Each February, our nation celebrates Black History Month. This is a valuable time to reflect on a part of our American heritage and how it has affected our country’s development, our communities and our lives. History teaches us that every culture and every society is founded on a set of values and beliefs that make it unique from others, and we should do all we can to preserve our diversity for future generations of Americans. 

Our nation is also home to countless citizens who have led quiet lives and still made lasting contributions to America’s greatness. We recognize and salute all of those who have made their mark by leaving America better off than when they first encountered her.

I am proud to be a part of the 110^th Congress which has already taken action to ensure the legacy of our African American heritage is not forgotten. I helped pass legislation honoring the achievements of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 98th anniversary. I have also cosponsored legislation recognizing the importance of African American spirituals and former enslaved Africans in the United States for their gifts to our nation, including their original music and oral history.

February may be the designated month for celebrating black history, but let us be mindful beyond this month and work together as a nation to put an end to all forms of racial discrimination so that we can promote the achievement of racial harmony and its lasting influence on American culture.

“As a pharmacy owner with my wife, I have seen far too many families come through our doors who cannot afford health care for their children,” Ross said. “This is America and we can do better. When I was in the Arkansas State Senate, we started work on a comprehensive health program for our kids that became known as ARKids First which I am proud to say now serves more than 70,000 Arkansas children.”

Ross sits on the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee where this bill will be referred.

The Healthy Kids Act of 2007 provides enough resources to ensure that no child who is currently enrolled in a State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) loses coverage. Specifically, the legislation will provide financial incentives and resources to states to increase enrollment in Medicaid and SCHIP. States that implement five policies to streamline the enrollment process would receive an increase on their federal matching rate for children’s coverage in Medicaid and SCHIP.

More than 68,000 children in Arkansas currently benefit from the SCHIP program.

Additionally, this legislation will provide states with new options to expand coverage to low income families. For example, children who have qualified for other programs including food stamps, WIC, and school lunch programs will automatically be deemed income eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP.

The Healthy Kids Act will provide families with a Healthy Savings Tax Credit so they can purchase employer-based health coverage for their children.  If the family does not have access to such coverage, they can buy into a state-designated coverage plan. 

“One child without health care in this country is one too many,” Ross said. “We must make covering our uninsured a top priority in this country so that health care is affordable and accessible for everyone.”

SCHIP has made significant progress in reducing the number of uninsured children, but nearly nine million children still lack health coverage. Two-thirds of these children are eligible for Medicaid or SCHIP, but not enrolled.  For the first time since 1998, the rate of uninsured children increased, from 10.8 percent to 11.2 percent. The Healthy Kids Act will reverse this trend by directly addressing the lack of access to affordable health insurance for these children. 

Ross was joined at Friday’s news conference by Reps. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Jim Ramstad (R-MN), Ray LaHood (R-IL), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), and Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH). Many health care organizations took part in the conference showing their support for this legislation such as: Families USA, the American Hospital Association, the Federation of American Hospitals, the Healthcare Leadership Council and Johnson and Johnson.

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“The Artistic Discovery contest is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the extraordinary talent of America’s young artists,” Ross said.  “It’s a long walk through the tunnel to the Capitol Building, and along that walk 435 students from across America receive the opportunity to display their works of art to thousands of visitors from all over the country.  I look forward to highlighting the artwork of students from Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District each year, and I always enjoy seeing what they will create.” 

High schools in the Fourth District interested in participating are encouraged to organize a contest within their school. First and second-place winners from each school will be judged by an independent panel of art teachers in the district to determine the overall first, second and third-place winners.

The winning selection will be displayed in the tunnel of the U.S. Capitol. Second and third place winners will be honored by having their artwork hung in Ross’ Congressional office.  

Upon local contests completion, the two winning entries from each school should be sent to Ross’ Hot Springs Congressional Office, located at 300 Exchange Street, Suite A, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71901, no later than Wednesday, April 16, 2007.  Students and teachers interested in participating are encouraged to contact Sonya Easterling of Ross’ office at (501) 520-5892 with any questions.

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