Marshallese focus of two resolutions introduced by Arkansas congressmen

Washington, March 5, 2018

http://http//www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/mar/04/marshallese-focus-of-two-resolutions-wo/?f=news-arkansas

By Frank E. Lockwood

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Steve Womack and U.S. Sen. John Boozman introduced resolutions Tuesday "recognizing the rich history, heritage, and strategic importance of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Marshallese population residing in the United States."

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton co-sponsored the Senate version. The other members of the Arkansas congressional delegation, U.S. Reps. Rick Crawford, French Hill and Bruce Westerman, are co-sponsoring the House version.

The resolutions allege that Marshallese living in the U.S. were undercounted during the 2010 U.S. Census and calls for "a continued commitment to improve census data to better serve citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands who live in the United States."

Under a compact between the two nations, the islands' citizens can live, study and work in the United States and serve in the armed forces, but they're ineligible for Medicaid and Medicare, the resolution states.

The pact is set to expire in 2023.

Of the 50 states, Hawaii and Arkansas reportedly have the largest Marshallese populations.

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