Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement regarding President Obama's speech on Afghanistan.  Loebsack is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and has traveled to Afghanistan six times to meet with the troops and receive briefings from the commanders on the ground.

"With far too many Iowa families struggling here at home, I strongly believe that our nation's focus must be on rebuilding an economy that works for all Iowans. As I have long said, I also believe that we have done more than enough nation building in Afghanistan.  The situation we face there has changed.  It is past time to focus on rebuilding our economy here at home.

"As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I know the serious threats facing our nation.  We must continue to protect our country from the terrorist threats we face. As our military leaders have also testified, the strength and security of our nation is based on the strength of our economy.  Our current presence in Afghanistan does not address those threats."

"Our servicemembers and military families have made great sacrifices over the last decade and we owe them our unyielding gratitude, respect, and support.  As a nation, we have a responsibility to serve them with the same dedication and honor with which they have served us.  We must ensure that our wounded warriors, including those whose wounds are not visible, receive nothing but the best medical care and support, and that those looking for civilian jobs are able to find them..

"Our men and women in uniform, including our Iowa National Guard, have served courageously and performed their duty; it is now time to responsibly bring them home."

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Every day, patients in local communities are helped by blood donors who give at blood drives coordinated by generous volunteers. Below are just a few examples of patients recently helped by American Red Cross blood donors:

•  A child with sickle cell disease was treated with 10 pints of type B negative red cells. 

•  In just two days, over 100 blood products were needed to treat a child heart transplant patient.

•  A new mother received 2 pints of red cells after delivering her baby

Because of dedicated American Red Cross blood donors, blood products were available for these patients and many others like
them. The need is constant. Approximately every two seconds a patient in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to donate blood regularly this summer, helping to ensure a stable supply for patients in need.

This summer, the American Red Cross Live Life. Give Life. summer promotion is helping to raise awareness of the constant need for blood and to encourage regular donations. Presenting donors between May 21 and September 5, 2012 will be entered  automatically into the Live Life. Give Life. and the chance to win prize packages to GiftCertificates.com. Visit redcrossblood.org/GiveWin to learn more.

Upcoming Blood Donation Opportunities

CLINTON COUNTY

5/28/2012, 2:30 pm- 6:30 pm, Northeast Elementary School, 1450 370th Avenue, Goose Lake

5/29/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Clinton Church of Christ, 210 N. 13th Street, Clinton

HENRY COUNTY
5/23/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St., Kewanee

MERCER COUNTY
5/30/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Mercer County Hospital, 409 North West 9th Avenue, Aledo

WHITESIDE COUNTY
5/16/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

5/16/2012, 4:30 pm- 7:30 pm, Montmorency School, 9415 Hoover Road, Rock Falls

5/18/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, RRCA Accounts Management, 201 E. Third Street, Sterling

5/22/2012, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

5/23/2012, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

5/25/2012, 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD #3, 79 Grove St., Prophetstown

5/26/2012, 7:00 am-11:00 am, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

5/29/2012, 1:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Latin American Social Club, 2708 W. 4th Street, Sterling

5/30/2012, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock Falls

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at blog.redcross.org.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

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Free Outdoor Essential Classes and Kids Summer Kickoff Challenge

Springfield, Missouri?(May 1, 2012)?Ask any adult what they remember best about childhood and chances are they will recall riding their bikes, building forts and tree houses and generally playing outdoors until after dark.  Kids were connected?to each other, their family and the outdoors.  And, according to several studies, they were physically and emotionally healthier. Information taken from The Conservation Fund website at http://www.conservationfund.org/children-nature states that researchers suggest "that the decline in children's health is linked, in part, to their growing disconnect from nature and outdoor activity."

Much national attention is being paid to this dilemma?so much that in early 2011 a report entitled "America's Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future Generations" was released that was part of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative.  It's an effort to reconnect Americans to the outdoors. A separate report was produced based on "youth listening sessions" in which young people expressed a strong desire to spend time outdoors.  (Read more about the report)

Bass Pro Shops has long recognized the short and long term benefits for kids and adults being involved in the outdoors.  Their National Go Outdoors Event was developed as a way to give families the opportunity to learn all of the outdoor skills needed to make their next outdoor adventure a great one and to reconnect with each other in the beauty of the great outdoors.  This year's Bass Pro Shops Go Outdoors Event will take place at 55 store locations in the United States May 18th-28th.

Exciting free events at the stores could include canoe and kayak demonstrations, casting contests, rock climbing walls, GPS classes, kid's crafts, outdoor skills workshops, Dutch oven cooking, outdoor survival training and much, much more. There's even the opportunity to get a great FREE 4x6 Family Photo download. (Events will vary per store.  Please visit www.basspro.com/gooutdoors ((beginning May 7)) and select individual store location for events listing.)

