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Womack Announces 2018 John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellow

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today announced that Luke Barber, a member of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) class of 2020, has been selected to serve as the 2018 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 Barber’s appointment, Congressman Womack and Dr. Beran, UAFS Chancellor, released the following statements:

“The JPH fellowship honors the long-time service of John Paul Hammerschmidt by providing a unique experience for UAFS student leaders in our nation's capital,” said Womack. “I look forward to welcoming Luke into our office this summer and continuing JPH’s important legacy of student-mentorship.”

“As a member of my Chancellor’s Leadership Council, I have seen Luke’s character and ability firsthand. He has demonstrated insightful leadership ability through his involvement with the UAFS Student Government Association and his fraternity,” said Dr. Beran. “He will represent the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and Congressman Womack’s office well in Washington, D.C.”

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. He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense, military construction-veterans affairs, and labor-health and human services subcommittees.

 

womack.house.gov

 

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