Week in Review: July 21-25

Disaster declaration for Arkansas counties announced, Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee clears VA committee, Marshals Museum coin design unveiled and more in this week in review. 

• Disaster Declaration: Severe weather in the state in June devastated thousands of acres of crops and pastures. A disaster designation for 23 Arkansas counties will allow farmers and ranchers to receive assistance to recover from losses caused by Mother Nature. 

• Veterans Affairs Secretary: The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs favorably voted for Robert McDonald to be the next VA Secretary. The full Senate will vote on this nomination early next week. 

• Marshals Museum Coin Design: Designs for commemorative coins honoring the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service were unveiled. These great designs highlight the dedication and commitment of the men and women who serve in the U.S. Marshals Service as well as Fort Smith’s role in the history of this law enforcement agency. 

• Duck Stamp Update: As good stewards of the environment, duck hunters are committed to preserving the habitat so future generations can participate in this exciting activity. I helped introduce the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014 to preserve wetlands and support future generations of Arkansas duck hunters. 

• Airport Improvements: Four Arkansas airports will receive more than $500,000 in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for airport facility upgrades and expansions. Improving our infrastructure is important to business growth and development. 

• Fire Department Grants: The Williams Junction Volunteer Fire Department and the Jacksonport Fire Department received funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to improve their tools and training they need to respond to emergencies and keep the community safe. 

• KASU Interview: In case you missed the interview with Jonesboro’s KASU you can listen here. 

• Coming Next Week: Facebook Q&A on Monday, July 28 at 12 p.m. CT. Join our Facbook page to participate.