Week in Review
Praying for the Victims of Hurricane Helene
Arkansans are sadly no stranger to severe weather. We can understand the feeling of extreme loss and the sight of devastating damage that millions of our fellow Americans are experiencing right now in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. There may be many of you reading this who have someone you know and love harmed by this tragic disaster. My prayers are with you, and with those who have lost a loved one and are now faced with unimaginable challenges ahead.
It’s times like these where Americans come together to display our compassion and strength. Last week, I, along with a bipartisan majority of my colleagues, voted in support of the continuing resolution (CR), that responsibly extended funding and ensured FEMA has sufficient resources in the near term. This gave FEMA the resources it needs right now to respond to Helene – but more will be needed in the near future.
As we continue to get reliable information from affected states as they calculate their damages, the House will consider how best to help communities recover. This process will likely take some time, as it will require thorough engagement with state and local officials to fully understand the needs of the communities ravaged by this storm. Just as Speaker Mike Johnson said today, “Congress is fully prepared to provide additional disaster funds as needed.”
Around the District
I made the most of my first week back in Arkansas after a few weeks of legislative work in DC. Visiting with the great people, businesses, schools, and more is not only helpful in my work of serving the district in Congress, but it’s my favorite part of my job! Read more about each of my visits in five different areas of Arkansas’ Third District:
Huntsville
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I had a great visit with Haley Gillham and her team at Economy Drug of Huntsville to hear about their day-to-day work to promote health and improve the quality of life of folks in the area. I’m glad John Vinson, the Executive Vice President and CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, joined for the visit. I'll continue to do my part by supporting legislation to help our pharmacists do their important job serving the community. I’m so grateful for all they do for Huntsville!
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Exciting things are happening at Huntsville Schools! I met with Superintendent Bryan Law and heard about the plans for Huntsville High School. He then took me on a tour of Huntsville Middle School, making stops at Mr. Hall’s class, Mrs. Prince’s class, and a few others to see the teachers and students in action. From the classroom and athletics to extracurriculars, educators in Arkansas’ Third are developing America's future leaders!
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I visited with folks at Granny’s Kitchen in Huntsville and sat down for lunch with Mayor Travis Dotson to hear more about how I can address the community's needs. I shared the great news that through my work on the House Appropriations Committee, I secured funding for Huntsville water system upgrades, which will provide water to residents and ensure the fire department has an adequate supply of water to keep people safe. Delivering results for the district remains my top priority in my work in Congress.
Siloam Springs
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Siloam Springs Schools Superintendent Shane Patrick led me on a great tour of Siloam Springs High School. The visit started with a warm welcome from the Siloam Springs Unified Cheer team, which is made up of members from both the Varsity Team and Special Olympics Cheer teams. Both teams won state titles in 2023! We then made stops throughout the school to visit with classes in the honors program and the Career and Technical Education classes to engage with students and faculty. The traditional college route isn’t for everyone, and Siloam Springs High School does a great job of preparing students with the skills for a vocational career.
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I got to see firsthand JetStream Pipe Life’s progress on their $23 million expansion to their Siloam Springs facility. My tour consisted of meeting with site leadership, engaging with employees, and seeing their work in action. I was particularly excited to hear that they recently reached 1 million hours with no lost time due to an injury! This remarkable accomplishment shows their commitment to a safe work environment.
River Valley
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During my day in the River Valley, I visited the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Research Institute Health & Wellness Center. They offer many great educational and wellness opportunities to the community such as the Fort Smith Fab Lab, which has 3D printing capabilities. My good friend Kyle Parker is a visionary, and I have no doubt this facility will be on the leading edge of medical breakthroughs for years to come. It is one of the jewels of the River Valley!
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Fort Smith is ground zero for exciting growth, which is fully displayed at places like the Arkansas College of Health Education, Ebbing Air National Guard Base, PEAK Innovation Center, and many others. With that, our infrastructure must keep pace. I shared this sentiment with members of the Arkansas General Assembly, as their work is important to delivering more funding for I-49 and other infrastructure projects in Arkansas. Fort Smith is vital to the state, and I’m proud to represent the region in Congress.
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I visited Lumber One, a building materials supplier that offers a wide range of products for construction and home improvement projects in Van Buren during my trip to the River Valley. They’re known for their quality products and knowledgeable staff, catering to both contractors and DIY homeowners! I heard from Steve Gann and his team about the multiple challenges facing the industry from interest rates to the recent port strike. I appreciate the visit!
Bentonville
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Hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, military leaders, policymakers, and academics from around the world came to Arkansas’ Third’s UP Summit to witness the exciting growth and innovation happening in the region. That makes me Arkansas proud!
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I stopped by XNA to participate in a meeting with state legislators from Northwest Arkansas and McKee Foods. Members of McKee Foods leadership provided us with an overview of their company and the company’s history. I then had the chance to give them a little inside baseball into what’s happening in our nation’s capital, particularly about the urgent need to address our bloated debt.
Fayetteville
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It was an honor to be in a room full of champions at the Arkansas Youth Expo Celebration of Champions! I’m amazed that the whole expo is entirely run by roughly 60 volunteers, ranging from ages 16 to 75. This alone displays their passion to serve and engage our youth in agriculture. They help each child build the skills to be the next generation of farmers, producers, and business owners – people that our country so desperately relies on to feed, clothe, and fuel America.
Reminder!
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There are only 3 weeks left for students to enter the Congressional App Challenge! The final submission deadline, October 24, is fast approaching. This opportunity allows students to showcase their skills and dive into their passion for STEM and innovation. For more information and to apply, please visit my website here!
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Have a great weekend ahead, and I hope to see you around! Be sure to check out my website, Twitter, and Instagram pages in the meantime.
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