Freedom Salute Planned Aug. 18 for Specialized Group Who Helped Improve Afghan Farming

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Approximately 60 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers will be recognized Aug. 18 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ceremony for 1st Team of the 14th Agribusiness Development Team (1-14th ADT) will be at 2 p.m.at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 South Sixth Street in Springfield.

"With Illinois producing more than $9 billion in agricultural commodities each year, there are no people in the world that know the business of agricultural like our Illinois farmers," said Gov. Pat Quinn. "I'm proud that this group of Illinois farmers donned their military uniforms and put their civilian skills to use in our nation's defense. The knowledge they passed on to Afghans will help a fledgling democracy secure a viable and peaceful future for its citizens and will help cap the discord that leads to disillusionment and terrorism."

Mobilized in April 2011, the ADT deployed for one year to conduct agricultural support operations in Afghanistan that revitalized and established a strong, growing and sustainable agricultural industry. The team provided basic agricultural needs and services working alongside the Afghan government agriculture agencies. They also taught and trained Afghan Extension Agents and farmers.

"When the Illinois National Guard sends men and women to war, we are sending the most motivated and the best trained and best equipped troops in the world," said Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Celletti, the Acting Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "This was certainly true of the 1-14th Agribusiness Development Team, where both their military and civilian skills were put to the test."

The team improved irrigation to more than 4,100 hectares of farmland. They also developed a functional Agricultural Extension Agent Program and hosted 34 training events. The ADT modernized Afghan farming techniques.

The ADT conducted 240 convoys, facilitated 5,145 farmer training days, trained 2,960 famers through Agriculture Extension Agents and assisted with forestry projects resulting in more than 60,000 seedlings being planted.

The ADT received the Meritorious Unit Citation and Valorous Unit citation. Thirteen Soldiers received a Bronze Star Medal, one Soldier received a Purple Heart Medal, 45 Soldiers were recognized with Army Commendation Medals and 58 Soldiers qualified for the Combat Action Badge.

The Soldiers are from all parts of Illinois. Many of them were specifically chosen for the mission based on their education and civilian background in agriculture.

Agriculture in Afghanistan accounts for 31 percent of the Afghan Gross Domestic Product and employs 78 percent of the over 30 million people in the country. National Guard ADTs work to improve the function of Afghan governmental agencies that are needed to sustain a viable agriculture sector and to educate and train Afghan farmers in modern agricultural methods and techniques. The changes will improve the quality of life and provide economic stability in the region.

The Freedom Salute Campaign program is a small way to show these patriotic citizen-Soldiers, their families and employers how much their sacrifice is appreciated. On behalf of the National Guard Bureau, the Illinois Army National Guard will present each eligible Soldier with an encased American flag, as well as a sequentially-numbered commemorative coin, certificate of appreciation and lapel pin. Families will also receive items recognizing their support and sacrifice. The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

News media attending the ceremony should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Media attending the event are asked to contact the Public Affairs office at 217-761-3569 by 3 p.m. on Aug. 15. For more information call the Public Affairs Office at 217-761-3569.

DAVENPORT, IA - On August 15, 2012, Bernard Anderson, Sr., age 47, of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, having previously pleaded guilty to all counts of a four-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute crack, distribution of crack, and possession with intent to distribute crack, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Senior United States District Judge Robert W. Pratt also sentenced Anderson to 5 years supervised release following imprisonment and ordered him to pay $400 to the Crime Victims Fund.

On October 24, 2011, when Anderson pleaded guilty, he admitted that he had conspired with other persons to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine. He further admitted that he distributed crack in Davenport on April 23 and again on April 24, 2011. On April 24, 2011, members of the Davenport, Iowa Vice and Narcotics Unit executed a search at a residence used by Anderson and recovered 25 packages of crack ready for distribution.

The case was investigated by the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department, and it was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

# # #
DAVENPORT, IA - On August 15, 2012, Amanda Diener, age 37, of Bettendorf, Iowa, was sentenced to 240 months imprisonment, having previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sexually exploit a child, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Senior United States District Judge Robert W. Pratt also sentenced Diener to 15 years supervised release following imprisonment and ordered her to pay $100 to the Crime Victims Fund.

