Conferral of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star Upon Governor James R. Thompson

Former Governor of the State of Illinois and Chairman of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association

On April 29, 2014 (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2014 Spring Imperial Decorations.  Among the 55 foreign recipients is Governor James R. Thompson, former Governor of the State of Illinois and Chairman of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association.  He will receive The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star in recognition of his significant contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding and the strengthening of economic relations between Japan and the United States.  The prestigious decoration is conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

DECORATION: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star

SERVICE: Contributed to the promotion of mutual understanding and the strengthening of economic relations between Japan and the United States

NAME (AGE): James R. Thompson (77)

MAJOR TITLES:

l  Former Governor of the State of Illinois

l  Chairman of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association

l  Senior Chairman of Winston & Strawn LLP

ADDRESS (NATIONALITY): Chicago, Illinois (USA)

Governor Thompson's achievements regarding Japan are impressive and many.  As Governor, he took the initiative to promote trade and investment between Japan and Illinois.  He led 8 Illinois missions to Japan, the most by any Governor in the United States, and he had many successful meetings with top Japanese business executives.  His leadership achieved a significant expansion of the Japan-Illinois business partnership.  Mitsubishi Motors selected Illinois for its large vehicle assembly plant, after Governor Thompson presented his state's key advantages beginning with his first trip to Japan in 1979.  During his tenure as Governor, the number of Japanese business facilities in Illinois more than doubled from 260 to 610 and their employment tripled from 12,000 to 38,000.  Illinois became the first state with two offices in Japan:  Osaka in 1983 and Tokyo in 1987.

Governor Thompson has been serving as the Chairman of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association since 2003.  The annual conferences held in Japan and the U.S. bring together government and business leaders to advance new business ties.  Seven Japanese prefectures and nine Midwest states are members.  Governor Thompson's exemplary leadership and that of Mr. Yuzaburo Mogi, Chairman of the Japan-Midwest U.S. Association, and Honorary CEO and Chairman of the Board, Kikkoman Corporation, continue to make the conference a tremendous success.

Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fumio Kishida, has sent a congratulatory message to Governor Thompson that recognizes his outstanding contributions.

Governor Thompson's Career

Governor Thompson received a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1959.  Before being appointed by President Nixon as U.S. Attorney in Chicago (1971-1975), Governor Thompson argued more than 200 cases before the Illinois Supreme Court and argued the landmark Escobedo case in the Supreme Court of the United States.  He also served as an Associate Professor at Northwestern University School of Law, an Assistant State's Attorney of Cook County (1959-1964), and an Assistant Attorney General of Illinois (1969-1970).

As Illinois' longest-serving chief executive (14 years), Governor Thompson was noted for his skill in settling difficult labor-management problems, his ability to manage one of the nation's largest public budgets while maintaining one of the nation's highest state bond ratings, and his leadership role among his peers.  He served as Chairman of the National Governors' Association, the Midwestern Governors' Conference, the Council of Great Lakes Governors, and the Republican Governors' Association.  During his tenure in office, he traveled abroad extensively on behalf of Illinois business interests, meeting with foreign heads of state and leading government officials; he also led numerous trade missions to Japan, Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East on behalf of Illinois businesses.

In 1989, President George H.W. Bush appointed Governor Thompson as Chairman of the President's Intelligence Oversight Board, a position he held until 1993. He was a Commissioner of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States (9-11 Commission) by appointment of Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Listed in 1997, 2000, and 2013 by The National Law Journal as one of the nation's 100 most influential lawyers, Governor James Thompson served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of Winston & Strawn from 1991 to 2006, as well as Chairman and CEO of the firm from 1993 to 2006.  As Chairman, he oversaw the growth of the firm, both domestically and internationally.  He presently serves as Senior Chairman.

(Rock Island, IL) -More than 100 volunteers from the Royal Neighbors of America Home Office and area chapters are scheduled to observe JOIN HANDS DAY on Saturday, May 3, by "Growing & Giving Together^SM." The group also will include individuals from Girl Scout Troop 5895, Rock Island; the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners; and The Friends of Riverside Park Gardens. Also invited are women and their families who use the services of area social services agencies.

Riverside Park in Moline will be the site of several projects including planting fruit, vegetable, and herb gardens which will benefit the Sacred Heart and St. Mary's Food Pantries; designing a children's garden; and creating make-and-take container gardens. Master gardeners will be on site to teach participants how to plant and maintain the gardens. It is estimated that when harvested, the food will feed nearly 100 women and their families.

