(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 19, 2011) - Entries are now being sought for the 2011 President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA), which recognize individuals, school classes (kindergarten through high school) and youth organizations for protecting our nation's air, water, land and ecology.

The program, which honors a variety of environmental projects developed by students, is open to students in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska through EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan.

The program has two components: the regional certificate program and the regional award winner.  Regional certificates are awarded by each of the regional offices of the EPA. Each regional office also selects one first-place project as its regional award winner.

Projects must be postmarked by December 31, 2011. Program guidelines, eligibility information and applications are available online at http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/peya/index.html or by contacting Denise Morrison, 1-800-223-0425. Regional award winners will be notified in February 2012.

The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation's young people. Winning projects in the past include environmental science projects, recycling programs in school and communities, construction of nature preserves and major tree planting programs.

 

# # #

CHICAGO - September 8, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement following President Obama's announcement of the American Jobs Act:

"Tonight, the President laid out a plan that will put Americans back to work now. We in Illinois applaud President Obama's vision for American innovation, infrastructure, fiscal responsibility and bipartisanship. As our country recovers from the worst recession in decades, we must invest in our small businesses and the sectors that are creating the jobs of today and tomorrow. I support the President's plan, and I stand with him in calling on Congress to put aside partisan politics and do their part for America's working families."

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WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today joined a group of Republican senators in urging President Obama to submit the pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea to Congress for a vote.  Grassley said the United States has fallen behind other countries in implementing trade agreements and negotiating potential new trade agreements, calling that unacceptable when so many Americans need jobs and trade supports jobs in the United States.

"Nothing has been done and the United States is losing its leadership in what we've done for 60 years in world trade, leading the rest of the world," Grassley said.  "The status quo has to end.  The United States has to re-assume its leadership.  And that's not only for the benefit of the United States.  That's for the benefit of expanding the world economic pie."

Just a few years ago, under a different White House, the Senate passed implementing legislation for free trade agreements with 13 countries (Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Singapore, Peru), Grassley said. The current White House has not initiated any new trade agreements.  While this White House is engaged in negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, that's a carryover from the prior Administration, he said.

Grassley is a senior member and former chairman and ranking member of the Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over international trade.

Video of Grassley's remarks at today's news conference is available here.

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East Moline's Labor Day Parade was a fun filled day for many folks on Monday, September the 5th. Among the many floats and walking groups in the parade, the Illinois Liberty Alliance of the SuperLiberty.com group sponsored entry of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential grassroots volunteers teamed up with the Fully Informed Jury Association (FIJA) to also celebrate Jury Rights Day which happened to fall on the same day as Labor Day this year.

The Illinois Liberty Alliance entry rolled through the parade with 11 volunteers, A white Ron Paul 2012 decorated van playing Ron Paul supporting music, two FIJA banners which read, "Called for Jury Duty? Know your Rights. FIJA.ORG", over 3,500 pieces of literature, and bags of candy and balloons. The literature included Ron Paul newspapers made by an Iowa grassroots group and Jury Rights Day cards created by the Fully Informed Jury Association (FIJA).

 

Nancy Brandt of Henry County was the coordinator of this event. "We spent 5 1/2 hours stamping the literature with "Illinois Liberty Alliance. Find us at: SuperLiberty.com". We enjoyed walking with the banners, and we distributed 1600-1700 Jury Rights Day cards at East Moline, Illinois' Labor Day Parade. One man I gave a card to said, 'I better look at this. I've got jury duty coming up.' I told him to go to the FIJA website."
Minneapolis (Sept. 1, 2011) - Norma Seehusen was among more than 3,000 leaders of The American Legion attending the nation's largest wartime veterans organization's 93rd National Convention in Minneapolis.

Seehusen is a member of Post 588 in Pocahontas, IA and is active in programs that benefit veterans, their families and the children of this area. Highlights of the three-day gathering included addresses by President Barak Obama, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Gen. Eric Shinseki, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Al Franken and Rep. Michelle Bachmann, among others.

President Obama told Legionnaires that while the United States is in a time of fiscal restraint, that the restraint won't include cutting benefits of America's veterans.

"As a nation, we're facing tough choices as we put our fiscal house in order," the president said, getting a standing ovation from the crowd of thousands in the process. "But I want to be absolutely clear: We cannot, we must not, and we will not balance the budget on the backs of our veterans. And as commander-in-chief, I won't allow it."

Secretary of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said that VA and the Department of Defense "will spearhead a government-wide effort to reform the way members transition out of the military services. Every member will receive the training, education and credentials needed to successfully transition to the civilian workforce or to pursue higher education."

House Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi told delegates, "In the weeks ahead ... Congress will take up the budget at a table of 12," Pelosi said. "I want The American Legion, and all of America to know - that the values of America's veterans will have a strong presence at that congressional table. I want to assure you that as we reduce the deficit, America's veterans will not be short-changed. Meeting the needs of our veterans ... is a value of the American people that we will protect in those negotiations.

"Supporting our veterans is a bipartisan cause," Pelosi said. "That's the beautiful part of it. It's a place we can all come together. America's veterans have earned our respect by their actions, their bravery and their valor, their willingness to step forward and serve on our behalf."

Among the major events preceding the Legion's 93rd National Convention in Minneapolis was a veterans hiring fair produced jointly by The American Legion and the United States Chamber of Commerce. Legion organizers praised the hiring fair as among the most productive of recent Legion-sponsored career fairs and credited the U.S. Chamber's participation, through its network of local and regional chambers of commerce, for its success. The Legion hiring event was the 19th in an initial series of 100 veterans career fairs to be co-produced by the U.S. Chamber and veterans' advocates nationwide as part of its 'Hiring our Heroes' initiative.

Kevin Schmiegel, vice president of veterans' employment programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, announced the impending rollout of three additional components in the organization's concerted campaign to employ military veterans. The official announcement of the program expansion will be made on Veterans Day, said Schmiegel, but Legionnaires were being given a "sneak preview."

Delegates to The American Legion National Convention also heard special reports from two dozen committees and adopted resolutions that will guide the organization's legislative and operational efforts for the coming year.
National Commander Jimmie L. Foster reported on progress made during his year as leader of the nation's largest veterans organization, praising Legionnaires for their successes in advocating for veterans, a strong national defense, Americanism and youth programs.

The convention ended with the election of Fang Wong of New York, a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer and Vietnam War veteran, as the new national commander.

Seehusen and other American Legion leaders left Minneapolis with a renewed sense of urgency in meeting the needs of today's military while helping other veterans and the nation. Issues high on the agenda for the coming year include : jobs for veterans, supporting our armed forces during the war on terrorism; reducing the backlog of VA disability claims and veteran homelessness, returning to the American people the right to protect the U.S. Flag from desecration and immediate enforcement of immigration laws with no amnesty.

Waterloo, IA - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) wrote to President Obama urging him to take action on veterans' unemployment.  Rep. Braley's letter called on the president to include business tax incentives to hire veterans in any upcoming jobs plan.

"In today's difficult job market, one in four of our post-9/11 veterans is currently unemployed," said Rep. Braley.  "After their distinguished service to our country, we should do all we can to help our veterans find employment in their civilian lives."

Last week, Congressman Braley introduced the Combat Veterans Back to Work Act which exempts businesses from paying the employer's share of the Social Security tax for up to one year through December 31, 2012 - if they hire current members of the National Guard or Reserve, or any veteran who has returned from deployment within the last 18 months and is currently unemployed. Employers who keep eligible employees on the payroll for 52 consecutive weeks will receive an additional $1,000 tax credit.

Congressman Braley currently serves on the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs, and as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.  

   

A copy of the letter is pasted below and available here:  http://go.usa.gov/ktx

 

 

-------

 

 

Dear President Obama,

 

I write today with increasing concern over unemployment in our veteran community.

 

As you know, unemployment among veterans in general, and particularly post-9/11 veterans, is far outpacing the national unemployment levels.  I appreciate your attention to this issue in your August 16, 2011 address in Peosta, IA, and your commitment to connect our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with businesses who can put their talents to work.

 

As one way to pursue this goal, I recently introduced the Combat Veterans Back to Work Act to encourage employers to hire recently returned veterans.  This legislation would provide a one-year payroll tax exemption to employers for each veteran they hire, and offer an additional $1000 credit per veteran after 52 weeks of employment to encourage long-term employment.  My legislation also extends the credit to our citizen soldiers in the National Guard and Reserve who have been called on to make substantial sacrifices in our post-9/11 military responses.

 

As Ranking Member of the House Veterans Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I am committed to finding ways to help our veterans once they leave the service, and helping them put their valuable experience to work to improve their communities.  As such, I urge you to include business tax incentives for hiring veterans in any upcoming job creation proposals.

 

I look forward to your response, and thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

   

cc: Secretary Eric Shinseki, Department of Veterans Affairs

 

 

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President Barrack Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack toured Iowa to hear the economic concerns of residents and to tell them about the importance and potential of rural America

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djssxcJ-bWs&feature=channel_video_title

A new TV feature is available on the USDA FTP site

Filename: obama vilsack iowa

Download instructions:

The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com

User name: usdanews

Password:  Newscontent1

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 ), MPEG 4, MPEG2 and HDV.

