FAYETTE, IA (06/05/2014)(readMedia)-- Upper Iowa University names its 2013-14 Dean's List. To be honored, the undergraduate must have earned a minimum 3.50 GPA for the semester and be enrolled as a full-time student.

Amanda Smith, a Athletic Training major from Moline, IL

Samantha Thrapp, a Psychology major from Davenport, IA

Gina Fox, a Nursing major from Bettendorf, IA

Nicole Belz, a Business Administration major from Davenport, IA

William Stellmach, a Accounting major from Davenport, IA

Adam Chitwood, a Accounting major from Davenport, IA

Shawn Cotton, a Criminal Justice major from LeClaire, IA

Jann Hebrank, a Psychology major from Park View, IA

Tara Harmon, a Psychology major from Long Grove, IA

Gene Lucas, a Psychology major from Bettendorf, IA

Peter Mullarkey, a Accounting major from Bettendorf, IA

Kathryn Troendle, a Human Services major from Bettendorf, IA

Samantha Barber, a Accounting major from Long Grove, IA

Jessica Buntemeyer, a Psychology major from Davenport, IA

Shannon Heck, a Business Administration major from Davenport, IA

Britta Ogden, a Human Resources Management major from Davenport, IA

Nicholas Pillard, a Business Administration major from Davenport, IA

Marissa Reese, a Human Services major from Bettendorf, IA

Travis Zurcher, a Financial Management major from Moline, IL

About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 6,200 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced degree programs. With a focus on developing leaders and lifelong learners, UIU provides dual enrollment programs for high school students as well as continuing education and professional development opportunities for learners of any age. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the steps they are taking to help pork producers combat the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV). The USDA announced today that they released $26.2 million in funding to combat PEDv, which has killed an estimated 7 million piglets in the last year. According to the USDA, these viruses do not pose any risk to human health or food safety.

"Today's announcement by the USDA is welcomed news for both producers and consumers. Over the last year, consumers have seen the price of pork rise by almost 10 percent and producers have lost nearly 7 million piglets because of PEDv. I am glad the USDA is taking steps to help combat this virus and I will continue to work to ensure the necessary steps are taken to lessen the impact on producers and consumers."

Click here for additional information from USDA.

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New Law to Provide Secondary Students with Life-Saving Skills in Case of an Emergency

NORMAL - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bill that will require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training for students in all Illinois high schools. The Governor was joined by the Laman and Bell families and the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois at their annual meeting in Normal to sign the measure. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure the safety of people in every community across Illinois.

"It is not often our high school students are faced with the opportunity to save a life," Governor Quinn said. "Should an emergency arise, we want our students ready to step in and take action. This common-sense law will make sure they are better prepared to help their classmates, teachers, family and friends in case of an emergency."

House Bill 3724, sponsored by State Representative Daniel Burke (D-Chicago) and State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago), requires that all secondary schools in Illinois train students on how to properly administer CPR and how to use an AED. The new law allows students to opt out of the training if their parents submit a written objection. The law will be effective for the 2014-2015 school year.

The bill was recommended by George Laman, whose daughter Lauren collapsed and died at her high school drill team practice in 2008. An AED was available at the school but was not used until the paramedics arrived 13 minutes after the initial emergency call. Because Mr. Laman is a paramedic, he realized there was a need for training in CPR and AED usage in high schools across Illinois.

In January, Eric Bell's heart stopped due to a blockage in one of his arteries. His son Harry was able to correctly perform CPR on his father for twelve minutes until paramedics arrived on the scene. Harry, a junior at Fenwick High School, learned CPR during health class at the Catholic school in Oak Park. Eric believes he would not be alive today if it wasn't for Harry's quick reaction and previous training of CPR.

"We'd like to recognize the bill sponsors for helping make Illinois a safer place to live, and Governor Quinn for his long commitment to public safety in this state," Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois President Pat Devaney said.

"I would like to thank the Laman family for their remarkable efforts and their tireless work for House Bill 3724," Representative Burke said. "The loss of their daughter, Lauren, is what precipitated their efforts. It is important for people to know that this woman's legacy is now law and kids will be trained in these areas and could potentially save thousands of lives in the future."

"There are AEDs in schools now, but people need to know how to use them before they are effective," Senator Mulroe said. "These tools and the CPR and AED training are life-saving measures that our young people will be able to use the rest of their lives."

Since taking office, Governor Quinn has worked to improve public safety by supporting AED and CPR measures and programs. As Lieutenant Governor, in 2006 he announced the Heartsaver AED Fund to provide matching grants for AED purchases for public schools, park districts, conservation districts, forest preserves and public colleges and universities. He has expanded access to AEDs in public places across the state, and signed legislation to provide civil protections for citizens trained in CPR.

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Washington, D.C., June 5, 2014 - In response to the significant impact porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) are having on U.S. pork producers, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $26.2 million in funding to combat these diseases. Additionally, USDA issued a Federal Order requiring the reporting of new detections of these viruses to its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) or State animal health officials.

These viruses do not pose any risk to human health or food safety, and they are commonly detected in countries around the world.

"In the last year, industry has estimated PEDv has killed some 7 million piglets and caused tremendous hardship for many American pork producers," said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. "The number of market-ready hogs this summer could fall by more than 10 percent relative to 2013 because of PEDv. Together with industry and our State partners, the steps we will take through the Federal Order will strengthen the response to PEDv and these other viruses and help us lessen the impact to producers, which ultimately benefit the consumers who have seen store pork prices rise by almost 10 percent in the past year."

The $26.2 million will be used for a variety of activities to support producers and combat these diseases, including:

• $3.9 million to be used by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to support the development of vaccines
• $2.4 million to cooperative agreement funding for States to support management and control activities
• $500,000 to herd veterinarians to help with development and monitoring of herd management plans and sample collection
• $11.1 million in cost-share funding for producers of infected herds to support biosecurity practices.
• $2.4 million for diagnostic testing
• $1.5 million to National Animal Health Laboratory Network diagnostic laboratories for genomic sequencing for newly positive herds

APHIS' Federal Order requires producers, veterinarians, and diagnostic laboratories to report all cases of PEDv and other new swine enteric coronavirus diseases to USDA and State animal health officials. The industry is already seeing herds previously impacted by the virus become re-infected, and routine and standard disease reporting will help identify the magnitude of the disease in the United States and can help determine whether additional actions are needed.

The Federal Order also requires that operations reporting these viruses work with their veterinarian or USDA or State animal health officials to develop and implement a reasonable management plan to address the detected virus and prevent its spread. Plans will be based on industry-recommended best practices, and include disease monitoring through testing and biosecurity measures. These steps will help to reduce virus shed in affected animals, prevent further spread of the disease, and enable continued movement of animals for production and processing.

The international animal health governing body, the OIE, believes that cases of PEDv and these other swine enteric coronavirus diseases shouldn't be the basis for countries to restrict exports of pork and pork products from the U.S.

For full details of the Federal Order and program requirements, along with a Q&A on this topic, visit the APHIS website at: www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/secd

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

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