Miss America visits Capitol Hill, discusses issues with lawmakers
WASHINGTON — Miss America Madison Marsh began her week with a trip to Washington, D.C., which included engaging with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Marsh, a Fort Smith native and Fort Smith Southside High School graduate, was crowned Miss America during a Jan. 14 event in Orlando, Fla. Marsh entered the pageant as Miss Colorado, having been crowned in May 2023.
Marsh is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, where she received a degree in physics. When the second lieutenant won the Miss America title last month, she became the first active duty service member to receive the honor.
After the U.S. Air Force Academy, Marsh enrolled at Harvard University’s Kennedy School to pursue a master’s degree in public policy. She has continued to serve active duty full time amid her academic endeavors and pageant competitions.
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., hosted Marsh on Monday at his Washington, D.C., office. Womack, of Rogers, nominated Marsh to the Air Force Academy. Marsh’s schedule on Tuesday included participation in a USO event at the Cannon House Office Building near the U.S. Capitol.
One of Marsh’s interests involves raising awareness of pancreatic cancer research. The Whitney Marsh Foundation — named after Madison Marsh’s mother, who died in November 2018 of pancreatic cancer — has raised more than $230,000 for awareness-related efforts since its 2019 launch.
The National Cancer Institute, the federal agency overseeing cancer-related research, estimates pancreatic cancer made up 3.3% of new cancer cases last year and 8.3% of cancer-related deaths in 2023.
“It receives the scraps and leftovers of federal funding when it comes to cancer re
search,” Marsh told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Tuesday.
Part of Marsh’s visit on Monday involved meeting with Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who has been vocal on Capitol Hill about supporting pancreatic cancer research. Marsh and DeLauro met in previous congressional sessions to discuss pancreatic research and possible legislative actions.
DeLauro congratulated Marsh on receiving the crown, noting on X, the social media platform previously called Twitter, the newest Miss America is “using her platform to support the fight to find a cure.”
One solution, according to Marsh, could involve adopting a strategy similar to the federal government’s actions related to breast cancer screenings. The Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as “Obamacare,” requires health insurance companies to cover mammograms for women at higher risk of breast cancer.
“Pancreatic cancer is now showing that early detection is how you save lives, but it’s expensive and they’re having to battle with insurance companies,” she said. “That period of several weeks where you need a scan and when insurance might actually clear you can be life or death for a patient.”
“Being able to provide for patients the ability to be screened and not go broke over it so important,” Marsh added. “That’s how we keep Americans alive.”
Marsh will continue to juggle her Miss America responsibilities and military career for the next year. She is amid moving from Boston to San Antonio as she continues her active duty service.