Please email bob.ellison@usda.gov if you have problems or suggestions.

Also, use this free ftp client if you have problems.

http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type+client 

FEATURE - President Obama And Secretary Vilsack Tour Iowa

INTRO: President Barrack Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack toured Iowa to hear the economic concerns of residents and to tell them about the importance and potential of rural America.

 

Narrator: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.

 

Barrack Obama, President: We've got small business owners here. We have farmers. We have ranchers. Public servants. Clean energy entrepreneurs. And community organizations from all across rural America. And I'm here because I want to hear from you. And my cabinet wants to hear from you.

 

Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary: You know this is the greatest place in the world to be an entrepreneurial, smart, creative young person, because you can be the mayor of your town in your early thirties. You don't have to wait to be sixty years old to accomplish something. You can accomplish it sooner.

 

Riley Pagett, National FFA President: To shake his hand and hear him talk about American agriculture and the importance of rural America was just something that all of us today in these jackets hold so true to our hearts.

 

Melissa Gentz, Student , Northern Iowa Community College: We want a future. This is our country. This is important. We want to stay here in rural Iowa where we love it. We can't do that if we can't make a living.

 

Vilsack: We are going to get through this difficult time. We will emerge stronger and better and we will continue to be what we were meant to be, which is that beacon of hope around the world.

Waterloo, IA - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after President Obama announced new Rural Economic Initiatives while traveling in Iowa:

"We've lost 54,000 manufacturers in the last decade, unemployment remains at nine percent, and many Iowa families have seen tremendous challenges over the last three years. While I have disagreed with President Obama on a number of policies, including the most recent Deficit Deal, the continuation of the costly war in Afghanistan, and the extension of the Bush tax bonuses for the rich, I'm pleased to see that today he announced investments in rural small businesses and job growth. I look forward to working with the President to make sure these proposals are implemented in a way that creates jobs in Iowa and gets our economy back on track."

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WASHINGTON, August 12 - On Wednesday, August 17th, the President will travel to Illinois, the third day of his three-day economic bus tour in the Midwest.  The President will host town halls in Atkinson and Alpha, Illinois before returning to Washington.  Air Force One will depart from the Air National Guard Base in Peoria, Illinois.  The departure of Air Force One is open to pre-credentialed members of the media, but closed to the public.

While in the Midwest, the President will discuss ways to grow the economy, strengthen the middle class and accelerate hiring in communities and towns across the nation and hear directly from Americans, including small business owners, local families, private sector leaders, rural organizations, and government officials.  The President knows we must do everything we can to promote economic growth, restore confidence in our nation's future and enhance the sense of optimism for future generations.

Members of the media who wish to cover the President's town hall in Atkinson, IL should RSVP HERE by Saturday, August  13, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. CDT.

Members of the media who wish to cover the President's town hall in Alpha, IL should RSVP HERE by Saturday, August  13, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. CDT.

Members of the media who wish to cover the Air Force One departure from Air National Guard Base should RSVP HERE by Saturday, August  13, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. CDT.

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, NOT FOR BROADCAST OR PUBLICATION

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Town Hall with President Barack Obama in Atkinson, IL

Wyffels Hybrids Inc.

740 East Henry Street

Atkinson, IL 61235

 

Live Truck Parking: Parking will be directed on site, off of 740 East Henry Street

Media Pre-set Time: 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. CDT (All media with heavy equipment must pre-set equipment on site). Live trucks MUST cable-in during this time. Media will not have access to their equipment during the security sweeps from 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. CDT.

USSS Sweep: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. CDT

Media Entrance: Media will be directed on site.

Media Access Time: 9:30 a.m. CDT

Final Access Time: 10:30 a.m. CDT

Event Begins: 11:30 a.m. CDT

Cable Run: 300 feet

Throw: 60 feet

Limited workspace and power are available. Wireless Internet is not available.

Contact for planning and logistical purposes (media only): Valerie Tyburski, 202-757-9534

 

Ticket Distribution Information:

Members of the general public: The event is free and open to the public.  Tickets are required and will be available at the following ticket distribution location beginning at 8:00 AM CDT, on Monday, August 15, 2011.  Tickets will be limited to two per person and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

Wyffels Hybrids Inc

740 East Henry Street

Atkinson, IL 61235

 

Town Hall with President Barack Obama in Alpha, IL

Country Corner Farm Market

5333 U.S. Highway 150

Alpha, IL 61413

 

Live Truck Parking: Parking will be directed on site, off of 5333 U.S. Highway 150

Media Pre-set Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CDT (All media with heavy equipment must pre-set equipment on site). Live trucks MUST cable-in during this time. Media will not have access to their equipment during the security sweeps from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CDT.

