One of the greatest privileges of serving Arkansas in the United States Senate is welcoming Arkansans to the Capitol.

I especially enjoy giving tours to Natural State families and school groups who travel to Washington to see where the heart of federal legislative activity takes place. There is something special about watching a young Arkansan walk through the corridors of Congress for the first time and seeing their curiosity grow as they learn about our history and government.  

For many of these students, a trip to Washington, D.C. is more than a field trip. It is an opportunity to bring civics lessons to life. 

There is no substitute for seeing the public policy process in action. When students walk through the halls of Capitol, meet with their elected representatives or participate in programs that enrich their civics knowledge, they begin to understand that our government belongs to them and that they have an important role to play in shaping the future of our state and nation.

That is why I am always encouraged to see so many Arkansas students making the trip to the nation’s capital. Whether they are visiting with their classmates, participating in the Senate Page or internship programs, or touring the Capitol with their families, these experiences usually leave a lasting impression.

But you don’t have to leave Arkansas to experience civics in action. My Congressional Youth Cabinet and state office internships give Arkansas students opportunities to learn about the responsibilities of citizenship and the issues facing their communities. These experiences also show students that public service isn’t something that happens far away. It starts in their own communities and can take many different forms.

Civic education is especially important in a time when we all have access to more information in the palm of our hands through digital media. Understanding how our government works, how our Founding Fathers established our system of government and how citizens can make their voices heard gives young Arkansans and Americans the tools they need to be engaged citizens.

One of my favorite things to show Arkansans when they visit the Capitol is the important role our state has played in American history. Each state has two statues representing its contributions to our nation, and The Natural State is now represented by civil rights icon Daisy Bates and music legend Johnny Cash. They both stand in Statuary Hall, where thousands of visitors pass by every day.

Seeing the Capitol, walking the same halls as their federal legislators and learning about the people and events that shaped our nation can make history feel more real and accessible. It is a reminder that Arkansas has always had a place in the story of America, and our state continues to make its mark in profound and interesting ways.

I hope every Arkansas student who visits Washington, D.C. leaves with a greater appreciation for our country and a better understanding of their role in our democracy. They are not simply visitors to the Capitol. The Capitol is for the people and is theirs too. 

It is always an honor to welcome Arkansans to Capitol Hill and share a place that belongs to us all. I look forward to continuing to open these doors to families, students and communities from across our great state and helping the next generation understand that they have an important role in carrying Arkansas and our nation forward.