Congressman Mike Ross, Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas



Volume 5, Issue 28,
July 15, 2005
Weekly Newsletter



 



 
MIKE'S WEEKLY MESSAGE


 
Continuing the Fight for Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant


 
On Monday, I joined Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Chairman Anthony Principi, Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Cornyn, Arkansas Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and Congressman Ralph Hall (TX-04), and over two thousand supporters from the Texarkana region in San Antonio, Texas for the BRAC Regional Hearing for Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant.  Additionally, I had the honor of joining Chairman Principi on Sunday morning for a site tour of Red River Army Depot, my third opportunity to personally meet with Chairman Principi and make the case to him for both Red River and Lone Star.

Several bases slated for closure or realignment, including Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, were given the opportunity to demonstrate to BRAC Commissioners their military value.  Senator Lincoln and I were given the opportunity to specifically testify on behalf of Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, noting discrepancies regarding the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s (OSD) evaluation of Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant.  The OSD’s evaluation provides the basis for the Department of Defense’s recommendation for realignment and closure, and parts of the analysis were simply inaccurate.  

I am extremely appreciative that Chairman Principi accepted my invitation to personally tour Red River Army Depot in Texarkana and attend the regional BRAC hearing on Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant in San Antonio.  The functions carried out by Red River Army Depot and Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, such as making protective armor for humvees, are imperative in keeping our soldiers safe abroad, and other depots around our nation simply do not have the capacity to manufacture the equipment necessary.   

I believe we have made an outstanding case for the crucial role that Lone Star and Red River Army Depot play in our nation’s security, outlining point by point the military value of both these installations.  I am cautiously optimistic that the BRAC Commissioners will feel the same way after hearing Monday’s testimony when they submit their report to President Bush in September.  



 



 
Ross Encourages Arkansans to Take Advantage of Free Credit Reports



 
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  U.S. Rep. Mike Ross (AR-04) Friday announced that Arkansans are now eligible to receive an annual free copy of their personal credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report.  The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which Ross supported, now requires that each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies provide consumers with an annual free copy of their credit report upon request.   

To obtain your free credit report from Equifax (www.equifax.com),  Experian (www.experian.com), and TransUnion (www.transunion.com), you may call 1-877-322-8228, request by mail at Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281, or visit www.annualcreditreport.com, the Central Source maintained by the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. 

“I encourage all Arkansans to take advantage of this free, annual service and obtain a copy of your credit report,” said Ross.  “It is important to be financially aware of your credit history.  By monitoring credit on a regular basis, consumers can protect themselves against potential identity theft.” 

Ross cautioned that only the Central Source (www.annualcreditreport.com), Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion have been authorized by the law and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide free credit reports.


 




 
Arkansas Delegation Announces $3.4 Million to Support Small Business in Rural AR
Crossett, Forrest City, Arkadelphia, and DeQueen to Benefit from USDA Funding



 


 
(WASHINGTON D.C.)   Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln and Congressmen Marion Berry and Mike Ross today announced nearly $3.4 million in financial assistance for rural development programs in Arkansas.

Delegation members said Arkansas recipients have been awarded $236,000 in Rural Business Enterprise Grants and $3.15 million in loan guarantees. According to the USDA, such grants are awarded to public agencies and private non-profit corporations “for financing and facilitating development of small and emerging private business enterprises.” The loan program aims to “help create jobs and stimulate rural economies by providing financial backing for rural businesses.”

Ashley County

• The City of Crossett will receive $28,800 for the renovation of a library for use as a small business location.

St. Francis 

• The East Arkansas Enterprise Community, located in Forrest City, will receive $58,000 for facility renovation.

Clark County 

• Southern Financial Partners, of Arkadelphia, will be awarded $150,000 for its revolving loan fund, which provides small business loans to people who have no credit history or access to commercial bank loans.

Sevier County

• The DeQueen Medical Center will receive $3.15 million as a Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan to purchase an existing hospital.

“Small businesses are vital to the economies of both our state and our nation, which is why I have fought to keep these programs alive and adequately funded. I am truly gratified to see emerging Arkansas enterprises given a real shot at success, and I look forward to seeing the positive results,” Pryor said.

"While government can’t take the place of the private sector in providing economic opportunity, we should do everything possible to give our small businesses access to government programs to help them expand and create jobs," Lincoln said. "Growing our small businesses is one of the best ways to build and strengthen our communities, and I'm pleased that these four counties will receive this assistance so our local entrepreneurs and business owners can continue to drive our economy forward."  
 
"The best strategy this country has for job growth is to continue investing in our small business community," said Berry. "Our state has many promising opportunities for development and I am pleased to see these funds helping programs committed to building successful enterprises."

"The Rural Business Enterprise Grant and Loan Guarantees program provides a tremendous economic stimulus to rural communities," said Ross.  "Small businesses are the backbone of rural communities, and these grants will go a long way toward creating new jobs and expanding economic opportunities throughout Arkansas." 


 




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



 


 

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