USSS Sweep: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. CDT

Media Entrance: Media will be directed on site.

Media Access Time: 1:30 p.m. CDT

Final Access Time: 2:30 p.m. CDT

Event Begins: 3:30 p.m. CDT

Cable Run: 300 feet

Throw: 45 feet

Limited workspace and power are available. Wireless Internet is not available.

Contact for planning and logistical purposes (media only): Kristina Broadie, Kristina_T_Broadie@who.eop.gov202-503-5551.

 

Air Force One Departure

Air National Guard Base  
2416 S. Falcon Blvd.
Peoria, IL 61607

The departure of Air Force One is open to pre-credentialed members of the media, but closed to the public.


Media parking: Media will be directed on site. Media must present a valid drivers license upon entry to the base 

Live truck parking: Directed on site  

Media Pre-set: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. CDT (All media with heavy equipment must pre-set equipment on site. Live trucks MUST cable-in during this time. Media will not have access to their equipment during the security sweeps from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT)

Sweep: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT
Media Access: 5:00 p.m. CDT 
Final Access: 5:30 p.m. CDT

Cable run: 250 feet 
Throw: 200 feet 

Air Force One Departure: 6:45 p.m. CDT 

Contact for planning and logistical purposes (media only): Valerie Tyburski, 202-757-9534

 

 

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WASHINGTON, August 12, 2011- On Monday August 15th, the President will travel to Iowa on his three-day economic bus tour in the Midwest.  The President will host a town hall event in Decorah, IA at Seed Savers Exchange.  Tuesday, August 16th, he will travel to Peosta, IA for a Rural Economic Forum at Northeast Iowa Community College.  The economic bus tour will also feature events in Atkinson and Alpha, Illinois on Wednesday, August 17 before the President returns to Washington.

 

While in the Midwest, the President will discuss ways to grow the economy, strengthen the middle class and accelerate hiring in communities and towns across the nation and hear directly from Americans, including small business owners, local families, private sector leaders, rural organizations, and government officials.  The President knows we must do everything we can to promote economic growth, restore confidence in our nation's future and enhance the sense of optimism for future generations.

 

Members of the media who wish to cover the President's town hall in Decorah, Iowa should RSVP HERE by Saturday, August  13, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. CDT.

 

Members of the media who wish to cover the Rural Economic Forum in Peosta, Iowa should RSVP HERE by Saturday, August  13, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. CDT.

 

LOGISTICAL INFORMATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY, NOT FOR BROADCAST OR PUBLICATION

Monday, August 15, 2011

 

Town Hall with President Barack Obama in Decorah, IA

 

Seed Savers Exchange
3074 North Winn Road
Decorah, IA 52101

Pre-set: 11:30am- 12:30 pm CDT (Media will not have access to their equipment from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) 

Sweep: 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. CDT

Press Access: 3:00 pm CDT 

Final Press access: 4:00 pm

Program begins: 5:15 pm

Cable run: 300 feet

Throw: 60 ft

Media Parking: Enter at the visitor's center entrance. From there you will be directed on site.

Sat truck parking: directed on site. Trucks will be subject to security screening and will not be accessible between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. during the sweep.


Contact for planning and logistical purposes (media only): Meki Bracken, 202-757-9678

 

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

 

Rural Economic Forum in Peosta, Iowa

Northeast Iowa Community College, Peosta Campus
10250 Sundown Rd. 
Peosta, IA 52068

The event will be held in the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) building.

Media Pre-set: 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. CDT (ALL Equipment must be dropped at the site by 7:00 a.m.; media will not have access to the site from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CDT). 

Media Access: 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. CDT (All media must arrive by 11:00 a.m. Media who arrive late will NOT have access to cover the event.) 

Throw: 40 ft.  
Cable Run: 1000 ft. 

Live Truck Parking: Live trucks will park in the West Parking Lot outside of the NECAS building off Sundown Rd, and must be on site and cabled in by 7:00 a.m. CDT. Media should plan to bring cable ramps. Trucks will be subject to security screening and will not be accessible between 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. during the sweep.  

**Media Check In: Parking will be directed on site.  

Media Entrance: During pre-set, media will be able to drive up next to the site to drop heavy equipment.  After pre-set, all media must park in the South Parking Lot off Sundown Road.

Contact for planning and logistical purposes (media only): Stephanie Temaat at stemaat@who.eop.gov or 785-766-4483.

 

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