WHAT: Planting gardens in observance of JOIN HANDS DAY

WHEN: Saturday, May 3; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Riverside Gardens and Park, 5th Avenue and 34th Street, Moline, IL

CONTACTS: Vickie Sedam (563) 320-1137; Sarah Reemtsma (563) 343-7770

In the event of inclement weather, outdoor garden work will be rescheduled for June.  The make-and-take container garden event will go on as scheduled from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

In its 15th year, JOIN HANDS DAY is sponsored by America's fraternal benefit societies such

as Royal Neighbors of America. The day of service provides an opportunity for adults and young people to build relationships through volunteer activities. As partners, adults and youths work together to plan, organize, and implement activities that improve their neighborhoods.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance organizations, exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance and annuity products to fulfill financial needs of growth, savings, and protection. Members receive valuable benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization's local chapters to help make a difference in their communities. The organization's philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of Neighbors^SM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ, Royal Neighbors serves more than 200,000 members and is licensed to do business in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

Davenport, Iowa, April 25, 2013 - The delegates of the Quad City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, voted at their April 21, 2014, Labor Council meeting to endorse the following candidates for the upcoming Primary Election on June 3rd:

Scott County:

Democrat Primary - Supervisor James Laird and Brinson Kinzer

Republican Primary - Supervisor William P Cusack

Muscatine County:

Democrat Primary - Supervisor Rob Krysh

Recorder Nancy Long

Treasurer Kas Kelly

The Labor Council believes that these candidates are the best choice for Scott and Muscatine County Working Families. The Labor Council has not made primary endorsements in Louisa County which is also part of the labor council jurisdiction, but will consider making them before the General Election.

We at the Quad City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, realize that voting is a deeply personal matter, and it is the first responsibility of a citizen in a democracy. Therefore we take candidate endorsements seriously and have a vetting process that includes a questionnaire and interview with delegates to the Quad City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO in order to be considered for endorsement for the June 3rd Primary Election.

We hope that you will vote pro-worker by voting in the Primary Election, Tuesday, June 3, or by voting early. Voters may vote from home by requesting an absentee ballot from the County Auditor's Office.

Early voting in person at the Auditor's office is also available starting Thursday, April 24, 2014, through Monday, June 2nd.

After increase in assaults on Iowa campuses, Congressman proposes solution on campus sexual assault reform

Washington, D.C. - After recent reports detailing an increase in sexual assault incidents on the campuses of the University of Iowa and Grinnell College, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today suggested that students convicted of sexual assault should be forced to return any federal aid they'd previously received.

"The government shouldn't be subsidizing the education of those committing sexual assault on our college campuses," Braley said. "We need to do whatever is necessary to protect our students and punish those who commit these types of heinous crimes."

Braley's concern comes after an increase in reports of sexual assault at the University of Iowa, where new policies are being implemented and considered to address the issue. Grinnell College also reported this week that sexual assault reports were nearly as high as schools with far higher student populations.

"Sexual assault is a heinous crime and we should not let convicted criminals benefit from aid meant for law abiding citizens," Braley wrote.

Braley has been a long time champion of sexual assault prevention?recently working for reforms to combat that crime in our military. This year, Braley's guest to the State of the Union Address was Anu Bhagwati, Executive Director of the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN)?a group that has been at the center of the national effort to reform the military's handling of military sexual assault.

In 2011, Braley introduced the Holley Lynn James Act--a bill to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in the military get justice. The bipartisan bill was named after a constituent of Braley's who was killed by her husband while both were in the service.

A copy of Braley's letter is available below:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama,

I am writing to you today regarding the rise of sexual assaults on our nation's college campuses. I am glad to see your enhanced focus on this important issue.

Recently, the University of Iowa along with Grinnell College reported a climb in reports of sexual assaults on campus. Grinnell College, which has a student body of just 1,670 students, had 26 sexual offenses reported between 2010 and 2012. This rise in reporting assaults is prevalent throughout the country. According to a study done by the National Institute of Justice, nearly one in five women will be sexually assaulted in college. A robust and comprehensive plan is needed to combat this issue. One measure that I urge you to consider in that plan would be a clawback of federal student aid received by a student who is convicted of committing a sexual assault on campus. Sexual assault is a heinous crime and we should not let convicted criminals benefit from aid meant for law abiding citizens.

I thank you for your effort to combat this issue and look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley