ARKANSAS e OKLAHOMA

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f UtS month I would like to devote I this column to two special people whom I feel everyone should hear about.

First is Truman Hall, MLA's current president. He will undergo I heart transplant as soon as I donor heart is available and is in Houston. Tx.. until that takes place.

We are confident that he will return not only with a new heart but with new enthusiasm and new energy

Although Truman has health insurance which will cover most of the medical cost, he will incur other expenses which are not covered. MLA's Arkansas directors have established the Truman Hall Heart Fund to help offset his non-covered expenses. If you would like to contribute, make your check payable to the Truman Hall Heart Fund and send it to:

Truman Hall Heart Fund c/o Metropolitan National Bank University Oflice

P.O. Box 8010 Littfe Rock, Ar.72203 ture that the regional and slole associations implement N LBMDA's programs ,hat will be mutually beneticial to the general membershlp. Thls cooperation betr+een the national ond federated associations is absolutely necessory in order to continue positirr relationships which will greatly funefit the independent retailer, Communication is a necessitylot the independenl gruss roots deolers lo be avnre of the role national perlorms in Washington. This awreness willfoster o stronger supporl at the local level.

The second person we would like to tell you about is John Ryerson. The son of Richard Ryerson, Starr Lumber Co., Alva, Ok., John has been selected for the National Lumber Dealers Association's first summer intern program.

As a student at the Universiy of Oklahoma, I harte become more aware ol the importance of the political process ondfeel that I could be an effective person in the llashington oflice.

During my first War at the University, I was appointed to the Student Government Association where I served as vice-chairman of the woys and means committee that allocated over $280,000. Some of my other political activities include being active in a campus political organization, being elected to Oklahoma Boys State, serving as a page lor the Oklahoma Legislature, and attending a nalional political convention as a page.

Next year I will be a sophomore majoring in business marketing with plans to enter the lumber business upon graduation. I have been inducted into two scholastic honor fraternities and have attained a 3.9 grade awrage.

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He will spend six weeks in Washington, D.C., working with the staff. One of the requirements for all candidates in this nationwide competition was an essay of 500 words explaining why he wanted to be an intern. The following was John's essay:

The proposed lVashington internship program of National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association presents exciting opportunities for a young person in our industry. I feel that my honors, activities, and leadership qualities parallel the expectations of your Jirst intern. My knowledge of NLBMDA, my personal achievements, and my desire and willingness to serve as the intern present a strong case for my candidacy.

Since NLBMDA is the only association that represents the independent retailer at the national level, it is vilally important to develop a thorough understanding of their efforts in dealing with Congress and the federal agencies that affect our industry. Furthermore, it is compulsory under the federated struc-

In high school, I was president of two organizations, and I lettered in football, basketball, and tennis. I served on the student council and was a class fficer four years.

By working part4ime summers and Saturdays the past .five years at our family lumberyard, I have learned the basics of building material retailingfrom the ground up. I have grown to appreciate the need for service to the industry through the example of my father, a third generation lumberman, who is cur' rently serving as a director of his local association.

The opporunity to be selected the Jirst intern provides a substantial challenge. Through dedication, dependability, intelligence, hard work and cooperation, I pledge to be an intern of whom you can be proud and to set a quality precedent for those who will follow.

Finally, I would like to congratulate NLBMDA for initiating the intern program. This expansion of the association'sfrontiers will add a new perspective to its overall program. I believe this expansion of the association's function represents a signiJicant step forward that will ensure perpetuation of leadership in our industry for many years to come.