Dear Friends,
It is important to continue practicing social distancing and wearing a mask.
Since there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, we must do everything we can to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the coronavirus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people in close contact (within 6 feet); through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Studies have shown that wearing a face covering can greatly reduce the spread of diseases like COVID-19.
Although masks are not mandatory in Arkansas, Governor Asa Hutchinson is encouraging everyone to wear a face mask to stop the spread when you cannot social distance.
The Arkansas Department of Health published a helpful guide on how to sew your own mask at home, which can be found HERE.
Even if you do not feel sick, there is still a possibility that you can infect others. Let’s continue to come together and wear face masks to protect our community from COVID-19. We will overcome this virus together as Americans and Arkansans.
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| INVESTING IN THE PORT OF LITTLE ROCK |
The Port of Little Rock is the largest industrial hub in central Arkansas with over 40 businesses that employ over 4,000 people.
I am pleased that my efforts with Senator John Boozman and Senator Tom Cotton encouraged the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to approve $2 million in funding for infrastructure upgrades at the Port. The DRA’s investment will aid these current industries at the Little Rock Port Authority Industrial Park, and also provide necessary improvements to Zeuber Road which will attract new business, like Amazon and CZ USA, who are being served by the new road work.
This project was made possible through funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the City of Little Rock and Pulaski County.
Yesterday, I came together with the Little Rock Port Authority’s Bryan Day, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde, Delta Regional Authority’s Chris Caldwell, Little Rock Chamber of Commerce’s Ronnie Dedman and Jay Chesshir, Senator John Boozman, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District for the groundbreaking ceremony.
This is an incredible example of how federal, state, and local leaders can come together and continue to spur investment in our region and make central Arkansas more attractive for new business.
| HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF COACH CHARLES RIPLEY |
For decades, Charles Ripley has been a fixture of Arkansas basketball. Sadly, he passed away last week at the age of 74. I was privileged to honor the life of Coach Ripley on the House floor last week. I spoke about Coach Ripley’s tenure with the Little Rock School District and Arkansas Baptist College. Arkansas Baptist College has even established a “Rip It Scholarship” to fund and honor his long-time efforts to fund and assist student-athletes at their institution.
Thank you, Coach Ripley, for your dedication to basketball and for being a father figure to your many student athletes. You’ve touched many people’s lives throughout your career, and you will always be in our hearts. Click HERE or on the image below to watch my floor speech.
| CONTINUING OUR ECONOMIC COMEBACK |
The latest update from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in June employment rose by 4.8 million and the unemployment rate fell to 11.1%. Specifically, the employment in leisure and hospitality increased by 2.1 million as more establishments continued to reopen their doors. Household survey data shows that more individuals are returning to full time work as the numbers grew to 118.9 million, and part time work increased to 23.2 million.
The numbers prove optimistic and a turnaround for the future economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. As more individuals head back to work, whether physically or virtually, the focus is to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the work environment. Following the state and local guidelines can help to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
On Memorial Day 2013, Walmart announced that it would create the Veteran’s Welcome Home Commitment (VWHC) which would create job opportunities for eligible, honorably discharged U.S. veterans.
Just seven years later, Walmart has reached their hiring goal by providing more than 265,000 veteran associate hires, and more than 44,000 of those associates have been promoted to more challenging roles and higher pay at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.
I am proud to share that includes 6,970 veteran associate hires and 1,460 veteran associate promotions in Arkansas.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
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