11 Mar 2010

Save the Date: July 3, 2010 Extraordinary Musical Celebration of America's Freedom along Quad-Cities Riverfront

By Rick Martin

(Quad Cities - Iowa/Illinois) - Mark July 3, 2010 on your calendar to attend the most patriotic, musical celebration of our country's freedom in the region. Red, White & Boom organizers, the Mississippi Valley Blues Society and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra are working together to produce a musical extravaganza - complete with fireworks - that will delight music enthusiasts, families and tourists alike. Thanks to generous sponsorship, there will be no charge to attend the festivities.

In addition to Red, White & Boom's traditional family-friendly events that go on throughout the day on July 3 in Davenport and Rock Island, IH Mississippi Valley Blues Fest - one of the top blues festivals in the country - will also be underway in downtown Davenport's LeClaire Park.  Admission to Blues Fest will be free on July 3. New to Blues Fest this year, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra will make a special appearance that evening, performing "Patriot Pops," blues-inspired arrangements and traditional patriotic music.

To top things off, Red, White & Boom's signature fireworks will launch over the Mississippi River during the last 30 minutes of symphony's program, which will be choreographed to the display and broadcast live on radio station STAR 93.5 FM.

Red, White & Boom is the largest bi-state celebration of our country's freedom in the region and is part of RiverVision, a shared plan between the cities of Davenport and Rock Island to develop one of the most spectacular riverfronts in the nation.

IH Mississippi Valley Blues Fest is in its 26th year and is produced by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, an all-volunteer organization with one of the most active blues education programs in the nation.

Specific details about Red, White & Boom and Blues Fest will be released at a later date.

About our Sponsors

Red, White and Boom is sponsored by the Riverboat Development Authority, Genesis Health System, IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, numerous civic partners and is produced by the Iowa Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce Downtown Partnership.

IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is sponsored by IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union, the

Riverboat Development Authority, Scott County Regional Authority and numerous civic partners. For more details visit mvbs.org.

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11 Mar 2010

Build America Bonds getting richer; Goldman Sachs responses

By Sen. Charles Grassley

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Senator Chuck Grassley today made the following comment about the House "jobs" legislation's expansion of the Build America Bonds provision.  The Senate could take up the House bill this week.  Grassley also released two responses from Goldman Sachs to his inquiries about the fees Goldman Sachs has received from Build America Bonds.

"Build America Bonds were created in the stimulus last year as a temporary program. A recently-passed House bill included an expansion.  The Senate then passed a further expansion and sent the bill back to the House.  The House took the Senate's bill and made it richer.  Now a temporary program is becoming bigger, and Wall Street is seeking to make it permanent.  Wall Street is profiting and cheering the expansion.

"Build America Bonds result in higher underwriting fees for the Wall Street banks that underwrite the bonds than for traditional tax-exempt bonds. According to Bloomberg News, Build America Bonds provide 37 percent higher underwriting fees to the large Wall Street banks when compared with traditional tax-exempt bonds.  According to an article in today's Wall Street Journal, Wall Street banks have made more than $1 billion in underwriting fees on Build America Bonds deals in less than a year.  The taxpayers pay for those lucrative fees to Wall Street.

"Build America Bonds are portrayed as an easy way to help school kids and green energy.  What's left out is that this is a spending program disguised as a tax cut, getting bigger each year, and Wall Street takes a healthy share.  In an era of bailouts and disgust with government spending, House members should have to answer for giving yet more taxpayer dollars to Wall Street and foreign investors.  Senators should understand the vote they're about to take."

