Congressman Mike Ross, Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas



Volume 5, Issue 6,
February 4, 2005
Weekly Newsletter



 



 
MIKE'S WEEKLY MESSAGE


 
Addressing the State of Our Union


 
This week, President Bush presented his annual State of the Union Address to the American people. For years, the State of the Union has given the President the opportunity to present his analysis of the current state of our nation, the direction we are headed, and what steps and actions we should take to accomplish our goals. And just as important, the State of the Union is an opportunity for the American people to decide whether they believe the President's goals for our nation and methods for achieving them reflect their own beliefs. 

There is one thing we all can agree on is that Congress and the President must work - together -- in the days and months ahead to accomplish a variety of initiatives that are critical to the state of our nation. 

There is no question the need to reform Social Security is one of the greatest challenges this decade. But Social Security faces a challenge - not a crisis. Any change we make to Social Security must be fiscally responsible, and not slash benefits. There are those who want to jeopardize Social Security by privatizing portions of Social Security, which is too risky, unaffordable, and simply not necessary. We have time to engage in an open and honest debate on this issue, and I hope the President and my colleagues in Congress will preclude from rushing to judgement on this issue, without taking into account all the relevant aspects concerning our nation's only guaranteed retirement benefit.

Congress and the President must also work together to pursue an energy plan that will truly reduce the high-cost of gasoline, diesel fuel and natural gas, while encouraging the continued research and development of alternative fuel sources. We must work together to pass a Transportation Bill that builds and repairs America 's roads and highways. And Congress and the President must quit treating our nation's budget like a credit card with no spending limit - we must work together to reduce our nation's massive debt.  

These issues will not get solved without out a cooperative Congress and a cooperative President. I am hopeful that with the election year behind us, the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will be more willing to come together and accomplish what we were elected to do - to address and find workable solutions to the real problems our nation faces today. 



 



 
Ross Applauds $1.4 Million Economic Development Grant Awarded to 
Magnolia Area 
Grant Awarded by EDA Region Six Administrator Who Toured Magnolia Facilities with Ross Last January



 
Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark) Tuesday congratulated the Magnolia Training Center and the Southwest Planning and Development District Office for being awarded a $1.4 million grant by the Economic Development Administration. The grant was awarded following an economic development tour Ross organized for Region Six Administrator Pedro Garza and Magnolia area leaders in January of 2004.  

“I am very pleased that the Economic Development Administration has awarded the Magnolia Training Center and the Southwest Planning and Development District Office $1.4 million – a grant that is incredibly needed and that will be a huge boon to the Magnolia-area region,” said Ross. “The funding will be used to construct the training center and to expand the functional role of the planning and development district offices.  

“When I was elected to serve the citizens of Arkansas's Fourth District, I promised I would be a ‘hands-on’ Congressman and an economic ambassador for our district.  I continued my pledge last January, when I brought Region Six EDA Administrator Pedro Garza to Magnolia so that he could visit with area leadership and view the Magnolia Industrial Park first-hand. Clearly, he was impressed! And he should be – the Magnolia Training Center will play an integral role with the Southwest Planning and Development District Office to expand the economic development potential of the greater Magnolia region. Together, they will work with industries to effectively identify ways to improve and enhance the area labor force, which will ultimately attract new industries and bring new jobs to the area.” 

Ross also recognized the hard work of Magnolia Mayor Lane Jean, Economic Developer for Magnolia and Columbia County Mike Juniker, and Terry Sherwood, who is the Executive Director of the Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, for their hard work and leadership on such a needed economic development project.  

“The hard work of the Mayor, Mike, Terry, and the rest of the Magnolia-area leadership made the possibility of this grant a reality,” said Ross.   

“Congressman Ross’s initiative and his commitment to the economic development of this region was a huge factor in us receiving this grant, and I am incredibly grateful for all of his support and his efforts,” said Sherwood. “He went out of his way to convince Mr. Garza to travel to Magnolia to get a first-hand look at the needs of our region, which definitely increased our chances for receiving this funding. The Economic Development Administration’s grant is an excellent investment for our area, and I know I can speak on behalf of the Magnolia community for thanking Congressman Ross for all he has done.” 

Last January, Ross and Garza visited projects that had been funded or had applied for EDA funding in Hot Springs, Texarkana, Warren, Arkadelphia, Magnolia and Pine Bluff. The Economic Development Administration is divided into six regions across the country. Mr. Garza’s jurisdiction includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. 


 




 
Ross Issues Statement Re: Success of Iraqi Elections



 
Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04) issued the following statement today concerning Sunday’s elections in Iraq - the first free elections in fifty years. 

“The success of the historic Iraqi elections Sunday is a positive indication that the citizens of Iraq are marching down the path toward establishing a solid and stable form of democratic government.  

“It is truly prolific and promising that even in the face of grave and horrific danger, a majority of Iraqi citizens managed to make it to the polls. As they stood in line waiting to vote, Iraqi citizens proudly exhibited their excitement and pride by wearing their finest clothing and displaying their brightest smiles, even though they risked being attacked by a mortar or being killed in a suicide bombing.

“Much of the success of Sunday’s elections is not only due to the bravery of the Iraqi people, but also to the commitment and bravery of our American troops. Without the courage and the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform, this day would not have happened.   

“The weeks and months ahead will undoubtedly be filled with challenges for the Iraqi citizenry – no one said the quest for democracy would be easy. But the fact is that democracy is the cornerstone of every free country in the world. The commitment to freedom that is embraced by the Iraqi people will ultimately prevail, and will serve as the driving force toward eventually achieving peace throughout the land.” 


 




 
Please Contact Mike at 
1-800-223-2220 
mike.ross@mail.house.gov or
www.house.gov/ross



 


 

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