Boozman honored by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

WASHINGTON – Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) honored U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) with its 2024 Leadership in Government Award in recognition of his advocacy for policies to improve the services and benefits veterans and their families have earned.

“I’m proud to work with IAVA to ensure we fulfill the promises made to the men and women who served in uniform. We’ve been able to accomplish landmark improvements for women veterans and toxic-exposed veterans thanks to the dedicated support of IAVA members. I appreciate this honor and look forward to continuing our collaboration to make meaningful improvements in the lives of these unsung heroes,” Boozman said.

“Senator John Boozman has been a leader on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans as he has answered our calls for action over and over again,” said IAVA CEO Allison Jaslow. “When IAVA put rocket fuel into the conversation about the need to address issues facing women veterans when we launched our She Who Borne the Battle campaign in 2017, Senator Boozman stepped up. He helped deliver a big win for women veterans after working hand in hand with us to craft the Deborah Sampson Act, which is now law, and a huge win for all veterans who’ve experienced toxic exposure thanks to his leadership that contributed to passage of the PACT Act. It’s an honor to recognize Senator Boozman’s efforts on behalf of my generation of veterans, and IAVA’s more than 425,000 members, with our 2024 Leadership in Government award.”

 As a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, Boozman has been a leader in delivering additional resources to support the needs of veterans and their families. 

The senator has championed a number of significant improvements that were signed into law in recent years to enhance or expand veterans benefits including transformational legislation expanding VA health care to toxic-exposed veterans of all eras and strengthening VA care and services for women veterans.

Senator Boozman received IAVA’s 2024 Leadership in Government Award from IAVA CEO Allison Jaslow.

Governor Hutchinson Issues Statement on Afghan Refugee Resettlement in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson issued the following statement on the resettlement of Afghan refugees in Arkansas.

“I received notification from the White House that Arkansas has been allotted up to 98 Afghan refugee cases. While we are waiting on specific information, I have been briefed on the heightened security vetting and comprehensive health screenings, intake, and vaccinations that are being implemented by our federal partners. We are expecting Afghan refugees in the near future with more coming as they are assigned to the resettlement agencies in the state by their national parent organizations. Refugee relocation is being assisted by faith-based organizations and local sponsors so refugees will successfully integrate to life in Arkansas.

“These refugees have supported the United States over the past 20 years. We want to help relocate these allies for their protection and the protection of their families from the sure peril they will face if they remain in Afghanistan.”