Sen. Mark Pryor issues a statement on the Army’s decision to provide a $100,000 death benefit and funeral expenses for the family of an Arkansas soldier, Capt. Samson Luke, who died at his home during National Guard service at Fort Chaffee. The Army had resisted payment because Luke was not on base when he died in 2010 of a heart condition.

Pryor legislation will prevent similar denials in the future. On the strength of that legislation, which didn’t apply retroactively, a Luke family appeal of the earlier denial was granted.

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