Weekly Columns
This is the season of giving, and many of us have an opportunity to personally give back to those recovering from COVID-19. Blood donations have plummeted during the pandemic, and the Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) is in desperate need of donations, especially convalescent plasma to save the lives of those in critical condition due to COVID-19.
I'm so pleased to let you know that on December 3, my Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives selected me as the next Ranking Member of the Committee on Natural Resources. All my life, I've been passionate about natural resources. From learning to hunt and fish as a child, to using my engineering skills to design natural resources manufacturing facilities, to serving as the only licensed forester in Congress, to working on the Natural Resources Committee my whole tenure, I believe my life experience has uniquely equipped me for this role.
One of the things I love most about serving in public office is the ability to honor incredible heroes who live and work in our communities. Just a few weeks ago, I learned that one of these people, Mr. Fred Randle, was a long-time Hot Springs resident who was part of Merrill's Marauders during WWII.
I am pleased to inform you that starting this Veterans Day on Nov. 11, and lasting indefinitely, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has granted military veterans and Gold Star families free access to national parks and wildlife refuges, as well as lands and waters managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Ever since I was elected to Congress, I've served on the House Committee on Natural Resources. This committee oversees public land management, water resources, critical minerals and more. It also has jurisdiction over wildlife management, something that I am particularly interested in as an avid sportsman. When I get on a flight home to Hot Springs from D.C., I'm usually looking forward to fishing in Lake Ouachita or hunting in the woods, depending on the season. I've been to all 50 U.S.
Our freedom isn't free. It is fought for and earned by our veterans, and we owe each of them our thanks. This year on Veteran's Day, I encourage you to take time and thank the veterans in your life for their service to America. I'm honored to have several family members who have served, including my grandfather, Andrew Westerman, who fought in World War II. My father-in-law Clayton French and my brother-in-law Clayton (Chuck) French also both served in the Air Force, and Chuck actually wrote commentary that served as the inspiration for The Airman's Creed.
It's no secret that spending time outdoors in Arkansas is an integral part of my life. Fishing in Lake Ouachita, rafting in the Ozarks, early morning duck hunting – these are memories that last forever. Much of this happens on Arkansas' 2 million acres of public land, which is managed by the Department of the Interior (DOI). It's important that we keep this land healthy for years to come, and I was so pleased to welcome DOI Deputy Secretary Katherine MacGregor to Arkansas and discuss how we can work together to steward our resources well.
If you've ever spent any time with me, you'll know that I'm passionate about sound environmental policy. As a licensed forester and lifelong resident of the Natural State, I believe we have an unchosen obligation to steward our resources well and leave the world in better condition than we found it. Part of this responsibility means caring for forests, the backbone of our clean air, clean water and thriving wildlife habitats.
Every year I take a few days to thank some of the many men and women who work in Arkansas agriculture. This year in particular highlighted how important agriculture is to the economy and our daily lives. Without farmers and ranchers continuing to run operations during COVID-19, we wouldn't have had food on our shelves or meat in the freezer.
It's no secret that America's health care system is broken. You don't need to look any further than the recent presidential debate, where both candidates sparred over health care proposals and what should be done on a federal level. Many people are saying that Republicans don't actually have a plan, but that simply isn't true. U.S. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and I have teamed up to introduce the Fair Care Act of 2020 (FCA), a health care bill that takes more than 75 bipartisan provisions and many other ideas and brings them together into a comprehensive bill.