Background on Build America Bonds:

The 2009 stimulus bill created the Build America Bonds program on a temporary basis, and provides a check from the Treasury Department to the state or local government that issues the bonds equal to 35 percent of the interest costs on the bonds.  The President has proposed in his fiscal year 2011 budget to make the Build America Bonds program permanent but at a reduced 28 percent subsidy level.  The House passed a "jobs" bill that would expand the Build America Bonds program created in the 2009 stimulus bill to two tax-credit bonds ? Qualified School Construction Bonds and Qualified Zone Academy Bonds.  The Senate then expanded the House bill to cover two additional tax-credit bonds ? Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds and Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, and set the federal subsidy for interest costs at 45 percent (65 percent for small issuers, defined as those issuing less than $30 million in bonds per year).  Just last week, the House increased the subsidies from the Senate bill to 100 percent for Qualified School Construction Bonds and Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, and 70 percent for Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds and Clean Renewable Energy Bonds.  The increase in the subsidy percentages made by the House increased the cost of the Build America Bonds provision by more than $2 billion.  The subsidy has gone from big, bigger, to biggest.  Under the House bill, the outlays, which are scored as spending by the Congressional Budget Office, from these bonds will be $13.2 billion through 2020, which will be paid for by federal taxpayers.

Build America Bonds have been popular with industry and states because they are uncapped and provide higher subsidies to local governments and foreign investors than traditional tax-exempt bonds. The Congressional Budget Office originally underestimated the popularity and had to issue a revised cost estimate of an additional $26 billion.  The bonds in the Senate and House "jobs" bills are capped, but the subsidy for the interest expense on school projects in the House bill could cost the federal government more than 100 percent of the financing cost in some cases.  This is because unlike with tax credit bonds, where the federal government collects revenue from taxpayers that have to include the tax credits in income, revenue is not collected from investors such as foreigners, pension funds, or other tax-exempt entities that make up the majority of the holders of Build America Bonds.

Attached are Goldman Sach's responses to Senator Grassley's inquiry on Build America Bonds.  Following is his initial inquiry.

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Grassley Asks Goldman Sachs About Underwriting Fees for Build America Bonds

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, today asked Goldman Sachs whether it would collect double-digit underwriting fees for participating in a newly expanded Build America Bonds program, as included in the "jobs" bill promoted by the Senate Democratic leaders and passed by the Senate today.

Grassley's inquiry came after Goldman Sachs published a newspaper ad in support of the Build America Bonds program, identifying itself as "one of the principal underwriters."  Earlier, an analyst was quoted in the media saying that the generous amount of federal money available in the program gives states and cities leeway to spend generously on underwriting fees.

"I'm interested in finding out whether the big Wall Street investment banks being so involved in, and profiting from, the Build America Bonds program siphons off a lot of taxpayer dollars that are meant to help cities and states," Grassley said.

The text of Grassley's letter today follows.   

February 24, 2010

Mr. Lloyd C. Blankfein

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

85 Broad Street

New York, NY 10004

Dear Mr. Blankfein:

I was interested to see your company's full-page advertisement in support of Build America Bonds in yesterday's edition of the Politico newspaper that stated that Goldman Sachs is "one of the principal underwriters..." of Build America Bonds.  The "jobs bill" that passed the Senate today contained an expansion and an increase in the subsidy levels of the Build America Bonds program.  This increased subsidy allows non-taxpaying entities to receive a check from the American taxpayers equal to either 65 percent or 45 percent (depending on the amount of bonds issued) of these non-taxpaying entities' interest costs on Build America Bonds.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, more commonly known as the stimulus bill, allowed non-taxpaying entities to receive a check from the American taxpayers equal to 35 percent of these non-taxpaying entities' interest costs.  The President has proposed in his most recent budget for non-taxpaying entities to receive a check from the American taxpayers equal to 28 percent of these non-taxpaying entities' interest costs.

A November 27, 2009, Bloomberg article by Jeremy R. Cooke stated that:

"States and municipalities paid an average 37 percent more to investment banks for underwriting Build America Bonds than for handling tax-exempt sales since offerings of the subsidized taxable debt began in April....  'The large subsidy gives them leeway to charge more because the issuer probably cares less about the underwriting fee,'" said Matt Fabian, managing director and senior analyst at Concord, Massachusetts-based independent research firm Municipal Market Advisors.  'They shouldn't care because federal taxpayers will cover the difference.  As a federal taxpayer, I'm highly concerned.'"

