By order of the Chairman.

AGENDA

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 226

October 29, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.?

I. Nominations

Brian R. Martinotti, to be a United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey

Julien Xavier Neals, to be a United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey

Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., to be a United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska

Edward L. Stanton III, to be a United States District Judge for the Western District of Tennessee

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Many of you have heard about this already, but I wanted to be sure to spread the word far and wide. As you know, in Iowa we have a unique opportunity to set the priorities which govern our country. This election cycle, the faith community is coming together to make sure that hunger is central to that conversation. It all starts in Des Moines on November the 8th, with a Vote to End Hunger Rally at Grandview University.

More information is below, and attached. It would be great to have tons of CROP Hunger Walk folks there, from across the state. I know that there is a bus planned from the Quad Cities area, and one being explored from Western IA. Please let me know if you would be interested in either  of those. And, if you plan on coming to the event, please let me know!

To formally RSVP, click here. Please do spread the word far and wide, and don't hesitate to be in touch with any questions. As always, thanks for all that you do to end hunger locally and globally!

Additional speakers have been announced for the interfaith Vote to End Hunger Rally to be held Nov. 8 at Grand View University in Des Moines.

Kathie Obradovich, political columnist for the Des Moines Register, will serve as the emcee for the event. Cory Berkenes, executive director of the Iowa Food Bank Association, will speak about what hunger looks like in Iowa. Jos Linn, Grassroots Manager, U.S. Poverty Campaigns, RESULTS, will lead an interactive session educating participants on how to make hunger a priority issue in our political campaign.

Please sign up for the free event at votetoendhungeriowa.eventbrite.com. The event will begin at 2 p.m. and end at 4 pending on the availability of presidential candidates, who are being invited to speak. Several videos of candidates explaining their plans to address hunger and poverty will be shown in the arena immediately before the start of the rally.

Several groups have announced their support for the rally, including Church World Service, the Northeastern and Southeastern Iowa Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Iowa Conference of the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, the Presbytery of Des Moines, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. Plymouth UCC Peace Committee is also a supporter.

The Vote to End Hunger Rally is sponsored by Bread for the World and the Iowa Catholic Conference. Bread for the World President Rev. David Beckmann and Des Moines Bishop Richard Pates will speak at the event as well.

Rock Island, IL: The front steps at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 29 and Friday, Oct. 30, for the installation of hand-railings. While the steps are closed for work, access the library via the South (Ground Floor) entrance.

The railing installation is one of the last remaining tasks in the library's stone restoration project.

For more free events for all ages, pick up a fall events brochure at library locations, call 309-732-READ or visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org.

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Division will be housed at the State Public Defender's office and will focus on reviewing and identifying potential cases involving wrongful convictions

(DES MOINES)  - Today, during the Administration's weekly press conference, Gov. Terry Branstad and State Public Defender Adam Gregg announced the creation of the Wrongful Conviction Division at the Office of the State Public Defender.  The Wrongful Conviction Division will systematically review and identify potential cases involving wrongful convictions and pursue available legal remedies.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently admitted to serious errors in its testimony in cases involving hair comparison analysis.  The Wrongful Conviction Division is partnering with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Innocence Project of Iowa, and the Midwest Innocence Project to determine whether similar errors have occurred in Iowa cases.  If such errors are identified, the Wrongful Conviction Division will pursue existing legal remedies, such as post-conviction relief.

"In Iowa, we have great confidence in our criminal justice system," said Branstad.  "However, even in a well-regarded system, we know issues can arise.  The creation of the Wrongful Conviction Division within the State Public Defender's Office, and its collaboration with the Division of Criminal Investigation and existing innocence organizations, will help us ensure that our criminal justice system gets it right."

The Wrongful Conviction Division will be led by Audrey McGinn, formerly of the California Innocence Project.  During her time at the California Innocence Project, McGinn had a hand in seven exonerations, and helped found ten innocence projects throughout Latin America.  Her position was created by repurposing a vacant full time employee position, using existing appropriated funding.

More information can be found at the website of the State Public Defender, www.spd.iowa.gov, or by emailing exonerate@spd.state.ia.us.