WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Thursday evening unanimously passed legislation to improve access to the Internet and other technologies for blind and deaf individuals. The Equal Access to 21st Century Communications Act was sponsored by Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR), John Kerry (D-MA), John Ensign (R-NV) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). “The Internet and other emerging communication equipment are no longer a luxury. They are an essential gateway to learn, interact and conduct business,” Pryor said. “This legislation will ensure all Americans, including those with disabilities, are able to fully participate in today’s online world. I am pleased that the Senate came together with one voice to pass this important legislation.”  “In the digital age, an inclusive America demands that no person with a disability is left behind either online or offline,” said Kerry. “The goal of our bill is crystal clear. We must ensure that Americans with disabilities have every opportunity to access our shared communications infrastructure. Anything less than our best effort dishonors the Americans with Disabilities Act and all that’s been accomplished over the twenty years since its passage.”
 

(Little Rock--) The burden of injury in Arkansas is great and often goes unnoticed. Most Arkansans are unaware that death from injuries in Arkansas is nearly 50 percent higher than the national average (data from the American College of Surgeons Trauma Systems Evaluation and Planning Committee Report, 2008). The death rate from injuries as a result of motor vehicle crashes is 60 percent higher than the national average. Dr. Paul Halverson, state health officer and director of the Arkansas Department of Health said, "Every year, several thousand Arkansans die or are seriously incapacitated as the result of traumatic injuries from accidents. In fact, injury has been and remains the number one killer of Arkansans from ages one through 44. The sad fact is that many injuries and subsequent deaths are preventable."

The Arkansas State Trauma System has published its first quarterly injury prevention brochure, “Preventing Summer Injuries.” The brochure highlights injuries sustained from activities such as swimming, bicycles, ATVs, motor vehicles, motorcycles, individual and team sports, hiking and climbing, fireworks, personal watercraft, and teens driving motor vehicles. The brochure provides information on risks, prevention tips, laws, and regulations that are relevant to each activity. In addition, there are charts and graphs to illustrate the burden of injury for each of the highlighted activities for the state. The brochure can be found online at www.healthy.arkansas.gov .

In 2006, there were more than 17,900 Arkansans hospitalized due to injuries which produced $412 million in hospital charges. In the same year, there were 2,169 injury related deaths in Arkansas. There have been several laws passed within the last year that will help reduce the burden of injury in Arkansas, but it is still vital that Arkansans are equipped with the knowledge and understanding to actively participate in preventing injuries in our state.

The “Preventing Summer Injuries” brochure is a joint project of the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Arkansas Department of Health’s Center for Health Improvement. The Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children's Hospital is the only multi-faceted injury prevention program in Arkansas whose mission is to reduce child injury, death and disability in Arkansas through service, education, innovative research and advocacy. Key areas of focus include teen driving, all-terrain vehicle safety, car passenger seat safety, water safety, home safety, and pedestrian safety and bike safety. The center's team of experts works with partners throughout the state to educate families on effective prevention strategies, reinforcing the fact that It Only Takes a Moment - it only takes a moment to lose your life due to an injury, but it also only takes a moment to practice safety and prevention. For more information on the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children's Hospital, call (501) 364-3400 or visit http://www.archildrens.org/injury_prevention
 

Recovery Act Funds Three New Visitor Contact Stations at Central Arkansas National Wildlife Refuges

Augusta, Ark. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $2.8 million contract for three new visitor contact stations and a new maintenance building at central Arkansas national wildlife refuges under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
K-Con Inc., a small business in Charleston, S.C., will design and build the four new buildings under a contract for $2,815,365.
"These new buildings will provide wonderful new facilities to enhance the public’s enjoyment at three of our refuges, including new opportunities for environmental education for school groups," Salazar said. "The construction project will also be an economic boost and provide much needed jobs for the local community.”
Construction will take place at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge and Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge. All are part of the Central Arkansas Refuge Complex.
The three visitor contact stations will be very similar to one another, said Jonathan Windley, deputy project leader for the Refuge Complex. “Each one will be a great gateway to welcome the public visiting
our refuges,” he said. “They offer a special room for school groups where we provide education on the environmental work being done at the refuge, as well as an information desk for volunteers to greet the public and help explain the refuge’s assets and activities. They will also have interpretive wildlife displays and office space for staff.”
The existing facilities at the three refuges are cramped and outdated. Knob’s headquarters has been a single trailer since the refuge opened in 1993. All existing buildings will be demolished as part of the contract.
In addition to the visitor facilities, K-Con will design and build a new maintenance building at Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge that will be used to store and repair the refuge’s equipment.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in 2009 gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior.
The ARRA funds represent an important component of the President’s plan to jumpstart the economy and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so the country can thrive in the 21st century. Under ARRA, Interior is making an investment in conserving America's timeless treasures – our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and heritage – while helping American families and their communities prosper again. Interior is also focusing on renewable energy projects, the needs of American Indians, employing youth and promoting community service.
“With its investments of Recovery Act funds, the Department of the Interior and its bureaus are putting people to work today to make improvements that will benefit the environment and the region for many years to come,” Salazar said.
Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department’s economic recovery projects. The public will be able to follow the progress of each project on www.recovery.gov and on www.interior.gov/recovery.
Secretary Salazar has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force to work closely with Interior’s Inspector General to ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For questions, comments or concerns email us at recoveryact@fws.gov. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
For more information: http://www.fws.gov/baldknob/
http://www.fws.gov/biglake/
http://www.fws.gov/wapanocca/
 

