Talking Points
UAPB Golden Lions Stadium
October 14, 2005, 11 a.m.

“A Winning Combination”

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is one of this community’s most important institutions. Every year the University brings many visitors to town, through a variety of events, including such sporting events as the State Farm Classic.

As supporters of both teams competing in this weekend’s Classic make their way to Golden Lions Stadium tomorrow…and undoubtedly as they leave…their minds will be focused on the game and on having a good time. But because these people, the people of Pine Bluff, and Arkansans everywhere are so very important to us, I am also asking everyone to devote some attention to the very important issue of traffic safety.

Arkansas has far too many traffic fatalities and injuries every year…and one is too many. They are emotionally and financially costly. The simple act of ensuring everyone in your vehicle…including yourself…is properly buckled in is one of the best ways possible to reduce those fatalities and injuries and their aftermath. Refraining…or restraining a friend…from driving under the influence of intoxicants should also be considered a duty of all Arkansans.

As mayor, I place a high priority on programs and activities that can help keep the citizens of and visitors to Pine Bluff healthy and safe. Public safety, after all, was the primary reason governments were created in the first place. It is for this reason that it is my pleasure to support this new traffic safety campaign, “A Winning Combination”, a combination of the “Click It or Ticket” and “You Drink and Drive, You Lose” campaigns that is long overdue.

So, again, have a good time at the Classic, but think about what you can do to make our streets, roads and highways safer places for everyone to travel…not just this weekend, but always.

I would be remiss if I failed to express my appreciation and admiration for our many partners in safety here today…our state legislators, our law enforcement community, our university and, last but not least, the Sigma Gamma Rho volunteers who will distribute traffic safety messages at the game. Thank you.