DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
LAKE OUACHITA STATE PARK – Congressman Bruce Westerman welcomed Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor to Lake Ouachita last Thursday as she announced Arkansas’ own SeaArk Boats has signed President Donald Trump’s Pledge to America’s Workers.
The pledge is part of an executive order signed by President Trump establishing the National Council for the American Worker. The council brings people from all segments of the workforce community together to enhance employment opportunities for Americans of all ages.
SeaArk Boats, located in Monticello, joins over 430 companies located in the United States that have committed to help create workforce opportunities. Steve Henderson, President of SeaArk Boats, stated that his company is a faith based company that currently provides Bible Study and mission trip opportunities for their employees. He stated that SeaArk Boats is honored to join other companies in the Pledge to America’s Workers.
Stacy Hurst, Cabinet Secretary for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, pointed out that businesses like SeaArk are a major contributor to the tourism industry in Arkansas. She added that Tourism is the second largest industry in the state behind agriculture.
Hurst stated that $60 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund has been invested in Arkansas since 1966. She shared that Congressman Bruce Westerman understands how vital these types of funds are to Arkansas.
Congressman Bruce Westerman followed by reminding people that Lake Ouachita is his home and he understands the importance of tourism in Arkansas. He stated that 87 percent of the Fourth District, which he represents, is forested.
He turned his attention to the Great American Outdoors Act signed into legislation August 4 of this year. The Congressman stated that one of the things this bipartisan legislation does is set money aside for the backlog of maintenance needed on federal lands. Areas like Hickory Nut Mountain Vista and Big Brushy Day Use Area are prime examples of local areas that could benefit from these funds.
Deputy Director of the Interior Kate MacGregor stated that four million acres of federal lands are open nationwide for people to hunt and fish. She praised the beauty of Arkansas and the Lake Ouachita area specifically. The Deputy Director enjoyed a short mountain bike ride on a connecting trail in Hot Springs before attending the press conference Thursday.
She spoke briefly about the President’s Pledge to America’s Workers and praised SeaArk Boats for the work they are doing with their employees. She joined Steve Henderson as he signed the Pledge to America’s Workers on behalf of SeaArk Boats.
After the press conference Congressman Westerman stated that he believes that the COVID-19 crisis has caused many American consumers to shop locally once again. He added that he believes there will be a real emphasis on “Made in America” going forward in the United States.
The Deputy Director shared that money distributed through the Great American Outdoors Act is not money collected from taxers. Instead the money will be generated from the enter and mineral industries.
Money will be distributed as soon as possible. Federal officials are sorting through requests submitted by federal land superintendents. The money will be distributed based on need.
