ROCKFORD, IL (07/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Dashawn Banks, a resident of Rock Island, IL, was announced as a Distinguished Scholar at Rockford University.

Full-time students attending Rockford University were named Distinguished Scholars for the spring 2015 semester who earned at least a 3.75 GPA with no grades below "C" and having completed all requirements for the semester.

Rockford University is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. The University offers approximately 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including the adult accelerated degree completion program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Rockford University is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and one of only 81 colleges in the nation as a "College with a Conscience," Rockford University currently serves approximately 1,280 full-and part-time students.

DES MOINES - JULY 1, 2015 - AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan issued the following statement about the shutdown of Mt. Pleasant and Clarinda Mental Health Institutes:

"Last night, at midnight, the Mt. Pleasant and Clarinda Mental Health Institutes closed their doors and the entire staff was laid off. This is a sad moment for the people of Iowa, especially those patients and families that need the services provided by these two facilities.

"The real losers here are the patients and the citizens of the state of Iowa. Residents of southern Iowa no longer have these two excellent facilities as an option for the care of their loved ones facing mental health challenges. Iowa's mental health safety net has been made weaker by the choices the governor has made.

"To the employees of these facilities, who have provided excellent treatment to patients for many years, I'm very sorry the governor has decided to take this action. I believe not only has he violated the collective bargaining agreement by his actions of laying everyone off effective at the end of June, but I also believe he is in violation of a state law and we will take the appropriate action and attempt to fix this situation.

"The governor has chosen to ignore the advice of patients, their families, mental health professionals, legislators, employees, and community leaders. He should be ashamed of the decision he made to shut down these facilities."

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, July 1, 2015/National FFA Organization) - As part of an executive order by President Barack Obama, career and technical education students will now be able to be designated as U.S. Presidential Scholars.

Established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, the Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,000 of America's top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. Each year, the program recognizes two high school seniors from each state and 15 scholars at-large on the basis of excellence in scholarship. An additional 20 scholars are selected for exceptional talent in the arts.

The Presidential Scholars program is overseen by the Commission on Presidential Scholars and administered by staff at the U.S. Department of Education. This commission, appointed by President Obama, selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

"We are extremely honored by this decision," National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown said. "This action elevates the value and importance of career and technical education where agricultural education plays a key role."

Next year, the White House will welcome the inaugural class of 20 CTE Presidential Scholars, who will be selected by the Commission on Presidential Scholars based on outstanding scholarship and demonstrated ability in career and technical education.

On Tuesday, June 30, First Lady Michelle Obama recognized outstanding students, teachers and administrators who have shown exceptional leadership in driving innovation in the field of career and technical education. Representing FFA were CTE Innovators Catherine Cincotta, a former student from North Burlington High School, N.J.; Whitney Bowman, currently a student at Virginia Tech; and FFA advisor and CTE Innovator Tyler Pope of Buckeye Central High School in New Washington, Ohio. In addition, FFA was represented by Tony Rice, former Pennsylvania state FFA officer, and Lauren Fillebrown, former state officer for New Jersey. Nan Hamilton, who is Cincotta's FFA advisor, also participated and provided exhibits for the event.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

About National FFA Foundation
The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees comprised of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA alumni, the foundation is a separately-registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2015 - U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman today announced the appointment of 129 private-sector members to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs).

"USDA and USTR rely on the individuals who serve on these committees to provide their expert advice on U.S. trade policy and priorities," said Vilsack. "They are an invaluable asset as we work to enact trade agreements and trade policies that deliver the greatest economic benefit for U.S. agriculture and for our nation as a whole," Vilsack said. "The last six years have been the strongest in history for U.S. agricultural exports, with international sales of American farm and food exports totaling $771.7 billion. Those exports now support more than a million quality American jobs. As we negotiate new trade agreements in Asia and Europe we will rely on APAC and ATAC members' expertise and knowledge to bring home the best possible deals."

"The strength of our trade agenda is dependent on the advice and counsel we receive from our trade advisors," said Froman. "And, now is more important than ever as we pursue the most ambitious trade agenda ever for America's farmers, ranchers and businesses of all sizes. The individuals we are appointing today represent one of the most important sectors to America's export economy and will provide critical advice as we negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and work to expand export opportunities for American agriculture."

Congress established the advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure a private-sector voice in establishing U.S. agricultural trade policy objectives to reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative jointly manage the committees.

The APAC provides advice and information to the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative on the administration of trade policy, including enforcement of existing trade agreements and negotiating objectives for new trade agreements. The ATACs offer technical advice and information about specific commodities and products.

This group of committee members will serve until June 15, 2019. They will be supplemented by additional appointments over the next four years. Applications are encouraged at any time and will be reviewed periodically for additional appointments. A complete list of committee members and information about applying is available at www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-advisory-committees. Questions may be sent via e-mail to ATACs@fas.usda.gov.

Appointees, by committee, are as follows:

Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee

Gary Adams - National Cotton Council of America

Cynthia Allen - Allen Farms

Dale Artho - Dale and Kathy Artho Farms

Carlos Ayala - Perdue Foods, LLC

Steve Baccus - Baccus Farms, Inc.

Laura Batcha - Organic Trade Association

Devry Boughner - Cargill, Inc.

L. Dow Brantley, III - Brantley Farming Co.

Jon Caspers - National Pork Producers Council

Stephen L. Censky - American Soybean Association

Annie W. Durbin - U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council

Marsha A. Echols - World Food Law Institute

Jerry Flint - DuPont Pioneer

Nancy E. Foster - National Renderers Association

Hezekiah Gibson - United Farmers USA/Gibson Farm

Earnest Chandler Goule - National Farmers Union

Thomas A. Hammer - National Oilseed Processors Association

Shannon S.S. Herzfeld - Archer Daniels Midland Company

Robert P. Koch - Wine Institute

Elmira Mangum - Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Brenda N. Morris - Morris Farms, LLC

Daniel D. Moss - Moss Ag and Arrowhead Potato Company

Thomas A. Nassif - Western Growers

Christian E. Schlect - Northwest Horticultural Council

Philip M. Seng - U.S. Meat Export Federation

Joseph Steinkamp - Steinkamp Farms, Inc.

