Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on House and Senate leaders to immediately come back into session to find a way forward to avoid a government shutdown. The House and Senate are currently scheduled to come back into session only hours before the shutdown deadline.

"At a time when Washington should be working on a bipartisan basis to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress is dark as the clock ticks down to an unnecessary and reckless shutdown," Loebsack wrote to Congressional leaders. "I call on you to bring the House and Senate into session immediately and get to work on a simple, bipartisan Continuing Resolution that can be signed into law. I continue to stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to avert this manufactured crisis and get to work on the priorities of the American people."

The full text of the letter follows.

 

September 29, 2013

 

The Honorable Harry Reid                           The Honorable John Boehner

Majority Leader                         Speaker of the House

US Senate                         US House of Representatives

S-221, The Capitol                        H-232, The Capitol

Washington, DC 20510                          Washington, DC 20515

 

Dear Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Boehner:

With less than 48 hours until the government shuts down without bipartisan action by the House of Representatives, United States Senate, and the Administration, both Chambers should be in session and working today and through the Monday night deadline.  The brinksmanship, political posturing, and partisan ideology that have gotten us to this point cannot continue.  There is no excuse for ongoing political games or inaction - Congress and the Administration must come together and take the simple steps necessary to keep the government running.  Ongoing partisan posturing by those hoping to score political points on the back of our economy is not just inexcusable, it's reckless and it must end.

As our country faces down yet another manufactured crisis, both sides of the aisle must put politics aside and come together to take action.  Our economy and Iowa families cannot afford more brinksmanship and the effects of a government shutdown would have ripple effects across the economy and the brunt of the impact would be felt by middle-class families such as those at Rock Island Arsenal who could go without pay, our troops who would report for duty to protect our country but see their pay delayed, and small businesses that would be unable to expand without the loans they need to create jobs.

At a time when Washington should be working on a bipartisan basis to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress is dark as the clock ticks down to an unnecessary and reckless shutdown and federal agencies are spending taxpayer dollars preparing for a government shutdown instead of carrying out the work of the American people.  This situation is inexcusable.

I call on you to bring the House and Senate into session immediately and get to work on a simple, bipartisan Continuing Resolution that can be signed into law.  We have reached the eleventh hour and there is no time for more political posturing or for both Chambers of Congress to be waiting at home for the other side to blink.

I continue to stand ready to work on a bipartisan basis to avert this manufactured crisis and get to work on the priorities of the American people.

Sincerely,

 

Dave Loebsack

Iowa's Second District

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement this evening after the House of Representatives voted on a second Continuing Resolution written to include the demands of the Tea Party. Senate leaders have already declared this bill dead on arrival and the President has said he would veto the legislation, giving it no chance of passing the Senate or being signed into law. If a commonsense, bipartisan agreement is not reached by September 30, when the current agreement expires, the government will shut down.

"Until House Republicans agree to put an end to the brinksmanship that is all too common here in Washington it does not appear that they have any real interest in reaching a commonsense agreement to keep the government running. The irresponsible and reckless actions of House leaders means some workers at Rock Island Arsenal would be furloughed, small business owners would stop receiving federal loans to hire and expand their businesses, home loans for middle class families would be delayed, veterans could see benefits delayed, lifesaving medical research pushed back, and 1.4 million men and women in uniform would have their pay delayed. Iowans cannot afford to pay the price of Republicans' games.

"Today's vote does nothing more than push our government towards a shut down and puts politics before the basic work Iowans expect Congress to get done. Instead of trying to delay protections for those who have pre-existing conditions, delaying protections for women to ensure they aren't charged more for their health care and delaying tax credits for middle class Iowans to buy health care, Washington must re-focus its energy on job creation and fixing the economy. While I had hoped House Republicans would take the simple steps necessary to avoid a shut down and move on from these political stunts, I remain willing to work with the other side of the aisle to move our nation forward."

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Moving stories from walkers, survivors and patients

URBANDALE, IOWA (September 28, 2013) - Jessie McLearn-Montz walked for his sister, Amanda, whose lungs collapsed four times in her early teens. Karen and Pam Van Deest walked for their father who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nadine Killmer is a lung cancer patient and walked with her sister, Maureen Ekeland in memory of Nadine's husband, who died from COPD. The University of Iowa Lung Transplant Team had more than 100 walkers, 17 of which are lung transplant patients, along with their families, as well as donor families.

These are just a few of the heartfelt stories from some of the participants in the American Lung Association in Iowa's 2013 Fight for Air Walk. Hundreds of Des Moines residents and Iowans from across the state and the mid-west walked the 5K at Principal Park (I-Cubs Ballpark) this past Saturday, September 28. Some photos are attached and can be used by media at will. A photo credit to the American Lung Association in Iowa is appreciated. Contact Micki Sandquist for more photos or information.

Every year, the Fight for Air Walk gives individuals the power to improve the air we breathe by taking action and fundraising. The Lung Association saves lives by fighting for healthy lungs and healthy air. Eighty-eight cents of every dollar raised goes directly to education, research and advocacy.

About the American Lung Association in Iowa: Our mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.LungIA.org.


