DES MOINES, IA (08/04/2014)(readMedia)-- On Monday, August 11, the Iowa State Fair will honor active and retired military with special Veterans' Day programming and discounts throughout the day. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, August 7-17.

Veterans will be honored with discounted gate admission on Veterans' Day, August 11. With a military I.D., retired and active members of the armed forces and their spouses will receive $8 gate admission from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Veterans' Day will also feature special patriotic programming.

The Veterans' Day parade, an annual tradition featuring military bands, floats and more, will parade down the Grand Concourse at 11 a.m.

The Spirit of Liberty Foundation's Freedom Bell will be on display north of the Administration Building through August 11. The bell honors our armed forces past, present and future.

Stop by the West Grand Exhibit Area to check out Hoover Presidential Library Museum display focused on President Hoover's food relief efforts during World War I. Brush up on your history, snag a Hoover biscuit and be sure to catch the Hoover Humanitarian Relief Ship as it cruises the grounds daily at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Visit the "Remembering Our Fallen" display in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center Atrium and pay tribute to Iowa's military who have died from wounds since September 11, 2001. The display is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The special events don't stop there. Throughout the day Fairgoers can enjoy performances such as a military tribute concert honoring Iowa's veterans as well as performances by the 34th Army Band and Iowa Military Veterans' Band.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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Sold-out event to continue conversation about providing Iowa's children with a world-class education

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today are hosting the second Iowa Teacher and Principal Leadership Symposium at the FFA Enrichment Center at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. The purpose of the event, which is sold out, is continuing the conversation about how to give Iowa children a world-class education.  More than 450 educators, parents, legislators, school board members and others are expected to attend.

WATCH THE SYMPOSIUM LIVE: http://bit.ly/IAEDLeaders

"Iowa's education system must keep pace with the demands of a knowledge-based, global workforce," said Branstad. "Iowa's new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System will create the capacity to do that by better utilizing the expertise of top teachers to fine tune instruction for individual students. We'll learn more from symposium speakers about how to make the most of this new approach to instructional leadership. "

Iowa is the first state to launch a teacher leadership system of this magnitude, with every school district having the option of participating over the next three years. The goal is for 25 percent of highly qualified teachers to take on new leadership roles, such as instructional coaches and mentors, to improve instruction and raise student achievement. When fully phased in during the 2016-17 school year, the Iowa Teacher Leadership and Compensation System is estimated to cost $150 million annually.

"Nothing inside schools has a bigger impact on learning than highly effective teaching," said Reynolds. "Iowa has many first-rate teachers, and we are looking forward during the symposium to learning more about exciting developments in teacher leadership in Iowa and beyond."

Featured symposium speakers include Vivien Stewart from the Asia Society, Ee-Ling Low from the National Institute of Education in Singapore, Barnett Berry from the Center for Teaching Quality, Iowa 2014 Teacher of the Year Jane Schmidt and Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year Aiddy Phomvisay. Also featured are Iowa's first 39 school districts to launch the state's new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System; two Iowa school districts that started teacher leadership systems with a federal grant; and a student panel on the difference great teaching makes.

Participants, attendees and those wishing to follow the symposium are encouraged to use the #IAEdLeaders hashtag on social media. For more information about the symposium: https://educationleadership.iowa.gov/

 

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Star rookie outfielder, five weeks after appearing on Sports Illustrated cover, will be fourth player on Houston's major league roster play with the River Bandits in the last 15 months

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 3, 2014) - The Houston Astros are sending outfielder George Springer on a rehab assignment with the Quad Cities River Bandits, who will open a seven-game homestand at 7 p.m. Monday against Burlington at Modern Woodmen Park. Springer is scheduled to play three games Monday through Wednesday with the River Bandits.

Springer is the fourth Houston Astros player on the major league roster to appear with Quad Cities in the last 15 months, and his rehab appearance is the second by a major leaguer for the Midwest League club this season. Astros right-hander Anthony Bass pitched three games for the River Bandits June 24, 26 and 29. Right-hander Josh Fields pitched twice at Modern Woodmen Park May 10 and 13, 2013. Astros first baseman Jon Singleton played six games and hit three home runs with Quad Cities May 28-June 3, 2013.