Thomas E. Stenzel - United Fresh Produce Association

Reneé Toussaint-Strickland - Strickland Ranch and Exports, Inc.

Michael Stuart - Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association

Thomas M. Suber - U.S. Dairy Export Council

James H. Sumner - USA Poultry and Egg Export Council

Rayne Thompson - Sunkist Growers

Alan T. Tracy - U.S. Wheat Associates, Inc.

Larry B. Wooten - North Carolina Farm Bureau

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products

Kurt L. Brandt - United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

Tracy L. Brunner - Cow Camp, Inc.

Jaime A. Castaneda - National Milk Producers Federation

Anthony E. Clayton - Clayton Agri-Marketing, Inc.

Steven L. Foglesong - Black Gold Ranch and Feedlot

Thad Lively - U.S. Meat Export Federation

James Robert McCan - McFaddin Enterprises

Todd Menotti - Tyson Foods, Inc.

Lisa Wallenda Picard - National Turkey Federation

Don Shawcroft - John B. Shawcroft Ranches, LLLP

Hal Shenson - Nature's SunGrown Foods, Inc.

Dennis Stiffler - Mountain States Rosen

Peter Tabor - Pet Food Institute

John J. Wilson - Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables

Julie Adams - Almond Board of California

Reginald Brown - Florida Tomato Exchange

James R. Cranney, Jr. - California Citrus Quality Council

John Foster - Earthbound Farm

Robert Guenther - United Fresh Produce Association

Matt Harris - Washington State Potato Commission

Richard Hudgins - California Canning Peach Association

Randy Hudson - National Pecan Growers Council

Marcy L. Martin - California Fresh Fruit Association

Ken Melban - California Avocado Commission

Mike Montna - California Tomato Growers Association

Dale Murden - Texas Citrus Mutual

Joel Nelsen - California Citrus Mutual

Shannen Nettleton - Seneca Foods

Jim A. Zion - Meridian Growers, LLC

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds

Stan Baker - Baker Seed Technologies, Inc.

Rebecca Bratter -U.S. Dry Bean Council

Lynn Clarkson - Clarkson Grain Company, Inc.

Sharon L. Covert - Illinois Soybean Association

Robert E. Cummings, Jr. - USA Rice Federation

Dennis DeLaughter - U.S. Rice Producers Association

Neal H. Fisher - North Dakota Wheat Commission

Ron Gray - Gray Farms, Inc.

Craig Hill - Iowa Farm Bureau

William Hoffman - Hoffman Farms

Donald E. Latham - United Soybean Board

Karen Lowe - CoBank, ACB

Michael D. Nichols - Nichols Family Farms, LLC

J. Steve Peirce, Jr. - RIBUS, Inc.

Bernice Slutsky - American Seed Trade Association

Larry David Stenberg - DOW AgroSciences

Matt Stutzman - Stutzman Farms, Inc.

Ron Suppes - Suppes Farms

Rodney W. Van Orman - Anderson Hay and Grain Co., Inc.

Gary Wertish - Minnesota Farmer's Union

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods

Robert B. Anderson - Organic Trade Association

Robert Bauer - Association of Food Industries

Muhammad M. Chaudry - Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America

George R. Davis - Porter Creek Vineyards

Thomas S. Gellert - Cheese Importers Association of America

Barbara Gilbert - United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

Ann Grappin - American Potato Trade Alliance

Tim Hamilton - Food Export Association of the Midwest USA/Food Export USA Northeast

Lisa Hill - Ocean Spray International Services, Inc.

Karen S. Horan - National Confectioners Association

Tom LaFaille - Wine Institute

Christine LoCascio - Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Inc.

David McCaleb - Brewers Association

John McDermid - PepsiCo

Bill J. McFarland - Musco Family Olive Company

Autumn V. Price - Land O'Lakes

Melissa San Miguel - Grocery Manufacturers Association

Paul Schiefer - Amy's Kitchen

Kelly Shea - The WhiteWave Foods Company

Ron Tanner - Specialty Food Association

Sue Taylor - Leprino Foods

Peter Thornton - North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Bernadette M. Wiltz - Southern United States Trade Association

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Sweeteners and Sweetener Products

Perry J. Cerminara - The Hershey Company

Arnold Coombs - Bascom Family Farms

Thomas Earley - Agralytica, Inc.

Patrick Henneberry - Imperial Sugar Company

Roland E. Hoch - Global Organics Ltd.

James W. Johnson, Jr. - U.S. Beet Sugar Association

Keith Krause - McKee Foods Corporation

Luther Markwart - American Sugar Beet Growers Association

Kevin Price - American Crystal Sugar Company

Jim Simon - American Sugar Cane League of the USA, Inc.

Ryan Weston - Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company

John Yonover - Indiana Sugars, Inc.

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton and Peanuts

T. Patrick Archer - American Peanut Council

Michelle Huffman - National Cotton Council of America

Don Koehler - Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Peanuts

Monique Muggli - Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Richard Pasco - American Peanut Product Manufacturers, Inc.

Evans J. Plowden, Jr. - American Peanut Shellers Association

Roger F. Quarles - Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association

J. Michael Quinn - Carolinas Cotton Growers Cooperative, Inc.

Harvey Schroeder - Oklahoma Cotton Council

Sledge Taylor - Buckeye Farms

Randy Veach - Arkansas Farm Bureau

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