March 22, 2019

WEEK IN REVIEW

To start off this week's From the Front... I would like to thank all of the Arkansans who stopped by my Washington office during their visits to our nation’s capital, including the Sparks family of Rogers, Shaw Family of Bella Vista, Hannah McLemore and Jacob Scanlon of Fayetteville, Rushing family of Springdale, Smith family of Gravette, Pinagel family of Cave Springs, Hunt family of Rogers, Walker family of Rogers, Barr family of Fort Smith, Crawford family of Alma, Jensen family of Bella Vista, Travis Hester and Ethan Hood of Fort Smith, the Gray family of Fayetteville, Comins family and friends of Fayetteville, Sluyter family of Bentonville, Bennet family of Cave Springs, Ainley family of Bentonville, Wehunt family of Fort Smith, Gulbransen family of Bella Vista, Costley family of Fayetteville, Hann family of Springdale, McClane family of Rogers,  Cheryl Wolhart of Russellville, Jacob Boles of Russellville, Beth Saylor of Russellville, Jamey Moore of Springdale, Cara Grams of Springdale, and Felicia Fant of Springdale. Safe travels back to the Natural State!

MONDAY

Washington was out of session this week, which means I got to spend time doing my favorite thing: traveling throughout Arkansas’s Third Congressional District!

On Monday, I spent the day in Eureka Springs. My first stop was to Black Bass Dam, which is the third oldest dam in Arkansas. The dam needs repair and updating, and I wanted to get a firsthand look at the state of the infrastructure. The visit allowed me to better understand the type of investment that will be needed to ensure the safety and security of the dam.

My next stop was to the Eureka Springs Community Center, which is currently being renovated. The building, which once housed the Eureka Springs High School, is being transformed into a space for residents to gather and enjoy. The facility will include a farmers market, park, soccer field, fitness center, greenhouse, and offices for businesses and the local Chamber of Commerce.

Work is still being done to fully complete the facility, but it’s amazing to see the strides made. Just a short time ago, the space was dilapidated – the gym even had insulation hanging from the ceiling! But thanks to a determined group of residents and weekly meetings, the space is turning into an amazing complex. The success of the project highlights how powerful grassroots work can be.

I then had the opportunity to visit an extraordinary organization: ECHO Clinic. ECHO Clinic is a faith-based organization that provides free medical care to those in need. It’s run by Doctor Dan and Suzie Bell, and the organization’s entire staff, including doctors, nurses, and dentists, are all volunteers. Not only do they give check-ups – they provide free meals, clothes, and support to our most vulnerable.

Amazingly, their work doesn’t end there. The facility is expanding to include ECHO Village, which will provide housing for low-income residents, veterans and anyone in need of extra support. Eight homes were built entirely by volunteers. Residents from all over used their skills to lay tile, install cabinets, and paint. Local government officials also helped – Eureka Spring Mayor Butch Berry, who is an architect, designed the homes, and Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney also supported the project.

Those living in ECHO Village will also participate in life-skills classes. They will learn how to budget, cook, write a resume, and develop their skills. It’s about providing people with a hand up, not a hand out. Arming those facing hardship with the resources needed to succeed will allow them to improve their lives and reach their full potential. The organization is a great example of the intersection of faith, family, community, and service.

TUESDAY

On Tuesday, I joined the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in the woods of Arkansas to track local bears! The Commission monitors bear cubs throughout Arkansas to keep tabs on the health of the local black bear population. It was an incredible experience to watch the cubs receive their "check-ups!" I brought my grandson, Kaden, with me. He loved learning about wildlife management and seeing the vets and biologists weigh and measure the cubs. There is nothing like the Natural State!  

WEDNESDAY

I spent the next day in Fayetteville. I enjoyed some coffee and conversation with residents of Butterfield Trail Village during a morning “Coffee with the Congressman” event. It’s important for me to hear directly from my constituents, and I appreciated being able to listen to their concerns and share my vision for our community.

After that, I caught up with University of Arkansas Athletic Director, Hunter Yurachek, and Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce President, Steve Clark! We talked about the University of Arkansas and economic development in our region. We then headed over to John McDonnell Field to check out the facility and track practice. I got to try the shot put and then got some pole vault pointers from Pole Vault 2018 World Champion, Olympic medalist, and University of Arkansas alumna - Sandi Morris! She has a personal record of 4.95 meters, which is a little over 16 feet! Thanks to Coach Chris Bucknam, Assistant Coach Doug Case, and Assistant Coach Mario Sategna for allowing me to stop by!

