News from the Dome: "Together, we can become worthy of the moment"

And so it begins! The 2017 Arkansas Legislative Session started yesterday, and it promises to be an interesting and exciting 90 days at the Arkansas State Capitol. 

This morning, Governor Asa Hutchinson delivered his State of the State address where he shared words from 50 years ago today on January 10, 1967, when Winthrop Rockefeller was inaugurated as the 37th Governor of Arkansas. In addressing the 67th General Assembly, he said this:

"It is true that you have been allotted an unusual moment in the history of Arkansas, as have I… a moment subject to special scrutiny… laden with special challenges… and rich with special opportunities. I believe that together we can become worthy of the moment."


Over the next several months you will receive emails providing updates on the progress of the AHA legislative agenda, as well as giving you the opportunity to take action via email, phone calls, and visits to legislator offices. Just know that your involvement is incredibly important to the work of the American Heart Association at the Capitol. Together, we will be worthy of this moment and make a difference in the lives of Arkansans by advocating for heart-healthy and stroke smart policies. 

Your AHA Advocacy Team will be working to pass policies that will create a healthier Arkansas for all! Key issues this session will include:

•  Advocating for the establishment of healthy food and beverage vending standards for all state agencies in order to provide healthy food choices for visitors and employees in government facilities. 

•  Work on policies that addresses stroke and heart attack systems of care, in order to identify possible improvements that could lead to reductions in death and disability due to heart attacks and strokes across Arkansas.  

Your voice is key to an effective grassroots campaign and we can't do this without you! Along with taking action on email alerts we would love to see you at our Advocating for Heart event on Thursday, February 2nd at the Arkansas State Capitol. You will be a part of the Go Red For Women Survivor Gallery Unveiling and meet with your lawmakers to talk about key issues. For more information and to RSVP for this signature event please CLICK HERE. 

We will continue to keep you updated on the happenings under the dome of the Capitol as legislative session moves forward.  Many legislators from across our state have shared their stories with us and committed to making heart-healthy and stroke smart policies a priority. We are so excited to see what we can accomplish together in 2017!