Foreign language beginning in Kindergarten.  Highest availability of Advanced Placement classes in the state of Iowa.  100% graduate acceptance to four-year colleges and universities.  Extraordinary things happen at Rivermont Collegiate!  Explore our school during our open house this week!  On Thursday, April 29th from 6:00-8:00 p.m., families are invited to drop in for tours of campus, one-on-one discussion, and answers to their questions about Rivermont.  This casual event is designed to introduce local families to the Quad Cities’ only private, nonsectarian, independent college prep school.  Rivermont Collegiate, located in Bettendorf, provides students with a comprehensive education in a safe, family-like learning environment.

From PreSchool through twelfth grade, Rivermont students develop a joy for learning, lead peers in community involvement, and take intellectual and artistic risks.  Drop in to learn more about our philosophy, values, and programs!  Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, will be on hand to answer questions.  The Rivermont campus is located directly off 18th street in Bettendorf behind K&K Hardware.  Visit us online at www.rivermontcollegiate.org!  This event is free and open to the public.

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Thursday’s Open House, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

-END-

Washington, DC – In light of recent revelations about Goldman Sachs’ actions leading up to the financial collapse of 2008, Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) signed on to two letters urging the Securities and Exchange Commission and Attorney General Eric Holder to hold Goldman Sachs accountable for its role in creating the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

“For too long, reckless speculators on Wall Street gambled away the savings of America’s middle class families,” Braley said. “To ensure this never happens again, I’m joining my colleagues in asking the SEC and Attorney General Eric Holder to hold all responsible parties accountable and make sure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. While we can’t get every dime of every retirement, college or savings account back, we can certainly make sure that greedy Wall Street speculators understand the full consequence of their actions.”

On Friday, Braley joined Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and 60 other Members of Congress in urging Holder to pursue all appropriate criminal charges against those involved in fraudulent activity at Goldman Sachs and other institutions. Today, Braley joined Reps. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Elijah Cummings (MD-07), Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD-AL), along with 56 other Members of Congress, in sending a letter to SEC Chairwoman Mary Schapiro. The letter asks her to pursue investigations into the remaining 24 ABACUS transactions for securities fraud, evaluate the extent of any receipt, by Goldman Sachs, of fraudulently-generated AIG-issued credit default swap payments, and vigorously pursue the recovery of such payments on behalf of the U.S. taxpayer.

The full text of both letters are attached.

# # #

State, Federal Plan Seeks to Create More Than 15,000 Jobs

CHICAGO – April 26, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today unveiled the Put Illinois to Work (PIW) program, an anti-poverty program aimed at building a healthy workforce by putting unemployed and underemployed Illinois residents back to work. The new program is expected to create more than 15,000 jobs.

“Put Illinois to Work will provide good-paying jobs that will help support families and strengthen communities,” said Governor Pat Quinn. “The program will also assist in building a workforce that possesses the skills, abilities and experiences that Illinois employers need to remain competitive in the U.S. and global marketplace.”

Put Illinois to Work is a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Heartland Human Care Services (HHCS). Funding is provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Contingency Fund (ECF), which was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Through Put Illinois to Work, eligible Illinois residents will be placed in subsidized employment positions with participating worksites for up to six months, learning valuable skills and supporting their families. The program will help stimulate Illinois’ ailing economy and develop a healthy workforce by providing meaningful work experience for participants.

“Put Illinois to Work is an exciting opportunity to employ thousands of Illinoisans during a time of economic downturn and high unemployment,” said IDHS Secretary Michelle R. B. Saddler. “The program will draw down federal funds that will stimulate the Illinois economy and even more importantly, will help the citizens we serve to gain critical skills in the workforce.”

Private, public and non-profit businesses are encouraged to sign on with Put Illinois to Work. Eligible participants will be matched to subsidized employment opportunities with these worksites in hopes that they might transition into an unsubsidized position at the program’s conclusion.

Eligible worksites and participants must meet program criteria and agree to adhere to specific programmatic requirements. Participants must be age 18-21, or 18 and over and the parent (custodial or non-custodial) of a minor child. All participants must have a household income below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($2,428 per month for a family of two) and be legally present and authorized to work.

For eligibility criteria and additional information on Put Illinois to Work, visit www.PutIllinoistoWork.Illinois.gov.

###