Senator Mark Pryor Press Releases

Washington – Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation today announced that Congress has finalized legislation containing vital funds for health, education, and military priorities for Arkansas.

The conference report, which includes funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education and Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and military construction spending, passed the House of Representatives late Tuesday. The Senate is expected to begin consideration of the legislation today.

Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation announcing these priorities for Arkansas today include U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D) and Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), and Mike Ross (D-4th).

The lawmakers fought to include the following state and local priorities for Arkansas:

Labor, HHS, and Education Priorities

$1,000,000 for the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas - The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service is the educational cornerstone of the Clinton Presidential Library Project. This unique graduate school is the first in the nation to offer a Master’s Degree in Public Service. The Clinton School offers a variety of additional academic programs to undergraduate and graduate students, cooperates in research projects, and emphasizes practical experience in communities throughout the world. This funding will support faculty expenses, students participating in public service projects in the U.S. and abroad, the school’s lecture series, and curriculum development.

$600,000 for Community Health Centers of Arkansas – Community Health Centers of Arkansas (CHCA) will use these funds to develop a programmatic approach to meeting the capital needs of Arkansas's health centers. CHCA envisions creating a Capital Development Program (CDP) designed to fund and assist health centers statewide. The CDP will coordinate technical assistance, disburse grant awards, coordinate lender participation in health center projects, and provide general assistance for health centers' capital needs. This program would help Arkansas's community health centers overcome the significant challenges posed by a lack of available funds for capital projects.

$625,000 for Instructional Technology and Curriculum Development at the University of Central Arkansas - The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) will use these funds to continue its successful technology infrastructure improvements. In 2004, UCA opened the Technology Plaza, the first fully digitally supported, outdoor classroom on any college campus in the United States. Technology infrastructure improvements have also enhanced classroom instruction, created a full wireless campus, increased technological capabilities in a new math and computer science building, and provided first year students with laptop computers.

$1,000,000 for the Nursing Program at Jefferson Regional Medical Center for Equipment Acquisition - The Jefferson Regional Medical Center recently approved an expansion of its nursing school, and these federal funds will be used to equip the new classrooms with new nursing education technology. The Smart Classroom and clinical skills lab will train nursing students as well as provide ongoing training for staff nurses and other hospital employees. There will be a special emphasis on assessment skills, socioeconomic and cultural sensitivity, the collection of a proper patient history, and proper management of the patient and family.

$150,000 for the KIPP Foundation – The KIPP Foundation will use this funding to support student programs and extended learning time at KIPP Delta College Prep in Helena-West Helena. Over 85 percent of students at KIPP Delta qualify for the federal free or reduced-price meals program. The school’s current ninth grade class improved to the 91^st percentile in mathematics and the 65^th percentile in reading as measured by the Stanford 10 national achievement test. As fifth graders, those same students tested in the 29th percentile and the 30th percentile in math and reading, respectively.

$75,000 for Lyon College - Because Lyon College currently lacks an alternate source of power generation in the case of a natural disaster, the funds will be used for an auxiliary power source that can supply the college with power in time of disaster.

$215,000 for North Arkansas College in Harrison - North Arkansas College will use this funding to meet the technology and infrastructure needs of its recently purchased 65,000-square-foot building. This new facility will house the college's North Arkansas Partnership for Health Education program along with college offices for workforce development, community and continuing education, and adult education.

$1,420,000 for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) – This funding will help UAMS construct a new Thyroid Diagnostic Center, enhance a multi-state Master’s degree program in genetic counseling, improve facilities, and purchase equipment

$440,000 for the Drew County Memorial Hospital - These funds will be used for the construction of facilities and the purchase of equipment for the Drew County Memorial Hospital.

$75,000 for the Critical Access Hospital in Heber Springs - Funding will be used to help provide water and sewer utilities for a proposed new medical facility that will replace the existing 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, which was constructed and placed in operation in 1968.

$225,000 for the Woodruff County Health Center - The Woodruff County Health Center would construct and equip a dialysis treatment center in McCrory, Arkansas. This center will provide centrally located, local access to treatment services for patients who must now drive to Searcy to obtain dialysis services.

VA and Military Construction Priorities

$9.8 Million for the Little Rock Air Force Base Multi-Purpose Education Facility - The current facility is small, outdated, and hard for civilians to access. Heightened security restrictions have limited civilian access to military bases including the education programs offered at Little Rock Air Force Base. Officials will construct this new educational facility off-base, so classes can continue to operate without interruption during times of increased security restrictions. Arkansas State University will operate the new facility, providing a wider selection of academic programs to active duty and reserve military personnel, their dependents, and interested civilians. Other Arkansas colleges and university systems would also have access to the courses and curriculum provided at this location.

