WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $12.5 million in loans and grants for 39 projects that will help rural businesses in 21 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

"Supporting small, rural businesses helps create jobs and helps promote entrepreneurship," Vilsack said. "USDA Rural Development's field structure enables our community-based staff to engage with local partners and, in turn, enables these partners to provide their local small businesses and start-ups access to the capital and technical assistance they need to be competitive in today's global economy."

USDA is awarding $12.5 million in loans and grants through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program, the Intermediary Relending Program (IRP), the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program, and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) program.

The Norris Electric Cooperative in Newton, Ill., will receive a $102,845 Rural Economic Development loan to finance the construction of an office and warehouse for a seed and chemical sales business. Building the 9,600-square-foot facility will enable the business to begin hiring now and plan for future job creation over the next five years.

Community Works, Inc. in Greenville, S.C., will receive a $400,000 RMAP loan and a $100,000 RMAP grant to capitalize a microloan revolving fund, and to provide technical assistance to microentrepreneurs.

The Southeast Economic Development Fund, Inc. in Park Hills, Mo., will use a $75,519 Rural Business Development Grant to provide financial and technical assistance to start-up small businesses and entrepreneurs in low-income communities in the southeast part of the state.

Sixteen economic development groups will receive $8.4 million through the IRP program to capitalize low-interest loan funds for business projects in rural communities.

Funding of each award announced today is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.

USDA Rural Development has a strong track record of strengthening rural businesses and economies through its Rural Business-Cooperative Service, which has helped 85,000 rural businesses since the start of the Obama administration.

For example, Rural Development awarded the Hancock County Senior Services Association a $1 million Rural Economic Development loan, a $300,000 Rural Economic Development grant and a $2.2 million Community Facilities loan to build an assisted-living facility that uses the new "small house" model. The Carthage, Ill., facility, referred to as Maple Grove Apartments, gives patients with dementia and other cognitive issues a home-like and family-oriented environment with a small number of residents per building and central common areas for socializing and meals. This critical Rural Development investment provided the residents of rural Illinois with access to a top-quality facility that will enhance residents' quality of life and create jobs for years to come.

President Obama's plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President's leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.

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Col. Michael J. Glisson will be promoted to brigadier general

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner announced that The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., has appointed Col. Michael J. Glisson, as the Illinois National Guard's Director of the Joint Staff. As a result of the appointment, Col. Glisson will be promoted to brigadier general.

Glisson will replace Brig. Gen. Alicia Tate-Nadeau, who is being appointed as the Assistant Adjutant General - Army. Both Glisson and Tate-Nadeau are traditional Army National Guard Soldiers who will continue their civilian full-time employment outside of the Illinois National Guard. Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia, the full-time Assistant Adjutant General - Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard is in a two-star position and is eligible to be promoted to major general.

"I'm pleased to announce this key appointment within the Illinois National Guard and congratulate Col. Glisson on his pending promotion," Governor Rauner said. "The Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff works with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and a multitude of other agencies to ensure we are ready to respond to any of a multitude of emergencies that could occur within Illinois."

The Director of the Joint Staff oversees all Illinois National Guard planning for domestic emergencies as well as the Illinois National Guard Counterdrug Program and the Illinois National Guard's State Partnership Program with Poland. In addition, the director administers the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve within Illinois.

"Mike Glisson has extensive experience working in both domestic and international operations and has worked with all other U.S. military services as well as a great many international militaries," Maj. Gen. Hayes said. "He has also worked extensively with Illinois community leaders as well as with communities as far away as Poland and Afghanistan. He will do exceptionally well as the Director of the Joint Staff."

Glisson previously served as the Commander of the 65^th Troop Command Brigade, a position he served in since June 2013. Glisson earned his commission in May 1988 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He joined the Illinois Army National Guard in February 1990 as a fire support team chief assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment and was attached to the 3rd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in East St. Louis, Illinois. He has since held command positions at every level up to brigade as well as several key Army and Joint staff positions.

He has deployed to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 as the director of Afghan National Security Forces Development for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII and previously deployed in support of Operation Noble Eagle as the Chief, Army Liaison Section, Air Mobility Command, U.S. Air Force. He has also supported multiple state active duty mobilizations and overseas training missions. As the plans branch chief for the Illinois Army National Guard, he was a key leader in the success of the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago.

