News Details 

Media Contact:
Alex Reed
501-682-1217

(March 15, 2013) LITTLE ROCK Secretary of State Mark Martin said he is pleased with participation at the inaugural Veterans Service Organizations/Legislators Day.
 
Members of over 30 veterans organizations filled the Capitol Rotunda Thursday to meet with legislators and representatives of Arkansas?s congressional delegation.
 
?The most frequent times for veterans to be at the Capitol are Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day,? Martin said. ?There are no regular events where our legislators and our veterans are at the Capitol at the same time. We want to change that.?
 
Martin said his own background gave him unique appreciation for this situation. ?As a United States Navy veteran and a former state representative, I believe it?s vital for these two groups to meet.?
 
Both the legislature and veterans benefit from developing relationships, he said. ?The General Assembly needs to hear first-hand what issues are of concern to veterans,? he said. ?And veterans need to know they can approach their local legislator with those issues and concerns.?
 
The organizations also benefit from the time together, Martin said. ?Besides meeting with the legislators, the service organizations can knit themselves closer together by being here. I?m pleased this office could be part of that, and I hope this becomes an annual event.?