WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today released the following statement on the passage of his U.S. Senate resolution to honor Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai. The resolution is Harkin's final legislative effort of his career and was the last item passed by the U.S. Senate in the 113th Congress. Harkin is a longtime champion for ending the scourge of child labor around the world and ensuring the right of children to an education. Harkin first nominated Mr. Satyarthi for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for his work in India and internationally to eradicate the worst forms of child labor.

"I am pleased that the Senate has recognized these two amazing advocates for the rights of children," said Harkin. "Their efforts have not only saved thousands of childhoods, but have also inspired countless others to take action in this critical fight. I hope that this leads to new emphasis from governments, civil society organizations, and all individuals on eliminating child labor and promoting education for children around the world."

The text of the resolution is below.

Whereas, on October 10, 2014, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai; 

Whereas the International Labour Organization estimates that, worldwide, 168,000,000 children are exploited financially, with 85,000,000 children working in very hazardous environments and deprived of an education; 

Whereas the United Nations Children's Fund estimates that 101,000,000 children  are not in school; 

Whereas Kailash Satyarthi and his organization, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, have rescued more than 82,000 children from the worst forms of child labor;

Whereas Malala Yousafzai has promoted education for girls in Pakistan since she was 11 years old and is an advocate for worldwide access to education; 

Whereas Kailash Satyarthi has endured threats on his life as a result of such rescue efforts; and 

Whereas the Taliban attempted to kill Malala Yousafzai on October 9, 2012, as a result of her efforts to encourage more girls to attend school: Now, therefore, be it resolved

That the Senate – 

(1) recognizes Nobel Laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai as symbols of peace and advocates for ending the financial exploitation of children and for the opportunity of all children to have access to education; 

(2) commends all individuals working around the world to end the scourge of child slavery and to advance education for all children; 

(3) recognizes the challenges that remain in ending the financial exploitation of children and providing access to an education for all children; 

(4) urges all governments, civil society organizations, businesses, and individuals to unite in the common purpose of protecting children from losing their childhoods as well as   their futures; and 

(5) recognizes the dedication and commitment to freedom, the rights of children, and the endurance of the human spirit, demonstrated by all individuals who make sacrifices to build a more peaceful world.

The Peace Light from Bethlehem arrived at St. John's United Methodist Church in Davenport on December 16th.

Every year, Austrian Boy and Girl Scouts send representatives to Bethlehem to light six lanterns from the light that has burned at the site of the Nativity for over 1000 years. Three of these lighted lanterns are flown across the Atlantic Ocean to New York and volunteers "spread the light" across North America.  It arrived at the Iowa Religious Media Center in Des Moines on December 15, and they sent out an email blast to constituent churches that the light could be brought to their community.  St. John's responded, and on December 16, we lit our lantern from the living flame of the Light from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem.   We will keep it lit through our Sunday and Christmas Eve services.   

Our plan is to place the Peace Light on our altar for worship and to use the Bethlehem Peace Light to light our Christ Candle on Christmas Eve.  The Peace Light is meant to be shared.  If you are interested in having the Bethlehem Peace Light in your church, we would like to help make this possible.  Our Peace Light Lantern will be available to the community churches from 12-2 p.m. on Sunday, December 21.  The address is 109 East 14th Street in Davenport.  All you need to bring is a lantern and a long-burning candle.  We are blessed that the Bethlehem Peace Light has come to the Quad-Cities!

Blessings!

Rev. Anne Lippincott

Senior Pastor, St. John's United Methodist Church

563-324-5278

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Rock Island, IL: More after-Christmas help is planned for new owners of tablets, smartphones, and other technology gadgets. Starting Friday, Dec. 26, the Rock Island Library will offer Gadgets and More drop-in sessions within a new programming space at the 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street.

The Gadgets and More sessions allow participants to bring in their new device and get practical tips and information on how to use it. Devices should be fully charged, with the set-up phase completed. Library staff will be available at the 30/31 Branch to provide help on:

• Friday, Dec. 26 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
• Friday, Jan. 2 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
• Monday, Jan. 12 from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
• Thursday, Jan. 15 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm

No registration is necessary for the drop-in help sessions, which are free and open to the public. The new program space is within the renovated bookstore at the branch. The library installed rolling shelves, creating a multipurpose space that can be used both as a bookstore and as an area for offering small programs without disturbing library browsers. Starting Jan. 8, the library will also add a monthly "Play and Grow" structured play group at the 30/31 Branch for children ages birth to three and their caregivers.

The Rock Island Library is also offering a wide range of after-Christmas technology classes at the Main and Southwest Branch locations. Topics include classes on downloading eBooks and on using Android, Apple, and Kindle devices. For times, locations, and more details, please visit the online calendar at www.rockislandlibrary.org.

More information is also available at the library's Facebook and Twitter sites, or by calling the library at 309-732-READ (7323.)

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Money can be used for custom apparel, traveling, event expenses or whatever groups might need

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Youth groups, high school groups and K-12 school groups within a 50-mile radius of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City have until Wednesday, Dec. 31 to earn up to $1,000 in cash funding or custom apparel through the "Better Community Connections" sponsorship program from U.S. Cellular® and Pear. Groups, from youth or high school sports teams to academic clubs and music groups, can utilize their social networks to complete online tasks to earn sponsorship dollars for the items they need most. The best part is that it's completely free.

In fact, 19 groups in the state have already earned $5,852 for band and orchestra groups, academic clubs and athletic teams, with those numbers continuing to grow.

"This is such an amazing opportunity for Cedar Rapids and Iowa City-area youth and school groups to utilize on traveling, paying for equipment or event expenses, custom apparel or whatever they might need," said Jared Golden, Pear's co-founder. "Pear is designed to bring two organizations together - those seeking funding and those seeking groups to sponsor. This 'Better Community Connections' sponsorship is a win-win for both parties and makes it easy for youth and school groups to earn funding."

Visit www.pearup.com/uscellularsponsors to create a sponsorship page, and then invite friends, family and others to join. Once a sponsorship page is created, the group has 10 days to earn up to $1,000 toward a donation or custom apparel. The more people who support the page and interact with U.S. Cellular on the site, the more money the group earns. Groups can earn points by completing simple online tasks, like visiting U.S. Cellular's website, subscribing to an email list, liking U.S. Cellular on Facebook or answering a survey. There is no purchase necessary to participate.

For every Pear referred into the program, Pear will add $50 to both the referrer and referee Pear. Adult groups will be allowed to participate as long as they are in support of a youth or school purpose, including Parent-Teacher Associations, booster clubs and similar groups.

For more information about Pear or the sponsorship, visit www.pearup.com/uscellularsponsors.

About U.S. Cellular

At U.S. Cellular®, we focus on having the world's best customer service and delivering industry-leading innovations. Our strong line-up of cutting-edge devices are designed to simplify and organize your life. For more information, visit www.uscellular.com.

About Pear