In Arkansas and all over America, we are faced with a nursing shortage.  There are over 25,000 nurses registered in Arkansas, and over 1,000 of those are nurse practitioners.  For a state with 2.5 million citizens, this is simply not enough.  A nurse's role goes far beyond the hospital; nurses reach into charity clinics, in-home care, churches, and school volunteer health programs. The low nurse to patient ratio is far below what it needs to be, and as a result, the health and safety of the patient is compromised. This is America and we can do better. 

Unfortunately, nursing programs are severely under funded in the fiscal year 2006 budget.  The president's budget has requested $150 million for nursing workforce development programs including the Nurse Reinvestment Act. That figure represents a cut of $1 million over the FY 2005 funding level.  With a predicted nursing shortage of more than 275,000 registered nurses by the year 2010, this is the wrong time to be cutting back our investment in this country's future nurses.   

As a member committed to supporting our nurses, I have sent a request to the appropriations committee for $175 million that will go toward nurse workforce development programs, which will enable nurses to receive the proper training necessary to keep up with their ever-evolving profession.  These funds would also be used to provide incentives for students and nurses to receive advanced degrees in the nursing profession and student loan programs. 

Nurses are a critical component of health care in this country, offering support and providing assistance at every step of the health care process.  Access to health care should be a fundamental right for every American, regardless of their economic status.  I commend nurses for their hard work and tireless efforts, from school nurses to emergency rooms, and charity clinics to nursing homes.  As your United States Congressman, I will continue to fight to ensure nurses are adequately funded and have the resources they need to continue to properly care for our nation's children, working families, and elderly.

The Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles are designed for naval vessels to provide defense against “high-speed, highly maneuverable anti-ship missiles,” according to a statement by Raytheon.  The 250 missiles will be distributed among the U.S. Navy and nine other NATO member-nations.    

 “NATO’s contract with Raytheon is sure to be an economic boon for East Camden.  We Arkansans can continue to take pride in the fact that our state is home to a number of companies that are working to best equip our military,” Pryor said.  “The Evolved SeaSparrow is an important asset for our navy’s ships as they seek to defend themselves from the threat of attack.”   

"Contracts like this only reiterate the importance Arkansas’ military installations and industries play in the global war on terrorism," Lincoln said. "Most importantly, this contract is an investment in the community of East Camden, which will benefit economically from the continued business the Raytheon Company receives."   

Congressman Ross added, "this contract will bring new jobs and economic opportunities to Arkansas.  As a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I look forward to working with NATO, Raytheon, and local officials on this project and other defense contracts in the years ahead."  

The Raytheon Missile Systems Company is located in the Highland Industrial Park in East Camden, which is also home to a number of other defense contractors including Lockheed Martin, Esterline Armtec Defense Inc., and Aerojet. 

The Congressional Art Contest is open to high school students in the 9th – 12th grades, and students are encouraged to create anything from paintings, drawings, and collages, to mixed media, graphic design, and photography.  Entries to the Fourth Congressional District Art Contest were judged by art professors from colleges throughout the Fourth Congressional District Brian Wittmuss, a Hot Springs Village junior at Fountain Lake High School, received second place with his artwork, “Blue Jay Feather.”  Third place honors were awarded to Justice Hays, with her artwork, “Flowers.”  Justice is a 9th grade student from Banks and attends Warren High School.  Brian and Justice’s artwork will be showcased in Ross’s Washington, D.C., congressional office.    

“I have always been a strong supporter of the arts,” Ross stated.  “Artistic expression provides a healthy and creative outlet for students and challenges the mind in a way that a textbook cannot.  My heartfelt congratulations go to Tamara and to everyone who participated in this year’s 2005 Artistic Discovery Art Contest.  They all did an outstanding job and should be commended for their hard work.”