DAVENPORT, Iowa?Waste Commission of Scott County's Electronic Demanufacturing Facility has completed and passed its annual surveillance audit to the Responsible Recycling (R2) Standard.

The facility is the first public agency in the world and the only agency in the state of Iowa to achieve this certification. There are approximately 360 facilities in the world that hold R2 certification.

By adhering to the R2 standard, the facility assures its customers that any sensitive data and toxic materials inside their electronics will be managed in the most responsible way. Data-containing items are caged and locked, monitored through a security system, and ultimately destroyed. All potentially harmful materials inside electronics?such as mercury, cadmium and lead?are captured and recycled responsibly. No harmful materials are shipped to developing countries. All of these practices are verified by an independent auditor.

The Electronic Demanufacturing Facility, 1048 East 59th St., Davenport, accepts e-waste with a circuit board and/or cathode-ray tube. Hours are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. No appointment is necessary, and there is no charge for residents of Scott and Rock Island counties. For more information, call (563) 823-0119 or visit www.wastecom.com. For more information about the R2 Standard, visit www.r2solutions.org.

Waste Commission of Scott County is an inter-governmental agency established in 1972 to provide environmentally sound and economically feasible solid waste management services for Scott County.

Senator Chuck Grassley made the following comment on Tax Filing Day, the annual federal income tax deadline.

"Tax Filing Day is a good day to remember that, on average, every American taxpayer works until April 18 - five days later than last year - in order to pay taxes for the year, including federal, state and local taxes, according to the Tax Foundation.

"As Washington continues the budget debate and, I hope, works toward necessary tax reform, it's also important to remember that raising taxes won't restore fiscal discipline unless spending is brought under control.  The last four years prove it.  Dramatic increases in federal spending and tax increases failed to turn around record-level unemployment.  The federal debt reached $16 trillion and is projected to top $17 trillion this year.  Federal debt now exceeds 100 percent of the gross domestic product and acts as an anchor weighing down our economy.  Research shows that when federal debt is more than 90 percent of the gross domestic project, the average rate of growth falls by a full percentage point.  High levels of government spending and interest on the national debt take money away from private-sector investments and activity that creates jobs and economic opportunities for individuals and families.

"The problem isn't that people are taxed too little but that Washington spends too much.  America needs pro-growth spending discipline and tax policy."

Help Feed Hungry Kids through USDA's Summer Food Service Program 

By Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

In the midst of winter/spring, it can be easy to forget those long, hot days of June, July, and August.  Even so, now is the time to start applying and planning to feed hungry children when the school year ends.

More than 21 million children in the country receive free and reduced price meals during the school year, but when summer rolls around, only about 1 in 10 of those kids (3 million) get free meals through federal summer feeding programs.  Clearly, there is a gap that needs filling.

Enter USDA's Summer Food Service Program.  Kids are at higher risk of going hungry during the summer months, and we are working to fill that void.  USDA alone, however, cannot accomplish the important work of feeding our low-income kids.  You and your organizations have an important role to play. 

Faith-based, community and private non-profit organizations are pivotal in the lives of needy children.  And schools, churches, recreation centers, playgrounds, parks, and camps are all eligible and encouraged to serve summer meals in neighborhoods with a high percentage of low-income families.  These locations, by their very nature, offer safe and familiar environments and are places children gather when school is out.

But feeding hungry young people requires commitment.  Sponsors must provide a capable staff, managerial skills and food service capabilities.   Sponsors may provide their own meals, purchase meals through an agreement with an area school, or contract for meals with a food vendor.

If you don't want to be a sponsor but still want to be involved, your organization can be a summer feeding site. There are sponsors in your area who can work with you to feed the children in your community.  And don't forget to register your summer feeding sites for the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-Hungry or 1-877-8-HAMBRE.

The most successful summer programs offer activities for kids. Children are much more likely to come out for a meal when there is an activity to keep them there. It can include anything from sports, tutoring and arts and crafts, to other creative activities with community partners. Developing partnerships with other community organizations is often the key to being able to offer great activities.

To learn more about the Summer Food Service Program or to participate in one of USDA's free webinar sessions on opportunities to provide summer meals, please visit www.summerfood.usda.gov.  These helpful webinars will highlight the program, offer an understanding of how SFSP works, detail sponsor and site roles and responsibilities, and provide outreach tips and other resources to get started.

Together we can continue to tackle childhood hunger and ensure kids receive the nutritious meals they need in summer, and throughout the year.  We look forward to working with you to meet that goal.