LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (January 22, 2010) – The Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ACASA) has recognized Rep. Dawn Creekmore (D-Bauxite) with a Resolution of Appreciation, citing her tireless work on behalf of victims of sexual violence.
ACASA commended Rep. Creekmore’s leadership in passing legislation addressing the needs of victims of these crimes and making sure the offenders are brought to justice. One bill Rep. Creekmore successfully championed during last year’s Regular Session will require DNA samples to be taken upon felony arrests. The measure, called “Juli’s Law,” in honor of Benton native and murder victim Juli Busken, will not only help solve cases in Arkansas, but it will help prevent future crimes.
Rep. Creekmore has been recognized locally and nationally for her work on behalf of crime victims. “The youngest rape victim reported in Arkansas was under the age of 1. The oldest was 93. It is our responsibility to make sure these victims have a voice, and that their rights are protected. The work of ACASA in our communities, reaching out to victims and educating the public, is vital. I thank them for their efforts, and I am honored to receive this recognition,” said Creekmore.
Rep. Creekmore represents District 27. She chairs the Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs, as well as the Rural Fire Departments Study Committee. Rep. Creekmore serves as vice chair of the Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC)-Charitable, Penal and Correctional Institutions Committee. She also serves on the Arkansas Legislative Council, and its Committee for Policy Making, as well as the ALC Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee. In addition, Representative Creekmore serves on the Joint Performance Review Committee, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Oversight Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and its Subcommittee for Corrections and Criminal Law. Rep. Creekmore is also an ex-officio member of the subcommittees on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative, Military and Veterans Affairs and the Task Force on the Effect of Alzheimer’s Disease. She serves as an alternate on the Joint Energy Committee.

Dawn Creekmore award

   Representative Dawn Creekmore of Bauxite was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Arkansas Psychological Association  and recently was named one of the 10 Most Influential Arkansas Legislators by Talk Business Quarterly-2009

The recent tragedy at the Fort Hood Army Post in Texas reminds us just how much we value and appreciate the men and women who bravely serve our nation. This Army post houses soldiers who have returned from deployment in the Middle East and others who will travel to combat zones shortly.

This week we recognize Veterans Day, a time for all Americans to celebrate the patriotism, service, and sacrifice of those who have proudly put their own lives on the line to keep us out of harm’s way.

Police Sgt. Kimberly Munley is a retired member of the Armed Forces and she is rightfully hailed as a hero for her role in stopping the gunman in Fort Hood.

Everyday in the media, we see women in military roles that were once thought unimaginable and unattainable. Our women veterans span generations and all branches of the military including the National Guard and Reserve components.

Currently there are almost 2 million women veterans in America.

It’s often forgotten that since the beginning of time, women have served in all wars and conflicts. The history of women in the military is a history of love for country, service, commitment, dedication, and courage, and it includes sacrifices that have largely gone unrecognized. That is changing, but we must be part of that change.

With a rapidly increasing number of women serving in the military today and returning from deployments as seasoned veterans, Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and veterans service organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans are working overtime to ensure that the unique needs of women veterans are met. For decades the VA has been at the forefront for healthcare and lifestyle solutions affecting an aging male population, however now we must identify innovative courses of treatment and solutions to obstacles that are unique to women veterans such as pregnancy, breast cancer, and other medical concerns.

In the coming months I plan to stand heart to heart with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and the Center for Women Veterans at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to identify and implement new strategies to meet the everyday challenges that women veterans face. I hope you will join me in this effort. I encourage women veterans and their families to bring specific needs and concerns to our attention.
Thank you to all our Veterans and their families,

Rep. Dawn Creekmore
Veteran Affairs Team Leader for Arkansas, NFWL

Representative Dawn Creekmore of Bauxite donated a model of the eye that
she received from the American Optometric Association (AOA) to Bauxite
School.  The intricate model was accompanied by a study guide and
learning materials donated by Arkansas Optometric Association.  Optometrist
Roger Neal, member of the AOA, presented the model to Representative
Creekmore and the School. The American Optometric Association advocates for the profession and
serve optometrists in meeting the eye care needs of the public. The AOA is
centered on improving the quality and availability of eye and vision
care. The Arkansas Optometric Association is an affiliate of the AOA.

                                                                                                                                                            Pictured with Rep. Dawn Creekmore are Mr. Keith Baker, principle of
                                                                                                                                                            Bauxite High school, and Dr. Roger Neal

Bryant Daily – By LANA CLIFTON

Identity theft is a growing concern all across America. According to a document released by the Federal Trade Commission in February of 2009, over 313,000 complaints of identity theft were recorded by the Consumer Sentinel Network. These numbers were up from just under 260,000 complaints in 2007 and showed a huge increase since 2000 when only 31,140 were filed. Twenty-four percent of the 2008 complaints were due to suspects opening new credit accounts or loans fraudulently or committing other fraudulent credit card actions.

Dawn Creekmore, Arkansas State Representative for District 27, decided something should be done to allow consumers to protect themselves against such fraud. She decided a law should be on the books in Arkansas to make it possible for consumers to freeze credit history information until they were ready to access it for legitimate reasons.
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Rep. Creekmore’s crime bills draw criticism
Kelly MacNeil (2009-03-16)

(UALR Public Radio) – If you only judged Representative Dawn Creekmore by the placid expression always on her face, you wouldn’t guess that she’s charging harder than any other state lawmaker on the crime front.
Creekmore
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State Rep. Dawn Creekmore receives a hug from Mary Jean Busken of Benton on Tuesday; the two worked together this past session to adopt Juli’s Law, which is named after the Buskens’ daughter, who was murdered.
State Rep. Dawn Creekmore acknowledged that she has “big shoes to fill,” but she said she’s not concerned.
Creekmore, who recently moved to Bauxite from the East End area, formally announced her candidacy for the state Senate on Tuesday. She will seek the seat held by Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, who will be term-limited.
Standing on a political stump, Creekmore, a Democrat, said, “Shane is leaving big shoes to fill, but I plan to fill those shoes.”
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An Arkansas lawmaker wants to change a law that explains from whom to collect a DNA sample.

Get arrested for a felony and Arkansas could get your DNA even without a conviction.

State Representative Dawn Creekmore is behind the push for this change in Arkansas law.

Representative Creekmore says this move is about her desire, to help police solve violent crimes. While others say the change would violate the constitution.

Mary Jean Buskin cherishes the 21 years she had with her daughter Juli.

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Reprinted courtesy of The Benton Courier

LITTLE ROCK – Convicted sex offenders will face tougher sentences and stricter monitoring under two bills passed by the Legislature in a special session this week.

The bills, sponsored by Rep. Dawn Creekmore, D-East End, received final approval Thursday and await Gov. Mike Huckabee’s signature.

One bill would allow the state to use Global Positioning System devices to track sex offenders. Under the measure, doctors or anyone with the authority to prescribe medicine would be able to consult crime databases to determine if the patient is a sex offender before prescribing a drug for erectile dysfunction.

The legislation also requires sex offenders to re-register with police every six months and to update their personal information. The most violent sex offenders would be tracked by GPS devices for at least 10 years.

Creekmore has introduced two measures modeled after a Florida law passed last year and named to memorialize the death of a 9-year-old girl by a registered sex offender.

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Reprinted courtesy of The Benton Courier

Rep. Dawn Creekmore’s proposal that would expand the state’s ability to track sex offenders was endorsed Monday by a House committee.

The House Judiciary Committee endorsed the Child Protection Act, which allows the state to electronically monitor sex offenders and would include the use of Global Positioning System devices.

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