As I stand here today for the first time giving a State of the State address in the Senate chamber, I reflect on the extraordinary times in which we live.

We are here today for regular business, at a time in our world when everything seems irregular.

This is reflected in your Members being in the Stephens Center, miles away; and everyone here appropriately socially distanced.

These are difficult days because all that we enjoy about normal is suspended. So much of our nation is in free fall, and we don’t know when the safety harness will jolt us back to a soft landing.

These are days we come together. We unite our arms together, and partner together, so all Arkansans will have confidence in our steadiness, in our determination, and in our unity.

While I was undersecretary at Homeland Security, I worked to protect our country after the 9-11 attack from the next terrorist event. But this fight is different. There is not one attack but an attack on all 50 states, and our borders will not stop this virus.

This virus is deadly. It is highly contagious, and there is no proven cure. The best doctors in the world are working on an answer or a way to control this invisible killer that invades our land.

And so, these are difficult times……..Read the full text by clicking here.