"We are so delighted to welcome George Springer to the Quad Cities," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "George Springer is the biggest name rehab player that Quad Cities has had in nearly a decade, and a true budding star, and it will be a great treat for the Quad Cities fans to get to meet him, watch him play and get his autograph."

In his first major league season, the 24-year-old Springer has hit 20 home runs, one shy of the Astros rookie record of 21 set by Lance Berkman in 2000. Since joining Houston April 16, Springer has already set the franchise rookie records with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs before the All-Star Break. In 78 games, he holds a .231 batting average and ranks second on the Astros this season in home runs, runs (48), RBIs (51), and walks (39). All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve (.821) is the only Astro with a higher on-base-plus-slugging percentage than Springer (.804).

When he was placed on the disabled list July 23 (retroactive to July 20) with a right quad strain, Springer was second among American League outfielders in home runs and seventh in OPS. He also ranked in the top three among all major league rookies in home runs (second), RBIs (51, second), slugging percentage (.468, second), walks (39, first), on-base percentage (.336, 2nd) and runs (45, third).

A native of New Britain, Conn., Springer was the Astros' first-round (11th overall) pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, becoming the highest-drafted player in University of Connecticut baseball history. He entered the 2014 season ranked as the Astros' No. 2 prospect by Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus

In 2013, Springer became the first minor leaguer in four years - and first-ever Astros minor leaguer - to hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 30 bases. He was named Minor League Baseball's 2013 Offensive Player of the Year and the Astros Minor League Player of the Year after hitting .303 with 27 doubles, four triples, 37 homers, 108 RBI, 45 stolen bases and a 1.010 OPS (.411 OBP/.600 SLG) combined between Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Corpus Christi. He was also the Double-A Texas League Player of the Year and joined Delino DeShields and former River Bandit Carlos Correa as Houston's representatives in the All-Star Futures Game.

"For the Astros to send two of their top prospects and now major league players - Jon Singleton and George Springer - in addition to two major league pitchers to the Quad Cities, shows the great priority they place on the affiliation and partnership with the River Bandits," said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser.

Quad Cities (21-21 second half, 56-55 overall) has a three-game home series Monday through Wednesday against the Burlington Bees, followed by a four-game home series against the Beloit Snappers Thursday through Sunday.

Governor Quinn Statement Regarding Passing of Gene Callahan

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the passing of Gene Callahan:

"Gene Callahan was one of those rare fixtures in the political world - a true gentleman who could work with anybody, any time, to get things done.

"It is hard to believe the 40-plus-year 'Callahan era' has come to a close.  Few of us can remember a time when Gene was not involved in public service. Thankfully, he has instilled those same values in his daughter Cheri Bustos, who has taken his ethic of hard work and honesty to the U.S. Congress.

"Illinois has suffered two huge losses recently - first former Senator Alan Dixon, and now the Senator's long-time friend and advisor, Gene Callahan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the thousands of people whose lives Gene touched during his long and storied life."

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Simon statement on the passing of Gene Callahan

 

CHICAGO - Aug. 4, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today issued the following statement on the passing of longtime friend and advisor Gene Callahan.

"Illinois will miss Gene Callahan. And the Simon family in particular has lost a dear friend.

"Gene served as chief of staff for my dad, a mentor for my brother, and a trusted advisor for me. He was always focused on what was best for the people of our state, not short-term political advantage. His ethical standards were the highest - standards I try to live up to daily.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Gene's family and all whose lives he touched."

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Schilling Statement on Passing of Gene Callahan

EAST MOLINE, Ill.–Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) released the following statement today about the passing of Gene Callahan, a dedicated public servant to the State of Illinois and father to Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline):

"Illinois lost a great statesman today. Gene Callahan admirably dedicated his life to public service and had a positive impact on the State of Illinois. My prayers go out to Congresswoman Bustos and her entire family."

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COMPTROLLER TOPINKA STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF GENE CALLAHAN

CHICAGO - Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka released the following statement in response to the passing of longtime civil servant Gene Callahan:

"Illinois lost a true statesman this morning with the passing of Gene Callahan. Gene was passionate about public service. Although he worked in government and politics for decades he was able to rise above partisanship and work with anyone for the good of the order. He was truly one of the good ones. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time."


