Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after Republicans leaders recessed and sent Congress home until after the election while a mountain of critical work remains on the table. Loebsack and his colleagues sent a letter to Speaker Boehner to urge him to keep Congress in session until the issues facing the nation are addressed.

"With the amount of work that remains unaddressed by Republican leaders, it is baffling that they are sending us home. While I will be working, traveling around and meeting with Iowans, I was elected to actually tackle the tough problems that are facing our country, like growing the economy and creating jobs, not play political games. The list of items that remain undone really does go on and on.

"I have called on Congress to remain in session and I remain committed to working with anyone to finish the work that Iowans are demanding. There is too much critical work to get done before sending Congress home."

Among the issues that have not been dealt with include :

• Comprehensive jobs package,
• Unemployment insurance,
• Tax Extenders  (PTC, biodiesel),
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind),
• Sustainable Growth Rate,
• Postal Reform,
• Higher Education Act Reauthorization,
• Long-term highway bill,

·         Comprehensive Immigration Reform, to name a few.

NASHVILLE, TN–The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) proudly announces that Brucemore is the recipient of an Award of Merit from the AASLH Leadership in History Awards for the conservation of the Grant Wood Sleeping Porch. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 69th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.

This year, AASLH is proud to confer seventy-seven national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, books, and organizations. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history. Presentation of the awards will be made at a special banquet during the 2014 AASLH Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Friday, September 19. The banquet is supported by a generous contribution from the History Channel. The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States.  The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena.  For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203, or go to www.aaslh.org.

About the conservation of Brucemore's Grant Wood Sleeping Porch

In 2013, Brucemore engaged a team of professional conservators to clean, consolidate, stabilize, and conserve the Grant Wood Sleeping Porch. The porch, valued at over $3.5 million, features a plaster relief, designed and applied in 1925 by renowned regionalist artist Grant Wood. The conservators revealed vivid colors, identified materials, and exposed Wood's techniques.  Wood coated the masonry walls of the sleeping porch in a plaster relief, crafting stylized woodland animals playfully situated on vines climbing the walls. The plaster was then coated with multiple layers of paint washes to decorate the surface texture and ornament. This may not be the only work of this kind in the world, but research has proven it to be exceedingly rare. Today, the mural is by far the most valuable work of art in the Brucemore collection.  The conservation work ensures that this unique element of cultural history is preserved for future generations.

About Brucemore

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

About the American Association for State and Local History

The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history.  From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful in American society.  AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and monthly newsletter.  The association also sponsors regional and national training workshops and an annual meeting.

Moline, IL - The Salvation Army Heritage Temple Corps located at 2200 - 5^th Avenue, Moline, will be hosting their Annual Harvest Festival Breakfast and Auction on Saturday, September 27th, 2014. Breakfast begins at 8:00am. The auction begins at 10:00am.

Cost of breakfast is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for 4-12 year-olds, and children three and under are free. Admission is free to the auction. Auction items will include : concert tickets, gift certificates, collectibles and much more.

Lieutenants Holly and Greg Ehler will use all proceeds to help The Salvation Army programs in Rock Island County.

Please call the Corps at 309-764-6996 with any questions.

WHEN: Saturday, September 27, 2014

TIME: 8am for Breakfast, and 10am for Auction

WHERE: 2200 - 5^th Avenue

WHY: Proceeds benefit Salvation Army programs in Rock Island County.

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On Monday morning of this week, I received this picture and note from one of our troops overseas:

"I greatly appreciate this package, because it comes from the hearts of many amazing people out there. Thank you so much!"

As world events have put the U.S. Military on high alert, so too has Operation Gratitude been impacted by the growing threats worldwide.  Here is an update on requests to send Operation Gratitude Care Packages to our Troops overseas and to our New Recruits and Veterans here at home.

On August 23rd, our volunteers in Southern California assembled 7,062 packages that were immediately shipped to troops deployed in harm's way.  Then on September 3rd, we received an urgent request to send an additional 2,200 packages as soon as possible.  Our volunteers reacted within 48 hours and made packages for each and every hero.

This Saturday, September 20th, we have requests to send an additional 7,000 packages overseas.  Hundreds of local supporters have registered to volunteer to make sure that we fulfill every request.

This means that in a span of just 30 days, our volunteers will have assembled and shipped more than 16,000 Care Packages!  

Your generosity and support have helped us fulfill every care package request ever made since Operation Gratitude started in 2003: More than 1.1 Million Care Packages sent!  

Even if you are not available to volunteer at the National Guard Armory this Saturday, here are several very important ways that you can participate from anywhere in the country to ensure that we can send tens of thousands of additional packages by year-end.  

You can:

• Write letters at home or organize a letter writing drive,
• Start a collection drive for much needed supplies for next month's care packages,
• Make a handmade item such as a scarf, hat or paracord survival bracelet,
• Donate a used vehicle, or donate your old cell phone as you upgrade to a new one
• Make a financial donation to help us with shipping costs, which are adding up fast (each package costs us $15 to assemble and ship).

However you choose to serve, I am forever appreciative of your kindness.  Thank you for believing in our cause and for continuing to support our troops!

Fondly,

Carolyn Blashek, Founder