Dear Friends,
Today on Labor Day, I am reminded of Arkansans like JD Davis, a 20-year veteran with UPS who served our country as a Platoon Commander in the Gulf War. Last December, we teamed up for a ride-along in Conway, Arkansas, on one of the busiest days of the year for UPS.
Hard-working folks like JD help support our local businesses and ensure that packages and supplies arrive on time at your door. Today we celebrate those who built our nation and have kept it running during this difficult moment in history.
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YOUR IDEAS MAKE A DIFFERENCE |
During my time in Congress, I have listened closely to Arkansans as they have shared their good ideas with me. I recently started a video series called “Your Ideas” where I highlight just some of the ideas that started right here in Arkansas and were put into action in Congress.
In October of 2018, I worked with Dr. Brian Mitchell, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to award the family of Leroy Johnston medals he earned serving in WWI, but did not receive due to discrimination based on the color of his skin.
Because of this, I introduced the World War I Valor Medals Review Act. This bipartisan bill requires the Department of Defense to review the military records of minority service members of the Armed Forces during WWI to determine if they should be awarded the Medal of Honor. This legislation was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which was signed into law by the president on December 20th, 2019.
To watch, click HERE or on the image below.
It takes only one person to make a difference. If you have an idea, contact me.
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Today is National Read a Book Day
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Sharing a Terrific Children's Book |
Yesterday was National Read a Book Day, so I wanted to take this opportunity to share a great children's book about Arkansas, Lucky to Live in Arkansas by Kate B. Jerome. Kate has written a fun book that encourages the reader to tell their own story of growing up in Arkansas. It's a "Read Together - Do Together" book.
This past week I recorded a video for the Library of Congress and its affiliate, the Arkansas Center for the Book that I am excited to share with you in the coming days.
Reading with young children is vital to set them up for future success in school. If you are able, experts recommend reading with your children daily.
The U.S. Department of Education’s "Talk, Read, and Sing Together Every Day!" tip sheets provide families, caregivers, and early educators with research-based tips for talking, reading, and singing with young children every day. Access those tip sheets HERE.
Recently, I spoke with Dr. Carla Hayden, and the Library of Congress’ Director of Educational Outreach, Lee Ann Potter, about the upcoming school year, and what the Library of Congress has done and continues to do to support education across the country.
Watch our full discussion by clicking HERE or on the image below.
Some of the best resources offered by the Library of Congress include:
Resources for Family Engagement from the Library of Congress that include interactive author programs, activity kits, and video library stories.
Activity kits are designed with age-appropriate materials that engage students to learn more about history, geography, music, and art.
If you're looking for a way to connect with the largest library in the world on your mobile device, you're in luck! The Library of Congress offers its digitized collection of iconic photos, historic maps, books, films, newspapers, manuscripts, and sound recordings on their LOC Collections App.
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| protecting our first national river |
Meeting with the Superintendent of Buffalo National River
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This Friday, I spoke with Mark Foust, who is the Superintendent of Buffalo National River, our country's first national river.
We discussed the current state of the Buffalo watershed, the water quality, plans for the 50th anniversary, and what I can do in Congress to promote the preservation of this beautiful national river. Protecting this watershed is vital for the ability of Arkansans to enjoy this beautiful free-flowing resource and meetings like these inform how I can best support the local watershed priorities.
| be vigilant for Tax Lien Mail Scam |
Report Fraudulent Letters to the Arkansas Attorney General's Office |
As the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis continues to impact our families, communities, and businesses, criminals see this pandemic as an opportunity.
Recently, scam mailings that threaten individuals with the seizure of their wages and Social Security benefits to satisfy alleged non-payment of taxes have been reported. Recipients are instructed to call a toll-free number by a set date or further enforcement action will be taken against them. Do not call this number.
Instead, if you receive a letter like this report it to the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at ArkansasAG.gov or (800) 482-8982.
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Be suspicious of any unsolicited phone calls, emails, mailings, or in-person solicitations that request funds or claim that you owe money.
- Never use a phone number provided to you from an individual making threats to verify their credibility. Use a verified phone number to contact a government agency if you’re concerned you might owe money.
- Avoid unusual payment methods. No government agency will instruct you to resolve your debt using a payment method such as Bitcoin, money wires, mailed cash, or gift cards.
- Keep your information private. Don’t share your personal information with organizations you are unfamiliar with, do not have ties to, and did not initiate contact with.
- Take your time. If you are requested to act quickly or there is a stated emergency, it may be a scam. Scammers create a sense of urgency to get you to act impulsively.
- If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Growing our Data Science Talent in Arkansas
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This week, I hosted a Zoom video call with business and higher education leaders to discuss how Arkansas can best create, develop, and maintain workers in our growing technology industry. As a growing tech hub, the actions we take now to cultivate our workforce will help central Arkansas succeed as a job-creation and innovation center in the years to come.
I appreciate the Executive Director of the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences Bill Yoder, CEO and Chairman of First Orion Corp Charles Morgan, CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce Jay Chesshir, Dean of the UA -Little Rock Engineering Technology Department Lawrence Whitman, Lonnie Emard from the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences, Tom Chilton from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Bob Daws from Dillard's, the chair of the UA -Little Rock Computer Science Department Elizabeth Pierce, Donald Walker from the Arkansas Coding Academy and the University of Central Arkansas, Philip Dale Huff from the UA -Little Rock Computer Science Department, Ashley Jones from The Venture Center, and Collins Andrews from FIS joining me for this conversation on computer programming education and talent retention in Arkansas.
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
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