Dear Friend, 

Friday morning, I announced the central Arkansas winner of the 2021 Congressional App Challenge.

I was pleased to announce Neil Sash, of Episcopal High School, as this year’s winner representing central Arkansas. Neil’s app, Global Home Doc, estimates a user’s risk for the three most deadly diseases in the world and gives the user recommendations based on the advice of medical professionals. For more information about Neil’s app, please click here.

The Congressional App Challenge aims to get students in grades 8-12 interested in the world of computer science, coding, and app development. This year, my office received 19 submissions from students across central Arkansas. I was pleased by the quality of this year’s submissions and look forward to seeing what’s next for these bright students.

Check out these innovative, new app ideas here or by clicking on the graphic below! For the video announcement, please click here.

I would like to clear up some misconceptions surrounding H.R. 550. This bill does not have anything to do with vaccine mandates, nor does it create a federal database. This bill also does not create a personal tracking system.

Immunization databases already exist; however, they are outdated. This bill enhances the security of these existing systems in each state by mandating that immunization data is confidential. It would provide private citizens an extra layer of protection regarding their healthcare information and make the information easily transferable between states.

For more information about Arkansas’s Immunization Information System, please click here.

I was pleased to join my friend, former Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Marie Royce, at the celebration for the 75^th anniversary of the Fulbright Program.

As I told students at the University of Arkansas in 2019, “Over several decades, thousands have come to our country to study, many each year with the help of the Fulbright Program, to advance their field of study, to make a scientific discovery, or to build an enterprise. We have just as happily sent thousands of our own citizens abroad to gain understanding, language skills, and new ideas in advancing their own futures.”

The Fulbright Program has created countless opportunities for students, both domestic and abroad, and I enjoyed getting to celebrate the program’s 75^th anniversary.

Hunter on my staff joined Lt. Governor Tim Griffin and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott at the ribbon cutting for the new Maker Space at the LISA Academy in Little Rock.

Maker Space's are collaborative workspaces for working, learning, and promoting creativity and exploration. This Maker Space is a wonderful addition to the Academy's innovative approach to hybrid education, allowing educators to expand their curriculum beyond the classroom.

I look forward to seeing what their students will accomplish in this space.

I am happy to announce that I am now accepting applications for internship positions for Spring 2022 in my Little Rock and Washington, DC offices. We are seeking applicants for full-time and part-time paid positions. 

Interns will work in a fast-paced environment, gaining valuable exposure and knowledge of the legislative process and the U.S. Congress while helping central Arkansans. Intern responsibilities include answering constituent phone calls, assisting staff with administrative tasks, conducting legislative research, and assisting with correspondence. Candidates must have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and excellent written and oral communication skills. Successful interns will be self-starters, take and listen to direction, and be willing to work both independently and as part of a team. Applicants should have working knowledge of current events and policy topics as well as a willingness to assist with daily office tasks. Arkansas ties strongly preferred.

Internships are open to college and graduate students, as well as recent graduates.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to AR02.Applications@mail.house.gov. If you have any questions, you can contact my office for additional information at (202) 225-2506 or click here. 

As co-chairman of the Congressional Entrepreneurship Caucus, I hosted a roundtable along with my colleagues in Congress and with Right to Start, an organization that aims to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs and make start-ups possible for everyone.

I enjoyed learning more about their vision, and how this organization’s model can make entrepreneurship a reality for more central Arkansans.

Last week, my district director, Anushree Jumde, attended a press conference, announcing the creation of the Consortium for Cyber Innovation (CCI). The CCI will help create a pathway for cyber-related careers through partnerships between the Forge Institute, University of Arkansas – Little Rock, University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff, and Acxiom in central Arkansas.

This announcement represents a significant step toward making Arkansas more competitive in the arena of cyber innovation and defense, and I look forward to following CCI’s growth and success.