Arkansas House of Representatives

The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal amount of constituencies across the state. Each district has an average population of 26,734 according to the 2000 federal census. Members are elected to two-year terms and, since the 1993 Amendment 73 to the Arkansas Constitution, limited to three terms (six years). There are 11 African American Representatives.

The Arkansas House of Representatives meets regularly every two years at the State Capitol in Little Rock.

Leadership of the House

The Speaker of the House presides over the body and is elected by the membership every two years. His or her duties include the supervision and directing the daily order of business, recognizing members to speak, preserving order in the House, deciding all questions of order and germaneness, certifying all measures passed, assigning committee leadership, and naming members to select committees. In the Speaker's absence, the Speaker Pro Tempore presides.

Leadership information

History

John Wilson, the speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives, stabbed Representative J. J. Anthony to death during a legislative debate on the floor of the chamber in 1837. Wilson was later acquitted. The Old State House is said to be haunted to this day. [ [http://www.oldstatehouse.com/educational_programs/classroom/arkansas_news/detail.asp?id=945&issue_id=30&page=5 Blacksmith Black Made Deadly Knife for Bowie » The Arkansas News ] ]

ee also

*Arkansas State Capitol
*Arkansas General Assembly
*Arkansas Senate

References

External links

* [http://www.arkansas.gov/house/index.html Arkansas House of Representatives website]
* [http://www.arkansas.gov/house/reps.php Arkansas House Districts]
* [http://www.oldstatehouse.com/educational_programs/classroom/arkansas_news/detail.asp?id=945&issue_id=30&page=5]