BENTONVILLE — U.S. Sen. John Boozman visited the Southern Region National Child Protection Training Center for the first time Thursday and expressed his gratitude to those fighting child abuse.
"There's not anything more important than what you do," said Boozman, a Republican, addressing a room packed with several dozen people.
The center's facility, located on the Northwest Arkansas Community College campus, opened in early 2014. Features include forensic interview rooms, a mock courtroom, practice medical exam rooms and a two-story mock home.
Boozman received a tour of the building from Victor Vieth, founder of the network of child protection training centers that originated in Minnesota.
Boozman is spending time in Arkansas this month with Congress in recess. He said he's had countless meetings with officials about the center but hadn't had an opportunity to visit until Thursday.
"I'm very, very impressed with the facility," he said.