Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today released the following statement on the bipartisan agreement proposed by Senators John McCain and Bernie Sanders in response to recent reports of misconduct within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"We need solutions to the VA's chronic problems, and I believe this proposal contains many of those solutions. I'm hopeful the U.S. House can also work across the aisle to present a similar plan?and I'm ready and willing to work with anyone who shares my goal of addressing the VA's problems head on in a constructive and substantive way."

Against All Odds Determined Disabled Veteran Completes Training to Become First Blind Salesforce.com Administrator, Giving Hope to New Recruits

Washington, DC, June 6, 2014 - The Veterans Workshop is proud to announce the successful Salesforce.com Administrator Certification of Blind American Veteran Richard Holleman, USS Navy, 1980-1984. Working closely with David Butcher of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation; Holleman was determined to find employment and enroll in a training program offered through the Veterans Workshop that teaches blind veterans a new skill.

"Mr. Butcher told me about the Veterans Workshop program," stated Holleman, "being able to take the classes virtually on-line in the company of other Veterans was a perfect fit for me."  Richard Holleman, who is blind, faced many challenges to finding fulltime work.  "I investigated a lot of programs and researched other opportunities before landing on the Veterans Workshop Salesforce.com Administrator certification class. The guidance and camaraderie from my fellow Veterans was amazing, and helped me succeed."

"The mission of the Veterans Workshop is to open doors for disabled veterans not close them," states Hilary Snyder, US Marine and Veterans Workshop program manager.  "Our main objective is to provide opportunities and find corporate partners who share our vision, like Salesforce.com to deliver results. The Veterans Workshop training program would not be a success without the support of our technical partners like Salesforce.com!"

Throughout the 10 week training, Richard Holleman was amazed by the skills he gained.  He became proficient in Salesforce.com, Microsoft Word, Adobe, Pardot automated marketing and utilized the tools available in Google+.  Holleman added, "The training was extremely beneficial and I would highly recommend it to any Veteran!"

About Veterans Workshop: The Veterans Workshop (VW) is a 501(c)(3) veteran operated non-profit organization. The organization's innovative online job training program through the Veterans Vocational Technical Institute are designed specifically to meet the needs of disabled veterans. The organization also raises funds for service and rehabilitation work in connection with the US Department of Veterans Affairs and other corporate technology partners.  Learn more at www.vetsworkshop.org.

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As part of the Rock Island Library's Paws to Read Summer Reading program, the Library will host a variety of free educational and fun performances for children and families this June.

Go Mad for Science with Free Educational Shows at Rock Island Library

Rock Island, IL: Children and families will go absolutely mad for science, with two performances from Mad Science of Iowa Plus on Monday, June 16 at Rock Island Public Libraries.

The show of hands-on, kid friendly science experiments will be presented at 10:00 am at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, and again at 1:00 pm, at the Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Presented by Jim Birkel, each show includes experiments that fizz, pop, and spark a child's interest in science, with many opportunities for kid volunteers to get in on the action. The educational fun includes short stories about the scientists and concepts involved in the experiments.

Each show is free and open to the public. The special performances are part of the Paws to Read Summer Reading program, which offers reading contests and educational fun for all ages from June 2 to Aug. 2 at Rock Island Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branch Libraries.

For more information about Rock Island Summer Reading, visit any Rock Island Main, 30/31 or Southwest Branches, go to www.rockislandlibrary.org call 309-732-READ (7323.) A downloadable events calendar is available on the library website at the newsletters and calendars link.

Slither into the "Reptile Experience" at Rock Island Library

Rock Island, IL: If snakes, spiders and other creepy-crawly creatures are your thing, Serengeti Steve has just the show for you. The highly energetic and fearless reality television contestant brings just a small portion of his collection of more than 200 species of reptiles and arachnids to the Rock Island Main Library from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 19.

Join us in our Community Room at 401 19th Street for a fun and informative program with plenty of audience participation. In previous shows, Serengeti Steve has been known to hold a live scorpion in his mouth, set lizards on kids' heads, let audience members hold a snake, see a huge spider up close, and hug an alligator. The result is an educational, entertaining program that shows, tells and thrills audiences of all ages. The show is free and open to the public.

The special performance is part of the Paws to Read Summer Reading program, which offers reading contests and educational fun for all ages from June 2 to Aug. 2 at Rock Island Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branch Libraries.

For more information about Rock Island Summer Reading, visit any Rock Island Main, 30/31 or Southwest Branches, go to www.rockislandlibrary.org call 309-732-READ (7323.) A downloadable events calendar is available on the library website at the newsletters and calendars link.

Juggle in Some Fun with a Free Juggling Show and Workshop

Rock Island, IL: Everyone becomes a juggler, with two performances of the See a Juggler! Be a Juggler! show coming to the Rock Island Public Library on Thursday, June 26.

High-energy professional juggler Jason Kollum presents his interactive, juggling participation show at 10:00 am in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street, and again at 1:00 pm at the Rock Island Southwest Branch Community Room, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Part entertainment show, part learning workshop, Kollum's show starts with a rock and roll juggling variety show, and then moves to a hands-on skills workshop where everyone learns balancing and juggling skills.

His See a Juggler! Be a Juggler! shows are free and open to the public, and are ideal for all ages and families. The special performances are part of the Paws to Read Summer Reading program, which offers reading contests and educational fun for all ages from June 2 to Aug. 2 at Rock Island Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branch Libraries.

For more information about Rock Island Summer Reading, visit any Rock Island Main, 30/31 or Southwest Branches, go to www.rockislandlibrary.org call 309-732-READ (7323.) A downloadable events calendar is available on the library website at the newsletters and calendars link.

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

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Congratulates Recent Finalists Alia Abiad and Pranav Sivakumar

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today congratulated Illinois' recent finalists in the Scripps National Spelling Bee for their achievements as representatives of the state. Alia Abiad, an eighth grader at McClure Junior High School in Western Springs, recently returned from the prestigious event in Washington, D.C. where she placed fifth. Also recognized was Pranav Sivakumar, who placed second in last year's Bee. The Governor congratulated Abiad and Sivakumar today at an event in Chicago.

"Alia and Pranav traveled to the National Spelling Bee as representatives of our state and we can truly say that they've made Illinois proud," Governor Quinn said. "These young students showed how important hard work and a good education are for achieving success. I applaud them both and all of the other talented students from across our nation for their efforts in our nation's spelling bee."

Through preliminaries and semifinals Abiad correctly spelled fête, sultana, concinnate, misère, quebrada, collyrium, buñuel and brindisi. She advanced to the final twelve from an original 281 from across the nation and several foreign countries.

Abiad enjoys traveling, practicing the violin and also plays in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. She previously competed in the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee, tying for 19th place. According to her spelling roster, she cites Pope Francis as an inspiration.

Also honored at today's event was last year's second place finisher, Pranav Sivakumar. Sivakumar, of Grayslake, Illinois, made a remarkable run in the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee which was his third consecutive appearance in the Bee. Among the words he spelled successfully were: transrhenane, masoola, semainier, faconne and avellaneous. Sivakumar cited his role model to be Astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.

Governor Quinn is committed to properly funding education in Illinois in order to give every child the opportunity for success. The Governor's 5-year budget blueprint includes a historic $6 billion increase in classroom spending over the next five years, doubling the investment in college scholarships for students in need and increasing access to higher education through dual enrollment and early college programs. Over the next five years, the Governor's plan would bring classroom funding to the highest levels in Illinois history.