Dr. King once wrote, ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’ and he was right.  The presence of injustice puts us and our ideals in jeopardy.  Dr. King gave his life fighting for justice and I believe we should carry out that legacy. We have much to learn from Dr. King.  He taught us that no matter who we are or where we come from, we are all capable of achieving great things, even when faced with overwhelming obstacles. 

   Dr. King led a lifetime of relentless perseverance to achieve the ultimate goal - equality among all races – and pursued his quest through an unyielding dedication to non-violence.  He was assassinated for daring to dream – daring to dream that all of us could live in a land free of segregation - a land blind to the color of a person’s skin. Dr. King inspired the world and led by example.  

   Much of what Dr. King and his vision sought to overcome has occurred and this country has improved for the better due to him. However, we still have much work towards achieving so much that Dr. King fought for, like a national commitment to ending poverty. Right now, a full-time minimum wage worker brings home just $10,712, which is $6,000 below the poverty level for a family of three, and something no working family should have to endure.

   During the first week of the 110^th Congress, I was proud to vote to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 and hour to $7.25. According to the Department of Labor statistics, this will benefit the approximate 113,000 hard working citizens in Arkansas who currently earn the minimum wage.  

   As we commemorate Dr. King’s legacy we must also carry out his dream. I urge all of us to take the time and reflect on Dr. King’s dream and continue to be a part of keeping that dream alive. It is with tremendous respect and admiration that I salute Dr. King for all he stood for and all he did to forever change America for the better.

“On November 7^th, the American people said they wanted a new direction in Iraq and sending 21,000 new troops is not a new direction, it’s simply more of the same,” Ross said. “I am disappointed that the President appears to be set on a course of redeployment that will stretch our military, including the National Guard and Reserves, too thin. Instead, I support a plan that trains more Iraqi’s to take control of their police and military force and demands more accountability by the Iraqi government.”

“I believe two of the greatest domestic challenges facing our nation today are energy and health care and I am pleased to have received an appointment to both the Energy and Health Subcommittees so I can play an active role in making this country stronger,” Ross said.

“Access to affordable health care is one of the greatest needs of the Fourth Congressional District and it is one of the most important issues facing our nation,” Ross said. “I am honored to have this opportunity to serve on the Health Subcommittee because there are a number of important health care issues that we will undertake this year.  Whether it be fixing the flawed Medicare Prescription drug bill so that seniors have access to cheaper prescription medications, or helping our small businesses and the self-employed better afford health insurance for their employees and themselves, health care is one of my top legislative priorities in Congress.” 

Ross also won a seat on the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee, as well as a seat on the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.

“In addition to working on health care legislation, we must put our nation on a path towards energy independence,” Ross said. “I look forward to using my seat on the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee to put forward common sense legislation that will help us solve our energy crisis and invest in alternative and renewable fuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, which will create new economic opportunities across rural America and help us realize an economic revival in the Delta.”

The Energy and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over public health issues, the supply and delivery of energy, and general issues concerning interstate and foreign commerce, among many other issues. The Committee’s jurisdiction also extends over five Cabinet-level departments and seven independent agencies--from the Energy Department, Health and Human Services, the Transportation Department to the Federal Trade Commission, Food and Drug Administration, and Federal Communications Commission—and sundry quasi-governmental organizations. It is the oldest legislative standing committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, having been created over 200 years ago.

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