DES MOINES, IA (06/18/2014)(readMedia)-- The following local residents have been named to the Drake University President's List for the Spring 2014 semester. Students must have a perfect 4.0 grade-point average to receive this honor.

Shelby Crane of Bettendorf

Eric Hartmann of Davenport

Amanda Hoerres of Hillsdale

Whitney Leming-Salisbury of Davenport

Anna Marceau of Eldridge

Anna VanWaardhuizen of Rock Island

Michael Vigen of Bettendorf

Drake University is a midsized, highly selective private university in Des Moines, Iowa. Drake enrolls more than 3,300 undergraduates and 1,900 graduate students from 47 states and more than 45 countries.

William Penn University announces academic honors

Oskaloosa, Iowa (May 26, 2014) - William Penn University is pleased to announce that Carmen Christina Wetzel of Bettendorf and Louise D Hill and Nannette L Sims, both of Davenport have been named to the Dean's List for the spring 2014 semester. To be included on the Dean's List, a student must complete at least 12 hours of credit with a grade point average of 3.5-3.89 on a 4.0 scale.

Also, the University is pleased to announce that Nathan Alexander Gray of Rock Island has been named to the President's List for the spring 2014 semester. To be included on the President's List, a student must complete at least 12 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale.

William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa offers both post-secondary and adult education programs. Founded by Quakers in 1873, we strive to provide a vibrant learning community where all students grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually through academic, creative and athletic pursuits. For more information, visit the university's website at www.wmpenn.edu or call 1-800-779-7366.

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CHICAGO- Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding President Obama's recent appointments to head the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

"Secretary Shaun Donovan and Mayor Julián Castro are both excellent Cabinet appointments by President Obama to lead two of our nation's top departments.

"Both are public servants with an understanding of priorities for everyday working citizens such as affordable housing, job creation and growing our economy.

"Donovan and Castro are strong leaders who will excel at these posts and I congratulate them on their nominations."

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Congressman: Vice President should hear from Iowans and reconsider EPA's misguided proposal

 

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today requested that Vice President Joe Biden meet with members of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association to hear firsthand about the positive impact the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is having on Iowa.

"It's my goal to get every top administration official, including Vice President Biden, to sit down with Iowans so that they can hear firsthand how biofuels are growing Iowa's economy, contributing to America's energy independence, and combating climate disruption," Braley said. "The EPA's misguided proposal will have a negative impact not only on Iowa but on our nation."

 

A recent report by Reuters explained how the vice president played an influential role on the RFS. Members of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association have requested a meeting with the Vice President in order to weigh in on the EPA's proposed change to the RFS.  

"I ask that you meet with these Iowans to hear about their experiences and the impact the RFS is having on the innovation and job creation taking place in Iowa and across the U.S., and that you work with us to revise the misguided policy currently proposed by the EPA," Braley wrote.

Braley has consistently fought the proposed EPA changes since they were first reported on in October. Late last year he joined VoteVets.org to deliver over 110,000 signatures to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protesting proposed changes. In November, Braley wrote a letter to President Obama expressing his anger and frustration with the proposed EPA changes. In December, he joined Governor Branstad to testify at an EPA hearing stressing the benefits of the current levels and the positive impact the RFS has on Iowa.

The letter to Vice President Biden is available below:

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May 19, 2014

Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Vice President

United States of America

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC 20500

 

Dear Mr. Vice President:

I am writing to follow up on a letter sent to you by Iowans who, like me, are gravely concerned with the Administration's position on biofuel policy.  As written, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) provides an unfair advantage to big oil and threatens the future of America's growing biofuel industry.

Given the White House's history of support for the RFS, energy independence, and combating climate change, I urge you to accept a meeting with members of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. The EPA's current RFS proposal is a misguided step that would ignore the intent of the Energy Independence and Security Act and the domestic jobs and innovation resulting from renewable fuel investments. These Iowans have serious concerns with the current proposal and can provide important data and convey personal experiences reiterating the impact of the RFS on local jobs and the future of renewable energy production.

I have appreciated your support for renewable fuels in the past and am hopeful that the White House will review this policy and work with the EPA to fix the current proposal for renewable fuel blending.  Investing in renewable fuels has created 63,000 jobs in Iowa - but that is just a sliver of the 400,000 jobs across America that biofuels support.