The Go Outdoors event offers great Outdoor Essentials classes for adults May 18th - 20th .
Friday, May 18th :
· 6pm :  Hiking Basics --learn about the best equipment to use for a successful hike
· 7pm:  Campfire Cooking --discover a new way to prepare tasty, over-the-fire meals
· 8pm:  Kayaks & Canoes --find out how to select the best kayak or canoe for float trips

Saturday,May 19th:
· 1pm:  Life Jackets -learn about proper life jacket fit and how to choose the best one for your needs
· 2pm:  Inflatable Life Jackets -see how they work
· 3pm:  Camping Essentials -if you're a beginner camper this is the class for you
· 4pm:  GPS Tips & Techniques -bring your GPS for hands-on advice
· 5pm:  Backpacking -discover the latest features and benefits of backpacking gear

Sunday, May 11th:
· 1pm:  Dutch Oven Cooking -learn tips and techniques using this delicious cooking method
· 2pm:  Inflatable Life Jackets -see how they work
· 3pm:  Tent Set-up --learn tent set-up and the importance of choosing the proper tent
· 4pm:  Smoker Tips & Techniques -learn the tips and techniques of smoker selection, food preparation and cooking

The Go Outdoors Event includes a "Summer Kickoff Challenge" with free weekend activities for kids Memorial Day weekend May 26th and 27th. From 11am to 4pm kids can learn how to set up a tent, compete in a sleeping bag race and enjoy a metal detector treasure hunt.  The first 100 kids in each store to complete the Summer Kickoff Challenge each day will receive a fun bug glider.  Kids will also be able to do a sand art craft from 12noon until 4pm Saturday, May 26th and paint a wooden insect craft Sunday, May 27th  (while supplies last; styles may vary).

Kids may also bring in their best wildlife photo for a chance to win the Summer Kickoff Photo Contest.  First place prize is a Bass Pro Shops 10x26 mm Compact Binoculars and a $25 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card and Second Place winner receives a $20 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card.

"One of the most exciting and invigorating places to go this summer is just beyond your front door," said Larry Whiteley, Bass Pro Shops Manager of Communications.  "Bass Pro Shops is committed to helping adults and children across the nation put away their laptops, video games, and cell phones and head outdoors.  Whether it's fishing, hiking through a local park, or simply laying on your lawn watching the stars at night, there are so many great things to do outdoors this summer."

While at Bass Pro Shops, register to win the "Outdoor Maui Adventure"?a 7day, 6-night trip to Maui, Hawaii.  One National Grand Prize will be awarded to one winner and their guest who will win the Maui Jim® and The North Face® Adventure Package that also includes airfare, hotel and car rental.  The total combined approximate retail value of the prize is $5,667.  (No purchase necessary to enter or claim prize. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia and Canada ((excluding Quebec)) who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry.  All federal and other tax liabilities are the sole responsibility of the winner.  Sweepstakes begins on 5/18/12 and ends on 5/28/12.  See store for more details.)

Each store location will also select a First Place winner who will receive a gift package of one MasterBuilt Cookmaster propane smoker, one Pacific Bamboo BBQ tool set, one The North Face Terra 45 backpack, and one pair of Maui Jim sunglasses.  The total combined approximate retail value of the prize is over $500 (specific items are to be selected by Sponsor).

This year, commit to getting outdoors with your kids for all your health's sake.  Visit Bass Pro Shops during the National Go Outdoors Event, interact with your family in the great outdoors and make some memories to last a lifetime.

About Bass Pro Shops®: Bass Pro Shops® operates 58 retail stores in 26 states and Canada visited by over 110 million people annually.  Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation, American Rod & Gun® wholesale division sells to over 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide.  Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America.  The Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division with 26 locations.  The company's Tracker Marine Group® (www.trackerboats.com) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide.  The Resort Group (www.bigcedar.com) includes Big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com.  To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO.  Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.

Legislation to help shine light on Illinois' higher education institutions

SPRINGFIELD - May 1, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon submitted written testimony to the Senate Higher Education Committee today in support of House Bill 5248, Amendment 2. The legislation, approved 7-0, will require public and private colleges and universities to publish annual "College Choice Reports" with key student and institutional data.

The College Choice Reports could contain information such as degree and certificate completion rates, net costs, debt loads and job placement outcomes. Much of the suggested data is already collected by the Illinois Community College Board and Illinois Board of Higher Education, but HB 5248 will ensure it is published in an easy to find and digestible format.

"Future undergraduates will be able to access College Choice Reports online to comparison-shop among institutions," said Simon, who helped draft the legislation following her Complete College Tour of the state's 48 community colleges. "Think of this new tool as a consumer report, guiding parents and students toward high-quality, affordable higher education investments."

Upon passage of HB 5248, Amendment 2, higher education stakeholders will convene a committee to determine the style and content of the reports by January 1, 2014. Public and private degree-granting institutions will publish their first College Choice Report by January 1, 2015. Simon, as chair of the Joint Education Leadership Committee of the P-20 Council, will monitor the committee's progress.

The General Assembly, with guidance from the P-20 Council, recently revamped the elementary and high school report cards which have been required for more than a decade. The College Choice Reports will build on these resources, Simon said.

HB 5248, sponsored by Sen. Kimberly Lightford, now moves to the Senate for a vote.

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