Thanks from the PTA     Arkansas PTA held it's 72nd state convention here in Fort Smith, April 18 & 19. Much of the success of that convention is due to the involvement of our community in the public schools and PTA. As convention chairman, I was repeatedly told how fortunate we were to have that kind of cooperation between city government, businesses, school administrators, and parents. Unfortunately, that cooperation is not enjoyed in very many places throughout our state or the nation. We have become a model for other communities in that respect.     The Arkansas PTA State Convention is held annually to train and motivate new PTA leaders, to provide for the sharing of ideas among our PTAs, and to honor those PTA units and individuals who have had an outstanding year. Many of those honored were from Fort Smith.     I publicly want to thank Mayor Ray Baker, Superintendent Benny Gooden, Fort Smith Council of PTAs President Karen Farris and her convention committee for their time and labor to make the convention a success.     Also Affairs to Remember and D-Best Computer Center of Van Buren, Baldor Electric, Cherrydale Fundraisers, Cooper Clinic, Dillard Department Store, Graphics Place, Harp's Marketplace, Holt-Krock Clinic, Internet Partners of America, Southern Transit Company, Southwestern Bell, Sparks Regional Medical Center and TCA Cable TV of Fort Smith sponsored the convention.     Eighty other businesses provided door prizes or "goodie bag"items. The visiting PTA convention delegates were delighted with all that Fort Smith provided. Since PTA's purpose is to improve the lives of the children and to speak on their behalf, when PTA is supported, the children are supported.     Thank you, Fort Smith, for being on the frontier of cooperation. Let us strive to continue and increase that support for our children. Jeannie Cole 18 May 1997 Southwest Times Record

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