To fully invest in our clean energy future we must commit to the goals set forth in this policy and ensure that big oil companies work with us to move toward cleaner and more affordable fuel. The RFS has helped lower the cost of gas by one dollar per gallon, has saved the U.S. $50 billion in imported fuel costs, and holds the promise of replacing one-third of our gasoline by 2050.

Oil companies have worked hard to confuse the public about what is truly happening with the RFS and its impact on everything from engines to food prices. However, we have seen the Department of Energy confirm that homegrown, high-octane fuels are better for both engines and air quality.

I ask that you meet with these Iowans to hear about their experiences and the impact the RFS is having on the innovation and job creation taking place in Iowa and across the U.S., and that you work with us to revise the misguided policy currently proposed by the EPA.

Please feel free to reach out to me and my staff to help facilitate this meeting.  We can be reached at 202-225-2911.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

U.S. House of Representatives

Joined by Other State and Federal Officials in Des Moines to Discuss Better Preparation and Response to Weather-Related Disasters

DES MOINES - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by local, state and federal officials for the Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, part of President Barack Obama's federal efforts to address disasters caused by climate change. This is the third of four meetings the group will hold before recommending ways the nation can be better prepared to meet weather-related events. Today's meeting is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect our natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"Illinois has faced a record number of natural disasters in recent years, and I want to make sure our state is always prepared and equipped to do what is necessary to keep the public safe during weather emergencies," Governor Quinn said. "I look forward to continuing to work with President Obama to keep our state and nation at the forefront of the battle to stop the damaging effects of climate change."

The Des Moines event includes discussions about preparing urban, natural and agricultural areas for flooding, drought and other weather-related disasters. After four such meetings around the country, the group will recommend to President Obama ways to address disaster response and climate change.

The Illinois General Assembly recently passed an expansion of the Clean Water Initiative to include stormwater and green infrastructure projects, a key part of Governor Quinn's agenda. This $2 billion low-interest revolving loan program will help communities throughout Illinois be better prepared for heavy rains caused by climate change.

In the last five years, Illinois has been through 11 natural disasters, including a record drought in 2012; deadly tornadoes in 2012 and 2013; historic winter storms earlier this year; and floods, including the spring 2013 flooding in 49 counties that broke all-time records on four major river systems. Each of these disasters saw the mobilization of state resources at Governor Quinn's direction to clean up, repair damage, speed recovery and reduce the impact of future disasters. Governor Quinn announced a $45 million state relief package to help Illinois local governments recover from the deadly November tornadoes after FEMA denied federal disaster assistance for local governments. The Governor was also successful in securing more than $23.5 million in other forms of federal aid to assist with tornado recovery in the impacted Illinois communities.

Governor Quinn is leading the charge toward sustainable living to fight the root causes of climate change.

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has led Illinois on a path to sustainability. A new report found that Illinois leads the nation in the number of communities using renewable electricity. In February, the U.S. Green Building Council ranked Illinois number one among all 50 states in the sustainable building design movement with more than 29 million square feet of certified green buildings, or 2.29 square feet for every resident.

The Governor set a green example for all Illinois residents by transforming the 159-year old Illinois Executive Mansion, visited by Abraham Lincoln and six other of our nation's Presidents, into a model of sustainable living. The mansion features its own vegetable garden, rain barrels, a compost pile and solar panels. The recent addition of a chicken coop helps composting efforts and has the added benefit of producing fresh eggs for use in the mansion's kitchen.

In 2011, the Illinois Executive Mansion became the first in the nation to install a charging station for electric vehicles. In 2012, LED lighting was installed throughout the Executive Mansion. The new system consumes 90 percent less energy, lasts for 10 years and poses less of a threat to historic artifacts. Additionally, digital water meters were installed to better monitor usage; aging air conditioners were replaced with an energy efficient system.

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Welcomes Irish Leader and First Lady to Discuss Strong Ties Between Ireland and Illinois

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today welcomed President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and First Lady Mrs. Sabrina Higgins to Illinois. The leaders met to discuss the strong historic and cultural ties between the nations, and about how to further relations between Illinois and Ireland.

"It is an honor to welcome President Michael Higgins and First Lady Mrs. Sabrina Higgins to Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois has been home to millions of Irish descendants including my great-grandfather, and our relations with Ireland have long been based on shared values. The Irish-American community and culture in Illinois is thriving and by working with President Higgins we can ensure a continued strong connection with the Emerald Isle."

