Dear Friends,
One of my favorite times of the year is the Fourth of July. This Fourth of July weekend I was able to travel all over the Second Congressional District, talking with constituents while celebrating the birth of our Nation.
I enjoyed watching the fireworks in Alread, visiting with the wonderful Piecemakers in Morrilton, spending time with youth baseball players at Lamar Porter Field in Little Rock, eating a great holiday meal with the Ladies Auxiliary at the VFW in Fairfield Bay, and reading the Declaration of Independence at the Historic Arkansas Museum.
However, one activity from this past weekend that I want to highlight in more detail is my afternoon walk with Thomas Wayne Hudson. Thomas, better known as The Walking Veteran, is walking across the country to raise awareness for the issues many veterans face as they transition back into civilian life, particularly a Department of Veterans Affairs that isn't always responsive to their individual needs.
Rep. Hill and Thomas Wayne Hudson walking through Little Rock. |
Thomas, a disabled veteran himself, started his journey in Las Vegas on May 2nd, with the plan to finish his trek in Washington on Veterans Day this year. When I was walking with him, I quickly became inspired by his dedication to helping his fellow veterans.
Although this type of behavior shouldn't be terribly surprising when you think about the type of men and women who fill the ranks of our armed forces. Those who serve our country with the understanding that doing so may cost them their lives are by their nature a very selfless breed.
Thomas' mission is a testament to the never-ending spirit of that selflessness. Despite a return to civilian life, Thomas is dedicating his time, energy, and resources toward helping his fellow veterans, and this is not a mentality that is entirely unique to him.
I constantly meet with veterans who, in civilian life, continue to give back to their communities, friends, and family. And like their time in the military, they serve without the expectation of anything in return.
However, just because that expectation doesn't exist, it doesn't mean we shouldn't do everything in our power to revamp a failing Department of Veterans Affairs and make it a place that veterans can trust and depend on for quality care. Thomas told me a big part of the reason for the walk was the hope of catching the attention of people in elected positions; he certainly has my attention, and I look forward to sharing his story with my colleagues in Congress.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill |
News for the Week
Female veteran gets French Legion of Honor Medal
Arkansas Online
Overwhelming. That is the one word Alice Dougherty Beatty of Conway used over and over to describe her induction into an elite group of World War II veterans — those receiving the French Legion of Honor Medal. She received the medal, which is the highest decoration awarded by the French government, along with 11 other World War II veterans in a ceremony Monday in the rotunda of the state Capitol. Beatrice Moore of Batesville, honorary consul of France for Arkansas, presented the medals, along with U.S. Reps. French Hill, R-Ark., and Rick Crawford, R-Ark.
Read More |
250 Attend HubX-Life Sciences Demo Day at Innovation Hub
Arkansas Business
The demo day hosted by the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub in North Little Rock for teams that completed its first 13-week HubX-Life Sciences accelerator program attracted more than 250 people, including U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark. At the demo day, Hill said, he couldn't think of a better place for a company to take part in an incubator than Little Rock and North Little Rock. "The best place to do it," Hill said. "Take that, Austin!" Hill said the HubX program is aimed at a improving a key sector of American life: health care. He said innovation is key to achieving improvements in access, affordability, patient care and outcomes.
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