I, too, am concerned that American taxpayers are subsidizing larger underwriting fees for Wall Street investment banks, including Goldman Sachs, as a result of the Build America Bonds program.  I have raised concerns about the increased subsidy levels in the Build America Bonds program that passed the Senate today.

As "one of the principal underwriters" of the Build America Bonds program, please answer the following questions:

1. How much in total underwriting fees has Goldman Sachs collected to date on Build America Bonds' issuances?

2. How has Goldman Sachs determined its underwriting fees on Build America Bonds' issuances?

3. Are these underwriting fees larger than the underwriting fees that Goldman Sachs has charged on tax-exempt bond issuances?  If so, how much larger are these underwriting fees?

4. Has Goldman Sachs received any money, in addition to the underwriting fees, in connection with the Build America Bonds program?

5. Does Goldman Sachs expect to receive additional underwriting fees if the Build American Bonds expansion and subsidy increase that passed the Senate today is enacted into law?

Thank you in advance for your prompt response to these questions.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

Ranking Member

11 Mar 2010

USDA Launches Apps for Healthy Kids Competition as part of Let's Move! Campaign Contestants Will Compete for $40,000 in Prizes As They Develop New Tools to Help Raise a Generation of Healthier Kids

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Mar. 10, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture joined First Lady Michelle Obama today in announcing the innovative Apps for Healthy Kids competition to Americans as part of the Let's Move! initiative. Apps for Healthy Kids challenges software developers, game designers, students, and other innovators to develop innovative, fun, and engaging tools and games that help kids and their parents to eat better and be more physically active.

"First Lady Michelle Obama has challenged America to tackle the issues of child nutrition and obesity and she knows that the Federal Government cannot do it alone - which is why we are launching this challenge, to tap America's ingenuity by enlisting the most creative, talented, and kid-savvy innovators across the nation to put their skills to the cause of empowering parents and inspiring kids to get active and eat healthy," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Apps for Healthy Kids competition entries will leverage the recently-released MyPyramid 1,000 food database to create web or mobile-based apps in two categories. The first set of prizes will be awarded to digital games that best engage and motivate kids to eat healthy and be physically active. The second set of prizes will be awarded to the most creative tools for parents striving to make the right choices for their kids. So when they are planning meals, at the grocery store, or picking up dinner on the way home from work, parents can instantly access easy-to-understand nutritional information they can trust.

Contestants will compete for $40,000 in cash prizes and the chance to shine before USDA's all-star panel of judges, including Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, Inc.; Mark Pincus, CEO of Zynga Game Network, Inc.; Michael Levine, Executive Director of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop; Mike Gallagher, President and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association; Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; and David Lazarus, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture.

In addition to medal winners, the judges will announce a Popular Choice Award, which will go to the contestant with the most public votes. Members of the public can register and vote at www.AppsforHealthyKids.com, between noon on July 14 to noon on August 14.

All winners will be honored at a White House event in Washington, DC. Importantly, Apps for Healthy Kids gives game developers and other innovators the chance to help give kids the healthy lives they deserve.

Entries must be submitted between March 10, and June 30, 2010. Official rules may be found at www.AppsForHealthyKids.com.

The U.S Department of Agriculture is an active member of the Let's Move! team, alongside the Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information on the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative visit www.LetsMove.gov. The Apps for Healthy Kids competition is a collaborative initiative of the White House Office of the First Lady, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.

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11 Mar 2010

IFAA Offers Iowa Youth $81,000 In Scholarships

By Dr. Harold H. Hodson

DES MOINES, IA (03/10/2010)(readMedia)-- College-bound Iowa youth active in 4-H and/or FFA livestock projects and current undergraduate students may apply for $81,000 in scholarships available from the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA).

The scholarships are available to freshmen entering any Iowa two- or four-year post-secondary institution this fall or current undergraduates attending Iowa State University. Applicants must major in animal science or a curriculum in agriculture or human sciences that is related to the animal industry, according to IFAA spokesman Harold H. Hodson. The awards include :

• Three $5,500 one-year scholarships

• Four $5,000 one-year scholarships

• One $3,000 one-year scholarship

• One $2,500 one-year scholarships

• Eight $2,000 one-year scholarships

• Five $1,500 one-year scholarships

• Fourteen $1,000 one-year scholarships

• Three $500 one-year scholarships

Applications and additional information are available by visiting the Sale of Champions section of the Iowa State Fair's web site (www.iowastatefair.org), the IFAA web site (www.ifaa.org), or by calling 515/685-3719. Selection will be based on level of 4-H/FFA involvement in livestock project work, livestock exhibition and/or judging, scholarship, leadership and career plans. Applications for current undergraduate students must be postmarked by April 1, 2010 and applications for incoming freshmen must be postmarked by June 1, 2010. All materials should be sent to Winner's Circle Scholarship, c/o SGI, 30805 595th Avenue, Cambridge, IA 50046.

Winners will be announced during the Iowa State Fair's annual 4-H/FFA Sale of Champions on August 21, an event sponsored by IFAA. The IFAA is a non-profit organization founded in 1988. It is comprised of agricultural enthusiasts dedicated to encouraging 4-H and FFA livestock, poultry and agricultural project members to pursue Ag-related careers. IFAA scholarship funds come from a percentage of Sale of Champions proceeds, as well as Winner's Circle Club donations.

The 2010 Iowa State Fair is set for "Non Stop Fun" August 12-22. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or check out www.iowastatefair.org.

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11 Mar 2010

Iowa College Aid Announces Free ACT®, SAT® and GRE® Test Prep

By Heather Doe

Students can prepare for free at www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov

Des Moines, IA., March 10, 2009 - Iowa students have access to a free test preparation resource to help them prepare for quickly approaching ACT® and SAT® test dates. Free online ACT® and SAT® test prep, available through Iowa's statewide community portal, www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov, adapts to the skill level of the user, provides personal tutoring with immediate feedback on every incorrect answer, and sends emails about what to study next. There also is a test prep component for the GRE®, an admissions test used by many graduate and business schools to evaluate readiness for graduate level work. A separate vocabulary builder helps all students increase their vocabulary in preparation for testing.

The Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid) launched www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov in 2009 to help students progress through middle school, high school, college and beyond and to provide tools for adults seeking education and employment opportunities. "We believe all Iowans should have the same opportunities to prepare for college admissions exams," said Karen Misjak, executive director of Iowa College Aid. "Iowa families could save nearly $1.5 million if every Iowa high school junior and senior takes advantage of the free test preparation at www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov. It is important for all Iowans to have a plan for accomplishing their college and employment goals. The State of Iowa is committed to providing the tools and resources needed
to make that a reality."

While the ACT® and SAT® are both standardized college admissions tests accepted by most colleges and universities, there are differences. Students should first check to see if the colleges they are interested in attending prefer one test over the other. If either test is accepted, Iowa College Aid recommends students keep the following differences in mind when determining which test is best suited to their skills and strengths.

The ACT® tests students on subject matter covered in high school while the SAT® is considered an aptitude test that measures reasoning or critical thinking. The ACT® has four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. The SAT® has three sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing.  The SAT has a required writing section, while the writing section is optional in the ACT.  While both the ACT® and SAT® are primarily multiple choice tests (except for the writing section), the SAT has a math section that requires students to produce their own answers.  The SAT® penalizes students slightly for wrong answers, while the ACT® does not.

For more information about the free test prep and other resources available through www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov , students and families can contact Iowa College Aid's Information Service Center at 877-272-4456. In addition, more information to help Iowa families plan, prepare and pay for college is available on Iowa College Aid's website at www.IowaCollegeAid.gov.

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About the Iowa College Student Aid Commission
As the state's designated guaranty agency for the Family Federal Education Loan Program (FFELP), Iowa College Aid guarantees more than $853 million annually in student loans from private lenders to support over 78,000 Iowa students and parents.. In addition, Iowa College Aid administers state  scholarship, grant, work study, and loan forgiveness programs totaling over $68.5 million, provides borrowers with assistance to avoid the serious consequences of default, conducts research and distributes higher education data, and offers Iowans assistance in obtaining student financial aid
and college-related information. More information is available at www.IowaCollegeAid.gov.

11 Mar 2010

Braley Announces 2010 Congressional Art Competition for Iowa High School Students

By Caitlin Legacki



Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Waterloo) announced his office's participation in the 2010 Congressional art competition: "An Artistic Discovery." Last year, Mitch Doll from Davenport won the First District contest.

"An Artistic Discovery" is the annual art contest conducted by Members of Congress for high school students across the country.  Students submit original works of art to their Representative's office, and the winning piece from each Congressional district goes on display as part of a year-long national exhibition in the Cannon Tunnel, an underground walkway to the United States Capitol from the House office buildings in Washington.

Additionally, this year's first place winner will be invited to attend an unveiling ceremony in June and will receive two round-trip tickets to Washington D.C., courtesy of Southwest Airlines.

"I encourage Iowa students to participate in this year's Congressional art competition," Braley said.  "I know there are many gifted young artists in eastern Iowa, and this is a great opportunity for their work to be displayed for thousands of Americans to see.  It will be a great honor to feature the work of an outstanding young artist in the Capitol building."

Artwork must be mailed to Rep. Braley's Waterloo office by Friday, April 30, 2010.  Students can also drop off their entries by April 30th at any of Rep. Braley's district offices, listed below:

Waterloo

501 Sycamore St, Suite 610

Waterloo, IA  50703

(319) 287-3233

Davenport

209 W. 4th St., Suite 104

Davenport, IA  52801

(563) 323-5988

Dubuque

350 W. 6th St., Suite 222

Dubuque, IA  52001

(563) 557-7789

Entry forms and contest information are attached and available here on Rep. Braley's website. Students with questions about the art competition should contact Tavis Hall in Braley's Waterloo Office at (319) 287-3233.

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11 Mar 2010

SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES CATTLEMEN'S BEEF BOARD APPOINTMENTS

By Tom Vilsack



WASHINGTON, March 10, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced 36 appointments to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board.  All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning immediately.

"These appointees represent a cross section of the beef industry and I am confident that beef producers and importers of cattle, beef and beef products will be well served by them," said Vilsack.

In 2009, according to USDA statistics, there were an estimated 950,000 farms with cattle representing approximately 93.7 million head of cattle at the beginning of 2010.  Top producing states included Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, California and Oklahoma.

Newly appointed members representing cattle producers are:  Barbara S. Jackson, Ariz.; Willem Bylsma, Calif.; Darrel C. Sweet, Calif.; Robert W. Buck, Colo.; Jeffrey L. Clausen, Iowa; Dean A. Black, Iowa; Daniel P. Herrmann, Kan.; Larry M. Olten, Kan.; Genevieve D. Lyons, La.; Andrew B. Salinas, Mich.; John C. Schafer, Minn.; David M. McCormick, Miss.; Kevin H. Frankenbach, Mo.; Kristy L. Lage, Neb.; Judith A. Reece, Neb.; Annalyn Settelmeyer, Nev.; Tamara A. Ogilvie, N.M.; Ernest B. Harris, N.C; Thomas A. Woods, Okla.; James C. Kesler, S.C.; Danni K. Beer, S.D.; Linda J. Gilbert, S.D.; Robert J. Reviere, Jr., Tenn.; Larry B. Pratt, Texas; Andrea W. Reed, Texas; D. Rudolph Tate, Texas; Bruce D. Dopslauf, Texas; Laurie L. Munns, Utah; Jane E. Clifford, Vt.; Larry D. Echols, W.VA; Martin A. Andersen, Wis.; Randall A. Geiger, Wis.; and Spencer A. Ellis, Wyo.