Davenport Quad Cities Sister Cities Inc. cordially Invites you to our First Annual International Gala on Saturday, October 5th, 2013 at the Rogalski Center on the campus of St. Ambrose University, 518 W Locust Street, Davenport.

Join us to celebrate our relationship with our Sister Cities. Taste delicious dishes and enjoy great music! RSVP to 309-269-6345 or davenportsci@hotmail.com

Reception & Silent Auction 5:30

Dinner, Entertainment & Live Auction 6:30-9:00

Checks should be made payable to Davenport Sister Cities Inc. and mailed to:

Pam Miner (Community Planning & Economic Development)

City of Davenport

226 West 4th Street

Davenport, IA USA 52801


Funds will be used for DSCI social, educational, and cultural programs.

Tickets: $70 until September 27th!

Cocktail attire- Black tie optional

Kaiserslautern, Germany - Carlow County, Ireland - Ilhéus, Brazil

SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/27/2013)(readMedia)-- Story by Sgt. Robert R. Adams, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs and photos by MSgt. Shaun Kerr, 183rd Public Affairs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Air Force Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited Illinois National Guard leaders and servicemembers Sept. 26 at the 183rd Fighter Wing and Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill.

The visit started at the wing with a presentation of the newly-fielded UH-72 Lakota helicopter. After the presentation Lengyel spoke to Airmen of the 183rd over lunch about the upcoming challenges the National Guard will be facing, but also emphasized the Guard's importance to the safety and well-being of the U.S. Lengyel listened to their concerns to take back with him to the Pentagon.

"Anytime you can give your opinion to someone who can make a difference, I think it's important and you should," said Senior Airmen Alicia Braun of Springfield, Contract Specialist and Warranted Contracting Officer with the 183rd Fighter Wing in Springfield, Ill.

After lunch, Lengyel visited the wing's communications building and the Composite Repair Facility.

"It is important for generals to go out into the field and visit to stay in touch with the Airmen and Soldiers of the National Guard and see what they do on a daily basis," said Brig. Gen. William D. Cobetto of Hillsboro, the Assistant Adjutant General Air for the Illinois National Guard. "Also, it is important so they can continue to tell the story about our professionalism and to get the views of Airmen and Soldiers on new policies that have come out and how they affect their lives."

Later, Lengyel toured Camp Lincoln where he shook hands and thanked Soldiers at the Central Issuing Facility (CIF).

"It makes us feel good that we are being recognized for all the hard work that my team and I do," said Army Sgt. Christopher Behrends of Virginia, Ill., materials handler for CIF, with the 1544th Transportation Company of Paris, Ill.

Lengyel also visited the United States Property and Fiscal Office, the Combined Service Maintenance Shop, the Allied Trades Building and the Illinois State Military Museum.

"For General Lengyel to get to interact with the Soldiers and Airmen today was a great opportunity for him to see what we do and how we accomplish our mission." said Army Col Christopher J. Hall of Mount Carmel, Ill., United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the Illinois National Guard.

Hall said it is important for servicemembers to see the level of care and concern from senior leadership.

"When you go to the field and see the people that are actually doing the work and that they are motivated and focused on their jobs, it motivates me to go back to the Pentagon and keep the right focus," said Lengyen. "It really is about the Soldiers and the Airmen and enabling them to do their jobs."

Lengyrl said the National Guard is a part of the solution to improve the fiscal environment in the United States right now.

"We have proven ourselves over the past 12 years particularly since 9/11 that we are so well equipped and so well trained and ready to do all of our missions, which includes war-time mission and homeland defense and civil support mission," said Lengyel.

Medalist Christine Magnuson will help dedicate the new pool Oct. 4, swim in alumni meet Oct. 5

DECORAH, Iowa - Christine Magnuson, world champion swimmer and Olympic medalist, will travel to the Luther College campus for the dedication and official opening of the college's Aquatic Center at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.

In addition to the ceremony, Magnuson will be on hand during the college's homecoming weekend, speaking to the swimming and diving teams, interacting with students and swimming in Luther's alumni meet at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.

The dedication and alumni meet are open to the public with no charge for admission.

Magnuson is a two-time Olympic medalist, winning silver medals at the 2008 Olympic games in the 100-meter fly and 400-meter medley relay. She qualified for the 2013 FINA World Championships with a win in the 50-meter fly, and won gold as a member of the 400-meter medley relay team at the 2011 FINA World Championships. Hosted by the International Swimming Federation, these competitions are the world championship for aquatic sports.

In her collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, Magnuson earned 23 All-America honors and was named the 2008 SEC Women's Swimmer of the Year, posting eight school records.

The David E.G. and Patricia Miller Natatorium is the centerpiece of the Luther Aquatic Center and was featured in the August 2013 edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education. "It's a great boost to know that the pool was built using LEED design standards. Sustainability is extremely important to Luther College, so the additional investment in energy efficiency will pay off in reduced operating costs over the life of the pool," said Lance Huber, Luther head swimming and diving coach.

