WEST BRANCH, IOWA– On Saturday, July 19 a park ranger discusses "Herbert Hoover's National Parks": special places like Arches, Isle Royale, George Washington Birthplace, Sunset Crater Volcano, and other national parks and monuments preserved by Herbert Hoover's administration. The presentation is free and begins at 2 p.m. in the visitor center.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

110 Parkside Drive

PO Box 607

West Branch, Iowa 52358

319 643-2541 phone

319 643-7864 fax

www.nps.gov/heho

Twitter: @HooverNPS

Facebook: HerbertHooverNHS

Iowa's Congressional delegation writes joint letter supporting Gov. Branstad's request

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today asked President Obama to quickly approve a federal disaster declaration requested by Governor Terry Branstad for 26 Iowa counties that sustained significant storm damage and flooding in recent weeks. Braley's letter was also signed by Rep. Loebsack (IA-02), Rep. Latham (IA-03), and Rep. King (IA-04).

"Just weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit affected areas and see first-hand the damage these storms left across the state," Braley said. "I will do everything possible to ensure that Iowa communities have the resources they need to recover and rebuild and I'm proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort."

Braley's letter was sent in support of Governor Branstad's request for a presidential disaster declaration for the Iowa counties. Severe weather between June 14 and June 23, 2014 including tornadoes, flooding and heavy rains caused significant damage to infrastructure and property in parts of the state including the 1^st District. The storms caused an estimated $11.6 million that could be eligible for Federal Public Assistance.

"We respectfully urge your swift consideration of this request and express our support for the designation," Braley's letter reads.

Branstad is requesting federal funding for the counties of Allamakee, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Woodbury, and Wright.

The letter to President Obama can be found below:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of a recent request from Governor Terry Branstad for a presidential disaster designation for 26 counties in Iowa. Severe weather, including storms, damaging winds, tornadoes, heavy rain, hail and flooding caused significant damage in those 26 counties.

Governor Branstad is requesting federal Public Assistance Program funding for the counties of Allamakee, Buchanan, Buena Vista, Butler, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Fayette, Franklin, Hancock, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Woodbury, and Wright. These counties experienced severe weather between June 14, 2014 and June 23, 2014.

This severe weather caused significant damage to infrastructure and private property. A joint federal, state, and local preliminary damage assessment determined that damage caused by the severe weather in these counties caused an estimated $11.6 million of damage that could be eligible for Public Assistance.  A major disaster declaration will help ensure these counties make a complete recovery.

We respectfully urge your swift consideration of this request and express our support for the designation. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

DES MOINES, IA (07/16/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald met with the family of a Sioux City child yesterday to present a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account. Mia Cramer, age 5 months, was randomly chosen to receive the award after her grandmother, Barb, entered her for the giveaway as part of College Savings Iowa's Spring Giveaway. "This is the first grandparent to win one of our seasonal giveaways," Fitzgerald stated. "It demonstrates how families can work together to help a child accomplish their educational dreams."

"With college tuition rising faster than inflation, saving for college is not an easy task these days," added Fitzgerald. "Saving ahead of time is one of the most significant things a family can do to help make college a reality for their child. It can reduce a need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which can help families get through college with less debt."

College Savings Iowa offers a convenient, affordable, tax-advantaged way for families to start saving for their children's education. It takes just $25 to open a College Savings Iowa account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $3,098 per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2014 and there are no income or residency restrictions.*

. You can also like the plan on Facebook and follow it on Twitter (@Iowa529Plan) to keep up to date on other giveaway opportunities.

*Adjusted annually for inflation if withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 1-888-332-7545, or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

CHICAGO–Governor Pat Quinn today issued the following statement:

"This morning`s news out of eastern Ukraine is a tragic loss of human life.

"I commend our President for offering assistance to determine the cause.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all families who have lost loved ones in this unspeakable tragedy."