Both houses of the legislature today approved a resolution honoring Matt DeCample, the former aide to Governor Mike Beebe who died on Sunday after a three-year battle with a rare form of liver cancer.
Here is the resolution, which was read in full on the Senate floor by Beebe’s former chief of staff, Morril Harriman:
WHEREAS, Mr. Matt DeCample, the former spokesman for Attorney General and Governor Mike Beebe, lost his three-year battle against an extremely rare and aggressive liver cancer on Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the age of; and
WHEREAS, a Seattle native who got his start in Arkansas when he was hired to work in the newsroom at Little Rock station KATV, Mr. DeCample was 41 years old when he received a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, a year and a half after the end of the Beebe administration; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeCample endured many hours of chemotherapy with his own delightful blend of blogging, improv comedy, and many deep friendships, saying, “Humor is how I cope. I’m going to make jokes. It comes in handy”; and
WHEREAS, following his work in government, Mr. DeCample went on to become a consultant in media relations and communications, and continued to build on his reputation for honesty, humility, keen intelligence, sincerity, kindness, dependability, and having a quick wit and an ever-present smile; and
WHEREAS, former Governor Beebe said Mr. DeCample had “the rare combination of an incredibly quick mind and a depth of knowledge that was truly astounding. He was calm and extremely honest and his credibility was unquestioned. We were lucky to have known him. We will not see his like again,”
NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:THAT the Senate remembers and thanks Mr. Matt DeCample for his service and contributions to the State of Arkansas.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution shall be provided to Mr. DeCample’s parents, Linda and Richard DeCample, by the Secretary of the Senate.