Around the District

Arkansas Water Environment Association Conference

Congressman Womack gives keynote address at the Arkansas Water Environment Association Conference

Clean water is a priority we all share. I attended the Arkansas Water Environment Association Conference and gave the keynote speech for the morning session. The organization is comprised mainly of clean water and drinking water treatment plant operators, utility managers, engineers, and distribution and collections systems operators. I gave an update on the latest in Washington, including my concerns with the infrastructure package, debt ceiling, budget and appropriations process, and the extremely partisan nature of legislating right now. I also touched on the Rotary “4-Way Test,” which is a fundamental part of my process as I analyze proposals during legislative business:

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I appreciated the time of all the members who attended for allowing me to share some insights, and I thank them for their work and dedication to providing clean water and ensuring strong water infrastructure throughout Arkansas.  

Centerton Small Business Roundtable

Congressman Womack speaks with Centerton small business owners

Small businesses are job creators, innovators, and economic drivers that keep our Third District communities strong. I sat down with Centerton Mayor Bill Edwards and local small businesses, including the Ravington Events Center, Compass Solutions, Buttercup Cupcake, Wicked Bean Coffee House, and Challalujah Organic Bakery, for a roundtable discussion.

We spoke about their work and business models, challenges related to the pandemic, proposed tax increases, and concerns related to the national debt. Policies coming out of Washington should always unleash economic growth and opportunity for our Main Street small businesses. The entrepreneurial spirit of Arkansas has always been a core component of our success, and these hardworking owners exemplify that fact.

Bentonville Parks and Recreation Update

Congressman Womack with Bentonville Parks and Recreation representatives 

Everywhere you turn, there are examples of strong growth in our region. The City of Bentonville is working on several major infrastructure projects that will create new public spaces and parks, improve street safety, and have a great economic impact. I received an in-depth update on these investments from David Wright, Director of Bentonville Parks and Recreation, and his team.

We talked about the Bentonville economic impact numbers for 2020 and what projections for the future look like. We then spoke about the Quilt of Parks project, which is a visionary approach to connecting six parks and public spaces. The effort is focused on improving existing parks and plazas within the city’s downtown by adding beautiful new green spaces, plazas, and gardens, and stitching them all together in a cohesive, pedestrian-friendly way. Each project will prepare the city for continued prosperity and help meet the growing demand for beautiful outdoor spaces for residents and visitors.

Fort Smith Boys Home

Congressman Womack visits the Fort Smith Boys Home

Every child deserves to grow up in a healthy, safe, and loving environment. The Fort Smith Boys Home is committed to helping Arkansas’s children and providing safe havens to those in need. They are truly doing the Lord's work and changing lives each day. I met with Executive Director Eddie Donovan to tour their new recreation and activity center, which provides a great space for the boys to utilize for their mental, physical, and social well-being. During the visit, I was also privileged to donate some computers for their use.

I hope the additional computers will open up opportunities for these young adults. To be able to have the platform, and to be able to practice on and to grow up with technology, is critically important in today’s world.

Read more about the visit here and here.

Lt. Henry Mitchell Welcomed Home

Bob Mitchell holds photos of his brother, Lt. Henry Mitchell (Photo Credit: Southwest Times Record)

A few weeks ago, I shared with you the news that the remains of service member Lt. Henry Donald Mitchell of Arkansas, who had been missing ever since his plane crashed during World War II, were finally found in Austria. This week, after nearly eight decades, he was finally brought back to Arkansas and honored at Fayetteville National Cemetery.

God bless Lt. Henry Mitchell. He was an American hero who helped defend freedom against tyranny. It was a privilege to be part of the mission to bring him home and ensure his brother, Bob, and our nation were able to lay him to rest.

It’s especially poignant knowing that his homecoming coincides with the week we recognize POW/MIA Day. As we pay tribute to those who were prisoners of war or are still missing in action, another name has been taken off the MIA list. More families are waiting for the same moment. We must never stop in our pursuit of honoring the sacrifices of our service members, as well as finding and bringing our heroes home.

Mundo-Tech Expansion Grand Opening

Congressman Womack attends the grand opening of Mundo-Tech's expanded facility

Mundo-Tech is an important manufacturing facility based in Rogers. They produce specialty tubing and pipes for the aerospace, defense, and commercial airline industries. Whether you are in the military or a resident traveling to your next vacation or business destination, it is likely that the aircraft you are flying in includes products from the Third District. They recently expanded their facility, and we were able to celebrate the grand opening of their new space. The increased capacity will allow them to grow their supply production and workforce. They are a great example of a family-owned Arkansas business that is helping move and protect Americans each day. Their mission statement is “Flight or Fight - We Deliver!”

Pea Ridge

Congressman Womack with 3rd grade students

I stopped by Pea Ridge Intermediate School to meet Ms. Mullin’s Third Grade Class, which includes a student who is especially important to me—my grandson! We had a very fun visit, and I made sure to give each student a challenge coin! I also had the opportunity to thank the incredible teachers and staff members for their dedication to our kids. Go Blackhawks!

A few other notes:

• Constitution Day: “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” 234 years ago, our Founding Fathers signed the Constitution—the enduring foundation of America. We must always honor the bedrock principles, liberties, and ideals that have guided our nation and inspired the pursuit of freedom across the world.
• IRS letter: President Biden and the Democrats want to advance a requirement for the IRS to collect transaction data for any account with over $600 of inflows or outflows annually. This is seriously concerning and a federal overreach. I sent a letter expressing the serious privacy implications for the American taxpayer and compliance burdens for our financial institutions related to this proposal. The concerns related to this misguided policy idea must be immediately addressed.
• Border Crisis: First, the Biden Administration denied there was a crisis for months. Then, they said it was "seasonal." The statistics say otherwise. August marked 208,887 illegal encounters at our southern border. It's the 2nd straight month of 200K+ apprehensions. The Biden Border Crisis is completely out of control and continues to spiral. It’s undeniable and a direct consequence of the radical open border agenda of the far left. They must take action by reversing course on the misguided decisions they made. We need to complete border wall construction, strictly enforce immigration laws, stop catch and release, and reimplement asylum agreements.

Next week, I will be back in Washington fighting against the Democrats’ latest tax and spend boondoggle. You can keep an eye on my website or check out my Twitter and Instagram pages to stay up-to-date with the latest news from my office.