News: Ross Applauds Marshals Museum Groundbreaking in Fort Smith

Press Release

Former U.S. Congressman and Democratic nominee for governor Mike Ross was an invited special guest at the groundbreaking ceremony of the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith held on the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service. Organizers recognized Ross for leading bipartisan efforts to build support for the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith and its construction while he was in Congress.

"The very first Congress with its very first bill created the U.S. Marshals Service when President George Washington signed the Judiciary Act of 1789. This was the same bill that created the entire federal judicial system, and today the U.S. Marshals Service remains the nation's oldest federal law enforcement agency," said Ross. "From Judge Parker's Courthouse in Fort Smith to the True Grit novel and movies, Arkansas is an important part of the history and culture of the U.S. Marshals Service, so it is only fitting that the U.S. Marshals Museum be built here in Arkansas."

While in Congress, Ross helped introduce and build legislative support for the United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act by working closely with Congressman Steve Womack to secure over 300 cosponsors that ensured its passage. The legislation was signed into law on April 2, 2012.

The U.S. Marshals Commemorative Coin will help celebrate the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service and help raise money for the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith -- all without costing the taxpayers a dime. The official designs of the coins were unveiled in July by the U.S. Mint, which will begin accepting orders for the coins in early 2015.

"I am proud to have helped introduce the United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Coin Act, and I'm proud to have worked with my colleague, Congressman Steve Womack, to secure over 300 bipartisan cosponsors that ensured its passage so that we can recognize the work our marshals do and can honor all those within the U.S. Marshals Service who gave their lives in service to their country," said Ross. "The sales from the U.S. Marshals Service 225th Commemorative Coin will help build a museum in their honor in Fort Smith, so that this generation and the generations that follow will know the truly American story of the U.S. Marshals Service."

Ross said the museum will be an economic boom to the downtown Fort Smith area as tourists from all over the world travel to the museum to learn more about the history and culture of the U.S. Marshals Service.

"I fought hard to support this museum in Fort Smith and to pass the Commemorative Coin Act to support its construction because it will attract tourists from all over the world and help continue the economic revitalization we're seeing in downtown Fort Smith," said Ross. "I supported the U.S. Marshals Museum in Congress, and I will support it as governor. From our cultured history to our beautiful natural resources, tourism is an important industry here in Arkansas, and I will do everything I can as governor to preserve and promote these unique treasures for generations to come."

Ross has received the endorsement of 65 of the state's 75 county sheriffs, 56 of the 75 county judges, Governor Mike Beebe, President Bill Clinton, the Arkansas Professional Fire Fighters Association, and the Arkansas Education Association, an organization that represents Arkansas's educators and education support professionals.

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