Pine Bluff Arsenal�'s 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr., Humanitarian Award was presented to Arthur Simmons Jan. 30, at the conclusion of the MLK observance at the PBA Community Club.
Simmons, a production worker with the Directorate of Chemical and Biological Defense Operations, has been at PBA for 29 years. He expressed his gratitude upon receiving the award. �"Thank you. I don�'t have a speech but I am truly honored to receive this distinguished award," he said during the ceremony. �"With all of the people who work here on the Arsenal, I was surprised it was me but honored to receive it."
Simmons said his favorite quote of King�'s is �"Life�'s most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others"? �"This statement has really resonated with me," he said.
The Arsenal�'s MLK Humanitarian Award is presented every year to a nominated employee for exceptional community service. The award, presented by the Arsenal�'s Equal Employment Opportunity office, is in honor of Dr. King�'s commitment to the spirit of equality and the commitment towards making the world a better place through volunteering time and talents.
�"Here is an individual who is dedicated to his community, sharing of himself and loving people and loving his community. Also, bringing that to Pine Bluff Arsenal and sharing it every day," said Col. David Musgrave, Arsenal commander, during the ceremony. �"I want to thank you because you are the true example of what Dr. King represents. There are many people just like you but it is a rare opportunity to be awarded for it."
Simmons was presented the U.S. Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in October 2013, for a suggestion that was recently adopted and implemented on the Arsenal�'s M295 Decontamination Kit production line.
According to certificate information, Simmons�'s proposal was applied to the operation where M295 packet rolls are places on a spindle for feed to the mitt-making equipment. The proposal consisted of having a rectangular cut made to the center lift platform helping to achieve adequate clearance and making it easier to lower the packet rolls onto the spindle. These changes to the operation provided improvement of safety and ergonomic aspects to all M295 production workers.
Simmons, a Pine Bluff native, has demonstrated major contributions on the job and in the local community, according to the MLK award nomination information. �"He has been an active member and supporter of the Neighborhood Watch Association for over two years, and was presented the Community Service Award in October 2013, by Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth," read the information. �"He was presented the Governor�'s Volunteer Excellence Award in October 2013 by Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe for serving 100 to 250 hours to the people of Arkansas."
He has been an Auxiliary Probation Officer for the Juvenile Division in Jefferson County, Ark., for over four years. �"Simmons has volunteered his service to helping juveniles. He spends time with them mentoring and tutoring them to excel in school," according to the nomination information. �"He received a Certificate of Appreciation to acknowledge his dedicated service as a Sixth Division Circuit Court (Juvenile Division) Auxiliary Probation Officer from the Honorable Earnest E. Brown, Jr., Circuit Judge."
�"I am very passionate about my volunteer and mentor activities with the juvenile court," he said. �"We have badges so we can actually enter the court room with the individuals we mentor. This is my fifth year doing this. I really enjoy this because when I�'m out in the community, I actually get to see people I have talked with and helped."
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