Little Rock, Arkansas — Today, Governor Mike Beebe led his state in joining ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History by proclaiming Arkansas a “State of ONE.” In addition, 38 cities and towns in Arkansas were declared “Cities of ONE” by their mayors or city councils. Arkansas joins nine states and 62 other cities that have become “Cities and States of ONE” across America in support of the fight against global disease and extreme poverty.

“I encourage my fellow citizens to recognize the devastating impact that extreme poverty and global AIDS have around the world and to support action to bring about change throughout the year,” said Governor Beebe in the “State of ONE” proclamation he issued.

“We are very rich and blessed to have such tremendous leaders here in Arkansas,” said Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter. “We have an obligation to combat hunger and preventable diseases.”

ONE members from across the country have spoken with presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee about global disease and extreme poverty and have spotted the ONE white band on his wrists during campaign stops across the country.

“I am extremely proud that today Arkansas celebrates its declaration as a State of ONE and similar proclamations of 38 Cities of ONE all across our state,” Former Governor Mike Huckabee said. “I have long been an advocate for ONE’s issues of combating extreme poverty and global disease. As Governor, I was pleased to increase awareness of these issues, so that 12,000 of our citizens are now active in the ONE Campaign. Now, as I explore a presidential run, I am pleased to take my enthusiasm and excitement to the entire country. I look forward to working with Bono, the ONE campaign, and other world leaders to transform the lives and health and prospects of our African brothers and sisters. Today is a triumphal day for Arkansas, for ONE, and for Africa.”

Arkansas leads the nation with the most declared “Cities of ONE”, an effort that Brandolynne Foster of Sherwood is leading the charge on. Foster has had great success, with 38 declared “Cities of ONE” so far: Arkadelphia, Beebe, Benton, Cabot, Calion, Camden, Crossett, Elaine, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Fordyce, Foreman, Fountain Hill, Gould, Gurdon, Hamburg, Hampton, Helena-West Helena, Huttig, Little Rock, Norman, North Little Rock, Monticello, Magnolia, Malvern, Mitchellville, Montrose, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, Thornton, Russellville, Searcy, Sherwood, Sheridan, Star City, Stuttgart, Warren and Waldo.

Foster reached out to Little Rock’s Mayor, Mark Stodola, who was impressed with Foster and the ONE Campaign. “Arkansas is known for producing leaders and Little   Rock is no exception. The City of Little Rock has joined the growing list of towns from across Arkansas to lead the rest of the country in bringing hope to people in some of the world’s poorest countries,” said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola. “The people of the City of Little Rock have always been known for their generosity, and we are proud to join the fight against extreme poverty and global disease.”

As a member of ONE, Foster reaches across political divides to ask elected leaders and candidates to do more to save the lives of those living in Africa and elsewhere in the world’s poorest countries. But she is not planning to stop at 38 cities and one state.

“Fighting extreme poverty and global disease around the world is something we can all do together here at home,” said Brandolynne Foster, Sherwood resident and local ONE member. Brandolynne Foster began collecting the proclamations in January 2007. “I have 38 cities now, but I am not stopping until I have asked every mayor in Arkansas to make their city a ‘City of ONE’.” To expand her efforts beyond Arkansas, Brandolynne Foster extended an invitation to Governor Matt Blunt of Missouri to join Arkansas and the over 40,000 ONE Missouri members by declaring Missouri a “State of ONE”. “Together, we can save millions of lives and bring hope and opportunity to the world’s poorest people. Together, we can be the generation that ends extreme poverty, for good,” says Foster.

While gathering proclamations, working for the family business and raising her 20-month-old son, Brandolynne Foster found the time to meet with the offices of Senator Blanche Lincoln, Senator Mark Pryor and Congressman Vic Snyder to discuss funding for next year’s International Affairs budget and to encourage her representatives to fully fund the fight against extreme poverty and global disease.

“As a member of the subcommittee on Africa and Global Health for the Foreign Affairs Committee in the U. S. House of Representatives, I have had the opportunity to travel to Africa on four different occasions,” said Congressman John Boozman. “The issues facing the nations of Africa are complex and difficult and, unfortunately, poverty and disease are often unintended consequences…It is a challenge to bring the awareness level about the daily lives of the people in Africa into the homes of the average American, and I thank the ONE campaign for your efforts to change hearts.”

“We stand as ONE to address and fight the extreme poverty and global disease in Africa and other less fortunate countries. I am proud to be an Arkansan. I know we will have continued success and make generous strides as we labor together to better the quality of life for mankind,” said Congressman Mike Ross

With more than 12,000 ONE members across the state and the most “Cities of ONE” nationwide, the people of Arkansas are helping change the lives of those living in Africa and the world’s poorest countries.