WASHINGTON -- A group of Arkansans was among the more than 600 cancer patients, survivors and family members who converged on Capitol Hill last week to lobby members for more funding for cancer research.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network hosted its annual Leadership Summit on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The group also encouraged lawmakers to support increased access to palliative care and to close a loophole in Medicare that can result in unexpected out of pocket costs when a polyp is found during a routine colonoscopy.
Bobby Harris, a financial planner from Little Rock, said Tuesday that he volunteers with the organization because of his experience caring for his wife, Sara, when she had Hodgkin's lymphoma shortly after the couple's son died from a congenital heart defect.
Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph tissue that can affect the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow.
Harris said the couple were encouraged to save embryos before Sara Harris began chemotheraphy, and she was able to conceive twins years later.
"That dark cloud that we thought was over our family is no longer there," he said. "There's too many sad stories still; we want more happy stories like mine."
ON THE HILL
The House and Senate are not scheduled to meet again until a week after the November election, and Capitol Hill was bustling last week with people and interest groups trying to connect with lawmakers before they left.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford was awarded the 2014 legislator of the year award by the American Kennel Club, his staff said.
Rep. Steve Womack's legislative director, Chris Huffaker, moved to Washington-based lobby and law firm Alston and Bird LLP this month. He started as legislative director for Womack in May 2012. Huffaker graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 2007 and the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2010. Adrielle Churchill has been named Womack's new legislative director.
Womack met Thursday with Ryley Williams, a 16-year-old Bentonville High School student and pediatric stroke survivor. Williams was in Washington with the Rally for Medical research, Womack's staff said.
On Wednesday night, U.S. Sen. John Boozman and his wife attended the Angels in Adoption Reception and Gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. This year's recipient from Arkansas was Springdale's Creekside Center for Women, which was represented at the event by Dr. Michael Clouatre, Dr. Greg Reiter and their spouses.
Last week Boozman was awarded the Competitive Enterprise Institute's "Champion of the Worker" award for his voting record on employment and workforce issues, his staff said.
On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor met with Anthony Bennett of Ashdown and Cogan Wade of Little Rock, who are currently serving as Senate pages, his staff said. Bennett was sponsored by Pryor and Wade by Boozman.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton met with Nila Patel of Texarkana and Jayesh Lallu of Cabot, who were in town with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, his staff said.
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin met with two students from Hendrix College participating in the Share Our Strength Advocacy Day 2014, where the students shared their experience volunteering for the Arkansas Hunger Alliance summer meals program.
The National Federation of Independent Business recognized Boozman, Crawford, Womack, Griffin and Cotton with its Guardian of Small Business Award.
CAMPAIGNS
At 11:30 a.m. on Monday, former Sen. David Pryor and Barbara Pryor are scheduled to hold a question and answer session about issues affecting seniors on their son's campaign Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PryorforSenate.
The two held a series of events for college students last week.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee, will advise Cotton's campaign, his staff announced Thursday.
Last week the National Rifle Association endorsed Griffin's lieutenant governor campaign and the campaign of 4th District Republican candidate Bruce Westerman.
MOBILE OFFICES
On Tuesday, Cotton's staff will hold several events to answer veterans questions. At 9 a.m. they will be at the Dierks Community Building, 102 W. Second St., in Dierks; 12:30 p.m. in the Sevier County Courthouse conference room at 115 N. Third St. in De Queen; and 3 p.m. in the Little River County Courthouse's small courtroom at 351 N. Second St. in Ashdown.
From 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Boozman's staff will be at the cafe on the campus of Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas, 183 College Drive in De Queen.
INTERNSHIPS
Womack is seeking college students to intern in his district offices in Rogers, Fort Smith, and Harrison.
Internship requirements and application materials are available at: http://womack.house.gov/constituentservices/internships.htm More information is available by calling (479) 464-0446 or emailing pam.forester@mail.house.gov.
Planning to visit the nation's capital? Know something happening in Washington, D.C.? Contact us at (202) 662-7690 or swire@arkansasonline.com.
SundayMonday on 09/21/2014