Newly appointed members representing importers are:  Alberto J. Senosiain, Fla.; Andrew Banchi, Penn.; and Scott A. Hansen, Va.

The Board oversees collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the United States, and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. In addition, the Board contracts with established national, non-profit, industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.

The 106-member Board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The secretary selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy and importers certified organizations.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service oversees operations of the Board.

11 Mar 2010

Walkers "Join the Movement" to Create a World Free of MS

By Rick Martin

Bettendorf, IA - The North Central States Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society will hold its annual walk MS in the Quad Cities on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 at Veterans Memorial Park.

More than 700 walkers are expected to come out and help raise the goal of $57,500.  Funds raised will support direct services for the more than 8,000 people with MS and their families in the North Central States Chapter area and national MS research to find a cure for this chronic disease of the central nervous system.

We encourage families to come out to this event. Adults & children of all ages are welcome to participate, and enjoy some fun.  Walk MS: Quad Cities Walk will be entering its 9th year. Walkers will participate in a 3 mile walk, and the festivities will take off and end at the Veteran Memorial Park in Bettendorf with lunch being served following the walk. Registration will open at 8:30 am and the walk will begin at 10:00 am. People can participate in walk MS individually, as a team, or as a virtual walker.

A special thanks to our 2010 walk MS sponsors: Wal-Mart, Mike & Monique Gorsline, WHBF, Golden Corral, & Starbucks.

  • WHAT: walk MS: Quad Cities Walk to benefit the North Central States Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • WHEN: Saturday, May 8th, 2010 at 10:00 am
  • WHERE: Veterans Memorial Park
  • REGISTRATION: Visit www.myMSwalk.org, call 319-447-1800 or email emily.hoover@nmss.org.
  • WHY: Proceeds raised will benefit the North Central States Chapter of the National MS Society.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

  • The National MS Society helps each person address the challenges of living with MS through our 50-state network of chapters.
  • Through our home office and 50-state network of chapters, we fund more MS research, provide more services to people with MS, offer more professional education and further more advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world.
  • The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS.  We are people who want to do something about MS now.  Join the movement at www.nationalmssociety.org.

About Multiple Sclerosis

  • Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.
  • Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.  The advancement, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS.
  • Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease.
  • MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide.

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11 Mar 2010

Upper Iowa University announces its 2009 winter graduates

By TheLink Delivery Service

FAYETTE, Iowa (March 8, 2010) - Upper Iowa University announces its 2009 winter graduates:

Quad Cities area - Leslie Marie Schlue, Davenport, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Awarded Magna Cum Laude.

Summa Cum Laude is awarded to those with a 3.8 to 4.0 grade point average, Magna Cum Laude (3.6-3.79 g.p.a.) and Cum Laude (3.3-3.59 g.p.a.)

About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to over 6,600 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and various learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.

11 Mar 2010

Do Americans Have Standing Anymore?

By Administrator

This Thursday, March 11, 2010 In U.S. Court of Appeals...
One American Argues Historical Lawsuit Against the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Treasury For Unconstitutional Billion-Dollar AIG Bailouts

WHO: Robert "Bob" Schulz, Chairman

We the People Foundation for Constitutional Education and We the People Congress: Dedicated to citizen vigilance and holding elected officials accountable to their Oath of Office, the Constitution. www.givemeliberty.org;

WHAT: Oral arguments against the Federal Reserve (Bernanke) and U.S. Treasury

(Paulson/Geithner) challenging the UNCONSTITUTIONAL use of public monies for the
multi-billion dollar bailouts of privately-owned AIG and other Wall Street institutions.