The 17,700-square-foot facility features an eight-lane, 25-yard competition pool, a 13-foot-deep diving well with one- and three-meter springboards, state-of-the-art timing equipment, a large LED scoreboard and seating for 280 spectators.

The pool uses Myrtha technology with a panelized, stainless steel structure, PVC waterproofing and ceramic tile finishes.

The Aquatic Center pool also includes a new shallow area for swimming lessons, adaptive physical education classes and water aerobics.

A national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 2,500, Luther offers an academic curriculum that leads to the bachelor of arts degree in 60 majors and preprofessional programs. For more information about Luther visit the college's website: www.luther.edu.

Focus on improving emergency medical responses in rural Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - September 27, 2013. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will meet with stakeholders and discuss the ongoing challenges faced by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel in rural communities as host of the upcoming 2013 Illinois EMS Summit in Springfield on Oct. 8. She is encouraging EMS experts and health care providers to register now through next week.

"Bringing together EMS experts and health care professionals from across the state is a terrific way to help ensure first-rate care for the rural residents of Illinois," said Simon. "By creating this important dialogue we can assist rural communities, make our emergency services even better and save lives."

The 2013 Illinois EMS Summit organizers tout the event as an opportunity for EMS providers and other rural stakeholders to come together to examine the conditions of rural EMS in Illinois. Participants will be able to discuss potential solutions for ongoing rural EMS challenges such as recruitment and retention of personnel, continuing education requirements and the misalignment of licensure with national standards.

Lt. Governor Simon is the chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council (GRAC). As GRAC chair, Simon is leading efforts to combat a shortage of emergency responders in many parts of the state, encourage additional EMS training, and improve various classifications and standards. GRAC also established an EMS subcommittee to enhance existing emergency response units, reduce ambulance response times in rural Illinois and make recommendations for improvements and enhanced access.

The summit will be held in Room 1105/1106 of Lincoln Land Community College's Trutter Center at 5250 Shepherd Rd., in Springfield. Those interested in participating can register online at www.siumed.edu/cme/tracker.html. The registration rate is $15 per person. The fee includes refreshments, lunch, and summit materials.

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Friday, Sept. 27, 2013

 

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa is asking the IRS commissioner nominee for his views on two key subjects prior to confirmation proceedings:  the use of private contractors to collect tax debts the IRS doesn't target and problems encouraging whistleblowers to come forward on tax fraud.

"Instead of raising taxes, as the President and his supporters want, we need to do a better job of collecting taxes that are already due and owed," Grassley said.  "Private contractors and whistleblowers would bring in a lot of tax revenue without raising a single dime of taxes on anyone.   I'm looking forward to hearing from the IRS commissioner on these programs before voting on his nomination."

Grassley is a senior member and former chairman and ranking member of the Finance Committee, which will consider the nomination of John Koskinen as IRS commissioner.  Grassley authored the 2006 improvements to the IRS whistleblower office and has been dismayed by slow progress and setbacks at the agency in encouraging whistleblowers to come forward.

In 2009, the IRS abandoned efforts to use private contractors to collect low-level tax debts that the agency doesn't collect on its own.  Meanwhile, the IRS' workload has increased in some ways, tax debts remain significant, and the IRS has squandered resources on conference spending and bonuses, Grassley said.

Grassley's letter to Koskinen is available here.

 

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Book about Actual Survivor of Custer's Last Stand Set for Revision

New Documents, Photos, Adds to Definite Proof

History Publishing Company has set June 25, 2014 for the pub date of Custer Survivor Revised, a revision of  John  Koster's  book Custer Survivor the book  that dispelled the myth  that all the troopers with Custer  died with him at the Last Stand. The announcement came from   Publisher Don Bracken who referred to President Kennedy's statement "The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic."

"It is unrealistic to think that there was not the probability of one survivor from that battle" Bracken said." At History Publishing Company It is reality we bring the serious researcher not the perpetuation of persistent illusion. We will continue to dispel myth whenever it gets in the way of reality, John Koster's new material will bring additional resource to the serious researcher."

Custer Survivor was published in January 2, 2010 and was acclaimed by Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal and numerous publications. It is also the resource used by the History Channel for its feature Custer's Last Man. It is available at Barnes and Noble bookstores and independent bookstores nationally. It is also available at BN.com, Amazon. Com and in e-books.

Contact: Thomas Ryan, info@historypublishingco.com. 845-398-8161

Of course not but let's just say the next best thing to "The World's Greatest Rock-n-Roll Band" is coming to DeWitt. An exciting tribute show entitled "Satisfaction...an International Rolling Stones Show" that has been acclaimed as the most authentic cast and production show available honoring the World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band, is coming to the Central Performing Arts Center in DeWitt, Iowa!

Please see the attached news release and photo announcing their upcoming performance.

Satisfaction will be performing at the Central Performing Arts Center on October 19, 2013 at 7:30 pm. In addition, we will also be offering a limited number of Dinner and Performance tickets.

Chris LeGrand, lead singer as Mick Jagger, is available for interviews Monday September 30th, Tuesday October 1st, and Wednesday October 2nd, from 8 am to 5 pm EST at 866-215-3811 or 318-518-7820

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