Today's National Debt:  $9,399,175,735,915.88
Your Share:  $30,897.62

This week, I joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass a groundbreaking G.I. Bill for the next generation of veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. I also had the honor and privilege this week to help cut the ribbon on the new Pine Bluff Veterans Outpatient Clinic. With more than 61,000 veterans living in the Fourth Congressional District alone, these two steps will play an integral role in ensuring that their education and health needs are properly addressed. 

This new G.I. Bill will renew our promise to the 24 million American veterans of today and tomorrow with a significant investment in higher education to prepare them for their return to the workforce. This bill restores full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It will also give our returning troops, including those in the National Guard and the Reserve, the tools to succeed after military service and increase recruitment as we work to rebuild our military.

The much-needed Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Pine Bluff will provide care for those men and women who have served our country admirably. I am proud that 1,200 veterans have already enrolled at this clinic which will serve up to 5,000 veterans from Jefferson, Arkansas, Lincoln, Cleveland, Grant, Pulaski, and Lonoke Counties. By working with the University of Arkansas Medical Center, this first rate facility will put veterans in contact with and under the care of some of the best professionals in the State of Arkansas. Already in the Fourth Congressional District we have Veterans Outpatient Clinic’s in El Dorado, Texarkana, Mena and Hot Springs.

As your U.S. Representative and voice at our Nation’s Capitol each week, I remain committed to ensuring we provide all necessary funding for Veterans Affairs, as well as extending additional benefits to our veterans and their families. Last year, I worked with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2008.  This vital legislation provided the largest increase for veteran’s health care in the 77 year history of the VA, and will help to make facilities like the one in Pine Bluff a reality across the country. 

Without the courageous service and sacrifice of our veterans, America would not stand as a beacon of hope, opportunity and freedom around the world. I am honored to support these critical benefits for our veterans, and I will continue to fight in Washington so that our soldiers returning home have the necessary support they deserve.

Sincerely,

Mike Ross

Please remember that if you have issues related to the federal government such as Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits, you can visit with staff from my office in a community near you. My office will host community office hours at the following locations, dates and times:
Chidester - June 25th at 9:00 a.m., at the Chidester City Hall located at 118 Willow Street;
Gurdon - June 25th at 11:00 a.m., at the Gurdon City Hall located at 103 Maple Street;
Arkadelphia - June 25th at 1:00 p.m., at the Clark County Courthouse located at 401 Clay Street;
Malvern - June 25th at 2:30 p.m., at the Hot Spring County Courthouse located at 210 Locust.