Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and legacy of former Pulaski County Judge Floyd ``Buddy'' Villines. Mr. Villines graduated from Hendrix College in 1969 and afterwards would go on to serve in the U.S. Army during Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star. Upon return to the United States, he graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's William H. Bowen School of Law. Mr. Villines would start a career in public relations with the management of his own firm. He won his first election in 1984, becoming a member of the Little Rock Board of Directors. He would then serve as vice mayor from 1987 to 1988, and he became mayor in 1989, serving 1 year. In 1990, he was elected to be the Pulaski County judge, and he would serve in that post until 2014. Villines left his mark in central Arkansas through numerous bridge and trail projects, including the Big Dam Bridge, the Arkansas River Trail, Simmons Bank Arena, and the expansion of the Statehouse Convention Center. His impact on Pulaski County has been tremendous and his remarkable, lasting landmarks will stand as testament to his decades of leadership. Mr. Villines will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and all of us in Pulaski County. ____________________”