There is no greater obligation we as a nation have to our troops, who risk their lives on a daily basis, than to supply them

with the most advanced technology and resources available. Therefore, we must demand that the most stringent tests

possible be conducted to resolve recent reports that have led many to question whether our troops are being given access

to the absolute best body armor available.

I am grateful to John Grant, of Pearcy, for bringing this issue to my attention. Mr. Grant, whose son is a member of

Arkansas’s 39^th Infantry Brigade, has become an expert on the types of body armor that are currently available on the

market. 

With 225,000 brave men and women currently putting their lives on the line each day in the Iraq region, not to mention

the tens of thousands more in other parts of the world defending our freedom, our combat soldiers should not be denied

the use of the latest and most effective body armor, regardless of the cost involved, if it will result in the

preservation of their lives.

Arkansas’s 39^th Infantry Brigade has recently been informed that they could be deployed to Iraq by the end of the year, and calling for this investigation is something I believe that we must do for our soldiers’ welfare and their families’ peace of mind.  My only goal is to protect our troops in harm’s way by ensuring that they receive the most advanced body armor on the market today as they carry out their mission.  We have a responsibility to our troops and I am committed to ensuring that we do all we can so that they will return home to their families and loved ones.

“I am honored to have nominated Bowe Barger to the U.S. Naval Academy, and I commend her on her hard work and dedication to her studies which earned her this distinguished appointment,” Ross said.  “The admissions process for our service academies is highly competitive.  Our academies seek not only those in peak physical condition, but also those who display natural leadership, high moral character, and a commitment to academics.  Bowe Barger clearly represents all of these characteristics, and I congratulate her and wish her all the best as she enters academy life.”

Barger is the daughter of Robert and Tammy Jo Barger of Okolona and will graduate from Arkadelphia High School later this year in the graduating class of 2007. Barger is a member of Arkadelphia High School’s National Honor Society, the Lady Badger Soccer Team, the Spanish Club and the French Club. Barger also volunteers her time with the Cone Foundation at Arkadelphia High School which provides monetary awards to non-profit organizations for community enhancement projects.

Each year, Ross has the opportunity to nominate Arkansas's most accomplished young men and women for an appointment to one of these academies. As some of the most selective institutions of higher education in the world, these academies offer young people a unique opportunity to obtain a first-class education and subsequently serve our country upon graduation as commissioned officers in the United States Military. For more information or to learn about the application process, please contact R.J. Lightsey in my Pine Bluff office at 1-800-223-2220, or visit my website at: www.house.gov/ross.

-30-