WASHINGTON – Congressman French Hill (AR-02) issued the following statement after supporting a measure to help protect students, parents, teachers, and others at school:
“Central Arkansas families deserve to know that their kids are safe and secure at school. As a father of a high school student and college student, this issue hits close to home. It makes no sense that we protect our airports, homes, and businesses, but don’t adequately protect our own kids and teachers at school. We took action in the House today by passing legislation that dedicated $75 million to strengthening protocols, training, and other vital components of school security. This is just a first step to enhance the safety of our students, parents, teachers, and others.
“Our children should feel safe everywhere they go in America – especially in our schools. Sixteen days ago, I joined the Arkansas Congressional Delegation in a meeting with Governor Asa Hutchinson to discuss ways to make our schools safer. In 2015, Arkansas passed legislation to enable Arkansas schools to improve security by certifying personnel to be licensed as a commissioned school security officer. Nineteen schools, including three in central Arkansas, have taken advantage of this program. Also, yesterday, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and I met with White House Domestic Policy Council staff at the White House to discuss this program, and other suggestions, in preparation for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ upcoming school security commission – and I look forward to continuing this discussion and finding ways to increase school safety and security throughout the country.”