$9.8 Million for Runway Repair for the Little Rock Air Force Base - The airfield, constructed in 1955, is in a state of deterioration, which could adversely affect combat readiness and may endanger aircrew lives and aircraft assets. The funding allows the airfield to repair deteriorated runway and shoulder pavements, remove or eliminate airfield obstructions, replace runway lighting, and reorganize instrument guidance and navigation systems. This construction upgrades the operational life of the airfield and supports mission-essential flight training.

$1.9 Million for an Urban Assault Course at Camp Robinson - This range will support the individual and collective familiarization and qualification requirements of all personnel assigned to units in the Brigade Combat Team. In addition, it is expected that this facility will be used by other units. The range will be constructed on federal land under long-term lease from the state.

Protected $5.5 Million in the President’s Budget for the Ammunition Supply Point at Camp Robinson - This project will provide an ammunition supply point with specially designed anti-terrorism force protection upgrades. In addition to anti-terrorism force protection upgrades, improvements will include military and privately owned vehicle parking, fencing, outside lighting, access road improvements, perimeter fence installation and key card control access.

Protected $18.4 Million in the President’s Budget for the GED Plus Program Complex at Camp Robinson’s Professional Education Center (PEC) - The new facility, sitting on 4.5 acres, will include barracks, classrooms, a dining area and administrative offices. The PEC is the national training center for the Army National Guard, hosting more than 20,000 conferees annually from the National Guard, Army Reserve, Active Army, DOD, State and Federal agencies.

$840,000 for the Cabot Readiness Center - Funding will be used to construct a new facility in Cabot consisting of approximately 30,000 square feet, which will include an assembly area, administrative office space, supply and storage areas, classrooms, kitchen, parking, and a maintenance training bay.

As a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process, Arkansas is slated to receive funding to modernize the Aerospace Ground Equipment and Engine facility at the Little Rock Air Force Base, to build a Joint Force Vehicle Maintenance facility at Fort Chaffee, and to build an Armed Forces Reserve Center Building in Arkadelphia.

