Dear Friends,

Each year, on September 11, we remember the 2,977 victims who tragically lost their lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the four hijacked planes.

Right here in Arkansas, we are blessed to have two monuments in both Conway and Searcy that are a testament to the hearts of a community.

Both the Conway Fire Department and the Searcy Fire Department house monuments to honor the heroes and the lives lost.

Click HERE to learn more about the community efforts that helped ensure the bravery of the heroes and the lives lost will always be remembered.

I also recently shared my thoughts on this national moment in the Saline Courier in my op-ed "Remembering the Fallen."

This year, on the 19th anniversary of September 11, I pray for the families who lost loved ones and friends. May their cherished memories of good times, laughter, and happiness never fade.

National suicide prevention week

Call to Action: How you Can Help

Tragically, every 14 hours someone in Arkansas dies by suicide. Every 84 minutes, a veteran commits suicide somewhere in the United States. This week I discussed in the Log Cabin Democrat the role that you and I can play to prevent suicide.

Talking about suicide and mental health can seem overwhelming. The truth is that you don’t need specialized training to prevent suicide. You can save a life by being alert to the warning signs. Simply being kind to someone in need and checking in on friends and family can make a difference.

If you or a loved one is struggling, you are not alone.

Help is available 24 /7 through 911 or the national suicide prevention lifeline: (800) 273-8255.

Supporting local restaurants

Listening to Restaurant Owners in Our Community

These past few months have been incredibly difficult for every small business and local restaurant in our community. I understand what they need to be able to make it through to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic and I am committed to pushing for additional federal relief.

Yesterday I spoke with some of our central Arkansas restaurant owners about what they need in the wake of this crisis.

We discussed the next potential relief package, how I can continue to be an advocate for small businesses in Congress, and ways restaurants are adapting to continue serving their customers while also keeping them safe.

I will continue to be a partner to the restaurants in central Arkansas. I will be sure that their concerns are relayed to my colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee and will strive to find bipartisan solutions that benefit small businesses in our community.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Zoom call, including:

Vince Schallenberg. Owner of All Aboard

Ken Vaughan. Owner of the Purple Cow Restaurants

Travis Hester. Owner of Eat My Catfish

Bob Byford. Owner of the Library Kitchen and Lounge

Elgin Hammer. Owner of the Wood Grill Buffet Benton

Ed David. Owner of The Faded Rose Restaurant

Ryan Hamra. Owner of Potbelly

Jake Keet. Co-owner of Petit and Keet

Montine McNulty. CEO of the Arkansas Hospitality Association.

Preparing for flu season

Attention Veterans: Flu Shots Available

Starting Monday, September 14, veterans will be able to get free flu shots through primary care and geriatric care clinics in addition to all eight CAVHS community-based outpatient clinics.

They will also be available at:

John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the walk-in clinic in the green atrium and in the drive-through clinic parking lot.

Eugene J. Towbin VA Medical Center in North Little Rock, in the Towbin Facility, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM and in Lane 1 in the North Parking Lot Monday through Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

The flu vaccine is the best protection against becoming sick, especially for those at risk of flu-based complications such as those who are above the age of 65 or have underlying conditions.

For more information on VA flu shots in the Little Rock area, visit HERE.

assistance for families in need

Partnering with the Arkansas Food Bank

This week I visited the Arkansas Food Bank and learned from CEO Rhonda Sanders and Chief Development Officer Sarah Riffle how they have been helping Arkansans who are in need due to the pandemic.

So many families are facing financial insecurity through no fault of their own because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Where they get their next meal should not add more stress during these difficult times.

It is very important to me that Arkansans are provided for and the Arkansas Food Bank has been stepping up and feeding families throughout this crisis. If they continue at the current pace, they will set the record at almost 40 million pounds of food distributed. To accommodate the increased volume, they will soon be adding 20,000 feet of refrigerated space in the near future.

Thank you to CEO Rhonda Sanders and Chief Development Officer Sarah Riffle for showing me the facilities today and for all of your work caring for Arkansans.

In Arkansas and America, no child or family should go hungry. Maintaining food banks to assist Arkansans during these unprecedented times is important because improper nourishment has far-reaching consequences, including inhibited brain development, increased chronic illness, and the likelihood of depression and anxiety.

If you need help, below are some resources to bridge the gap:

The Arkansas Food Bank: (501) 565-8121

Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance: (501) 399-9999 or email info@arhungeralliance.org

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