I also visited the Broyles Foundation to meet with Betsy and Jacob Broyles. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports and empowers caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. They do this through education, training, advocacy, counseling, and support groups. Last year, Congress passed the BOLD Infrastructure Alzheimer’s Act, which was then signed into law by President Trump. The legislation creates public health infrastructure to improve Alzheimer’s prevention and care to support families battling this disease. More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, and we must prioritize awareness, prevention and treatment.

THURSDAY

On Thursday, I visited the Returning Home Center in Springdale, which provides parolees with resources to overcome barriers and prevent recidivism. The center incorporates faith, job training and placement, mental health counseling, and substance abuse support to help Arkansans turn their lives around. Executive Director Nick Robbins talked about how providing faith and support resources has allowed the organization to positively impact those struggling and restore families in our community.

That afternoon, I spoke to the Springdale Kiwanis Club and other local AR-3 Kiwanis members about the latest news and policy updates from Washington! We also discussed the Trafalgar Road Fire in Bella Vista. My office continues to closely monitor the situation and speak with local, state, and federal officials and agencies about remediation efforts.

I also stopped by the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County. The organization provides a safe space for vulnerable and abused children, and their work makes a huge difference in our community. I was able to get a firsthand look at their recent expansion and discuss how the organization has developed over time. Those who are protecting and empowering our children are doing the Lord's work.

I then headed to C&M Machine Holdings, Inc., a local manufacturing facility that produces parts for U.S. Air Force planes and NASA space systems. The facility not only develops parts that are vital to defense and space exploration, but it also makes hiring veterans a priority. I got to see some of the products manufactured and appreciated being able to speak with company employees and leadership. Manufacturing is a critical part of both Arkansas’s and our nation’s economy – we must continue to implement policies that allow these businesses to grow, create jobs, and develop quality products.

Later that night, I went to go cheer on the University of Arkansas Women’s Basketball Team. It was a great game that had people watching until the very last minute. Arkansas ended up beating Houston 88-80 in overtime! Go Hogs!

FRIDAY

I am wrapping up the week in Fort Smith! I joined the Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club for lunch, where we talked about community issues, the budget and appropriations process, and partisanship in Congress.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a day that passes where one doesn’t hear the tragic story of a life seized by the grasps of addiction. It’s an epidemic that impacts Arkansas and every state across the U.S. We are lucky that there are many organizations working to fight this crisis, including Harbor Recovery Center. I visited the facility, which provides hope and healing for those suffering from addiction. Treatment and recovery, alongside law enforcement and education efforts, will help save lives and end the deadly opioid abuse crisis. Thank you to the staff of Harbor Recovery Center, including Jimmie Wooding, Mary Ann Hoffman, and Kasey Wilson, for their dedication to our community.

I then stopped by Community Services Clearinghouse. It’s a non-profit that provides support to families and individuals who are facing emergency situations. Their primary focus is assisting cancer and hospice patients, the elderly, the disabled, and children, as well as working families. They also run a Meals for Kids Backpack Program, which prepares and distributes over 2,800 backpacks of food to children in local schools, so they have food for the weekend. Truly amazing work!

I ended that day by speaking at the 50^th anniversary celebration of SSi Incorporated, which is a construction firm that has built facilities throughout the Third District. A few of their award-winning projects include the Arkansas Air National Guard A-10 Composite Maintenance Facility, Russell D. Jones Elementary School in Rogers, Gentry Public Library, Springdale Public Library, Ozark Mountain Poultry in Rogers, and Mercy Medical Tower in Fort Smith. Businesses like SSi are part of the economic strength of our community. When they grow and thrive, so does economic opportunity and job creation in our region. Congrats on 50 years of business, and I am looking forward to the centennial celebration!

Wishing you a great weekend! I will be back in Washington next week for legislative business. Remember to keep an eye on my website or check out my Twitter and Instagram pages to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the Third District and Washington. 

From the front...

Congressman Steve Womack
Arkansas Third District