What:             Ribbon Cutting for Electric Vehicle ("EV") Charging Stations at the Quad City International Airport

When:            Wednesday, October 17^th at 11:00 a.m.
Introduction by Bruce Carter, followed by brief comments from the Chamber, followed by "Green" Ribbon Cutting by the Chamber and Ambassadors, and the "plugging in" of an electronic vehicle.

Where:           Short-term parking, at EV charging stations/stalls, across from Exit 6.
(Media and guests may pull in to the short term lot in order to park near the ribbon cutting area.)

Improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities is one of my top priorities.  In 2011, at a disability employment summit hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Business Leadership Network, I challenged the employer representatives in the room to work to increase the size of the disability workforce from under five million to six million by 2015.  This goal was quickly endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Employment is one of the most pressing issues facing the disability community today.  While the recent recession has had a negative impact on most Americans, it has hit Americans with disabilities particularly hard.  And while employment numbers are rising overall, people with disabilities have been slow to see the benefits of our nation's economic recovery.  Moreover, workers with disabilities left the labor force during the recent recession at a rate five times the rate for workers without disabilities.

This October, as we observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month, it is time to celebrate the very real progress we have made in opening doors of opportunity thanks to laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.  But it is also time to acknowledge that when a majority of people with disabilities are not employed, we still have a long way to go to ensure equal opportunity for all Americans.  Individuals with disabilities represent one of the largest untapped pools of skills and talents in our country.

In July, as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, I released a report urging Congress, the Administration, the business community, and society at large to make the issue of disability employment a national priority.  I hope that this report encourages bipartisan leadership in the public and private sectors that will bring more Americans with disabilities into competitive employment, where they can earn a good living and contribute to the economy.

This month, as we recognize that people with disabilities - like all people - have unique abilities, talents, and aptitudes, I encourage you to think about this year's theme:  "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"

We must continue to expand opportunities for people with disabilities to make their mark on the world, and help employers learn the benefits of hiring these workers.  Learn more about how to celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month by visiting the Department of Labor's website: http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/.

A PDF version of the column is available by clicking here.

Employee-led Food Drive Strives to Fight Hunger Close to Home

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Oct. 15, 2012 - This week, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and FBL Financial Group (NYSE:FFG) kick off a new joint effort to fight local food insecurity through a week-long, company-wide food drive to bring much-needed support to Iowa food banks. The food drive coincides with the organizations' sponsorship of the World Food Prize Foundation's Iowa Hunger Summit, held Oct. 16 in Des Moines. This is the second year of the organizations' five-year joint sponsorship of the Iowa Hunger Summit.

The Iowa Hunger Summit is expected to bring together 500 leaders from across the state to explore how building food security helps fight hunger and to showcase efforts that raise awareness of local, national and global issues of poverty, hunger and nutrition.

"Iowa farmers strive to raise a variety of food at a variety of price options, which brings more choices to more Americans," said Craig Hill, IFBF president. "This is important to help increase food security in Iowa and around the world. The key, however, is to embrace innovation and technology in farming practices to enable us to meet growing consumer needs."

"We're proud to sponsor the Iowa Hunger Summit with Iowa Farm Bureau, and be part of an initiative that leads the charge against hunger and poverty, spotlighting the achievements of organizations that bring food insecurity to the forefront and inspire others to act," said FBL Financial Group Chief Executive Officer Jim Brannen.

In addition to the local food drive, IFBF will support the Iowa Food Bank Association during its America Needs Farmers Game Day Oct. 20 when the Iowa Hawkeye football team plays Penn State (www.americaneedsfarmers.org).

"It's a great opportunity to not only raise awareness of what our farmers do to raise the food we need, but to raise funds for the food bank," said Hill. "For every one dollar donated, the Food Bank of Iowa can provide two pounds of food to those in need. Just like we still believe in Norman Borlaug's vision of feeding more needing people through agricultural technology and innovative methods, we support this organization's ability to make the most of those donations."

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

About FBL Financial Group, Inc.

FBL Financial Group is a holding company whose insurance companies go to market under the Farm Bureau Financial Services brand. Through an exclusive, multi-state agent force, the companies affiliated with the Farm Bureau Financial Services brand underwrite, market and distribute a broad range of insurance and financial services products to individuals, families and businesses. For more information, please visit www.fblfinancial.com or www.fbfs.com.

About the Iowa Hunger Summit

The World Food Prize Foundation established the Iowa Hunger Summit as a means to celebrate Iowa's great successes in fighting hunger and poverty, and to unite in further action against both. The Iowa Hunger Summit, first held in 2007, seeks to gather leaders from across Iowa representing community organizations, business and industry, state and local government, social agencies, churches and religious communities, schools and universities, and other groups that lead or participate in projects to confront hunger.