Dear Friends,
Happy Presidents' Day! Originally proposed to commemorate the birthday of George Washington, Presidents' Day is about recognizing and celebrating all the presidents who have selflessly served our country.
As you may know, one of my favorite presidents is Theodore Roosevelt, and today I am reflecting on his legacy and how we can take up his mantle by being good stewards of our land. Teddy Roosevelt was a conservationist who used his authority to establish 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, four national game preserves, five national parks, and 18 national monuments, along with designating approximately 200 million acres as national lands, almost five times as much land as his predecessors combined.
Since Arkansas is the Natural State, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that one of my top priorities is protecting our wildlife and national parks, and creating new places for wilderness to thrive. Today, perhaps more than ever, Americans need solitude and refreshment from what President Teddy Roosevelt called ‘the strenuous life' in places left wild and roadless for exploration, camping, hunting, and hiking.
On that front, I have worked to preserve our wild spaces for future generations of Arkansans and visitors through various initiatives, including my Flatside Wilderness Enhancement Act which was signed into law last year, and adds 640 acres to the existing 9,541-acre site located in Perry County and Saline County. As an avid outdoorsman, I have enjoyed hiking Flatside for the last three decades and am pleased to protect and grow the area, and fittingly, name it after Arkansas conservationist and friend, former Congressman Ed Bethune.
Pictured below: Congressman Hill (center right) celebrates the new Bethune Woods-Flatside Wilderness sign with former Congressman Ed Bethune (yellow shirt, center right), U.S. Forest Service leaders, and Arkansas conservation leaders.
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This past fall, during the week of President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, I was proud to host a tree planting ceremony on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol to honor and promote his remarkable contributions to wilderness conservation. Future youth and future U.S. Capitol visitors will enjoy the beauty and shade of this tree, and the influence of President Roosevelt’s work will continue well into the 22nd century and beyond.
Congressman Hill delivering remarks at a tree planting ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Congressman Hill was joined by Architect of the Capitol, Thomas J. Carroll, House Chaplin, Father Patrick J. Conroy, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. |
Congressman Hill was joined by the great-granddaughter and great-great-granddaughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, Joanna Sturm (third from left) and Mary Weld (third from right), respectively, in the ceremonial planting of a white oak tree on the southeast Capitol grounds. |
It was during this tree planting ceremony that House Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy first announced the Trillion Trees Initiative, which aims to offset carbon emissions and rebuild and sustain forests worldwide. On Wednesday, Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) introduced the Trillion Trees Act, which would plant 1 trillion trees in the United States and abroad by 2050, and encourage the use of wood products. Wood continues to store carbon after it has been turned into furniture, and using more wood would be an effective way to sequester carbon from the environment.
I agree with President Roosevelt: "A people without children would face a hopeless future. A country without trees is almost as helpless." I am hopeful that Congress can come together in a bipartisan and bicameral manner to pass this legislation.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
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| January Jobs Report Exceeds Expectations |
The U.S. remains the bright spot for growth in the world. Wages are continuing to rise, and workers are finding new opportunities in the economy. In the month of January, the U.S. economy added 225,000 jobs, smashing expectations. Wage growth also beat expectations with an increase of 3.1%.
The Labor Force Participation Rate increased to 63.4%, matching its highest level since 2013. This means more Americans currently have jobs or are actively looking for jobs, and are benefiting from current pro-growth economic policies.
Metrics from the Department of Labor’s January jobs report, as compared to consensus expectations:
✅Change in nonfarm payrolls: +225,000 vs. +165,000 expected.
✅Unemployment rate: 3.6% vs. 3.5% expected.
✅ Average hourly earnings year on year: +3.1% vs. +3.0% expected.
| Rep. Hill On Yahoo Finance |
| Discusses Fed Chair Testimony Before House Financial Services Committee |
This week I joined Julie Hyman and Adam Shapiro on Yahoo Finance's On The Move to discuss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services.
To watch the full interview, click HERE or on the image below.
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One of my favorite parts of days here on Capitol Hill is meeting with Arkansans in Washington. Here are some of this week’s highlights:
I had the pleasure of meeting with Emily, an athlete participating in the Unified Champion Schools program at Vilonia High School. Thank you, Emily, and the representatives of Special Olympics Arkansas who spoke with me about this program and the importance of allowing students the opportunity to stay fit and be integrated with their peers.
Congressman Hill with representatives of Special Olympics Arkansas, Emily Standridge, Rhonda Standridge, Jennifer Grantham, and Terri Weir. |
I enjoyed speaking to members of the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard about their mission, and what we can do to support our enlisted National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and women across the nation.
Congressman Hill with members of the Enlisted Association of the Arkansas National Guard. From central Arkansas: Brian Mays, Derrick Young, Stephanie Rowland, Ashley Brodnax, Tracye Young, Angela Lechner, Paula Hawkins, and Sarah Sims. |
Our country is experiencing a primary care physician shortage that is especially keenly felt in rural areas. That is why I support legislation that increases the number of residency programs, such as the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, and why it is so important to me to meet with groups such as the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership and discuss the healthcare challenges that Arkansas is facing.
Congressman Hill with Mellie Bridewell from Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Rex Jones from Magnolia Regional Medical Center, Brian Thomas from Jefferson Regional, Lynn Hawkins from Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Stephanie Garner from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Brandon Gorman from Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, Bo Ryall from the Arkansas Hospital Association, Christine Hartford from NYITCOM at Arkansas State, and Tammy Henson from Arkansas Rural Practice Programs. |
Local law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and I am proud to stand beside them. Thank you, Det. Kevin “Bart” Simpson, the president of the Arkansas State Fraternal Order of Police and all of the members of the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police who visited, representing the nearly 3,300 active and retired law enforcement officers in thirty-six lodges throughout Arkansas.
Congressman Hill with representatives of the Arkansas State Fraternal Order of Police. |
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