District Update | September 17, 2017
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U.S. Congressman French Hill

Dear Friends,

Almost 60 years ago, all eyes were on South Park Street that fronts the beautiful façade of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Just days before, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus had called out the National Guard to prevent nine black students from entering the school on September 4th. Thanks to President Dwight Eisenhower, the Little Rock Nine entered the school escorted by the 101st Airborne.

Just ahead of the historic 60th anniversary on the 25th of this month, we’re commemorating the Little Rock Nine and their brave role in the fight for equality. As we celebrate, my bill that ensures the proper historical inclusion of the seven homes located across South Park Street from Little Rock Central High School passed unanimously on Tuesday night, September 12, 2017.



As someone who cares deeply for history, I am passionate about this initiative. Once signed into law, the National Park Service will offer to visitors the opportunity to put themselves in the living historical marker and reflect upon the 21 days in September 1957 that gripped a nation and paved the way for the end of  "separate but equal."

Extending the park boundaries to take in the houses that fronted the school along beautiful South Park Street will help future generations to picture this tranquil street and architecturally-significant façade.

Together with the school, these homes will now stand as living monuments to the civil rights movement in Arkansas and the United States. Preserving the streetscape as close to what it was in 1957 serves as a historic reminder for all modern-day history travelers retracing the steps of the civil rights movement.  


The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act, H.R. 2611, designates the historic property consisting of approximately 1.47 acres to be be preserved by the National Park Service (NPS). Additionally, the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into separate cooperative agreements with the owners of such residences to mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance for the preservation and interpretation of their properties.

By the House passing this legislation, we recognize this as an important milestone. I’m also grateful to my friend and colleague, Senator Tom Cotton, for his leadership in initiating and shepherding this effort with his companion bill S.1202 in the Senate, which we hope will be voted on and sent to the president's desk. 

I thank my colleague, civil rights pioneer, and courageous leader, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), for his cosponsorship. I also thank our Majority Leader, Chairman Bishop, and the Natural Resources Committee for their expeditious treatment of this important measure. I look forward to President Trump signing this bill, and again recognizing that we have to embrace our past and learn from our history.

On the walls of the National Archives is written "what is past is prologue," and to embrace our past will strengthen our future. I am proud of our efforts, and I look forward to this bill becoming law because Arkansas's history is America's history

Sincerely,


Representative French Hill

Photos for the Week

We couldn't have asked for a better day to pick up trash off our Arkansas River Trail and along the banks of the Arkansas River. Erica Droke and I held up a sign in support of the Arkansas River clean up hosted by "Keep Arkansas Beautiful and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality." Keeping our grounds clean shows that Arkansans care and that we want to be good stewards of our North Little Rock community.
It was a priviledge to join Judge Leon Holmes in Friday's Naturalization Ceremony, swearing in 50 new American citizens hailing from 20 different countries. The ceremony was heart-warming and emotional, and addressing our newest citizens, as "My Fellow Americans," is one of my favorite parts of my responsibility as a Member of Congress. I welcomed our new citizens warmly, and I reflected on how grateful I am to live in a nation that embraces different backgrounds and cultures.
Thanks to the hard work of MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History's Chair Ron Fuller and our incredible veterans office staff, I had the great privilege of presenting the Medals of Lt. Calvin Regnier to his daughter, who had not received them until now.  In a bombing raid in 1944, the B-29 that Lt. Regnier was navigating went down over the Pacific. Although the remains of Lt. Regnier were never recovered, a marker in his honor stands at the Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. Friday was POW/MIA Remembrance Day where we reflected on those lost but not forgotten as they have exemplified courage, bravery, and sacrifice.


Little Rock Nine Upcoming Events

  • September 22, 2017 – Dedication of “United” Sculpture – the sculpture will be unveiled and installed at Central High School in Little Rock from 1:30 p.m – 2:00 p.m.
  • September 23, 2017 - Reflections of Progress Symposium -  this event will be a panel discussion at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock from 9:00 a.m – 11:30 a.m.
  • September 23, 2017 - Mavis Staples Concert –  this concert will be held at the Robinson Center in Little Rock from 7:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and proceeds will benefit the Little Rock Nine Foundation.

  • September 24, 2017 - “Children of the Little Rock Nine” Panel Discussion -  this disucssion will be centered around Little Rock Nine's children talking about their parents’ role in the history-making crisis and how it has impacted their own lives. It will be held at the Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock from 3:00 p.m – 5:00 p.m.
  • September 24, 2017 – Interfaith Service - this event will take place at the Robinson Center Performance Hall in Little Rock from 5:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m.
  • September 25, 2017 – Commemoration Ceremony - this event will include keynote speaker Former President Bill Clinton at the Roosevelt Thompson Auditorium in Little Rock from 10:00 a.m – 11:30 a.m.
To view additional events, click here.
 
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