Legislative Update by Congressman Mike Ross

Ross Tours 4th District During Spring Work Period
 
March 25, 2005
 
This week while Congress is in recess, I had the opportunity to hit the road and visit numerous towns and communities throughout Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District. 

As your voice in the United States Congress, I strongly believe it is my job to promote the ideas and viewpoints of the majority of those I represent. This is why I like to use Congress's recess breaks as "working periods," so I can listen to the ideas, questions, and concerns of my constituents. And there is no better way to learn where my constituents stand on the issues than to get out there and meet face-to-face with the working families I so proudly represent. 

I was glad to host a series of Town Hall meetings this week, primarily focusing on the issue of Social Security. Whether I'm at church, the grocery store, or the gas station, folks are constantly coming up to me, telling me how nervous they are that their only guaranteed form of retirement may become privatized. That's why I felt it was important for me to present to my constituents an objective view of the Social Security debate that is currently underway in Congress. While there is no question the issue of Social Security needs to be addressed, the need to fix it is not a "crisis." In fact, as long as workers are paying into the system, the system will never go "broke." Our Social Security system has worked well for 70 years, and it's not going to quit on us tomorrow. Time does exist to have an open and honest debate on the right way to address this issue, and I was glad to have the opportunity to present these facts in person to my constituents. 

And perhaps the most gratifying event I participated in this week was welcoming home our troops in my hometown of Prescott Wednesday, who have been serving in Iraq under the Army's 39th Brigade. It was hard to hold back the tears as I watched families reunite and embrace their loved ones. I know I can speak on behalf of all those I represent in saying how proud I am of our brave men and women in uniform, and in thanking them for making the ultimate sacrifice to carry-out our mission in Iraq. 

One of my most important responsibilities as your Member of Congress is to be accessible and out there among my constituents, understanding your values, your needs, and your priorities. It is truly an honor to serve you and your family in the United States Congress.


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