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Despite a five-homer series, Quad Cities is swept in a road series for the first time this season

GENEVA, Ill. (August 3, 2014) - Left fielder Chase McDonald, first baseman A.J. Reed and catcher Brett Booth each hit home runs for the Quad Cities River Bandits, but every Kane County starter contributed to the team's 17 hits in a 9-5 Cougars win and three-game series sweep at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Sunday afternoon.

Cougars catcher Cael Brockmeyer hit his team's only home run of the three-game series, finished 3-for-5 and was one of three Cougars with two-RBI games. Cougars shortstop Daniel Lockhart and second baseman Chesny Young each had a double and three hits. Quad Cities (21-21 second half, 56-55 overall) has allowed 42 runs on 70 hits during its current five-game losing streak.

For the third straight game, Kane County (25-17 second half, 70-42 overall) took at least a three-run lead by the end of the second inning. Against right-hander Andrew Thurman (5-7), Cougars third baseman Jeimer Candelario led off the second inning with a triple to right field and scored on a single by Brockmeyer. Young doubled to right field, putting runners at second and third bases. Groundouts by right fielder Jeffrey Baez and center fielder Trey Martin made it 3-0. Both Baez and Martin joined Brockmeyer in having two-RBI games.

In the third inning, Lockhart doubled to right field and moved to third base on a wild pitch when Thurman walked first baseman Ben Carhart. Designated hitter Victor Caratini hit an RBI single to right field, extending the Cougars' lead to 4-0.

Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (10-5) faced one batter over the minimum in the first three innings before Quad Cities cut into the deficit in the fourth. Right fielder Ryan Bottger hit a leadoff single to right field, and McDonald launched a ball into the trees beyond the signs in left-center field for his 12th home run of the season, shrinking Kane County's lead to 4-2. But the Cougars answered in the bottom of the inning, as Baez hit a one-out double and to left field and scored on a single by Martin for a 5-2 lead.

Torrez had set down seven batters in a row - including four on strikeouts - before Reed blasted a drive over the picnic deck in right field for his third home run in his first week in the Midwest League. Brockmeyer answered with his home run on Thurman's first pitch in the bottom of the inning. Young singled to chase Thurman, who allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits and three walks with two strikeouts in five-plus innings. Left-hander Albert Minnis entered to allow a triple to center field by Baez, who scored on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. With two outs and the bases empty, Lockhart singled, stole second base and scored on Carhart's RBI single to make it 9-3. Minnis allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk with one strikeout in two relief innings.

After Torrez allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts in six innings, right-hander David Garner began the seventh inning, and Booth hit his fourth home run of the season off the video board in left field - the fifth different player to homer in the last two games for the River Bandits, who have hit 15 home runs in their last nine games.

Garner worked two innings, and right-hander Francisco Carrillo debuted for the Cougars in the ninth inning. Reed hit a leadoff double for his first two-hit game in the Midwest League and scored on Booth's sacrifice fly, but Carrillo completed the inning to seal the 9-5 final.

Quad Cities opens a seven-game homestand and three-game home series against Burlington at 7 p.m. Monday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits left-hander Chris Lee (7-5) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Garrett Nuss (5-1).

UP NEXT: On Markdown Monday presented by 97X, the River Bandits will offer $2 bleacher and berm tickets, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game, and an All-You-Can-Ride Amusements Pass is just $10. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership recently made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has also reopened. Soon to come is another new ride, this one called a "Drop and Twist." In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

Legislation Will Help Protect Health and Wellness of All Illinois Residents

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed critical legislation to address urban flooding and to help ensure clean drinking water supplies and a cleaner environment. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to protect our natural resources and ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"Water is a tremendous resource except when you have too much of it or it's not fit to drink," Governor Quinn said. "These new laws will help us better control the damaging urban floods we've had recently, and will help maintain our clean drinking water systems."

"These laws continue to support the Governor's work to provide additional protections for the state's cities and our water resources," Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Director Lisa Bonnett said. "They include additional environmental protections that will provide for clean and healthy water for Illinois residents."

"Urban flooding is an equal opportunity problem," Ryan Wilson, Stormwater Program Manager at the Center for Neighborhood Technology, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on sustainable cities, said. "Our own research shows that urban flooding can happen anywhere, not just in floodplains. The legislation Governor Quinn signed today will help Illinois communities better understand urban flooding, and identify innovative stormwater solutions that can protect our homes, our investments and our environment from the threat of increasingly frequent and severe storms."