Governor Quinn and President Higgins today focused on Illinois and Ireland's long and storied history as well their strong economic ties, agribusiness and cultural offerings. The leaders also discussed the need for federal immigration reform and Illinois' national leadership in supporting all immigrants.

Governor Quinn and President Higgins also discussed their Sister Rivers partnership as well as the Irish water system and canals, which are a major draw for tourists in Ireland. Illinois and Ireland signed a Sister Rivers agreement with the River Lee in 2008.

Both Illinois and Ireland have seen recent reinvigoration in their respective film industries. President Higgins served as Ireland's first Minister for Arts and has been widely recognized for laying the foundation for country's film and television industry to grow both efficiently and creatively. Under Governor Quinn, Illinois' film industry has set new records, generating over $350 million in economic activity.

JACKSONVILLE, IL (05/12/2014)(readMedia)-- The Presidential Scholarship is valued at $8,000 over four years of study and stacks on top of other scholarships awarded by the College.

Van Par  and July Paw, both of Rock Island

It's been assumed all along that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's proposal to spend $100 million to help build Barack Obama's presidential library was designed to put the Republicans on the spot and perhaps provoke an over-the-top or maybe even racial response, which would help gin up Democratic turnout a bit this November.

Obama has put the library's location out to bid, so Madigan's proposal is ostensibly meant to help Chicago attract what will likely be a pretty big tourist destination.

But politics is just about everything in Springfield these days. Democrats are hoping to crowd the November ballot with enough measures to excite their party base and get them out to vote. A constitutional amendment to forbid any voter discrimination along racial, ethnic, gender, etc. grounds was already approved for the ballot. A non-binding referendum on whether voters want to increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour is being prepared.

So this was mainly seen as another ploy to fire up the base.

Rock Island County Democratic Party Chair Doug House today expressed deep disappointment with his counterpart's decision to allow a controversial speaker to headline their party's Lincoln Day Dinner.

"Abraham Lincoln, who stood for unity, would be appalled at the divisive and hateful words expressed by the Rev. Don Johnson," said House.

House issued the following statement this morning:

"On behalf of the Rock Island County Democratic Party, and more importantly on behalf of citizens throughout Rock Island County, I am appalled that the Rock Island County Republican Party would headline a speaker with such extremist and dangerous views.

"The Rev. Johnson's views are so out of touch with the views of mainstream Americans and our county's residents that the Republican Party's own candidate for Governor will not appear with him.

"Today I call on Bobby Schilling, and the Rock Island County Republican Party led by Bill Bloom, to denounce those extremist views. I also think they should do what's right by one of our nation's greatest Presidents - Abraham Lincoln - and cancel the Rev. Johnson's speech.

"Abraham Lincoln, who preached unity, would be appalled at the divisive and hateful words expressed by the Rev. Don Johnson.

 

"The Rock Island County Democratic Party, which is reflective of the county in which we live, will continue to be inclusive. We Democrats embrace our community's diversity and recognize it as a strength that has built the place we proudly call the Quad Cities."

The Bible and America

So Help Me God, a new book that traces the historical connection between the Bible and the Inaugural ceremonies of the United States and each of  the individual states, will be in book stores next week. Author Michael B. Costanzo creates snapshot affects of all the presidential ceremonies and all the governments that once occupied territory in the U.S. specifically the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the Republic of Hawaii. So Help Me God is a complete work of the Bible and its relationship with the United States.

This fascinating book sets the groundwork for the tradition of the Bible in America by providing an overview of the use of the Bible in England's coronation ceremonies, Bible publishing in England, and the beginning of Bible publishing in America in colonial times. It provides a fascinating view of the changing social traditions and customs in America set against the backdrop of political practices, governmental procedures, and social celebrations for each president. Starting with the simple ceremony in New York City for George Washing ton who stood on a balcony viewed by a standing crowd on the street below to the elaborate parades and dress affairs for contemporary presidents, the reader will witness the growth of America's position in the world and the changing culture that developed with that growth.

So Help Me God 9781933909950 was published by History Publishing Company in soft cover, 410 pages, and is indexed with appendices and endnotes. Cover price is $18.95. It will available in bookstores nationally and in e-books globally.

Historian and author Michael Costanzo resides in Columbia, Tennessee with his wife and family. His forthcoming book In the Course of Human Events, the story of the remarkable and little known journey of the actual document that is The Declaration of Independence will be published in July, 2015                          

Contact Don Bracken, djb@historypublishingco.com, (Tel) 845-398-8161)

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