"One of my priorities since taking office, and especially since the events of September 11th, has been to help facilitate the placement of a facility at the Pine Bluff Arsenal to produce vaccines against biological agents.  In 1994, Pine Bluff Arsenal was named the best location in the country for a vaccine production facility.  I believe it’s time for the Department of Defense to stop dragging their feet and put concrete plans in place to create this facility at the Arsenal.  Doing so will not only improve the safety of American families, but also bring important jobs and opportunity to our area. 

"Earlier this week, I visited the Pine Bluff Arsenal as well as the National Center for Toxicological Research located in Jefferson County to be updated on their heightened security procedures and to learn about their roles in our war against terrorism, particularly in the area of bio-terrorism.   I am pleased with the security measures they have in place, and I am confident that the people of the area can feel safe.  In the weeks and months ahead, my staff and I will continue to work with officials at the Arsenal, the Department of Defense, and my colleagues in Congress to bring this important vaccine facility to the Pine Bluff Arsenal." 

“This decision shows that a so-called ‘prescription drug discount card’ is not the answer our seniors need to address the outrageous price of prescription drugs,” Ross said.  “Many seniors across our country continue to be forced to choose each month between buying groceries or buying the medicines they need to stay healthy or get well.  These bogus discount cards don’t offer seniors any meaningful relief from their high drug bills.  Instead, the big drug manufacturers line the pockets of prescription benefit management companies (PBMs) that issue the so-call discount cards with rebates to promote their particular medicines, while these rebates are not passed on to our seniors who buy the medications." 

“What our seniors need is a voluntary but guaranteed prescription drug benefit that is part of the Medicare program, just like going to the doctor or the hospital.  I commend the officials at HHS for withdrawing this flawed prescription drug discount card proposal, and I am hopeful that they will come up with a program that will truly provide seniors with meaningful relief from the high costs of prescription drugs.  I stand ready to assist them in any way possible to help provide proper medicine coverage for our seniors,” said Ross. 

Ross recently took his opposition to the proposed bogus discount card to local pharmacies throughout the Fourth Congressional District during the August district work period, where he met with seniors to discuss the need to modernize Medicare to include medicine for all seniors.

As a result of the report, Union County will receive $2 million for a community water system project to reduce demand on the Sparta aquifer, which currently serves as the area’s primary water supply.  Currently, the region is classified as a critical groundwater area, and the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission has urged the county to substantially reduce demand on the aquifer.  The county plans to complete a 20-mile pipeline to bring water from the Ouachita River to several local businesses, which would eliminate much of the demand on the aquifer.  The funding provided in VA-HUD appropriations bill under the auspices of economic development would go toward completion of this project estimated at $45 million.   

The appropriations measure also sets aside $1 million for the City of DeQueen to construct a Cultural Awareness Center in its downtown area.  During the past 10 years, Arkansas experienced a 337% increase in its Hispanic population, with DeQueen topping the list of Arkansas’s 100 largest cities in growth.  The city has a 38.6% Hispanic population.  The facility will house an Immigration and Naturalization office, a State Assimilation office, an English as a second language program, an office of the Department of Human Services, Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration revenue offices, a large community auditorium, as well as city offices.  

“I’m pleased that we were able to get money for both of these projects included in the bill,” Ross said.  “Providing the businesses and residents of Union County an alternate water supply is critical not only to preserving the Sparta aquifer but to the future livelihood and economy of the area, and this funding will provide an important lift in making this project a reality.  In addition, members of the Hispanic community and all the citizens of DeQueen and Sevier County will benefit from this new Cultural Awareness Center.”   

Also included in the bill is $150 million for the Firefighter Grant Program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a $50 million increase over last year, which will benefit volunteer and professional fire departments in Arkansas and across the country.  In addition, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Girl Scouts of America each received $2 million earmarks.  Final passage of the FY 2002 VA-HUD Appropriations Conference Report is expected in the House this week.