Dear Friends,
There's nothing I enjoy more than being in my home state of Arkansas. It's been another busy week here in central Arkansas, talking with advocates, families, and hardworking Arkansans who are making a true impact and difference in our communities. Here are a few highlights from my week in the Natural State.
Serving and Hearing from Our Homeless Community
I started Monday off serving our homeless community breakfast in Little Rock at the Salvation Army of central Arkansas and Jericho Way. So far this year, my team has conducted 14 visits to eight centers to hear directly from central Arkansans on how we can better assist and best provide services to the homeless.
Thanking Our Purple Heart Recipients
Tuesday was Purple Heart Day where we honor members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed. I'm blessed to have Richard Maxwell on my staff who was wounded in combat while serving in Iraq. He received the Purple Heart Medal in February 2005 for his bravery and devotion to our country. Thank you, Richard, and thank you to all our heroes for their service and sacrifice.
Honoring Staff Sergeant Gilliam
I had the honor and privilege to address the Conway Noon Lions Club on Tuesday where I presented Arkansas Vietnam Veteran, Joseph Gilliam, with two medals. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service and a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. Thank you Staff Sergeant Gilliam for your service to our country.
Making Things Happen
I learned that Tendaji is Swahili for "making things happen." This is exactly what Saint Mark Baptist Church is doing for elementary and middle school aged students in Little Rock. Through the Tendaji Community Development Corporation (CDC) program, students have a safe, educational, and fun place to go after school. Thank you for loving the youth of Little Rock and for your commitment to help every student reach their full potential.
Protecting Our Young People From Harm
I am grateful for the Centers for Youth and Family for their sensitive handling of one of society’s most disturbing trends, human trafficking. In Congress, we have passed more than a dozen bills addressing this international and national travesty. I was honored to have a brave young trafficking victim share her story with me and I will use her experiences to help me in the continued fight to protect our young people.
Championing Health for Young Arkansans
On Wednesday morning, I joined Champions for Health (formerly known as Arkansas Heart Foundation) and Dr. Bruce Murphy as they kicked off their program to fight childhood obesity and give Arkansas youth a brighter, healthier future. I'm a big believer in the idea that individuals should be empowered and encouraged to take responsibility and control of their health. Tremendous thanks to Dr. Murphy and his exceptional team for initiating this comprehensive approach to health education and to Morrilton Intermediate School for being the pilot site for this program.
Caring for The Smallest Among Us
Thank you Arkansas Children's Hospital for walking me through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I was able to see firsthand the world class care that the nurses and staff provide to the smallest among us in central Arkansas.
While in Congress, I was proud to vote for legislation which reauthorized the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for ten years and funded Community Health Centers (CHC). Communities across Arkansas and America depend on programs that help provide access to vital, high-quality health care for our children and ensures that those most vulnerable and most in need of care get the help they need.
Thank you for taking time to keep up with the work I'm doing on your behalf. If I can be any assistance to you or your family, please reach out to my office at (501) 324-5941 or go to my website at hill.house.gov.
Representative French Hill |
