A smart, good person

Clarke Tucker is my nephew. As a kid he loved to play baseball and is still a big St. Louis Cardinals fan. He sang in the boy’s choir at our church and always used to walk around with his hands in his pockets. He was so proud of being on the debate team when he was in high school at Central.

Our family laughs about the shoes he wears because they are usually very well-worn. He says he likes them that way because they’re more comfortable. He forgets to get his hair cut sometimes so it gets to looking a little shaggy around the ears.

He takes his children to school every morning. He is very careful about what he eats since his cancer diagnosis, but he is healthier now than I’ve ever seen him. He loves to go to church and sit with all our extended family. He always answers the phone when I call. He is a smart and good person. This is the Clarke Tucker I know. MARGARET FAULKNER

Little Rock

I had the opportunity to work with Congressman Hill and others on countless initiatives to preserve and grow the mission of the Little Rock Air Force Base, which is the single largest employer in the district and an important economic driver in the state. Specifically, he was an ardent advocate for the newly opened Cyber School, and was tireless to bring the mission to the Wing. The Cyber mission brought up to 70 high-tech jobs to Arkansas, and serves to put Arkansas as a leader in cyber and tech. We could not have done it without his advocacy.

I know that he has one of the largest veteran staffs in the House of Representatives; they are tireless in assisting veterans. Reports are that they have secured over $4 million in benefits just this year for Arkansans who wore our nation’s uniforms.

It is political season and I understand the need of politicians to try to paint a picture of their opponent. The truth is that it is inaccurate to paint Congressman Hill as anti-veteran. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I witnessed on a consistent basis. ROBERT A. ATOR II

Little Rock