Friends,
On Tuesday morning, I met with members of the Arkansas National Guard in Logan Circle here in Washington, along with my friends and colleagues, Arkansas Representatives Bruce Westerman and Rick Crawford. It was a cold morning, but the welcome could not have been warmer. These men and women are serving far from home, and I wanted to hear directly from them about how things are going and to thank them in person for stepping up when they were called. Brigadier General Chad Bridges and Lt. Col. Brian Lawrenz briefed us on the mission, and what we heard from the Guardsmen themselves was encouraging. Many told us that the welcome has largely been positive, and that, while they miss home, they are making the most of their time here, going to museums, exploring our nation's history, and even catching a Washington Capitals game or two during their time off. What stood out most was their professionalism and pride in what they do. They talked about their units, their families back home, and the responsibility they feel to serve well, no matter where they are sent. The National Guard motto is not just a slogan. "Always Ready, Always There" is how they live. I am incredibly proud of them as ambassadors for our state. They truly reflect the best of Arkansas: hardworking, respectful, and committed to service. I want to thank Maj. Iris Lehner for helping arrange this meeting, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to personally thank those who are serving our state and country. |
I took to the House floor this week to push back against comments from the new mayor of our nation’s largest city, who recently praised the so-called “warmth of collectivism” while dismissing the values of hard work and free enterprise that have helped lift millions of people into the middle class and beyond, and freed hundreds of millions from oppression and starvation around the world. As we approach America’s 250th birthday, we should be reaffirming the principles that built this country, not walking away from them. History shows us, again and again, that government-enforced collectivism leads to less freedom, fewer opportunities, and more suffering. We see it in Cuba, where people live without basic rights and economic freedom. We see it in China, where Uyghurs are imprisoned and forced into labor. We see it in North Korea, where families live under constant oppression and scarcity. And we all know the disastrous history of starvation, death, and imprisonment from Mao’s China and Stalin’s Soviet Union. America’s strength has always come from individual freedom, hard work, and open markets, not from top-down control. I will keep speaking out for the values that have made our country strong and that give families a real chance to build a better future. You can watch my defense of American values HERE. |
The reality of collectivism, from top to bottom: a horse-drawn cart in Cuba; Uyghurs imprisoned in China’s Xinjiang province; and a satellite photo of North and South Korea at night, where one prospers while the other lives in darkness. |
Tomorrow, we celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his courageous leadership in the fight for justice, equal rights, and a better America. His message of hope, fairness, and opportunity continues to inspire us, and his legacy reminds us that lasting change comes when people come together to stand up for what is right. That is why this holiday is also recognized as a Day of Service, a reminder that each of us can honor his legacy by giving back and helping those around us. And this year, amid intense political division, we should take a moment to listen to Dr. King’s most famous speech, “I Have a Dream.” His powerful delivery is matched only by the eloquence and timelessness of his words, and it remains an enduring reminder of his call to value the character of people, to take pride in the promise of our country, and to come together as one people. Dr. King stood firmly for what he believed, treated others with dignity and respect, and in doing so, moved America closer to its founding promise. You can watch Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech HERE. |
Each year on January 16, the President calls on Americans to reflect on the vital role of faith and the freedom to practice it through education, community conversations, and prayer. Religious Freedom Day serves as a reminder that the freedom to believe and worship without fear is not just an American value; it is an inalienable right. While we in America are blessed to worship as we wish, millions of people around the world still face violence, imprisonment, and persecution for their faith. That is why standing up for religious freedom has been a priority for me. Throughout my time in Congress, I have introduced and supported resolutions calling attention to the continuing threats facing Coptic Christians in Egypt and religious communities facing repression in China, and I have urged stronger action to protect religious minorities threatened by violence in places like Nigeria, Syria, and Sudan. I have advocated for greater religious freedom with foreign and religious leaders abroad and pressed our own government to hold persecutors accountable. Here at home, I have also defended our own rights to religious freedom and expression during the COVID-19 pandemic in the face of government mandates. So, while I celebrate our religious liberties at home, I will also continue to stand with those around the world who are denied the basic right to live out their faith in peace, and I will use my voice to defend this fundamental freedom. |
"Freedom of Worship" by Norman Rockwell (1943) |
|
|
| |
Religious Freedom Day commemorates what event?
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last week’s Trivia: Which European country established the first settlement in present-day Arkansas? B) France
While Spanish explorers passed through Arkansas in 1541-1542, they never established permanent settlements. It was French explorer Henri de Tonti who founded Arkansas Post in 1686 near the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers as a trading and military outpost, making it the first lasting European settlement in the area.
55.5% of respondents answered correctly. (39.7% selected "Spain") |
Submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition are now open! This competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent from across central Arkansas, with the winning artwork displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. I will again be hosting a “Fan Favorite” award, where central Arkansans can vote for their favorite piece. The artwork that wins Fan Favorite will be displayed in my Little Rock District Office. This challenge is open to all students in grades 9 through 12 who live in Arkansas’s Second Congressional District. The deadline to submit artwork to my office is Tuesday, March 31 at 12:00 pm CST. One small change from years past: Students are no longer required to submit a photo of themselves with their artwork. For more information and full submission instructions, click HERE. |
Last year's winner, “Beyond the Familiar" by Amber Bae. |
The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime has announced several grant opportunities to help communities provide services, housing, and support for victims of human trafficking. Here is a list of grant opportunities:
Deadline: Grants.gov 02/24/2026 11:59 p.m. EST and JustGrants 03/03/2026 08:59 p.m. EST
Deadline: Grants.gov 03/11/2026 11:59 p.m. EST and JustGrants 03/18/2026 08:59 p.m. EST:
You can learn more by clicking HERE or by contacting my Little Rock office: (501) 324-5941 |
My office can arrange tours of the Capitol and many other sights in Washington, D.C., on behalf of you and your family during your stay. Please note: White House tours require Real IDs or other accepted forms of ID, such as a valid passport or U.S. military ID.
If you and your loved ones are planning on visiting Washington, D.C. in the coming months, I recommend you reach out to my office to request tours as soon as possible HERE.
If you have any questions about your visit to Washington, D.C., please call my D.C. office at (202) 225-2506. |
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
|
|
|
