Portrait of Congressman Mike Ross
Representing the 4th District of Arkansas
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Volume 2, Issue 11,
November 16, 2001
Weekly Newsletter
 
 
MIKE'S WEEKLY MESSAGE
 
Congress Reaches Airline Security Agreement
 
"On Thursday, the House and Senate reached an historic agreement on airline security.  This is a major victory for the American people, and a crucial beginning to the recovery from the September 11th tragedy.   Like the bipartisan and unanimously passed Senate bill, this measure federalizes aviation screening, which I believe will go a long way toward restoring public confidence in airline safety and travel and shoring up our nation’s economy.  

"Under the agreement, the government would immediately begin taking over control of airport screening functions, and within one year, federal law enforcement agents would handle all screening of baggage and passengers.  After three years, the agreement permits certain airports that meet strict federal standards to opt out of using federal screeners, and it allows for the evaluation of the federalization program in comparison with private security screening.   

"The agreement also contains a number of other important safeguards to beef up aviation safety.  It requires that all baggage must be checked within two years, it expands the federal air marshal program, and it puts authority and oversight for airline security under a new section of the Department of Transportation.  

"The American people have waited more than eight weeks for Congress to improve airline safety.  With Thanksgiving—the biggest travel time of the year—just around the corner, Congress must move quickly to put this aviation safety agreement into law.  I am confident that we will do just that."
 

 
Congressman Ross Presents Purple 
Heart to WWII Veteran
 
"On Sunday, November 11, I was honored to present a Purple Heart to a distinguished veteran and former P.O.W. of World War II, Chauncey L. Robinson, of Hot Springs. Robinson was a 21 year-old seaman first class in the U.S. Navy in 1942 when he was taken prisoner by the Japanese. He was held captive for three years,  where he was beaten  and forced to work in coal mines while surviving on a diet of  little more than rice.  After many years without proper recognition, Robinson's experience as a prisoner-of-war was brought to the attention of my senior district aide for military and veterans' affairs, Don Grigg, in July, I am proud that we were able to finally show our nation's gratitude for his bravery and courage in serving our country through this well-deserved award."
 
 
ROSS URGES ARKANSANS TO CLAIM, SPEND TAX REFUNDS
 
(WASHINGTON, DC) - U.S. Representative Mike Ross (D-AR) is encouraging Arkansas residents to check with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to see if they are owed a federal income tax refund check. Currently, the IRS has approximately 385,000 unclaimed checks totaling $200 million that could not be delivered due to change in taxpayers’ names or addresses. The average range of these checks is between $300 and $600, many coming from the major tax cut earlier this year.“

As we can see, this is no small amount of money,” said Ross. “We are talking about real dollars owed to taxpayers that can be used to put food on the table, buy clothes for children, or purchase medicine for someone who needs it. I urge any Arkansan who thinks they may have an unclaimed rebate or refund check to contact the IRS and claim your money, and I ask you put that money back into our economy by spending it. By taking these tax return checks out into our local communities, we can help stimulate the economy not only in our own cities and towns, but across the country.”

Arkansans who think they may be owed money by the IRS may call (800) 829-1040 to check on their refunds. The deadline to claim the rebate or refund is December 5. After that date, the IRS will apply the amount as a credit to next year’s taxes, and taxpayers will have to claim the money on their 2001 tax return in April to receive it. To notify the IRS of a change in address, taxpayers may call the IRS or download the Form 8822 from the agency’s website at www.irs.gov.
 

DEQUEEN, EL DORADO, HOT SPRINGS 
TO GET FUNDING IN COMMERCE-JUSTICE-STATE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
 
(WASHINGTON, DC) - U.S. Representative Mike Ross (D-AR) Tuesday announced that the House-Senate conference report for the fiscal year 2002 appropriations measure for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and other related agencies includes funding for a domestic violence center in DeQueen and U.S. Marshals Service detainee facilities in El Dorado and Hot Springs. The measure also includes over $300 million nationwide for important juvenile justice programs, such as the Safe Schools Initiative and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.

The Southwest Arkansas Domestic Violence Center in DeQueen will receive $350,000 to fund domestic violence prevention activities and to provide food, housing and other services for a minimum of 35 women and 50 children at any given time. In addition, the United States Marshals Service has been appropriated $100,000 and $1,328,000 for planning, design, and construction costs for facilities to hold detainees in El Dorado and Hot Springs, respectively.

“Domestic violence is too often a silent problem in our society. I’m pleased that the women and children of southwest Arkansas will benefit from this funding to combat and assist victims of domestic violence,” Ross said. “I am also pleased that the U.S. Marshals Service will receive funding to improve their facilities in Hot Springs and El Dorado, and I am hopeful that our area will benefit from the money provided in the bill for mentoring and violence prevention among our youth.”
 

Please Contact Mike at 
1-800-223-2220 or 
mike.ross@mail.house.gov
 
Contact Information Constituent Services Legislative Affairs News & Views Photo Gallery

   El Dorado: 870-881-0681  |  Prescott: 870-887-6787 

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