Black History is American History. And our roots run deep in Arkansas.

{NAME},  I want to tell you a story about a legendary Arkansan, and the ripple effects of his legacy that carry on 100 years after his birth.  George Howard, Jr. was born on May 13, 1924 in the small, quiet city of Pine Bluff (population 20,000 back in those days). As you know, Pine Bluff is my hometown! No one could have predicted that he would go on to become an institution in the Arkansas justice system, and a trailblazer for Black Americans. [A photo of Judge George Howard, Jr. dated 2006, one year before his passing.]( George Howard Jr. would grow up to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The racism he endured throughout his service inspired him to pursue a legal career dedicated to civil rights.  After the war, Howard completed his education and became one of the first Black graduates of the University of Arkansas School of Law. Back home in Pine Bluff, Howard pursued discrimination suits building on the success of the landmark SCOTUS ruling, Brown v. Board of Education.  Howard’s cases aimed at desegregating school systems, theaters, and other public spaces across Arkansas – as well as fighting discrimination against Black Arkansans in the criminal justice system.  His distinguished record of service and commitment to justice led to Howard’s appointment as the first Black man to serve on the Arkansas Supreme Court, then the Arkansas Court of Appeals – and finally, the first to be appointed as an Arkansas federal district court judge.  Judge Howard left us 17 years ago, but his legacy is still with us.  Today, the federal building and courthouse in Pine Bluff stands named in his honor, and his lifelong pursuit of justice lives on in his daughter – Risie Howard.  Risie followed her father’s footsteps into law. Today she’s carrying his fight for equality and representation to Congress. [A collage of 3 photos. From left to right: 1) Chris Jones speaks at a recent Vortex event in Camden, a screen showing Risie’s photo on a slide with a map of congressional district 4 is visible behind him. 2) Risie addresses the group at Camden. 3) Chris and Risie pose outside of the Arkansas state capitol building on filing day in November 2023.]( Just like her father, Risie is a trailblazer. When she wins this race, she will become the first Black woman to represent our state in Congress – something that is LONG overdue.  The entire Vortex family is proud to stand with Risie in her historic run, and we are committed to uplifting marginalized voices in our government.  [You can support both efforts by splitting a contribution between Vortex and Risie’s campaign today.](  The Howard family’s long, proud legacy of service in the fight for justice is living proof that Black history is American history.  Now it’s time to write the next chapter.  Dr. Chris Jones [Contribute to Vortex >>](      Vortex PAC is a new grassroots movement to transform Arkansas politics away from the far-right. We are recruiting, training, and supporting Democratic candidates to flip all four of Arkansas’ U.S. congressional districts and help win back the House majority in 2024. [DONATE >>](   Paid for by Vortex PAC  ©2024 Vortex PAC, all rights reserved  Our mailing address is: Vortex PAC PO Box 1141 Springdale, AR 72765 We're sad to see you go, but if you believe you received this email in error, or you no longer wish to receive our emails you can unsubscribe using the link below: [Click here to unsubscribe.]( Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Vortex PAC, please [click here](.