Press Releases

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today announced that Zachary Vann, who will graduate from University of Arkansas - Fort Smith (UAFS) in December 2016, has been selected to serve as the 2016 John Paul Hammerschmidt (JPH) Fellow.

The JPH Fellowship was established in 2013 in conjunction with UAFS and is named for former Arkansas Representative John Paul Hammerschmidt (1966-1993), who passed away on April 1, 2015.  It is geared towards highly-motivated college students with an interest in public service and will allow outstanding Third District students to experience the legislative process firsthand in Congressman Womack’s Washington, D.C. office.  

After the announcement of Vann’s appointment, Congressman Womack and Dr. Beran, UAFS Chancellor, released the following statements:

“John Paul Hammerschmidt was an exemplary leader of the Third District of Arkansas and a steadfast role model for students – especially those interested in public service,” said Womack.  “I am proud to honor the life of John Paul through the JPH Fellowship program and look forward to having Zachary in our office this summer.”

“Zachary is an excellent student who is emblematic of the talented, driven students we work to cultivate here at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith,” said Beran.  “This fellowship that Congressman Womack established four years ago has provided outstanding learning opportunities for our students, allowing them an insider’s perspective to Capitol Hill.  Former JPH Fellows have gone on to earn rewarding jobs from this experience, and we are deeply appreciative of Congressman Womack helping our students grow intellectually and ethically in our nation’s political center.”

John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellows will earn college credit for completing a strict curriculum that emphasizes hands-on activities that  highlight the inner workings of the U.S. House of Representatives, including conducting extensive legislative research, attending hearings, and monitoring activity on the House floor, as well as assisting with constituent communications and general office matters.  Congressman Womack hopes to expand the fellowship to other Third District institutions in the future.

Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.

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