On October 24, 2011, when she entered a plea of guilty, Diener admitted that she met a man on-line who identified himself as Gary King from Massachusetts. After conversing for months, King, who was later identified as Hobart Yates, asked to chat with a minor female to whom Diener had access. During on-line chats, Yates asked Diener to have the minor female perform sexual acts with her, photograph them, and send the images to him. Deiner complied and produced images of child pornography and sent them to Yates. Diener and Yates admitted that Deiner had performed sex acts on a live webcam in Bettendorf, Iowa, that were seen by Yates in Massachusetts.

The case was investigated by the Bettendorf, Iowa, Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it was prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

# # #

SPRINGFIELD - August 15, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

 

Bill No.: HB 4022

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Includes Class II rail carriers in the requirement that a counseling or trauma program be filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and be updated every three years.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: HB 5212

An Act Concerning: Wages

Requires public bodies or other entities to Illinois Department of Labor revises the prevailing hourly wage rate applicable to the contract.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

 

Bill No.: SB 3279

An Act Concerning: Regulation

Adds additional protections for consumers and licensed roofing contractors by making changes to the roofing licensing and permitting process.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

 

Bill No.: SB 3792

An Act Concerning: Civil Law

Extends the timeframe for obtaining a mechanics lien under the Mechanics Lien Act in connection with any type of property other than residential property.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

###
Offers Tips for Raising Kids to Succeed

Welfare may seem like a charitable measure for struggling families. But it's a self-perpetuating trap when it becomes the only way of life parents know how to teach their children, who then know nothing else to teach their own children, says Virgil Brannon, founder of the non-profit I Am Vision Inc.

"Living on entitlements becomes a way of life for recipients when it's handed down from one generation to the next because the family loses any tools it might have once had to forge a life based on self-discipline, achievement and challenging," says Brannon, author of Democratic Coma (www.DemocraticComa.com).

"It's no different from the child who grow up being given material thing he wants, along with excessive praise that's not deserved. One child may be from a poor family and the other from an affluent family, but both are at risk for growing up without the skills necessary for success."

Brannon's non-profit organization mentors disadvantaged children, helping them develop the values, understanding and knowledge they need to be motivated and equipped to succeed. He has found that coaching children to manage their lives as they would a business helps them not only develop good habits and skills, it also teaches them some essential business lessons:

•  Your life is your business: Our business is how we act, speak, the way we dress, how we treat ourselves and how we treat others. Like any other business, it is expected to grow and prosper and to do that, we must invest in it. Part of that is feeding the mind with the information needed to make good choices.

•  The people you meet and the friends you make are your clientele: Treat all people with the respect you would any customer or potential customer. Our relationships can elevate us if people feel their treated fairly, honestly and with respect.

•  The more you provide or produce, the more you advance: Business involves providing a service or product. Business people do not care about excuses; they care about what you have to offer them. It doesn't matter where you come from or what color you are, if you have something they need - and a reputation for integrity -- they will come to you for it.

• Your appearance means everything: You must look the part to get the part. The secret is to look as though you already have it to obtain what you want.

Parents should teach their children to be business-like and to think like a professional, Brannon says.

"That includes giving them the best education possible, including learning at home about history, civic duty and different cultures," Brannon says. "In business, people are expected to display good manners and to communicate with others, from a firm handshake to looking others in the eye and speaking clearly and correctly.

"That is the most important investment we can make."

About Virgil Brannon

Virgil Brannon is a private investigator and the founder of I Am Vision Inc., a non-profit program that embraces and empowers youth with academic and leadership challenges. His goal is to promote the personal growth of socio-economically disadvantaged youth and their families by encouraging their dreams and providing members with a roadmap for success. Brannon attended Shepherd's Care Bible College and received his master's and doctoral degrees in ministry religious counseling.



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Attacks by radical Islamist Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters yesterday are a stark reminder that our troops are fighting terrorists who are truly deranged and care nothing for the lives of innocents.

In the deadliest day of attacks this year, insurgents and terrorists killed at least 38 innocent people and injured over 100 others civilians.

Our troops are fighting an enemy who will stop at nothing to accomplish their goals, spread their radical view of Islam around the world and destroy our country and our way of life that they despise so much.

But our troops are standing in their way! Send a care package of support to our brave troops serving overseas and help put a stop to the terrorists and their plots to kill Americans and our allies.

Islamist suicide bombers targeted markets crowded with Ramadan shoppers and a major provincial hospital in Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing at least 38 people and wounding close to 100.

The bloodshed underscored a surge in fighting ahead of a withdrawal by most Western combat troops and handover to Afghan forces winding up in 2014. NATO-led forces have been struggling to eliminate Taliban insurgent bastions, especially in the east.

