Grassley attends Oval Office ceremony to witness signing of the legislation

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today made a special trip to the White House to witness the signing of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act which strengthens existing law to better protect whistleblowers.

Grassley was a co-author of the legislation being signed into law today, and the original 1989 Whistleblower Protection Act it updates.  The legislation was necessary because whistleblowers are being denied the protections they should have under the law because of decisions of the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and a general anti-whistleblower sentiment found in executive branch agencies.

"As one of the authors of the original Whistleblower Protection Act, and a long-time advocate for whistleblowers, it's wonderful to see this legislation signed into law.  Whistleblowers strengthen our system of checks and balances, and that strengthens our system of representative government.  It's a constant battle to make sure that these patriotic citizens who shed light on overspending, mismanagement and layers of ineffective leadership within the federal government are protected," Grassley said after the signing in the Oval Office.  "Now, more work needs to be done to ensure that FBI whistleblower protections are updated and that intelligence community whistleblowers are covered under the law and given the protections they deserve."

A long-time advocate for whistleblowers, Grassley has stood up against the heavy hand of the bureaucracy - regardless of whether Republicans or Democrats were in charge -- for individual whistleblowers from the Pentagon, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the IRS, the Interior Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition to co-authoring the 1989 whistleblower law, Grassley also authored the 1986 update of the False Claims Act to include qui tam provisions that empower private citizens, who had information about fraudulent activity by government contractors, to bring wrongdoing forward and sue in the name of the government.  To date, these whistleblower provisions have recovered more than $30 billion for taxpayers that otherwise would be lost to fraud.

In 2009, Grassley and Senator Patrick Leahy won passage of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act which made the most significant improvements to the False Claims Act since 1986.  The law restores the scope and applicability of the False Claims Act where it had been limited by court decisions.  This effort also revised criminal laws to help prosecute mortgage fraud, securities fraud, and complex financial crimes that led to the 2008 financial crisis.

In addition, Grassley authored the 2006 overhaul of the IRS whistleblower program to fight major tax fraud.  The IRS recently paid out its largest award ever, but has acknowledged, after scrutiny from Grassley, that the agency must be more timely and responsive in processing whistleblower claims.

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 will:

·         clarify that any disclosure of gross waste or mismanagement, fraud, abuse, or illegal activity may be protected, but not disagreements over legitimate policy decisions;

·         suspend the sole jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals over federal employee whistleblower cases for two years;

·         extend Whistleblower Protection Act coverage and other non-discrimination and anti-retaliatory laws to all employees of the Transportation Security Administration;

·         clarify that whistleblowers may disclose evidence of censorship of scientific or technical information under the same standards that apply to disclosures of other kinds of waste, fraud, and abuse;

·         codify portions of the anti-gag provision, which Grassley originally got passed, that has been part of every Transportation-Treasury Appropriations bill since 1988;

·         establish Whistleblower Protection Ombudsmen to educate agency personnel about whistleblower rights; and

·         provide the Office of Special Counsel with the independent right to file "friend of the court" briefs, or amicus briefs, with federal courts.

-30-

CAN A BANDAGE CURE CANCER? YOURS CAN!

New York, November 2012 - Bandages are known for bringing comfort, healing and smiles to children with cuts and scrapes.  Now, thanks to a new program being launched by Ouchies Bandages, bandages may also bring something much more to the many children affected by pediatric cancer - through a new contest designed to raise money for three national pediatric cancer organizations.

As part of its "Ouchies for Others" program, Ouchies Bandages has just announced a new Bandage Art contest to help raise money in the fight against pediatric cancer.  The contest gives kids the chance to design their own Ouchies bandages and tell their own story about the fight against pediatric cancer or anything else uplifting - with the chance to have their designs featured in the new "Ouchies for Others" bandages and tin to be released in 2013.

The "Ouchies for Others" Bandage Art Contest is open to kids 18 and younger.  To participate in the contest, a design template and further instructions for submitting entries can be found at www.ouchiesonline.com/bandage-art-contest.  All entries will be displayed on Ouchies' Facebook page, where fans will vote for their favorite entries by "liking" the bandage designs.  10 finalists will be chosen, and five winners will have their designs featured on the new "Ouchies for Others" bandages and tin, which will be released in 2013.  The deadline for entries is January 25^th.

Through the "Ouchies for Others" program, Ouchies gives 100% of profits to varied not-for-profit organizations - with all profits from the sale of these new bandages going to three national pediatric cancer organizations. Earlier this year, Ouchies launched its first "Ouchies for Others" program designed to help combat bullying.

"This line of bandages is all about inspiring kids to help other kids and what better of a way than to let kids design the bandages themselves?" says Ian Madover, President of Ouchies.  "What makes it all even better is that 100% of the profits from the sale of these bandages will benefit such important organizations in the fight against pediatric cancer, with this program raising money for  the Childhood Leukemia Foundation, Cookies for Kids' Cancer, and the American Childhood Cancer Organization^®."

According to the National Cancer Institute, on average, 1 to 2 children out of every 10,000 in the United States develop cancer each year.  What's really special about the Ouchies Bandage Art Contest is that everyone wins in the fight against Pediatric Cancer - with children having the opportunity to help others while participating in this unique contest, and money being raised for such an important cause.

"The contest is designed to raise awareness about this disease and to raise the money to help find a cure," says Jennifer Saporta, Director of Sales & Marketing at Ouchies. "If the Bandage Art Contest can put a smile on one face or allow a kid to tell his/her story through a bandage design, Ouchies has made a difference."

The Childhood Leukemia Foundation, Cookies for Kids' Cancer, and the American Childhood Cancer Organization^® will be promoting the contest on their web sites. According to Kim Wetmore, Director at the Childhood Leukemia Foundation, "Last year more than 12,000 children were diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Childhood Leukemia Foundation (CLF) is dedicated to making a difference in lives of these children. CLF is honored to partner with Ouchies Bandages to work together raising awareness and bringing smiles to many little faces."

Ouchies asks, "Can a Bandage Help to Cure Cancer?" and answers emphatically, "Yours can!"

For more information on Ouchies for Others and the Bandage Art Contest, visit