Thank You Tour

Arkansas volunteers for the American Heart Association from all across the state conducted Legislative Thank You Tours to several state legislators. The tour was designed to thank decision makers on passing legislation that will have a life saving impact for years to come.

The targeted legislators were Senator Tracy Steele and Representative Gregg Reep who were lead sponsors of the tobacco tax increase bill that passed during the 87th General Assembly. Additional tour visits will be conducted throughout the summer.

The major piece of legislation was the 56 tobacco tax increase. With this bill the state will fund a statewide trauma system, Community Health Centers, provide funding for a statewide stroke registry, funding for automated external defibrillators for school across the state and many other health care needs.

All of those programs will address heart disease and stroke and reduce the death and burden caused by cardiovascular diseases.

The other legislation critical to heart and stroke was the passage of the AED/CPR Antony Hobbs, III Act, which requires all public schools to have on campus an automated external defibrillator and school personnel trained in CPR. Senator Steele was the lead sponsor of this bill as well.











Pictured left to right - Valarie Wade, Barbara kumpe, Rep. Gregg Reep, Janet Winslow, Wonder Lowe, Russell Melchert, Ph.d. and in front Ashton and Jordan Dollar.