Washington news in brief

Fulbright Program saluted for its 70th

U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Rogers and U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock introduced resolutions marking the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright Program.

The brainchild of former U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright, D-Ark., legislation creating the program was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on Aug. 1, 1946.

Its stated purpose: the "promotion of international good will through the exchange of students in the fields of education, culture, and science."

The resolutions noted that the Fulbright Program's alumni include "54 Nobel Prize laureates, 82 recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, 33 heads of state, 16 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, 8 members of the United States Congress, and a former secretary-general of the United Nations."

The other three members of the House from Arkansas co-sponsored Hill's resolution.

In an interview, Boozman said he was glad to mark the milestone.

"This has been probably the most successful program of its type ever in any country anywhere. It really has contributed to, I think, making the world a better place," he said.

In April, a tree was planted on the Capitol grounds in recognition of the program's seven decades.

Hill spearheaded that effort, and he spoke at the spring ceremony, saying, "Sen. Fulbright has engraved his name in Arkansas history, and his work has had a mighty impact on the lives of countless youth around the world."

Westerman wants federal tax revamp

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman last week said the federal government needs to change the way it collects revenues.

"Our current tax code is too complex and discourages entrepreneurship," the Republican from Hot Springs said in a written statement Friday. "In order to put Americans back to work and grow our economy, we must have a tax code built for growth. Our tax code must be simpler, fairer, and flatter while closing loopholes, and helping businesses grow and employ Americans."

Westerman praised House Speaker Paul Ryan's proposed tax overhaul, which would cut the top individual income rate from 39.6 percent to 33 percent. It would also reduce corporate income taxes from 35 percent to 20 percent.

A complete copy of the 35-page proposal is available at abetterway.speaker.gov/_assets/pdf/ABetterWay-Tax-PolicyPaper.pdf

What Arkansas vets recall gets to library

U.S. Sen. John Boozman's office has been collecting oral histories from Arkansas veterans. Tuesday, the Republican from Rogers hand-delivered the recordings to the Library of Congress.

Boozman left 15 recordings with the director of the Veterans History Project, which seeks to preserve the memories of former soldiers, sailors and all who defended their country. In addition, he dropped off a collection of letters that were written by a serviceman during World War II.

Twelve of the recordings were made by members of Boozman's staff. Three others were gathered by a retired schoolteacher. Olivia Olson, a member of the Marion chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, had attended a veterans history training seminar organized by Boozman's office.

Six such workshops have been offered so far, with about 200 people learning how to collect oral histories.

Boozman praised the Library of Congress "for the tremendous work that they're doing" and said Natural State volunteers are enthusiastic about the project.

"Arkansas has probably stepped up as much as any other state in the Union," he added. "We can be very, very proud of that."

Farm Credit visits mark 100th birthday

Officials from Farm Credit traveled to Washington earlier this month to meet with members of the Arkansas congressional delegation and to thank them for their help in recognizing Farm Credit's 100th birthday.

U.S. Sen. John Boozman and Reps. Steve Womack, Rick Crawford, Bruce Westerman and French Hill all co-sponsored resolutions commemorating the organization's centennial, the group said.

On July 17, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Federal Farm Loan Act creating the Federal Farm Loan Board and a Federal Land Bank system.

The goal was to help people in rural communities to obtain credit at reasonable rates.

One hundred years later, Farm Credit's lending organizations continue to help borrowers, enabling farmers and ranchers across the country.

Among those making the trip to Washington -- AgHeritage Farm Credit Services CEO Greg Cole and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas CEO Glen Manchester.

Cotton to be heading out to Ideas Festival

Arkansas' U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is to appear at the Ideas Festival in Aspen, Colo., later this week, a spokesman said. The event will feature 300 speakers, including Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry, Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

While in Colorado, Cotton is also to speak at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver. Headliners include presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Womack to visit 3 cities in state tour

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack will visit Abilities Unlimited in Van Buren on Tuesday morning. The nonprofit organization, which has been around for more than a half-century, helps individuals with disabilities to learn job and life skills. It also sells "gently used" items.

Also Tuesday morning, the Republican from Rogers will be on hand for the Exide Technologies groundbreaking in Fort Smith. Tuesday afternoon, he'll attend HealthPointe Insurance's Open House, also in Fort Smith.

Wednesday, he's inviting his constituents to attend a "Coffee with the Congressman" event from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Lowell's City Hall at 216 N. Lincoln St.

The House is in recess and won't reconvene until July 5.

Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Please contact Frank Lockwood at (202) 662-7690 or [email protected]. Want the latest from the Democrat-Gazette's Washington bureau? It's available on Twitter @LockwoodFrank.

SundayMonday on 06/26/2016

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