I look forward to showing off our beautiful state. At this year's meeting, we talked about issues that concern all of us, especially highways. As you may know, I've appointed the Governor's Council on Highways and Transportation to study the state's transportation needs and come up with an action plan to meet those needs. A major factor in our planning will be the availability of federal highway funds. Like many Southern states, Arkansas receives less money than it contributes to the federal Highway Trust Fund.
Most Northern states receive more than they give.
Obviously, we don't think that's fair, and we'll be working to ensure highway funds are distributed more equitably. Arkansans can be sure the Governor's Council is in capable hands. Its chairman is former Rep. John Paul Hammerschmidt, who retired in January 1993 after serving Arkansas for 26 years in Congress. Thursday, former President George Bush and I were on hand to honor John Paul at North Arkansas Community College at the new John Paul Hammerschmidt Business and Conference Center. The center will allow local business and industry to use its facilities, which include a conference center with video conferencing capabilities.