"I voted to double the military death gratuity payment, given to families of fallen soldiers, from $6,000 to $12,000. This tax-free payment, which has been subject to federal tax in the past,  will help families offset the cost of funerals and other immediate expenses when the tragic death of a loved one occurs in the line of duty. 

"I also helped secure $3.6 million for the construction of a new National Guard Armory within the Warren Industrial Park. The construction of this Armory is long overdue.  This funding will give the National Guard in Warren the resources it needs to build a quality training facility, so our men and women in uniform can sufficiently prepare for our nation’s mission, and can support the state of Arkansas in times of natural disasters and emergencies.   The funding for the construction was included in the Military Construction Bill, which passed in the House Thursday. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill in the next few days.

"I am also a co-sponsor of a measure to end the unfair practice of concurrent receipt. Under current law, veterans who retire after a full military career are entitled to a pension. If they were disabled while in service, they also receive compensation for that disability. But current law reduces the retirement pension of these disabled vets -- one dollar for every dollar -- of disability pay they receive. I call it the disabled veterans tax.

"This is a terrible way to “thank” our soldiers whose sacrifice for our country resulted in a debilitating injury. My colleagues and I are working hard to make sure this practice ends.

"In honor of Veterans Day, I express my sincere appreciation to the soldiers from Arkansas and all across America. These selfless individuals and their families make great sacrifices, including spending time away from their homes and jobs, to serve our country. 

"And to our men and women who have fought for us, thank you. I honor you, and I am grateful for all you have done to keep our great nation free. 

"God Bless you all."

The six members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation who fought for the projects announced today are as follows: Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D), Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), John Boozman (R-3rd), and Mike Ross (D-4th).

The Interior Appropriations Conference Report includes $1.012 million for the rehabilitation of the Quapaw, Ozark and Lamar Bathhouses in Hot Springs National Park. The restoration effort is intended to make the bathhouses suitable for leasing to private developers as part of a long-term project to use public and private resources to rehabilitate and redevelop Bathhouse Row for future use. 

The Interior Appropriations Conference Report includes $1 million for the former Girl Scout Camp Ouachita in Perry County to complete the needed historic restoration and rehabilitation of Phase II construction which includes all walkways, a cluster of cabins and a sewer line. Designed and dedicated as a camp for the Little Rock Girl Scout Council, Camp Ouachita consists of approximately 50 buildings built by the Works Programs Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) between 1936 and 1940. 

Also included in the legislation is $1 million for the Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery near Mammoth Spring for planning, design and full renovation of the current facilities at the site. This hatchery was built in the 1960's and has over 90,000 visitors from Missouri and Arkansas each year. 

In addition, The Interior spending legislation directs the National Park Service to move forward with planning for a visitors center at Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. 

Ross praised the organization for its innovative and generous health care services to rural Arkansans, and also received an award for his support and dedication toward the community health center.

“I congratulate and praise Mainline Health Systems for the generous health services it provides to rural Arkansans,” said Ross. “Mainline Health Systems opened its doors 25 years ago in a three-room mobile home with one doctor and two staff. Today the community health center employs seven doctors and 55 staff, with locations in five communities. 

“Access to health care is limited in many of Arkansas’s rural areas. Without the vital health care services Mainline Health Systems provides, many of the 42,000 patient visits the health center served last year would have no where else to turn.” 

Mainline Health Systems, Inc., is based in Portland. The center also has locations in  Wilmot, Eudora, Dermott and Fountain Hill. 

Photo:  Fourth District Representative Mike Ross (D-Ark) and State Rep. Randy Rankin receive awards from Mainline Health Systems, Inc., Executive Director Betty Gay Shuler in Portland Monday. Ross and Rankin received awards in conjunction with the community health center’s 25th Anniversary celebration.