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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Churches United of the Quad City Area is extremely proud and thankful to announce the award of a grant in the amount of $30,000.00 from the Riverboat Development Authority, to be utilized for our Hunger Program.

The Riverboat Development Authority has been a vital supporter of this mission, and we are extremely grateful to them for helping to address the hunger needs in our community.

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WEST BRANCH, IOWA– Herbert Hoover National Historic Site invites visitors to attend free ranger programs this summer.

Dr. Richard Baker continues his lecture series "Geology of the National Parks" with presentations on Acadia and Great Smoky Mountains (Wednesday, June 18 at 7 p.m.) and Mount Rainier and Crater Lake (Saturday, July 26 at 2 p.m.).  The programs are free. Meet at the visitor center.

Special musical events "Music on the Village Green" continue each Thursday night in June at 7 p.m.. The weekly performances feature bluesman Kevin "B.F." Burt (June 5), folk blues duo Joe and Vicki Price (June 12), mariachi musicians Las Guitarras De Mexico (June 19), and contemporary country performer Danika Holmes featuring Jeb Hart (June 26).

Join a national park ranger for "Campfire on the Village Green" on Saturday, June 14. The program is free and begins at 9:00 p.m. The ranger will discuss how national parks restore and preserve remnants of our nation's once vast tallgrass prairie. Visitors and their families are welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, and toasting sticks and marshmallows.

On Saturday, June 21 and Monday, September 1, take the "Tallgrass Prairie Walk" to find out how and why the National Park Service is reconstructing this endangered habitat as part of the landscape commemorating Herbert Hoover's life. The walk begins at the Tallgrass Prairie Observation Deck (at the Gravesite Parking Lot) at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Take a walking tour of Herbert Hoover National Historic Site on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. from July 9 through August 13.  A ranger leads you through the park's historic buildings: the Birthplace Cottage, Blacksmith Shop, Schoolhouse, and Friends Meetinghouse. The tour begins and ends at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in time for the 7 p.m. Wednesday movie.

Learn about "Herbert Hoover's National Parks" on Saturday, July 19. As President, Herbert Hoover's administration created a number of new national parks and monuments. Join a park ranger to learn about some of these special places. This indoor presentation takes place at 2 p.m. in the visitor center.

"Hoover's Hometown Days" on August 1 and 2 celebrates the life of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States. Enjoy free family fun Friday night and all day Saturday with a variety of family entertainment, craft vendors and more! Saturday night, view a spectacular fireworks display accompanied with music by the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. The celebration takes place throughout downtown West Branch. Visit www.hoovershometowndays.org for more information.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the 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