Rebuilding Together Hosts April 5 Trivia Night

Quad Cities, IA/IL: Rebuilding Together Quad Cities, a volunteer-based home rehabilitation group, will host an April 5 trivia night to help support its work. The group provides free repairs for elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners who are physically or financially unable to do the work themselves.

The trivia night is Saturday, April 5 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1111 W. 35^th Street, Davenport, Iowa. Doors open at 6:30 pm. with the trivia game starting at 7:00 pm. Cost to play is $10 per player. Mulligan and doubler stickers will be sold, along with chances to bid on extra assistance from a "rent a geek" in the latter rounds of play. The event also features a silent auction and raffle prizes.

Players may bring snacks for their tables, but no carry-in drinks are allowed. A cash bar is available.

To reserve a table of up to eight players, please call 563-322-6534 or email trivia@rebuildingtogetherquadcities.org. The group will also take reservations via its Facebook page at RebuildingTogetherQuadCities

MOLINE - Feb. 28, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon was today joined by representatives of Verizon and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) to name four Moline High School students the first place winners of the "NO MORE Dating Abuse" video challenge. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.

"It is important that young people can recognize signs of an unhealthy relationship and know how to get out," said Simon, a former prosecutor who founded Virtual Legal Clinics to aid abuse survivors in underserved areas of the state. "These students produced strong messages to help their peers identify the signs of unhealthy relationships and showed that it's never too late to seek help or speak up when you see a friend in trouble."

Now in its second year, this challenge is the first of its kind in Illinois and is coordinated by the ICADV and the Lt. Governor's office, and sponsored by Verizon. Last September, all high schools throughout the state were encouraged to invite their students to submit a video that called for the end of teen dating violence and promoted healthy relationships. Moline High School received $1,000 for submitting the winning entries, and students on the winning team received iPads.

"Two primary components are highlighted by this project: the public and private partnerships with Verizon and the Lt. Governor's Office, and the enthusiasm and engagement of the youth all working together to help end domestic violence in Illinois," said ICADV Chief Executive Officer Vickie Smith.

"The unique perspective that teens bring to these videos is so important in helping to increase their understanding, awareness and communication on the topic of healthy relationships and domestic violence," said Verizon Wireless Region President Brian Pascoe. "We are proud of their work and appreciate the opportunity to support this program with the Lt. Governor."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), almost 10 percent of high school students reported being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend. About one in five women and nearly one in seven men who have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age, the CDCP reports.

The winning videographers at Moline High School are: Gabrielle Pinc, Travis Meier, Elane Edwards and J.J. Schrick. Their nearly one-minute video shows teens how to identify the signs of an unhealthy relationship, how victims can get help, and urges teens to support healthy relationships. The second and third place teams are from South Elgin High School Beacon Academy and Eastland Junior/Senior High School in Lanark, IL, respectively. To view the top three winning videos, please visit www.ilcadv.org.

Diverse community celebrates heritage, proud history of service

SILVIS - Feb. 28, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon was joined today by state and local officials to name the Village of Silvis as the newest Illinois Main Street community. Silvis becomes the 41st community to hold the Illinois Main Street designation.

"Silvis got its start as the hub of the Rock Island Lines, and continues to be a community on the move," said Simon, the Illinois Main Street Ambassador. "Today Silvis is a vibrant, welcoming city that celebrates its history and diversity."

Today's designation comes after years of economic and population growth in Silvis, a 2012 recipient of the Governor's Hometown Award. Now home to more than 7,000 residents, one of the city's main destinations is Hero Street, U.S.A. The street was renamed in 1968 to honor 57 service members from 33 families who served their country between 1941 and 1968. Six of those died serving during World War II and two during the Korean War. By 1989, over 110 men and women from the block-and-a-half Hero Street, U.S.A. had served in a branch of the United States Military.

"We are very excited to be named the newest Illinois Main Street community and to be able to showcase our many hometown friendly amenities," said Silvis Main Street, Inc. President Dave Emerick. "To be associated with the other municipalities who have earned this special designation is a real honor for the many individuals who have worked so hard to arrive at this day of achievement."

Thousands of visitors head to Silvis each year for events including the John Deere Golf Classic, yearly Mexican Fiesta and the annual Moonlight Parade. Each summer the pro golf event and the only lighted parade for hundreds of miles bring tens of thousands of tourists to the area.

