My office works tirelessly for our veterans. When I took office, I knew employing veterans to handle veterans casework would be important; there is a bond only those who have served share with each other. I am fortunate to have three energetic, combat-wounded veterans who spend every day assisting their fellow veterans. Together, we  have helped nearly 400 Arkansas veterans recover benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),  including a 96-year-old veteran whose pension VA improperly garnished.

We also have been busy in Washington, passing bills to help veterans obtain the care from VA that they have earned.  In the early days of the 114th Congress, we passed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act to improve mental health care services for our veterans. With 18-22 veterans committing suicide each day, getting these men and women the treatment and care they earned is imperative. To supplement this legislation, we also passed the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act to provide our veterans in crisis with the support they need in a timely manner.

I am also proud to have been an original cosponsor of multiple bills to increase VA accountability. The Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act (H.R. 1038), the VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act of 2016 (H.R. 5620), and the VA Accountability Act of 2015 (H.R. 1994) are all vital to ensuring that those who do not act in the best interest of the veteran have no business working for the federal agency entrusted with caring for them. I will continue to fight for increased accountability not just at VA, but throughout the entire federal government.

The first bill I introduced that was signed into law was one to rename the USPS facility in Perryville, Arkansas, the Harold George Bennett Post Office (H.R. 2928), and I was proud to have been on hand for the dedication ceremony.  Harold George Bennett is an American hero, and renaming the post office in his honor was a long-overdue tribute to the life of this great Arkansan.

Rep. Hill with friends and family of Harold George Bennett at the Post Office dedication ceremony earlier this year.

But, our work to honor the legacy of Arkansas's war heroes did not stop with this bill. This year, my office began participating in the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. We are interviewing Arkansas veterans and submitting their stories to be preserved at the Library of Congress. I am grateful for the Arkansans who have already helped out with these efforts to memorialize the heroism of Arkansas's warriors.

As I travel around the district celebrating our veterans and speaking to them about their individual stories, I am reminded of Winston Churchill’s observation that ‘never was so much owed by so many to so few.’  While the work we do could never add up to the sacrifices veterans have made, I am determined to make sure that debt is lessened and our veterans are given a voice, a chance, and the respect they deserve for their commitment to our liberty and our beloved country.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill