Next year, when the 110^th Congress convenes in January, I look forward to working in the Majority to find common sense solutions to help America’s working families, seniors and children. At the top of that list is restoring America’s confidence in their government. We desperately need to clean up the mess in Washington and bring back fiscal accountability and responsibility to our budget process.

  I look forward to fixing the doughnut hole in the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, because seniors shouldn’t be forced to experience a gap in coverage resulting in large out of pocket expenses. I look forward to raising the federal minimum wage, because hard working Americans deserve the opportunity to earn a fair wage and not have to live in poverty if they are working full time. 

  We must also work hard to solve America’s energy crisis.  I will be introducing a plan to help us solve our energy crisis through a multi-faceted approach consisting of encouraging the use alternative and renewable energy sources, increasing domestic energy production, promoting conservation, utilizing energy efficient technologies, and giving the U.S. Department of Justice the muscle it needs to go after big oil companies for price fixing and price gouging.

  Finally, I look forward to saving Social Security, making college tuition affordable and providing real security at home. As the 109th Congress has wrapped up and 2006 is winding down, please join me in looking forward to 2007 as we wage our fight together for ALL Americans.

The RMCC partnership includes National Park Community College (NPCC), Southern Arkansas University (SAU), Western Arkansas Economic Development Council, Western Arkansas Workforce Investment Board, Central Arkansas Development Council, Southwest Arkansas Development Council, Mena Regional Health Systems, St. Joseph Health System, National Park Medical Center, Magnolia Regional Health System, and 12 School Districts.

SouthArk will use the grant to lead a strategic partnership in the creation of a new healthcare initiative for Southern Arkansas that addresses the shortages and vacancies in nursing occupations. Estimates show that by 2020, Arkansas will face a 48 percent nursing shortage with the state’s rural areas facing shortages of more than 60 percent. The shortage of registered nurses in South Arkansas is projected to reach 25 percent by 2010.

The SouthArk partnership is one of 72 recipients out of 429 applicants nationwide. The grant will be utilized in training activities throughout South Arkansas.

"Well-trained health care professionals are essential in keeping our communities healthy and productive," said Lincoln. "I applaud the South Arkansas Community College partnership for winning this highly competitive grant and for its proactive efforts in addressing Arkansas’ health care needs."

"SouthArk has given so much throughout the years to strengthen communities throughout Southern Arkansas," Pryor said. "This grant to expand training opportunities for careers in nursing is well-deserved and I am very pleased it will seek to address the crucial shortage of nurses our state is facing."

"Trained health care professionals are vital to our communities and it’s important that we do all we can to ensure that we are providing our colleges and universities that train them with the necessary resources today in order to prepare for the ever-increasing health care needs of tomorrow," Ross said. "I am proud that South Arkansas Community College will receive this important funding which will train more than 300 skilled nurses in Arkansas to work in the healthcare field."

The SouthArk project seeks to increase the number of certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and surgical technologists serving South Arkansas. SouthArk will also create a Health Sciences Careers Advising Model to improve the success and licensure of program participants and will develop a Health Sciences Institute to graduate well-qualified CNAs.

The SouthArk partnership includes Arkansas Department of Workforce Service (DWS), Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, Medical Center of South Arkansas, Ouachita County Medical Center, Ashley County Medical Services, El Dorado Public Schools, Parkers Chapel Public Schools, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

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