Lt. Governor Simon serves as the ambassador of the Illinois Main Street Program. Over the past 20 years, Illinois Main Street communities have created 9,300 jobs, opened over 1,200 new businesses, and represent public and private investment of over $750 million. In Illinois, 41 communities hold the Illinois Main Street designation.

Letter sent as President Obama reappoints Gov. Branstad as Co-Chairman of the Council of Governors

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad today joined a letter signed by 50 governors to President Obama to express overwhelming bipartisan concerns regarding the Obama Administration's proposed Army budget.

The governors write:  "For more than a decade, our National Guard has demonstrated that it is a cost-effective, operational force that is critical to our national security at home and abroad."

This past weekend, Gov. Branstad discussed his concerns about the cuts to the National Guard with his colleagues during the meetings of the National Governors Association.  He also directly shared concerns with President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of Defense Hagel, and additional high-level Pentagon leaders.

In addition, President Obama yesterday announced he reappointed Gov. Branstad as co-chairman of the Council of Governors.

The Council of Governors was established by the National Defense Authorization Act in 2008 to strengthen further partnership between the Federal and State governments as it pertains to national security. The council is balanced by political party and serves the nation as a whole. The governors serve two-year terms and are appointed by the President. The President designates two members of different political affiliations to serve as co-chairs of the Council. The governors work closely with the Adjutants General, including Major General Timothy Orr, to help amplify the states' perspective in Federal policy discussions.

Governor Branstad stated the following: "Iowans are served extremely well by the men and women of the Iowa National Guard.  The Guard has helped communities across Iowa effectively respond to disasters, like floods and tornadoes, and Guard personnel have aptly served our entire nation abroad since 9/11."

Lt. Governor Reynolds stated the following: "In a time of fiscal constraints the Guard provides our nation with a cost-effective hedge against risk, provides capability and capacity, and the ability to quickly surge to meet our nation's security needs.  With the Guard we get double value as Guard personnel serve our citizens at home during emergencies, and serve effectively in operations overseas."

Major General Timothy Orr, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, stated the following:  "The Iowa National Guard has proven its readiness, reliability, and cost-effectiveness continually over the past 12 years. The performance of our Soldiers, Airmen, and units during the historic operation tempo of our nation's military has been second to none, particularly as evidenced by the deployment of more than 17,000 Iowa National Guard Soldiers and Airmen in defense of our nation since Sept. 11, 2001. We are deeply appreciative of the efforts of Governor Branstad and all of the nation's governors to maintain the readiness and organizational integrity of the National Guard."

Since 9/11, significant growth in the Army active duty was not matched in the Guard personnel increases.  Governors and Adjutants General are now encouraging congressional leaders to preserve National Guard force structure and end-strength.  State leaders understand the need to cut Federal spending and want Federal leaders to work with the Adjutants General to find and achieve cost savings and common ground.  State leaders do not want the Guard to return to its former role as a strategic reserve.  The Guard also helps drive connectivity between the 1% of Americans who serve and the 99% of Americans who do not or have not.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

February 28, 2014

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The nation's governors strongly oppose the potential cuts to the Army National Guard advocated by the U.S. Army's fiscal 2015 budget request.

For more than a decade, our National Guard has demonstrated it is a cost-effective, operational force that is critical to our national security at home and abroad.

As commanders-in-chief, we appreciate the need to reorganize, restructure and modernize the military to meet new threats and economic realities. All sectors of the military need to be involved in meeting the targets set by the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the realities of having fewer forces engaged abroad. In doing so, however, the Army Guard's operational capabilities and 350,000 end strength level must be preserved.

The Army's proposed cuts suggest a pre-2001 strategic reserve construct. Governors are extremely proud of the role that the National Guard plays in protecting this nation and its citizens. The modern National Guard is a highly experienced and capable combat force and an essential state partner in responding to domestic disasters and emergencies. A return to a pre-9/11 role squanders the investment and value of the Guard and discredits its accomplishments at home and as an active combat force.

Two years ago we opposed similar efforts to dramatically cut personnel and equipment from the Air National Guard. Congress subsequently chose not to impose the cuts and called for a National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force. That commission recently concluded that the Guard is a cost-effective and invaluable force that should be a critical component of the total force structure. The Commission's conclusions and the ongoing Army debate strengthen the case for a similar independent review of the Army's future force structure and active and reserve component mix.

We respectfully request that you reconsider proposed cuts to the Army National Guard and changes to the Guard's combat aviation capabilities, and that you work with us to fashion solutions that provide a scalable, cost-effective force that best serves the interests of our nation.