Two Catholics new to Arkansas House this session

Representatives Rick Beck, Justin Boyd ready to serve the state for the first time

Published: February 10, 2015

By Aprille Hanson
Associate Editor

Arkansas State Legislature

Arkansas State Legislature

Two new Catholic faces are representing the state this year. They are Reps. Rick Beck of Center Ridge and Justin Boyd of Fort Smith.

With six representatives out of 100 identifying themselves as Catholic this General Assembly, the House’s Catholic representation is higher than the state average of 4.8 percent. Catholics, however, are underrepresented in the Senate. Only one senator out of 35, or 2.9 percent, identifies as Catholic.

Rep. Rick Beck of District 65 in Conway County and part of Perry County attends St. Joseph Parish in Center Ridge. Beck has been married 22 years to Sheila Wilson, and the couple has two children, Austin, 19, who graduated from Subiaco Academy, and Madison, 15, who attends St. Joseph School in Conway. Beck, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas, is a lifelong Catholic and has served on the parish council.

“I don’t know how you can separate the two. Your faith is obviously the basis of it all. They’re one in the same and it’s very important to me,” Beck said of balancing his faith and work.

In his professional life, Beck has worn many hats, including working as an electrical engineer at Kimberly-Clark Maumelle facility for 27 years and was also an adjunct professor at University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.

While in office, Beck hopes to provide more vocational training options.

“I believe truly in the family structure. What’s very near and dear to my heart is workforce development. That allows someone coming out of high school to (train) and have a trade to support a family.”

However, Beck said he understands not everyone has a “great family” life. Therefore, more proven programs that help at-risk youth are needed.

“I’m a conservative. I’m willing to pay for programs that work, but I want proof and you’ve got my backing. You can’t just tell me it works,” he said.

Rep. Justin Boyd, representing District 77 which covers a portion of Sebastian County, attends St. Boniface Parish in Fort Smith. Boyd and his wife Lori have three children, Mora, 8, Olivia, 6, and Amelia, 4. Boyd holds several degrees, including a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas and a pharmacy degree from UAMS College of Pharmacy in Little Rock.

He is a pharmacist and co-owner at Coleman Pharmacy in Alma. A cradle Catholic, Boyd has volunteered as the school board president at St. Boniface School and is currently the chairman of the church’s endowment fund committee.

As a first-term representative, Boyd said he has several goals, including making sure people have access to meaningful work and quality education.

“As I interact with my patients in my pharmacy every day, they want good jobs they can be proud of. They want things to do, whether they’re outside or a church to attend,” Boyd said.

Boyd has proposed a resolution to help educate about prescription drug abuse.

“As a pharmacist in our current environment, prescription drug abuse” is a growing problem, he said, adding that “turning the tide on that is something I want to do.” His resolution, “identifies prescription drug abuse and the facts surrounding that.”

Catholic lawmakers who were reelected include:

Representatives

Greg Leding: District 86, which includes part of Washington County; a member of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville.
Scott Baltz: District 61, which includes portions of Baxter, Sharp, Randolph and Fulton counties; a member of St. Paul Church in Pocahontas.
Dr. Stephen Magie: District 72, which includes a portion of Faulkner County; a member of St. Joseph Church in Conway.

Senator

Jon Woods: District 7, which includes most of Springdale, Johnson, Tontitown, Goshen, Elkins, Durham and parts of Fayetteville and all of eastern Washington County; a member of St. Raphael Church in Springdale.