WHEN:           2 PM - Thursday, March 11, 2010 - Schulz is FIRST UP
WHERE:         Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Manhattan- 500 Pearl Street

Ceremonial Courtroom - 9th Floor; Presiding Judges Eaton, Wesley and Sack

HOW: Schulz will argue, pro se, the Constitutional argument that public funds can never be used for decidedly private purposes - regardless of any perceived necessity or general public benefit in doing so.  He will also argue against the unconstitutional application of the "judicial standing doctrine," used liberally to prevent federal lawsuits by ordinary Americans seeking to remedy injuries affecting all Citizens equally which arise from Government's violations of the Constitution.  A critical and growing issue as more Americans awaken to the inevitable question: "What are the next steps for a free People to take to hold their servant government accountable?"

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2008:
Click here to watch 40 minute video of Bob Schulz recounting his legal action to restrain the Treasury and the Federal Reserve.

Recorded at the Continental Congress 2009 last November.

Sept 16th AIG Bailout Announced

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/business/17insure.html
Sept 18th Bob Schulz Files Federal Lawsuit Seeking Fed/AIG Restraining Order

http://www.wethepeoplefoundation.org/PROJECTS/AIG/AIG-Complaint-9-18-08.pdf

Sept 18th Congressional Leaders, Treasury and Fed Move Forward Anyway
 http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/19/news/economy/what_lawmakers_heard/index.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISvif1OaTK4&feature=related

Sept. 23 $700B TARP Taxpayer Bailout Legislation is Announced

Sept. 24th Bob Schulz Files Second Lawsuit Seeking TARP/Treasury Restraining Order
http://www.wethepeoplefoundation.org/PROJECTS/AIG/Bailout-Complaint-9-24-08.pdf

Sept. 29th House Rejects TARP Bill
Oct . 3rd TARP Legislation Passes, w/ Clause Expressly Providing for Constitutional Injunctions
Sept./Oct. Both Schulz Lawsuits are Dismissed for "Lack of Standing",
Read DOJ's Motion to Dismiss arguing the People have no Right to enforce the Constitution


Case Continues at Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Manhattan
A. WTP's Appeal to the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals,
B. DOJ's Response to WTP Appeal,
C. WTP's Reply to DOJ's Appeal Response (1 page)

No couch potato: Schulz says - "The emergency Congressional bailout meeting at 7pm that day (Sept 18, 2008) and subsequent announcements followed my phone conversations, in series, with lawyers at the Federal Reserve, Treasury Dept., and Justice Department in the mid-afternoon, notifying them they had been sued for agreeing to give AIG $85 billion of public funds, not only without any Constitutional authority to do so, but to make matters worse, without bothering to go the Congress - specifically the House of Representatives, where all money bills are obligated by the Constitution to originate, and knowing what effects these huge gifts of public monies would have upon both America's economy and the People. Officials were fully informed that the courts had been asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent the transfer of any money to AIG until the court held a hearing. Each was faxed a full set of the legal papers. All of this was done by 3pm. At 7pm, America saw the sobering bailout announcement."

"Days later, I filed a second case, when Congress then, in full cooperation with the plan, trumped the Constitution again, on the same 'no authority' grounds, against the $700 billion TARP bailout. The two cases were "consolidated" and dismissed for "lack of standing" by the District Court, months later. The appeal was filed.  The U.S. Court of Appeals, after months of delay and asking me to let them decide the appeal without oral argument, finally set this date. I will now have the opportunity to confront the Government in public and let the DOJ attorneys explains these acts to both the Court and the People of America."

Additional Support material for this historic effort can be found here:

Read the PETITION to the U.S. District Court regarding the unconstitutional $85 Billion AIG bailout and Decision. Read the PETITION to the U.S. District Court regarding the unconstitutional $700 Billion TARP bank bailout and Decision.  See http://articlesoffreedom.us/TOC/Article11PublicDebt.aspx

See the related CC 2009 video presentations: Robert L. Schulz, Chairman, WTP Foundation - We The People lawsuits against the $85 Billion AIG and $700 Billion Bailout; and Tom DeWeese, President, American Policy Center- reading the submission of Dr. Edwin Vieira, Declaration that all Unconstitutionally Incurred Public Debt of the United States is Void and Enforcement Thereof Barred


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Other important We the People Foundation efforts underway at this time:

Beyond Tea Parties.  Beyond Elections.  Beyond Politics.

