HB1194
To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning The Placement Of A Monument On The State Capitol Grounds In Recognition And Appreciation Of The Integration Of Hoxie Public Schools.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes the placement of a monument on the Arkansas State Capitol grounds to commemorate the integration of Hoxie Public Schools in 1955. The legislative findings highlight Hoxie as the site of the first court battle to implement the Brown v. Board of Education decision, where the school board voluntarily desegregated its schools. It also notes the resistance faced from segregationist groups and the subsequent involvement of the U.S. government. The bill establishes a dedicated fund, the "Hoxie: The First Stand Memorial Monument Fund," for the erection and maintenance of this monument. Funds for this monument will be managed by the Secretary of State and can include gifts, grants, and donations. The design and placement of the monument will be guided by the recommendations of an organization called "Hoxie the First Stand Inc." and approved by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission. This act aims to recognize the historic significance of the Hoxie integration and its impact on Arkansas public schools. The bill also amends existing law to include this new monument fund within the purview of the Arkansas Capitol Grounds Monument and Memorial Preservation Fund.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the Hoxie community, particularly those who were involved in or affected by the 1955 school integration, and their descendants, as it provides for a permanent recognition of their historical actions. The organization "Hoxie the First Stand Inc." would also benefit as their recommendations will guide the monument's design and construction. Additionally, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which provided assistance during the integration process, could see their role acknowledged. The state of Arkansas as a whole may benefit from having a monument that highlights a significant event in its civil rights history.
Who Might Suffer?
This bill is unlikely to directly negatively impact any specific groups or entities in a substantial way. The funds for the monument are to be derived from gifts, grants, and donations, implying no direct appropriation of taxpayer money for the monument's construction. While the bill focuses on a specific historical event, it does not diminish or remove any existing monuments or memorials on the Capitol grounds. Any opposition would likely stem from disagreements over the historical interpretation or the prioritization of memorialization, rather than direct financial or operational harm to a specific group.