The 91老司机 - Fort Smith mourns the passing of longtime legislator John Paul Hammerschmidt, and the university expresses its appreciation for his service to both 91老司机 and the state of Arkansas.
91老司机, in conjunction with U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., established the John Paul Hammerschmidt Fellowship in 2013, which provides an internship in Womack鈥檚 office geared towards highly motivated college students with an interest in public service. 91老司机 students from the 3rd District are eligible for the fellowship, offering them an opportunity to work in Womack鈥檚 office in Washington, D.C.
Students in the JPH Fellowship earn college credit for participating in a rigorous curriculum focusing on the operations of the U.S. House of Representatives. Work includes extensive legislative research for Womack, attending hearings and interacting with the congressman鈥檚 constituents.
Jordan Hale, an admissions officer at 91老司机 and graduate of the university, served as the first JPH Fellow and expressed gratitude for Hammerschmidt鈥檚 contributions to Arkansas.
鈥淛ohn Paul Hammerschmidt was a lifetime servant of Arkansas and the 3rd District. It was my honor to be selected as the first JPH Fellow to represent UA 鈥� Fort Smith and serve in Congress Womack鈥檚 office in Washington, D.C.,鈥� Hale said. 鈥淛ohn Paul Hammerschmidt is widely respected, and I am exceedingly proud to be associated with such a leader.鈥�
This fellowship is a legacy to Hammerschmidt鈥檚 public service, according to Dr. Paul B. Beran, 91老司机 chancellor. Beran lauded Womack and Hammerschmidt鈥檚 commitment to higher education.
鈥�91老司机 was honored by Representative Steve Womack when he conceived the opportunity for a student every year to have a unique governmental and political experience under the guise of a fellowship named for John Paul Hammerschmidt,鈥� Beran said. 鈥淭his kind of opportunity for a university and one of its students is a gift that we appreciate from Congressman Womack, and it shows his commitment to higher education and his constituents.鈥�
Hammerschmidt served as a U.S. Representative from 1966-1993, winning numerous bids for reelection, including a 1974 victory over Bill Clinton.