Senate Bill 2966, sponsored by State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), creates the Urban Flooding Awareness Act. The new law forms a working group with representatives from state, federal and local agencies and other interested parties who will review and evaluate the latest research, policies and procedures regarding urban flooding. The group will then submit a report by June 30, 2015 to the Governor and General Assembly with recommendations on how best to prevent and control urban flooding. The law is effective immediately.

"Flooding in urban areas is a growing challenge that demands the combined expertise of local, state and federal agencies," Senator Steans said. "We're taking the problem seriously and making sure we know what's happening and why so we can adopt effective measures that protect lives and property."

"With recent heavy rainfall, our neighborhoods, cities and state saw a dramatic increase in flooding, causing serious damage to property," Representative Cassidy said. "This bill will bring together stakeholders, experts and State agencies to examine the causes of urban flooding and how our infrastructure and technology can mitigate the impacts in the future."

In addition, Senate Bill 2770, sponsored by State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry) and State Representative Michael Tryon (R-Crystal Lake), requires each community water supply system to designate an operator who will be directly responsible for that system's water supply and distribution. An initiative of the IEPA, it also updates the duties and responsibilities of operators to ensure they hold the proper certification and skills to operate the community water supply. The law is effective immediately.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 2928, sponsored by State Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan) and State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R-Antioch), which allows law enforcement agencies to collect pharmaceuticals and other controlled substances from residents and safely store and transport them for disposal at IEPA-approved sites. Increased options for residents to safely and properly dispose of pharmaceuticals and controlled substances will help ensure that fewer unused medications are flushed down the toilet, which has serious negative impacts on water supplies. The law is effective immediately.

Governor Quinn has a long record of support for measures that ensure a clean and healthy environment. On July 23 Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 2780, which expands the Governor's Clean Water Initiative to include stormwater and green infrastructure projects. In 2013, Governor Quinn signed Senate Bill 1869 which gives Illinois municipalities greater ability to build and invest in innovative stormwater management infrastructure to help mitigate damaging floods such as green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, tree boxes, porous pavement, native plantings, constructed wetlands and more. The law expanded existing law to include these items, among others.

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Braley and Harkin visited a local business in Norwalk to highlight the importance of raising the minimum wage to $10.10 and restore its purchasing power

Des Moines, IA - Bruce Braley and Senator Tom Harkin today discussed the importance of raising the minimum wage and providing 300,000 Iowans with a pay raise during a visit to the La Quercia company plant in Norwalk.  Braley and Harkin have both been fighting to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour to restore its purchasing power and strengthen Iowa's economy.

In contrast, State Sen. Joni Ernst has repeatedly said that she does not support a federal minimum wage and that she thinks $7.25 an hour - which means roughly $15,000 a year for a full-time worker - is an appropriate minimum wage for hardworking Iowans.

Braley said, "No one in Iowa should work a full-time job and live near or below the poverty line.  It's been over five years since the last federal minimum wage increase, and the minimum wage buys less and less for Iowa's workers. Small businesses like La Quercia know raising the minimum wage is good for working Iowans, good for business, and good for the economy - and yet my opponent thinks $7.25 is an appropriate wage for Iowa's workers. Senator Harkin has been a champion on this issue, and I am committed to continuing his efforts to raise the minimum wage, boost Iowa's economy, and provide 300,000 Iowans with a raise."

A report from Progress Iowa earlier this year found that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would provide 300,000 Iowans with a pay increase and infuse more than $270 million into Iowa's economy.

Since reaching its peak in 1968 at $10.69 an hour (in 2013 dollars), the minimum wage's purchasing power has steadily declined and left working Iowans struggling to support their families. 

"Raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour is an issue of basic economic fairness and opportunity," said Harkin. "There's a clear choice in this election - Bruce Braley knows that a fair minimum wage is good for Iowa's working families, and good for the economy.  Iowa families need a U.S. Senator like Bruce who will fight for them."

