Washington news in brief

Disaster planning subject of seminar

A disaster-preparation seminar will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at the University of Central Arkansas, U.S. Rep. French Hill has announced.

Officials with the National Weather Service, Vilonia Fire Department, Faulkner County Office of Emergency Management, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management and state Department of Human Services will be on hand.

They'll be joined by Red Cross representatives as well as workers from the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Catholic Charities of Arkansas.

Three years ago this month, a major tornado struck Vilonia and Mayflower, leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Saturday's event will provide valuable training, the Republican from Little Rock said.

"Congressman Hill wanted to bring a collection of experts on weather, disaster preparedness, and public safety together in one room to provide the community with the methods for best handling severe weather situations," said Hill spokesman Michael Siegel. "The event is open to the public and we are encouraging anyone living in the Second Congressional District to attend this important seminar."

The event will be held at the Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center, 201 Donaghey Ave. in Conway.

Haas Hall student first in art contest

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack announced on Thursday this year's winner of the Congressional Art Competition in Northwest Arkansas.

Mollie Nichols of Haas Hall Academy finished first, beating 107 other entries. Her work will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for a year.

One artist from each of the nation's 435 congressional districts is selected.

The awards ceremony was held at the Siloam Springs Public Library.

"I am proud to host the Congressional Art Competition and provide the incredibly impressive high school students of the Third District an opportunity to showcase their artwork. Thank you to all those who participated in this year's competition, and my sincerest congratulations to our awardees, especially Mollie Nichols," Womack, a Republican from Rogers, said in a written statement.

Boozman pens item on opioid epidemic

The nation must address prescription-drug abuse, U.S. Sen. John Boozman said last week.

In a column released Friday, the Republican from Rogers said that the sale of opioids in Arkansas is 25 percent higher than the national average.

The problem hits particular populations especially hard, he wrote.

"Veterans are twice as likely to die from accidental opioid overdoses than non-veterans," he said.

Federal officials are taking steps to address the problem by awarding the state $3.9 million, Boozman noted.

The state's senior senator highlighted Arkansas' efforts, since 2010, to collect prescription drugs that are no longer needed.

"There are more than 130 permanent drop-off sites across the state and many law enforcement agencies host temporary drop-off sites bi-annually. The next Take Back event is Saturday, April 29," he wrote. "Drug take-back programs are important to breaking the cycle of addiction."

Delegation recalls Dickey as a leader

Members of the Arkansas congressional delegation paid tribute to former U.S. Rep. Jay Dickey, who died Thursday at age 77.

"Jay became a good friend and a trusted source of counsel during my first campaign for his old congressional district. He was a good man and a man of deep faith. Jay was one of a kind and we're richer as individuals and as a state for having had him in our lives," U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Dardanelle, said in a written statement Friday.

U.S. Sen. John Boozman called Dickey "a devoted public servant."

"He loved his state and was an unapologetic statesman who worked for its betterment," Boozman said. "Jay left a legacy of faith and example that they can be proud of."

U.S. Rep. French Hill called it "a sad day" for the state.

"Congressman Dickey was a great public servant who made many contributions to Arkansas and our Nation as a whole. I always loved his irrepressible enthusiasm for lower Arkansas, and no one worked harder for his constituents than Jay. We are all fortunate to have had someone with such a strong character be a leader for our state," he added.

Westerman honored for jobs advocacy

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman received the Spirit of Enterprise Award on Wednesday from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The award is given to lawmakers who favor "pro-growth and pro-jobs policies," officials said.

Jim Fram, the president and CEO of the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, said the Republican from Hot Springs deserved the honor.

"Congressman Westerman is a constituent oriented representative who works hard to create and retain jobs in District 4," he said.

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

SundayMonday on 04/23/2017

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