The Articles of Freedom are the profound plan to save the Constitution.
One hundred sixteen citizen-delegates from 48 states convened an historic, non-political and non-partisan modern day Continental Congress for eleven days in November 2009. The fourteen-year prolific record of We The People Foundation and its tens of thousands of supporters provided the foundation for the Continental Congress to build upon. The result is specific non-partisan Remedial Instructions for Congress, the President and the States, as well as civic actions for the People that show the way back to Constitutional governance.

Based on 14 violations of the Constitution which have been committed across several administrations, in every branch of government and including both parties, and which have devastated the economy and are now pauperizing the People, the topics are hot-beds for Americans today:

The following violations have occurred without any constitutional authority:

1. Dissipating, destroying and undermining America's sovereignty;

2. Meddling in the internal affairs of other countries, causing foreign nationals to direct their hostilities towards us, resulting in a growing Police State;

3. Engaging in undeclared wars ;

4. Corporate welfare/bailouts- public monies to private corporations for private purposes;

5. Circulating fiat currency;

6. Emitting Trillions of dollars of Bills of Credit through or under the auspices of the Federal Reserve System;

7. Trillions of dollars of debt to pay for programs and activities not enumerated;

8. Fraudulently ratifying the 16th Amendment, enforcing a direct, un-apportioned tax on labor; refusing to consider the evidence in court;

9. Failing to enforce immigration laws;

10. Counting our votes in secret;

11. Failing to establish well-regulated state militias, and passing federal gun control laws;

12. Taking private land for private use;

13. Failing to determine the eligibility of candidates for President;

14. Failing to respond to Petitions for Redress, in violation of the spirit and intent of the First Amendment.

A nationwide event is being planned for April 19, 2010, where the People in each state will officially deliver the Articles of Freedom to elected officials in every state capital. See more than seven million impressions on search engines for "articles of freedom."

Visit portal site for WTP at www.givemeliberty.org;  home site for Continental Congress at www.cc2009.us; and new website for Articles of Freedom, including PLEDGE for citizens to sign at www.articlesoffreedom.us
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The National Clean Elections Lawsuit (NCEL)

Election Time Ahead: Do we have the Right to know and see our votes are being counted accurately? Will America abandon its secret voting machines in favor of fair, clean Constitutional elections? Schulz is Plaintiff in the National Clean Elections Lawsuit (NCEL)in New York State, as he challenges the constitutionality of voting machines. With full support of the non-partisan NCEL group and election integrity supporters from across America, Schulz just appealed a "Confidentiality Order" he was asked to sign saying "no thank you" to keeping records of state and other information about election machines and how elected are handled secret.

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On the Mainstream Media in America:

"In all my years of doing this work, I have seldom seen the dominant media appear interested in anything but protecting "officialdom."  While we will conduct our efforts and interviews honorably, they will take snippets of interviews and twist them so we appear as radicals.  I have rarely heard anyone in the mainstream media sing the praises of anyone who is earnest and pure in defense of Freedom and the Constitution.  The outcome is always a hit piece, large or small.  The American people are going to change all of this one day."  -  Robert Schulz

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We the People Foundation for Constitutional Education and We the People Congress (action arm) are non-political, non-partisan organizations, whose purpose is to protect and defend our Charters of Freedom, and hold the Vision of a New Day in America when citizen vigilance, in every state and at the federal level, is a respected and recognized part of the governmental process, and seeks to hold elected officials accountable to their Oath of Office and the U.S. Constitution.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Judith Whitmore

honoramerica@gmail.com

804 405 6505

 

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