Braley is a sponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10/hr and then tie future increases to inflation. According to a Des Moines Register poll, 65% of Iowans believe the minimum wage should be increased.
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Seniors Group Recognizes Braley for his Commitment to Keeping "Health Care Affordable and Retirement Secure"
Des Moines, IA -Bruce Braley today received the endorsement from the Alliance for Retired Americans for his unwavering commitment to protecting and strengthening Medicare and Social Security at events in Davenport and Cedar Rapids. The Alliance for Retired Americans represents over 4.2 million retirees and community activists, including more than 30,000 members in Iowa.

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Alliance for Retired Americans, and to fight every day to protect and strengthen Medicare and Social Security for current and future generations of Iowans," Braley said. "Iowans have worked hard and paid into these important programs their entire lives, and I refuse to let their earned retirement security be threatened by risky privatization schemes. As a U.S. Senator, I will never waver in my commitment to keeping our promises to our seniors."

"Bruce Braley is a champion for Iowa's seniors and can be trusted to stand up for our interests. He is committed to keeping health care affordable and retirement secure, while fighting against efforts to privatize Social Security and end Medicare as we know it.  We are proud to endorse Bruce Braley for U.S. Senate," said Jan Laue, president of the Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 530,000 Iowans were enrolled in Medicare in 2012. TheNational Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare calculates that Iowa has more than 584,000 Social Security beneficiaries, with the average senior receiving a monthly benefit of $1,131.

Braley has strongly opposed efforts to privatize Social Security and transform Medicare into a voucher program. Braley has also opposed efforts to reduce future Social Security benefits for retirees if cost-of-living increases were shifted to a so-called "chained CPI" calculation. This month, Braley successfully led a charge to prevent a cut to important services at Iowa Social Security offices.  

In contrast, State Sen. Joni Ernst has called for privatization of Social Security, a position that would undermine benefits for current retirees, and supports tying retiree benefits to the Stock Market. Sen. Ernst has also supported plans that would transform Medicare as we know it and pave the way for Medicare vouchers, increasing costs for retirees.
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Signs New Law Proposed by Illinois Third-Graders Devoted to Fighting Puppy Mills; Issues Order to Create Illinois Pet Advocacy Task Force

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today took action to protect animals across Illinois by fighting puppy mills. The Governor today signed a new law that was proposed by three dedicated third-graders from Arlington Heights and increases penalties for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Today's action, taken at a Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS) event in Chicago, is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure that all animals are treated humanely in Illinois.

"Our pets are a part of the family, and we must always treat them with care and respect," Governor Quinn said. "Three students from Arlington Heights created this new law because they wanted to make a difference and protect animals across Illinois."

House Bill 4410, sponsored by State Representative David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) and State Senator Pamela Althoff (R-McHenry), increases fines on anyone that violates the state's Animal Welfare Act, which makes it a crime to mistreat animals. A first violation is more than doubled from $200 to $500; a second violation is doubled from $500 to $1,000; and a third violation will result in a $2,500 fine in addition to a probationary status for the violator. The law is effective immediately.

This bipartisan measure was conceived by Claire Hackmann, Brooke Martin and Maddie O'Dell, third grade students from Patton Elementary School in Arlington Heights. Claire, Brooke and Maddie read a book about two students that rescued a puppy from a puppy mill, which led them to research puppy mills and contact Representative Harris about ways to limit these operations. Their lobbying efforts included a presentation at an all-school assembly to members of Patton Elementary School faculty, gathering signatures from students and concerned citizens and even testifying before the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee.

"It is great to see the Animal Welfare Act updated by House Bill 4410 for the protection of all animals, and it is wonderful that the initiative for the bill was started by three third graders from Patton School," Representative Harris said. "I am proud to have been able to help them, and I applaud their dedication in pushing the bill."

"This legislation was an initiative of a class at Patton School in Arlington Heights to ensure that pet stores, dog dealers and those that board cats and dogs properly comply with the Animal Welfare Act," Senator Althoff said. "Most dealers and kennel operators are professionals who take their responsibilities seriously, but unfortunately, there are always exceptions and under current law, the penalties being enforced for those who violate the Animal Welfare Act were too minimal to deter irresponsible breeders and dealers from mistreating or abusing animals in their care. Increasing the administrative fines for those who violate the Act will offer greater protection for animal welfare and ensure that violators are held accountable."