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		November 7, 2007 Press Release Arkansas Lawmakers Secure Funds for Health, Education, and Military Construction Priorities Washington – Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation today announced that Congress has finalized legislation containing vital funds for health, education, and military priorities for Arkansas. The conference report, which includes funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education and Veterans’ Affairs (VA) and military construction spending, passed the House of Representatives late Tuesday. The Senate is expected to begin consideration of the legislation today. Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation announcing these priorities for Arkansas today include U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D) and Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), and Mike Ross (D-4th). The lawmakers fought to include the following state and local priorities for Arkansas: Labor, HHS, and Education Priorities $1,000,000 for the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas - The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service is the educational cornerstone of the Clinton Presidential Library Project. This unique graduate school is the first in the nation to offer a Master’s Degree in Public Service. The Clinton School offers a variety of additional academic programs to undergraduate and graduate students, cooperates in research projects, and emphasizes practical experience in communities throughout the world. This funding will support faculty expenses, students participating in public service projects in the U.S. and abroad, the school’s lecture series, and curriculum development. $600,000 for Community Health Centers of Arkansas – Community Health Centers of Arkansas (CHCA) will use these funds to develop a programmatic approach to meeting the capital needs of Arkansas's health centers. CHCA envisions creating a Capital Development Program (CDP) designed to fund and assist health centers statewide. The CDP will coordinate technical assistance, disburse grant awards, coordinate lender participation in health center projects, and provide general assistance for health centers' capital needs. This program would help Arkansas's community health centers overcome the significant challenges posed by a lack of available funds for capital projects. $625,000 for Instructional Technology and Curriculum Development at the University of Central Arkansas - The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) will use these funds to continue its successful technology infrastructure improvements. In 2004, UCA opened the Technology Plaza, the first fully digitally supported, outdoor classroom on any college campus in the United States. Technology infrastructure improvements have also enhanced classroom instruction, created a full wireless campus, increased technological capabilities in a new math and computer science building, and provided first year students with laptop computers. $1,000,000 for the Nursing Program at Jefferson Regional Medical Center for Equipment Acquisition - The Jefferson Regional Medical Center recently approved an expansion of its nursing school, and these federal funds will be used to equip the new classrooms with new nursing education technology. The Smart Classroom and clinical skills lab will train nursing students as well as provide ongoing training for staff nurses and other hospital employees. There will be a special emphasis on assessment skills, socioeconomic and cultural sensitivity, the collection of a proper patient history, and proper management of the patient and family. $150,000 for the KIPP Foundation – The KIPP Foundation will use this funding to support student programs and extended learning time at KIPP Delta College Prep in Helena-West Helena. Over 85 percent of students at KIPP Delta qualify for the federal free or reduced-price meals program. The school’s current ninth grade class improved to the 91^st percentile in mathematics and the 65^th percentile in reading as measured by the Stanford 10 national achievement test. As fifth graders, those same students tested in the 29th percentile and the 30th percentile in math and reading, respectively. $75,000 for Lyon College - Because Lyon College currently lacks an alternate source of power generation in the case of a natural disaster, the funds will be used for an auxiliary power source that can supply the college with power in time of disaster. $215,000 for North Arkansas College in Harrison - North Arkansas College will use this funding to meet the technology and infrastructure needs of its recently purchased 65,000-square-foot building. This new facility will house the college's North Arkansas Partnership for Health Education program along with college offices for workforce development, community and continuing education, and adult education. $1,420,000 for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) – This funding will help UAMS construct a new Thyroid Diagnostic Center, enhance a multi-state Master’s degree program in genetic counseling, improve facilities, and purchase equipment $440,000 for the Drew County Memorial Hospital - These funds will be used for the construction of facilities and the purchase of equipment for the Drew County Memorial Hospital. $75,000 for the Critical Access Hospital in Heber Springs - Funding will be used to help provide water and sewer utilities for a proposed new medical facility that will replace the existing 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, which was constructed and placed in operation in 1968. $225,000 for the Woodruff County Health Center - The Woodruff County Health Center would construct and equip a dialysis treatment center in McCrory, Arkansas. This center will provide centrally located, local access to treatment services for patients who must now drive to Searcy to obtain dialysis services. VA and Military Construction Priorities $9.8 Million for the Little Rock Air Force Base Multi-Purpose Education Facility - The current facility is small, outdated, and hard for civilians to access. Heightened security restrictions have limited civilian access to military bases including the education programs offered at Little Rock Air Force Base. Officials will construct this new educational facility off-base, so classes can continue to operate without interruption during times of increased security restrictions. Arkansas State University will operate the new facility, providing a wider selection of academic programs to active duty and reserve military personnel, their dependents, and interested civilians. Other Arkansas colleges and university systems would also have access to the courses and curriculum provided at this location. $9.8 Million for Runway Repair for the Little Rock Air Force Base - The airfield, constructed in 1955, is in a state of deterioration, which could adversely affect combat readiness and may endanger aircrew lives and aircraft assets. The funding allows the airfield to repair deteriorated runway and shoulder pavements, remove or eliminate airfield obstructions, replace runway lighting, and reorganize instrument guidance and navigation systems. This construction upgrades the operational life of the airfield and supports mission-essential flight training. $1.9 Million for an Urban Assault Course at Camp Robinson - This range will support the individual and collective familiarization and qualification requirements of all personnel assigned to units in the Brigade Combat Team. In addition, it is expected that this facility will be used by other units. The range will be constructed on federal land under long-term lease from the state. Protected $5.5 Million in the President’s Budget for the Ammunition Supply Point at Camp Robinson - This project will provide an ammunition supply point with specially designed anti-terrorism force protection upgrades. In addition to anti-terrorism force protection upgrades, improvements will include military and privately owned vehicle parking, fencing, outside lighting, access road improvements, perimeter fence installation and key card control access. Protected $18.4 Million in the President’s Budget for the GED Plus Program Complex at Camp Robinson’s Professional Education Center (PEC) - The new facility, sitting on 4.5 acres, will include barracks, classrooms, a dining area and administrative offices. The PEC is the national training center for the Army National Guard, hosting more than 20,000 conferees annually from the National Guard, Army Reserve, Active Army, DOD, State and Federal agencies. $840,000 for the Cabot Readiness Center - Funding will be used to construct a new facility in Cabot consisting of approximately 30,000 square feet, which will include an assembly area, administrative office space, supply and storage areas, classrooms, kitchen, parking, and a maintenance training bay. As a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process, Arkansas is slated to receive funding to modernize the Aerospace Ground Equipment and Engine facility at the Little Rock Air Force Base, to build a Joint Force Vehicle Maintenance facility at Fort Chaffee, and to build an Armed Forces Reserve Center Building in Arkadelphia. ###