Washington, DC –Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) sent a letter to the U.S. Postmaster General demanding answers about the impact of almost 4,000 proposed post office closures across the country. Rep. Braley released the following statement after he saw the list of 178 post offices targeted in Iowa:

“I’m incredibly disappointed and concerned to see so many post offices in Eastern Iowa on this list. All Iowa communities depend on their post offices, and I know how much this service means to my constituents. Post offices are important community fixtures andprovide thousands of good-paying jobs to Iowans. That’s why I’ll keep fighting to protect these, and other post offices that are being considered for closure.”

A copy of Rep. Braley’s letter is available here and pasted below: http://go.usa.gov/BeC

July 27, 2011

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe

Postmaster General Donahoe:

I’m writing regarding the recent announcement by the USPS on possible post office closures.  I was extremely disappointed to learn that the USPS may close up to 3,700 post offices across the country.

What is even more concerning is the potential loss of jobs that would go along with these closures.  Your list contains 178 post offices in Iowa that could potentially be closed.  Closing these post offices would lead to the loss of many jobs, both in Iowa and across the country.  As you know, we currently have an unemployment rate above 9%.  With unemployment this high, we simply cannot afford to lose more jobs.

That being said, I would like answers to the following questions:

·      Has the USPS analyzed the potential loss of jobs that would go along with closing almost 4,000 post offices?  

o   If so, please provide me withthat analysis.  

o   If not, why not, and when does the USPS intend to perform this analysis?

·      Finally, what steps is the USPS taking to ensure as little job loss as possible throughout this proposed process?

I’m strongly opposed to any plan that puts people out of work.  I ask that you reply to my request within 10 business days. Please feel free to contact me if I can provide further assistance.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley  

Member of Congress

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New Law Will Benefit Minority-Owned, Female Businesses; Ensure Fairness in Minority and Female Employment on Public Works Projects

CHICAGO – July 27, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to help ensure a fair state contract bidding process for minority- and women-owned businesses, and to advance minority and female employment in Illinois’ workforce.

“This important new law will help ensure fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses in Illinois,” Governor Quinn said. “Today’s action underscores my commitment to maintaining a diverse, skilled and effective labor force.”

House Bill 2987 creates the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) Act, which requires state agencies under the Governor to consider the use of PLAs on public works construction projects. A PLA establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a construction project, ensuring a level bidding field for minority- and women-owned businesses and helping increase minority and female employment on public job sites. The new law codifies an Executive Order issued by the Governor in 2010.

The law requires the state department, agency, authority or board responsible for awarding the project to negotiate the PLA with labor organizations engaged in the construction industry. If the parties cannot agree to the terms of the project labor agreement, the Governor appoints a designee to assist the parties in reaching an agreement.  

Sponsored by Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore (D-Rock Island) and Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago Heights), the law includes provisions for binding procedures for resolving jurisdictional labor disputes and grievances; guarantees against strikes; ensuring a reliable source of skilled and experienced labor; setting goals for apprenticeship hours for minorities and females as well as total number of hours to be performed  by underrepresented minorities and females; and binding all contractors and subcontractors on the public works project through the inclusion of appropriate bid specifications.

The law also requires that an entity with a PLA in connection with a public works project to file a quarterly report with the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) that includes workforce participation by minorities and females. The IDOL will submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor that details the number of minorities and females employees under all public labor agreements within the state. The new law takes effect immediately.

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• Most 2- to 5-year-olds watch TV an average of 31 hours each week, or more than 4 hours each day.
• Prime time TV has an average of 6 violent acts every hour; children's programming has an average of 26 violent acts every hour.
• The average American child witnesses 45 acts of violence on TV each day.
• Children watching TV may see 50,000 TV commercials each year.
• The average American family has the TV on for 6.2 hours every day.

TV Violence

Children may:

• develop strong emotional fears;
• become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others;
• become "immune" to the horror of violence;
• gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems;
• imitate the violence they observe on television; or
• identify with certain characters, victims and/or victimizers.

Parents can limit the negative effects of TV violence

• Refuse to let children see shows known to be violent.
• Refuse to buy violent videos.
• Change the channel or turn off the TV when something offensive or violent comes on.
• Verbally show disapproval of violent episodes.
• Emphasize the belief that violent behavior is not the best way to solve a problem.

Who is watching?

Use your child's age and development to guide you in choosing TV programs.

Preschoolers have longer attention spans and are able to watch short programs. However, they often are not able to understand the whole story of a program. They can remember only small pieces of what they see and often cannot tie everything together.

School-age children understand much more than preschoolers; however, they often misinterpret what they see. School-agers can distinguish between reality and fantasy portrayed by live actors versus cartoons, but may have difficulty interpreting more subtle messages.

Contact Information:

Davenport, Iowa -- On September 6, Iowa State University Extension of Scott County, Lutheran Social Services of Iowa and Genesis Bright Beginnings will sponsor the parenting support and education program PACT (Parenting All Children Together) for an eight week series. The program is financially supported by Scott County Kids Early Childhood Iowa. The program is designed to educate and offer support to parents and caregivers of children age birth through five years old and reside in Scott County.

“Parenting is the most important job we will ever have. It is also the toughest! What we provide our children from birth through age five stays with them for the rest of their life. With this huge responsibility, we need to work together. This series will bring together parents and caregivers who want the very best for the children in their life,” said Jennifer Best, Extension Educator and PACT instructor.

The upcoming PACT series will be the second time the program has been offered to the Scott County community. The last series ending in June was very successful. “It was very rewarding to watch the families open themselves up to the learning process,” said Marisa Bloom, Families Program Assistant. “A lot of learning was happening and families were forming bonds and creating informal support systems with their peers. PACT is a needed resource for these very reasons.”

For participating in the PACT program member will receive a free meal at every session, free childcare while adults are learning, a free gift at each session, bus tokens to get to the sessions if transportation is needed, $40 worth of items chosen by the participant if they attend at least 5 of the 8 sessions, fun and friendship with other families, and great information to help parents and caregivers help their children be all they can be.

For more information about PACT or to register, contact Marisa at the Iowa State University Extension office at 563-359-7577 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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