"Being selected as the Director of the Joint Staff and for promotion to brigadier general is a true honor and privilege," Glisson said. "I'm looking forward to working as a team with leaders both within the Illinois National Guard and outside our ranks. A great number of challenges lie ahead, but I'm confident that by working as a team we can overcome any obstacles and protect our state and defend our nation."

Glisson's professional education includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and a master's degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He graduated from multiple military courses including the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff Services School, Infantry Captains Career Course, Joint Firepower Course, Joint Operation Fires and Effects Course, Air Mobility Operations Course, Command and General Staff Officer Course and the Reserve Component National Security Course.

Glisson's awards include a Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Afghan Campaign Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Illinois Medal of Merit, Illinois State Active Duty Ribbon and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

President Signs Judiciary-Passed International Adoption Assistance Bill

WASHINGTON - Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley to help families facing challenges with international adoptions was signed into law late Friday. Grassley moved the Adoptive Families Relief Act through the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year.

"Hundreds of American families who have opened their homes to vulnerable children overseas now face roadblocks to bringing those children home. Through no fault of their own, American families remain separated from their adopted children, but are still responsible for their care. The Adoptive Families Relief Act will help minimize the financial strain on these families as they wait to be united with their children.  I am grateful for the work of my colleagues in Congress to support these families and their adopted children along their journey home," Grassley said.

The bill provides financial relief to families who have adopted children from other countries, but who are unable to bring them home because of factors beyond their control. Specifically, it allows the State Department to waive visa renewal fees for adopted children whose entry into the United States has been delayed.

Delays could be caused by foreign governments' decisions to stall the adoption process.  For example, more than 350 children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been successfully adopted by American families, but since 2013 the government there has refused to issue exit visas necessary for the children to be united with their families in America. As a result, the adoptive families face challenges and added expenses of caring for the children while they remain stuck in a foreign country. In the meantime, the child's U.S.-issued visa needed to enter the United States expires after six months. Families must then continually renew the American visas, a process that can cost up to $550 each time.  The bill allows the visa fees to be waived or refunded for families facing adoption delays in any foreign nation for any reason beyond the family's control.

The bill, which was introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein and Ron Johnson, passed the Senate by unanimous consent in July and cleared the House of Representatives by voice vote earlier this month.

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Foster Youth Caucuses to Host Panel Discussion on Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children

WASHINGTON - The Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth on Wednesday will host a panel discussion on the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children who advocate for children in the child welfare system.  The event is open to the public and the media.  Details follow.

The Congressional Caucus on Foster Youthand the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth

invite you to a panel discussion on

Court Appointed Special Advocates: Champions for Child Victims of Abuse or Neglect 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

10:00 am

Capitol Visitors Center (SVC) Room 208

Approximately 400,000 youth are in the foster care system today and face uncertainty and trauma as they struggle to understand why they are separated from the people they love most.  As the youth make their way through the child welfare and court system, they depend on guidance and advocates to look out for their best interests.  This briefing will highlight organizations like CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) who volunteer and work with children until they are placed in loving and permanent homes.  This event will be an open forum for advocates, child welfare organizations, providers and congressional staff to learn about and discuss policies affecting foster youth.

Sponsored by

Representatives Bass, Marino, Langevin, Black, McDermott, Franks, Senators Grassley and Stabenow

Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth & the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth

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DES MOINES, IA (10/19/2015)(readMedia)-- You don't have to dress up this Halloween to find goodies. State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants you to know there are plenty of treats in the form of unclaimed property in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. "There are no tricks, only treats," Fitzgerald stated. "Finding and receiving unclaimed property is an easy process. The thought of losing track of one's assets is what is truly frightening."

"Anybody can have unclaimed property in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, which is why we encourage everyone to search for their name," Fitzgerald added. "We are holding property for a lot of royalty, from Kings to Queens, and even one for the Princess Theatre in Mapleton." The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt also has unclaimed assets for Charlie Brown, a few Batmans, many Sparrows but no Jack, two Monsters, several Sherlocks and a few Angels.

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $199 million in unclaimed property to more than 468,000 people since Fitzgerald created it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report unclaimed property to the state treasurer's office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits and safe deposit box contents.

(@GreatIATreasure).

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