LITTLE ROCK, AR) Secretary of State Charlie Daniels announced today the appointment of Sandra McGrew as his offices new public affairs coordinator. McGrew will serve as Daniels spokesperson with the media and will assist with other public education programs within the office.
McGrew comes to the secretary of states office from Little Rock television station KLRT, where she worked as a general assignment reporter. McGrew began her career as a production assistant seven years ago and worked her way up to the assignment desk before becoming a reporter.
McGrew was born and raised in Germany. At age 12, her family moved back to the states and settled in North Carolina where McGrew attended high school. McGrew received her B.A. in Electronic Media from Harding University in Searcy. "I'm excited to begin this new chapter in my career with the Secretary of State's office and look forward to working with Secretary Daniels and his staff," McGrew said.

Arkansas Delegation Members to FEMA: Give Counties More Time
Request 90-Day Extension for All Counties Affected by Expanded Flood Zones

WASHINGTON, DC – Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting that all Arkansas counties affected by new flood maps be given a 90-day extension to pass a city floodplain management ordinance. On Monday, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate granted Crittenden County a 90-day extension after meeting with community officials and residents in West Memphis, Arkansas.

The letter, signed by Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, along with Congressman Marion Berry, said, “FEMA’s implementation of the Flood Map Modernization Program has been confusing and frustrating for us and our constituents. The lack of communication and coordination between FEMA and local officials is unacceptable and the root of many ongoing problems. Local leaders need more time to evaluate floodplain management ordinances and the effect of those ordinances on their residents. We ask that you provide that time.”

(Little Rock--) The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has recorded the first heat-related death for 2010. No information on the victim can be released due to patient confidentiality issues. ADH maintains records of death with causes as submitted by local officials, coroners and medical examiners around the state. No records are maintained for emergency room visits that have occurred as a result of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Last year there were seven deaths in Arkansas from heat-related causes.

James Phillips, MD, Infectious Disease Branch Chief, said, "It is very important for people to learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Sometimes we don't realize how serious this can be until it's too late. We need to learn to watch out for each other when the temperature and humidity get high and stay there for several days or more. It is very important to stay well-hydrated and to get out of the sun and rest regularly when you are working and playing."

Hot, humid weather can be very dangerous, even if you don't go outside at all. While the elderly, people with health problems, and very young children are the most vulnerable, heat can affect anyone-even strong, healthy athletes can be stricken.
 

Pryor, Warner Introduce Legislation to Spur Innovation, New Industries
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Mark Warner (D-VA) today introduced legislation to stimulate innovation in America by allowing federal agencies to organize prize competitions that reward scientific and technological developments and promote job growth.
“In recent years our economy has become stagnant, in part, because other countries are taking the lead in turning new ideas into new industries. We can jumpstart economic development and compete globally by motivating American innovation and rewarding entrepreneurs who take the risks needed to come up with the next great idea. American ingenuity has lifted up our country before and can do it again,” Pryor said.
“A good idea is a good idea no matter where it comes from,” Senator Warner said. “This proposal allows us to offer real incentives that will help jump-start efforts by our nation’s best and brightest from the public and private sectors to get us back in the race.”
The Reward Innovation in America Act implements recommendations from the National Academy of Science’s 2007 report on Innovation Inducement Prizes. The legislation authorizes federal agencies to hold competitions with monetary prizes in order to encourage innovation in basic and applied research, technology development, and prototype demonstration that advance the mission of an agency. Currently, only a few federal agencies have limited authority to hold competitions.
The United States has a long history of competition leading to new inventions and industries. Examples include:
• Orteig Prize: In 1927, Charles Lindberg won the $25,000 Orteig Prize for the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris, which spurred the development of commercial aviation worldwide.
• Oil Spill Recovery Institute Contest: After the Exxon-Valdez oil spill in 1989, the Oil Spill Recovery Institute of Cordova, Alaska, had trouble cleaning up the oil at the bottom of the Prince William Sound. The Institute put together a $20,000 contest for the best solution; a construction engineer from the Midwest won the prize, and the problem was solved.
• Ansari X Prize: In 2004, the Ansari X Prize offered $10 million for the pursuit of innovations in the aviation industry. The winner was SpaceShipOne, the first private team to build and launch a spacecraft capable of carrying 3 people 100 kilometers above the earth’s surface. Since the winner was announced, there has been more than $1.5 billion spent in support of the private spaceflight industry.
• L Prize: In 2009, the Department of Energy created the L Prize, a competition to spur lighting manufacturers to develop high-quality, high-efficiency lighting products to replace the common light bulb. The Department is offering $10 million and $5 million dollar prizes, and the competition is currently receiving submissions.
 

Statement by Senator Mark Pryor on Russia's Decision to Lift Ban on U.S. Poultry. President Obama today stood up for our poultry farmers, and I applaud him for his successful efforts. I await the full details of this agreement, but I do know that Russia’s agreement to lift its ban on chicken imports will have a very positive impact on jobs and the economy in Arkansas.
Earlier this week, I expressed my desire to both President Obama and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk for this matter to be part of today’s trade discussions. I appreciate their willingness to listen and reach this significant outcome