Dear Friends,

Every business in Arkansas has been affected by COVID-19.

I have been working every day to try to assist these businesses by collaborating with my colleagues in Congress, partnering with local and state governments, and partnering with private entities to find solutions to keep Arkansas's workers employed.

As part of that ongoing conversation, I hosted a Facebook LIVE event yesterday with Wayne Miller, the Executive Director of the Venture Center here in Arkansas.

Even though these are difficult times, the American dream lives on in the hearts of our local business owners and members of our community working hard every day to provide for their families.

I am committed to finding solutions on your behalf to keep Americans working.

recognizing a true public servant

Congratulations to Mr. James Johnson on His Retirement

Today, I recognized Mr. James Johnson in the Congressional Record on the occasion of his retirement from the Forest Heights Post Office in Little Rock.

Mr. Johnson served our community for 23 years at this location and was always ready and willing to help customers with their various needs.

This past April, Mr. Johnson came up with an innovative solution to combat the spread of COVID-19 at the Forest Heights Post Office.

By erecting shower curtain barriers, Mr. Johnson limited the direct contact between workers and customers, decreasing the chances of disease transmission.

His dedication to the job was only matched by the warmth and grace with which he performed his duties. He welcomed all visitors to the office with a cheerful smile and wave.

I was fortunate to get to know Mr. Johnson over the years and will certainly miss his kind and helpful nature. He is as true an example of a public servant as I have met.

I would like to thank Mr. Johnson on behalf of the entire Little Rock community and wish him the best of luck in retirement.

rental assistance available

Arkansas DHS Allocated $23 Million Through the CARES Act

This week, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that rental assistance is available for eligible Arkansans affected by COVID-19.

Any Arkansan seeking housing assistance should click HERE to learn more about which groups are providing aid in your area.

If you have lost income, if you are homeless, or if you are at risk of becoming homeless as a result of the coronavirus, you are encouraged to apply for assistance through the COVID-19 Emergency Solutions Grant from Arkansas DHS

Our state was allocated around $23 million through the CARES Act to address the urgent housing needs brought on by the pandemic. Arkansas DHS can start distributing that aid to central Arkansas by funding homelessness prevention outreach, rapid re-housing, and emergency shelters.

Local governments, nonprofits, and organizations that provide housing services are now accepting applications for aid from those in need. For more information, click HERE.

congratulations to VFW post 4453

Celebrating 75 Years of Service to Morrilton's Veterans

Recently, I took to the House Floor to recognize Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4453 in Morrilton on their 75th year of service.

Every year for the Fourth of July, VFW Post 4453 lines up American flags for the Morrilton Walk of Flags. Each of these flags is a visual reminder of the brave men and women from Conway County who defended our freedom at home and abroad.

Our VFW Posts in Arkansas do so much to support our heroes once they return home from service by providing resources and community. The VFW Posts also honor veterans once they pass, keeping their memories alive in the hearts of central Arkansans.

Thank you to our central Arkansas veterans, who laid their lives on the line for their country, and congratulations to the Martin-Bradley Post of the Arkansas Veterans of Foreign Wars for their 75 years of service, may they have many more ahead.

participate in the congressional app challenge

Deadline Approaching: October 19^th, 2020

This year, I am honored to join my colleague Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-D) as co-chair of the Congressional App Challenge.

Throughout my years as your representative in Congress, I have had the privilege of viewing many exciting app creations from some of central Arkansas’s brightest minds.

Since its inception in 2013, the Congressional App Challenge has inspired students to embrace their creativity and knowledge, and it has produced many innovative solutions to everyday problems and forged connections between Members of Congress and the students they represent.

These software applications can be made for the students’ preferred platform (mobile, tablet, computer, etc). The entries will be judged by a panel of academics, software professionals, and entrepreneurs.

All participants must submit a video explanation of what their app does, or will do.

Eligible students must register and submit their apps by 11:00 AM CT on October 19, 2020. This can either be done as an individual or as part of a team.

To register, click HERE.

contact tracing for covid-19

Slowing the Spread of the Virus

Contact tracing is used by health departments to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and is key to keeping you and your family safe. Arkansas's contact tracers interview those with COVID-19 and work to interrupt the spread of the virus by contacting others who may have been exposed.

If you have been exposed, calls will come from (877) 272-6819, and you could be contacted up until 8:00 PM. To prove it is a legitimate call, contact tracers will provide information for you to verify.

Be aware of scams: contact tracers will not ask you for information about your bank account or charge you for the call.

If you are interested in volunteering to be a contact tracer, click HERE to learn more.

It is my honor to represent you in Congress.

Please contact me at (501) 324-5941 or Hill.House.Gov if I may be of service to you.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill