Many of us in Congress have worked hard to try to increase military pay to help our soldiers and provide increased health benefits to reservists, national guard soldiers and their families. In fact, I am continuing to work to extend TRICARE health coverage to all military reservists, guardsmen and their families. There is no question our pressing military needs abroad are creating shorter and shorter lead times for many of our reservists and guardsmen, requiring them to be healthy and medically ready on a moments notice. Providing the same health benefits soldiers receive to reservists and guardsmen is simply the right thing to do. 

Furthering my commitment to our nation’s veterans, this week I joined my colleagues in Arkansas’s congressional delegation in Washington D.C., and met with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to discuss adding even more health clinics for veterans in Arkansas. Places like Monticello desperately need these clinics for their veterans --  not only in Drew County but in surrounding counties in Southeast Arkansas. 

Currently we have eight community-based outpatient clinics in Arkansas and eight more are on the way. In fact, on Saturday I’ll be participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of the Veterans Affairs outpatient health clinic in Mena. These clinics provide critical health care services to veterans in rural areas where hospitals are limited. But there is no question that we need more clinics in Arkansas – especially when our new veterans return home from places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Providing adequate health coverage and benefits for our nation’s veterans should transcend party lines. Unfortunately there are some in Congress who want to shortchange the services we provide to our veterans, which is nothing but disheartening.  But to the veterans and their families of Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional district, I want all of you to know that I am -- and will always be -- committed to you.   Your courage and your sacrifice to defend the freedoms of us at home and of those abroad will never be forgotten.

The Best Buy Corporation awards over $2,000,000 of scholarship money to more than 1,300 students every year. These one-time scholarships range in value from $1,000 to $2,000 and are awarded based on exceptional community service and solid academic performance. 

“I congratulate these students on their superb academic achievement, and applaud Best Buy for its commitment to our children’s education,” said Ross. “Providing today’s youth with a sound and solid education is integral to the future of our great nation, and it is heartening when businesses such as Best Buy recognize and reward this.” 

The four students from Ross’s congressional district receiving this year’s scholarships are Elliot Brannon and Michael Saunders of Hot Springs, Michael Gilbert of Camden, and Jennifer Johnson of Booneville. 

The declaration will provide FEMA Public Assistance funds to the following 12 counties: 

Bradley, Calhoun, Clark, Columbia, Hempstead, Howard, Lafayette, Little River, Nevada, Ouachita, Pike, and Sevier. 

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides aid to state and local governments for repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities. FEMA will review and approve the projects and obligate the federal share (no less than 75 percent of the total costs) to the state. The state will then disburse funds to local applicants. 

In addition, all 75 Arkansas counties can apply for assistance under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides aid to state and local governments for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards. In each case, the federal government can provide up to 75 percent of the cost for approved projects, with some restrictions. According to FEMA, additional designations may be made in the future after further evaluation by FEMA. 

Lincoln, Pryor and Ross urge all counties affected to immediately contact the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management at (501) 730-9750.