Dear Friends,
What we learned this winter, when COVID-19 came to America, is that we were not as prepared as we should be, which is why I took action.
I introduced the SAVE Act to make sure that in time of emergency we have the pharmaceuticals and medical equipment we need to help Americans. This important bill will increase jobs and keep Arkansans and Americans secure in time of crisis. Click HERE or on the image below for my short video on why the SAVE Act will help protect Americans.
We don't want to be dependent on one country, like China, for medical supplies, and my bill set up a smart strategy to use the free markets but and to employ a diverse supply chain so that we're not dependent in times of crisis.
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| Bigelow Rosenwald School project funded |
Preserving Arkansas's Historic Places, Supporting Community |
Since 2015, I have supported the Bigelow Rosenwald School project at the University of Central Arkansas. I am pleased that after five years of partnership and collaboration with UCA, the Bigelow community, and Arkansas Senator Jason Rapert, the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council, part of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism has given a significant grant of $634,594 to the project.
This funding means that this school, which has served Arkansas’s African American community for the past century as a central meeting place for the community and their ideas, will be enjoyed by generations to come.
The Log Cabin Democrat published more on the significance of this grant, and the history of the school. To read more click HERE or on the image below.
Supporting Child Hunger Relief Efforts in Arkansas
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Last week, I joined 77 Members of Congress from across the aisle in asking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Leader Kevin McCarthy to provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture with $51 million in emergency COVID-19 relief funding for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), commonly known as the “Double-Up Food Bucks” program.
As a father of two, I’ve seen how important it is for children to have enough nutritious food to eat in order to lead healthy, active lives. Unfortunately, one in four Arkansas children does not know when or where their next meal will come from. This is unacceptable, and since coming to Congress, one of my missions has been collaborating with non-profit organizations and individuals in central Arkansas who are committed to helping those who are struggling to provide food for their families.
This the Double-Up Food Bucks program has popular bipartisan support and allows one dollar in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase two dollars of produce. I am proud of Vine and Village and the Fresh2You Mobile Market for providing creative solutions to deliver healthy food where it is needed the most. The Fresh2You Mobile Market, along with the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance and the Arkansas Foodbank are helping to bring locally grown, organic produce to food deserts throughout Little Rock.
I have long supported their mission and recently served alongside members of the Centers for Youth and Families Champions of Hope at the Arkansas Foodbank SW Little Rock to pack more than 2,744 kits full of nutritious food which will be delivered to Arkansas schools that the food bank serves.
Click HERE or on the image below to read my letter.
Donations Disrupted Due to COVID-19 |
Blood is critically needed at this time due to a shortage created by the current public health crisis and the cancellation of blood drives across the country. Last Friday, I donated blood again and am proud to do my part to help our tireless health workers on the front lines of this public health crisis.
Donation centers, like the American Red Cross and the Arkansas Blood Institute, have measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you are healthy and able, I encourage you to support our community by giving blood! Every donation matters and every donation helps save lives.
| APPLY FOR PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS |
New EZ Application Available |
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, has posted a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application. In addition to revising the full forgiveness application, the SBA also published a new EZ version of the forgiveness application that applies to borrowers that:
- Are self-employed and have no employees; OR
- Did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of their employees; OR
- Experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19 and did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%.
To access the EZ application, click HERE. To access the full forgiveness application, click HERE.
| A new member of the veteran team |
At the Ready to Assist Central Arkansas Veterans |
Central Arkansas is home to many of Arkansas’s brave veterans and service members. Through my robust team of veterans helping central Arkansas’s veterans, I have demonstrated my commitment to ensuring that our veterans, service members, and their families receive the care and benefits they have earned and deserve. Last year, alone I recovered more than $6 million in benefits for central Arkansas veterans.
I am pleased to announce that Robert Geal recently joined my team to serve as a District Representative for Military and Veteran Affairs. As someone who is currently serving with the Arkansas Army National Guard, Robert understands the importance of caring for our nation’s heroes. Welcome, Robert.
If or someone you know needs help with veterans benefits or other matters before the VA, Robert and the rest of our veterans team may be reached at (501) 324-4951.
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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