Congressman: It's irresponsible to make these cuts without input from Iowans and an analysis of cost savings

Washington, D.C. - After recently introducing legislation that would delay upcoming cuts to Social Security field office services, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today called on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide evidence that they considered public input and that the cuts would save taxpayers money.

"These cuts are being made with no input from Iowa's seniors and without one shred of evidence they'll save taxpayers a penny?and that's irresponsible," Braley said. "Eleven million Americans?and tens of thousands of Iowans?use these services every year, and it doesn't appear the Social Security Administration has even made Iowans aware of cuts that are only weeks away."

Beginning August 2014, SSA will no longer issue Social Security number printouts in its field offices. In addition, beginning October 2014, SSA field offices will stop providing benefit verification letters, except in emergency situations.  Many seniors rely on these verification letters for a variety of services. Those requesting this information would be able to do so only online or over the phone. Last year alone, 11 million Americans used SSA offices to request this information.

Braley's letter asks Social Security Commissioner Carolyn Colvin to provide a series of answers about the proposed cuts, including whether an analysis of cost savings has been done and if public input was solicited prior to the proposed cuts. Braley also sought information from Colvin on how Iowans seeking these services would be informed of cuts.

"Millions of Americans rely on Social Security, and now is simply not the time to impose misguided and unjustified cuts to services," the letter to SSA Commissoiner Carolyn Colvin reads.

Braley's recently introduced Seniors' Access to Social Security Act would prevent those cuts for one year, during which time Braley will seek verification that the proposed service cuts will not adversely affect Iowa's seniors and will save taxpayers money.

Earlier this week, Braley visited the Social Security Administration field office in Cedar Rapids to voice his opposition to the impending cuts. Braley also recently joined over 100 lawmakers to express their opposition to cuts to vital services at Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices.

Iowa's 19 SSA field offices are located in Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Dubuque, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Burlington, Coralville, Davenport, Ottumwa, Council Bluffs, Creston, Des Moines, Ames, Carroll, Ft. Dodge, Mason City, Sioux City, Spencer, and Storm Lake.

Over 450,000 Iowa seniors received Social Security benefits in 2013.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

Ms. Joan Leonard joins Jordan Catholic School as Principal Administrator. Ms. Leonard blesses Jordan with over 30 years of instructional and leadership experience as well as an amazing Christian spirit!

Ms. Leonard is happy to be joining the school this year as the 40th Anniversary of its founding is being celebrated. This year, the Rock Island Vicariate schools, which include Jordan, Seton, Our Lady of Grace grade schools, and Alleman High School, celebrate 150 years- "The Year of Father Alleman."

As always, Jordan Catholic school administration welcomes the media to call or stop by the school any time!

Illinois Leads Nation in Expanding Adoptee Rights

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will help adoptees and their birth family members learn more about their family history. Today's action follows the historic Illinois Birth Certificate Access Law, signed by the Governor in 2010 and recognized as the most expansive adoptee rights legislation enacted in the nation. Today's ceremony is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to protecting and improving the health of the people of Illinois.

"People have a right to know the first chapter of their lives and should have what they need to fill in the branches on their family tree," Governor Quinn said. "This information can also be vital when determining inherited traits and medical history. This new law will help Illinois' adoptees gain access to what is rightfully theirs."

House Bill 5949, sponsored by State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and State Senator Iris Martinez (D-Chicago), will help people gain information about their biological family history including obtaining original birth records when one of their grandparents was adopted as a child. In 2010, Governor Quinn signed a bill to provide adopted adults greater access to copies of their original birth certificates without having to get a court order. The law has helped adopted adults learn more about their birth families, including medical histories. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, more than 10,000 adoptees have gained access to these documents since the bill became law.

"Nearly 17,000 children have been adopted in Illinois in the last 10 years alone," Department of Children and Family Services Acting Director Bobbie Gregg said. "We applaud Governor Quinn and the General Assembly for continuing to expand the rights of these adoptees and their families."

