U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford met Wednesday with Claudia Fritsche, the Principality of Liechtenstein's ambassador to the United States, to discuss Liechtenstein-U.S. relations. RiceTec AG, a hybrid rice seed developer, is based in Vaduz, Liechtenstein's capital, and the nation's royal family has had business interests in Arkansas for years, according to media reports.
Crawford, R-Ark., also questioned National Cotton Council President Gary Adams about challenges facing the industry, including competition from Chinese and Turkish competitors. The 1st District congressman serves on the House Agriculture Committee, which held a hearing on foreign agriculture subsidies. Video from the meeting can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=bWxS2njkmq8.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., joined U.S. Sen. John McCain, the former prisoner of war and 2008 Republican presidential nominee, for a Capitol Hill news conference Thursday. The two veterans criticized President Barack Obama's decision to veto the National Defense Authorization Act.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., said he conferred briefly last week with House speaker candidate Paul Ryan, R-Wis., but the conversation wasn't highly political. "I talked to him briefly Tuesday, mainly more about deer hunting than anything else," Womack said. Ryan doesn't need to worry about the Arkansan's vote -- the 3rd Congressional District Republican says he strongly supports Ryan's candidacy.
TREASURE HUNT
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., visited tourism spots in the state's 4th District, including Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The Polk County lodge and campground underwent a $9.6 million renovation and extension that was completed this year. Westerman also stopped by Crater of Diamonds State Park in Pike County, where he dug in the dirt but didn't uncover anything shiny.
On Thursday night, Westerman held a "Telephone Town Hall" meeting with 5,300 constituents, answering questions and talking about jobs, the economy, Social Security and other issues.
TIME MACHINE
U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., was busy on Instagram last week, posting pictures that highlighted National Forest Products Week and Back to the Future Day. (In Back to the Future Part II, Marty McFly -- played by Michael J. Fox -- traveled in time from the 1980s to Oct. 21, 2015.)
In addition to his own Instagram account, Boozman managed the official Instagram account of the U.S. Senate Republican Conference, posting (among other things) a snapshot of Springdale schoolchildren who visited the Capitol.
U.S. Rep. French Hill, who represents Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District, was also on Instagram, and, like Boozman, he highlighted Back to the Future Day. Hill, a Republican, had his picture taken in a DeLorean, the car that served as McFly's time machine. On Facebook, Hill declared "I am #BackFromTheFuture and I can report the #Hogs will beat Auburn on Saturday."
Hill also attended an event marking the 234th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Yorktown. Gen. George Washington successfully led the American forces in that battle. Gen. Charles Cornwallis commanded the British troops. After the Oct. 19, 1781, surrender at Yorktown, Britain's support for the war faded. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 formally ended the conflict.
The first-term congressman also attended a ceremony honoring the Monuments Men -- a group of about 350 men and women who helped save artwork that had been plundered by the Nazis during World War II. A Congressional Gold Medal was awarded Thursday to honor their service.
RESOLUTIONS
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed Boozman's resolution recognizing "National Case Management Week" and "the role of case management in improving health care outcomes for patients." Cotton co-sponsored the measure.
ARKANSAS TRAVELERS
Cotton met Tuesday with members of the American College of Cardiology, including Dr. David Mego of Little Rock. O Wednesday, he met with members of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, Nila Patel of Texarkana, Girish Patel of Searcy and Nisha Sharolia of Little Rock.
On Thursday, he met with Arkansans affiliated with the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.) The delegation included Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association executive director Matthew Hass and attorneys Bob Edwards of Little Rock, Paul Byrd of Little Rock and J.D. Hays of Bentonville.
Boozman welcomed Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas.
HELP WANTED
Womack is looking for interns to work on Capitol Hill or at one of his district offices early next year.
The congressman has offices in Fort Smith, Rogers and Harrison, and he's seeking "hard-working college students and recent graduates."
The job description says interns will "work closely with Congressman Womack's staff and constituents while learning the inner workings of the United States Congress and about issues affecting Arkansans.
Those interested in political science, government, public policy, business, and social work are encouraged to apply."
Applications are due by Dec. 1 and are available at: womack.house.gov/constituentservices/internships.htm.
Interns "serve without compensation," and they must "conduct themselves in a manner which reflects credibility on the House."
The internships frequently last from January until May, but the dates are flexible.
More information is available by calling (202) 225-4301.
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Contact us at (501) 908-5204 or flockwood@arkansasonline.com.
SundayMonday on 10/25/2015