Though Americans have always held the utmost appreciation and gratitude for our firefighters, we have never been more appreciative - or grateful - for their courage and bravery than after the events of September 11th. 

The events of 9/11 created an entirely new set of responsibilities for our firefighters. Besides protecting our families from fire hazards, 9/11 made it abundantly clear that our firefighters are now on the front lines of protecting our homeland security. Adequately preparing them for the fight against terrorism will save countless lives. Yet many of the resources our firefighters desperately need to fulfill these protections are insufficient.

The President’s proposed budget for 2005 reduces funding for the firefighter grants program - which provides critical resources to our fire departments including new equipment and uniforms -- to a mere $500 million. To put this into perspective, the funding for this program in fiscal year 2004 was $750 million, which was still not enough to provide many of the critical tools firefighters need to protect our safety. 

As a Member of Congress I am proud to work with the FEMA Fire & Protection Grant program, that provides essential funding for training, protection equipment, and firefighting equipment to fire stations. Additionally, Jarrod Yates in my Hot Springs district office serves as my First Responder liaison. Jarrod works with fire stations across the Fourth District to assess their needs, and make sure they have the resources they need to protect our safety.

There is no question our country’s fiscal budget condition is out of control. Though our budget is on track to reach a $521 billion record deficit this year, now is not the time to cut funding for our firefighters. I want to assure our brave firefighters  - as well as the Fourth District families - that I will fight to get the money reinstated for our fire departments that was cut in the President’s budget proposal.

In two letters issued to President Bush from a bipartisan group of Senators and House Members, the Members expressed concern that the CPA is importing food from non-coalition members. In both letters the delegation stated, "We think the CPA policy for food tenders should be consistent with the CPA reconstruction policy and restrict contracts to countries that have sacrificed and invested in the Coalition effort to free Iraq."

During the mid-1980s, U.S. rice sales to Iraq averaged 345,000 metric tons annually. However, due to sanctions imposed by the U.N. in 1991, the U.S. rice industry lost the market. Currently, other major rice-exporting nations such as Vietnam - who are not members of the Provisional Authority - are permitted to bid on World Food Program administered tenders. The World Food Program currently coordinates food imports and exports to Iraq. In fact, Vietnam successfully bid recently on a WFP tender for 70,000 tons of rice for Iraq. This tendor should have been restricted to rice from CPA members. 

Lincoln, Pryor, Berry, Ross, and Boozman are working with the USA Rice Federation, the nation's largest rice industry advocate, on this effort. Other Members of Congress sending the Senate letter include Senators Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Mo.), John Breaux (D-La.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Jim Talent(R-Mo.), and Mary Landrieu (D-La.). Other Members sending the House letter include Representatives Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), House Majority Whip Roy Blunt(R-Mo.), Chris John(D-La.), Rodney Alexander (D-La.), Richard Baker (R-La.), David Vitter (R-La.), Wally Herger (R-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Dennis Cordoza (D-Calif.), Doug Ose (R-Calif.), and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). 
 

This program provides support to fire departments by providing the tools and resources necessary to ensure both the safety of department personnel and the general public. 

The Fire Prevention Program includes public education and awareness activities, fire codes enforcement activities, fire inspector certifications, purchase and installation of smoke alarms and fire suppression systems, wildland fire mitigation, and arson prevention and detection activities. The following department has been awarded a grant for Fire Prevention:

     *  Benton Fire Department - $30,600

The Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Program includes training, wellness and fitness, firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.  The following department has been awarded a grant for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety:

     *  Cooterneck Volunteer Fire Department, Fordyce - $56,558