"Governor Pat Quinn has recognized the importance of this very basic human right and has led the nation on restoring access to original birth certificates for adoptees," Representative Feigenholtz, an Illinois born adoptee, said. "Governor Quinn has fulfilled the dreams of 10,500 adopted adults who have spent a lifetime trying to fill in the missing pieces of their lives. He will forever be remembered for his unflinching leadership on pushing these measures."

"This legislation permits biological parents and adoptees the access they need to either learn about family health history or connect with each other if so desired," Senator Martinez said. "Streamlining the process so information is obtained in a timely, efficient manner when needed through the courts is important."

State Representative Ann Williams (D-Chicago) is also an adopted adult. However, her birth certificate remains under lock and key in the state of Pennsylvania.

"It is a bittersweet day for me as I anxiously await the opportunity to get a glimpse of my original birth certificate," Representative Williams said. "Pennsylvania and the rest of the nation should follow the Illinois model and provide adopted adults with this simple piece of paper."

The new law is effective Jan. 1, 2015.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 8, 2014) - The Kane County Cougars scored in each of the first four innings Tuesday night, while right-hander Paul Blackburn pitched five innings to win his third straight start and combined with two relievers to strike out 13 Quad Cities River Bandits in the visitors' 7-3 win in front of 3,790 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Cougars catcher Kyle Schwarber had a game-high three hits and started a first-inning rally with a two-out, opposite-field double to the left-center field gap off right-hander Edison Frias (5-4). First baseman Jacob Rogers drove in Schwarber with double to the same gap, and he later scored for a 2-0 lead on a double down the third-base line by right fielder Kevin Brown, making his Midwest League debut for Kane County (13-4 second half, 58-29 overall). In the second inning, Frias allowed a leadoff single by third baseman Jeimer Candelario. Candelario went to second base when second baseman Ben Carhart walked with two outs, to third base when River Bandits catcher Jake Rodriguez's pickoff attempt went in to center field, and scored when a pitch got past Rodriguez for a passed ball.

Quad Cities (10-8, 45-42) came closest in the bottom of the second inning, when third baseman Tyler White drew a two-out walk, and second baseman Marc Wik drove his second home run in a week off the batter's eye in center field to cut the deficit to 3-2. Kane County answered in the next half inning with Brown's first Midwest League home run to right field, extending his team's lead to 4-2.

The Cougars chased Frias in the fourth inning. Candelario led off with his second single to right field, and left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. hit a line drive to right field, where Brett Phillips misplayed the ball to allow each runner two extra bases and score another run. Frias worked ahead of the next batter, Carhart, to an 0-2 count before hitting him with the pitch, which would be his last in 3 1/3 innings. Left-hander Albert Minnis entered with a 5-2 deficit and yielded Schwarber's second double to score a run and make it 6-2. All six runs - five earned - were charged to Frias, who allowed seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts and had his four-start winning streak snapped.

In his first Midwest League outing since June 13, Minnis went on to pitch a season-high 3 2/3 innings, only allowing an unearned run in the sixth inning, when Dunston Jr. singled, went to second base on an error by White, stole third base and scored on Schwarber's groundout for his second RBI and a 7-2 Cougars lead.

After Blackburn struck out six batters and allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks, right-hander Zak Hermans began the sixth inning, and Phillips greeted him with his team's only hit after the third inning - his seventh home run of the season to right field - that made it 7-3. Quad Cities has homered in seven straight games - its longest streak in more than two years - and has a total of 12 in the streak.

After Phillips' home run, Herman allowed two walks but no other hits while striking out five batters in three innings, and right-hander Corbin Hoffner struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Quad Cities continues its series with Kane County at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims is scheduled to make his Midwest League debut against Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (9-3).

UP NEXT: Rascal the River Bandit will celebrate his birthday with mascots from around the region before the 7 p.m. game Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Jimmy Buffett Night, and fans can bring copies of their unpaid bills to be entered into a drawing to be paid up to $100 on Pay Your Bill Wednesday, presented by U.S. Bank and Mix 96. 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.