Mallards players will ring bells to solicit donations for the annual kettle drive from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. tomorrow. Walgreen's is located at 1600 West Locust.

"We are very happy to have the chance to take part in a campaign that has such a positive impact on so many during the holiday season," said Mallards president Bob McNamara. "The Salvation Army plays such a vital role in assisting those in need in the Quad Cities area and we are glad to have the opportunity to work together with them."

The Salvation Army Red Kettles have been an American tradition since 1891, helping raise financial support for critical Salvation Army programs and services year round. Over the years, the Red Kettle Campaign has grown into one of the most recognizable and important charitable campaigns in the United States - providing toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

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Press reports indicate any farm bill extension is a non-starter in the Senate

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today reiterated his call to keep the House in session until its work on many important issues, including a new, long-term farm bill, is completed. There have been recent press reports which indicate the Senate would not consider, let alone be able to pass a short farm bill extension. This situation necessitates the need for the House to remain in session and ready to work on a comprehensive farm bill.

"I don't want to be accused of being the Grinch who wants to steal Christmas, but passing a farm bill is too important for the House to pack up and go home early for the Holidays. We must stay and complete all of the work that the American people are demanding get done and if that means staying through Christmas, I am ready and willing to do just that. There is simply too much to finish in the three remaining days that the House is scheduled to be in session," said Loebsack.

ST. LOUIS (December 10, 2013) - The U.S. soy industry has done it again, exporting an eye-popping 1.7 billion bushels of U.S. soy to customers around the world in the 2012-13 marketing year, which ended Sept. 30. The value of these exports comes to a record of more than $28 billion, a 19 percent increase from 2011-2012.

The final figures show farmers continue to meet customer demand for a reliable supply of quality products. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this total includes more than 1.3 billion bushels of whole U.S. soybeans, meal from 454 million bushels of U.S. soybeans and oil from 186 million bushels, which represents 56 percent of U.S. soybean production from last year.

"The reliability and quality of the U.S. soy supply are just a few reasons that customers keep buying U.S. soybeans, meal and oil," says Jared Hagert, soybean farmer from Emerado, N.D., and United Soybean Board (USB) farmer-leader. "Continuing to meet our customers' needs is very important to U.S. soybean farmers, and these numbers prove we are doing that."

Soy exports for the 2013-2014 marketing year are off to a good start with 87 percent of the total 2014 export forecasts already sold.

Top buyers of whole U.S. soybeans in 2013 include :

• China: 772 million bushels of U.S. soybeans
• Mexico: 98 million bushels of U.S. soybeans
• Japan: 63 million bushels of U.S. soybeans

Top buyers of U.S. soybean meal in 2013 include :

• Mexico: meal from 59 million bushels of U.S. soybeans
• Philippines: meal from 47 million bushels of U.S. soybeans
• Canada: meal from 43 million bushels of U.S. soybeans

Top buyers of U.S. soybean oil in 2013 include :

• China: oil from 37 million bushels of U.S. soybeans
• Mexico: oil from 35 million bushels of U.S. soybeans
• India: oil from 21 million bushels of U.S. soybeans

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

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As Newtown anniversary approaches, Administration announces $100 million for mental health services and facilities

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the Administration announced $100 million in funding for mental health services and facilities. In the immediate aftermath of the Newtown School shooting, Loebsack brought together law enforcement officers, members of the mental health community, parents, teachers and administrators, as well as the general public to have a conversation about how to ensure our children stay safe. One thing he heard from each group was the need for additional funding for mental health services. This funding will come from both the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), which will focus on rural mental health facilities.

"I, like so many others, have personally dealt with the effects that a mental illness can have on an individual, family or community, as my mother struggled with mental health difficulties when I was young. There are too many people dealing with mental illnesses in the shadows and we must continue to work to ensure they get the help they need," said Loebsack. "In the wake of the horrible tragedy that happened at Newtown, I heard from various professionals who told me that one of the biggest obstacles they face is how to address mental health needs. I am pleased the Administration has taken this step and made this funding available to assist those experiencing mental health challenges."

Congressman Loebsack has been a champion for expanding mental health care coverage. He has worked on many pieces of legislation, including:

·         Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, which worked to end discrimination against patients seeking treatment for mental illness;

·         Reducing Barriers to Learning Act, Loebsack authored this legislation, which would increase student access to critical instructional support personnel, including school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, specialized teachers, and community partners such as mental and physical health providers;

·         Excellence in Mental Health Act, which would improve access to community mental and behavioral health services;

·         Mental Health in Schools Act, which would increase access to mental health services on-site in schools.

He has also led the way as a member of the House Armed Service Committee to ensure that the men and women serving our nation in the military have access to mental health care and suicide prevention resources. In 2011, his legislation, the Embedded Mental Health Providers for Reserves Act (HR 948) was signed into law as part of the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act.