"We applaud the state of Illinois and Governor Quinn for working to deter the abuse and neglect of animals by increasing fines for violators of the Animal Welfare Act," PAWS Chicago Founder Paula Fasseas said. "Animals are defenseless living beings and we must be their voice and protectors."

In addition to signing House Bill 4410, the Governor today also issued an executive order creating the Illinois Pet Advocacy Task Force. The Task Force will study issues of animal cruelty, neglect and abuse and make recommendations that will ensure proper treatment and care of Illinois pets. The Task Force will issue a report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 12 months

The legislation was signed at PAWS Chicago, Chicago's largest no-kill shelter. PAWS is focused on solutions to end the killing of homeless pets. Since the organization's founding in 1997, the number of homeless pets killed in the city has been reduced by nearly 70 percent, from 42,561 to fewer than 14,000 last year. The animal rescue spares animals from this fate and provides them with a forever home. For more information about PAWS Chicago and pet adoption, visit http://www.pawschicago.org.

Governor Quinn is the proud owner of a rescue dog named Rosie, a Yorkshire Terrier mix whom he adopted from PAWS. The Governor has long been a pet lover and advocate for the humane treatment of animals. Last year he signed the "Puppy Lemon Law" to give buyers protection for pet purchases and to help reduce the possibility of emotional trauma that comes from losing a pet. He also signed new laws to help ensure that all dogs in Illinois are treated humanely when tethered outside and to provide humane options for stray farm animals such as adoption or placement in a sanctuary.

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Things have been going pretty well lately for the National Football League. Revenues this past year were around $10 billion. Arguably, football is the most watched and followed sport in this country. But developments surrounding the planning of a new football stadium for the Minnesota Vikings offer a glimpse of an emerging unseemly indifference by the team's owners and the NFL to wildlife impacts that is disturbing to millions of people who care about the nonhuman species that share our planet.

Plans for the proposed new stadium call for a massive wall of glass that experts say will assuredly kill thousands of birds over the life of the facility. Bird and wildlife advocates have raised this concern with stadium developers and with city planners. Reasonable solutions were offered from conservationists early in the process. The response from the team and the NFL has been as frigid as the Minnesota winters: the glass will go in exactly as planned. And this is in spite of a new resolution from the Minneapolis City Council calling for bird-saving preventative measures.

The stadium, which is expected to open in two years, will cost nearly $1 billion to build. The bird-friendly changes requested- installing "fritted" glass with ceramic dots that birds see and generally avoid?would cost about $1.1 million. For an outlay of one-tenth of one percent of the cost of the stadium, this problem goes away. This is pocket change to the NFL and team owners.

For some reason, team owners and the NFL feel empowered to ignore what in all likelihood will be daily avian carnage at their facility. The irony of that position is stunning: The NFL makes massive marketing use of birds like eagles (Philadelphia), falcons (Atlanta), cardinals (Arizona), seahawks (Seattle) and ravens (Baltimore) while at the same time sanctioning the building of stadiums with features that serve as bird death traps.

How big a problem is bird collisions with glass? Huge. A recent report from federal scientists at the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed that bird-glass collisions are the second-leading human-caused mortality threat faced by birds, with between 400 million and one billion birds killed in the U.S. in that fashion every year. All kinds of birds are affected: hawks, falcons, owls, songbirds. It is one reason why over 200 species of birds are in decline or otherwise in serious trouble.

Team owners and the NFL would do well to recognize that Minneapolis is one of a relative handful of cities that have the laudable distinction of being federally designated as an Urban Bird Treaty city, which means that they have shown uncommon interest in protecting and conserving birds. Somehow, I think some have forgotten what that means? and how inconsistent current actions are with that notable designation.

I hope the NFL will step in and demonstrate some level of common sense and compassion for wildlife, encouraging the Minnesota Vikings (and other team owners with similar problems) to do the right thing. Absent that, about 100,000 Viking football fans will be exposed to a lot of "inconvenient truths" each game: the repeated thud as birds crash into a glass wall at 40 miles per hour, and the sight of birds littering the ground at their feet.

Dr. George Fenwick, 202-234-7181, gfenwick@abcbirds.org

President, American Bird Conservancy

Washington, D.C. 20009

 

 

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