Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tommy May and his inspirational example of leadership throughout his life and courage in battling ALS. May served in Vietnam in the United States Marine Corps before returning home to the University of Arkansas and the Walton College to earn his degree in business. He would go on to establish a remarkable banking career, eventually becoming president and CEO of Simmons First National Bank in 1987. In 2005, May was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, becoming one of about 20,000 people living with that disease in the United States. Although statistics show that the average survival time is only 3 years, May has survived far longer, continuing his leadership for more than a decade at Simmons First National Bank and at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Since his diagnosis, he has helped spearhead a new effort at UAMS to speed up research on the disease. He has been recognized for those efforts by the university. My friend's example of perseverance and courage in continuing to live his life on his own terms is one that all Americans and Arkansans can admire. ____________________”