Suicide bombings in markets in the southwest province of Nimroz killed at least 28 people - 18 of them civilians and three policemen - and wounded over 70, police said, in the deadliest day of violence in the normally peaceful region since 2001.

Women and children and at least three members of the Afghan security forces were among the dead in Zaranj, the capital of the largely rural province, which lies on Afghanistan's western border with Iran.


Another bomber blew himself up in front of Zaranj hospital, while two others detonated explosive vests in other areas of the city, killing mostly civilians, President Hamid Karzai's office said in a statement.

The toll in Zaranj was expected to rise, provincial governor Abdul Karim Barahawi said. "The attackers blew themselves up in crowded markets to target civilians. There was no government installation nearby," Barahawi said.

Another 10 civilians were killed and 28 injured when a bomb went off in a bazaar in Dashte Archi district in the northern province of Kunduz, district Governor Sheikh Sadruddin said.

- Reuters
08/14/2012

CHICAGO -SAM I Am Films, producers of "Scrooge & Marley," a modern-day variation on Charles Dickens' classic holiday story, "A Christmas Carol," has announced that acclaimed Tony Award-winning actress Judith Light will be the film's narrator.

The film's Indiegogo campaign ends Aug. 15. The trailer is posted here: http://igg.me/p/124360?a=396864 .

"We are delighted to have Judith Light as our narrator," said Richard Knight, Jr., co-director and co-writer of the film. "She is both a wonderful actress with an instantly recognizable voice as well as a longtime advocate for gay rights and a big supporter of human rights for all. We could not be more thrilled that she is joining our Scrooge & Marley family."

Light was awarded the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for Other Desert Cities. She also won a Drama Desk Award for "Best Featured Actress" for the same play. She is well known for her role as Angela Bower on the hit comedy series Who's the Boss? Up until 2010, she was seen on the Emmy Award-winning ABC-TV series Ugly Betty, for which she received an Emmy nomination playing the character of Claire Meade. Simultaneously, she co-starred on NBC's long-running drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the recurring role of Supreme Court Judge Elizabeth Donnelly.

Scrooge & Marley will be released in December. Acclaimed out actor David Pevsner portrays Ben Scrooge while former SNL star Tim Kazurinsky appears as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. The film also stars Rusty Schwimmer, Bruce Vilanch, Megan Cavanagh, Ronnie Kroell, David Moretti, Richard Ganoung, and performance artist JoJo Baby.

"Scrooge & Marley" was shot in Chicago in May and also highlights a host of recognized theatrical actors who round out the cast: Drew Anderson, Christopher Allen, Nicholas Bailey, Allison Torem, Fawzia Mirza, Peter Mohawk, Scott Duff, PJ Powers, Amy Matheny and many more.

ABOUT JUDITH LIGHT

In June of 2012, Judith Light was awarded the prestigious Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for Other Desert Cities. She also won a Drama Desk Award for "Best Featured Actress" for the same play. Produced by Jon Robin Baitz, Other Desert Cities is centered on a daughter played by Rachel Griffiths who presents her family with a memoir she is about to publish. Judith played the role of Silda Grauman, the alcoholic aunt who is known to make snide remarks.

Judith was nominated for a Tony Award for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play" in 2011, for her performance in "Lombardi", the American play by Academy Award winner Eric Simpson. Directed by Tony nominee Thomas Kail, the play was based on the best-selling biography When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by Pulitzer-winning author David Maraniss. Judith stared in the play as Marie Lombardi alongside Dan Lauria who played sports icon Vince Lombardi.

Judith's television career began with her two-time Best Actress Emmy award-winning turn as Karen Wolek on "One Life to Live". She then went on to play Angela Bower on the hit comedy series "Who's the Boss?" Up until 2010, she was seen on the Emmy Award-winning ABC-TV series "Ugly Betty", for which she received an Emmy nomination playing the character of Claire Meade. Simultaneously, she co-starred on NBC's long-running drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in the recurring role of Supreme Court Judge Elizabeth Donnelly. Judith has also starred in "Phenom" (created by James Brooks), "The Simple Life", created by long-time manager/producer Herb Hamsher, "The Stones" (created by Max Mutchnick, David Kohan and Jenji Kohan) and in over 15 television movies, including her role as Ryan's mother, Jeanne, in "The Ryan White Story".

Judith has starred in three independent films, "The Shoemaker" with Danny Aiello, "Ira & Abby" by Jennifer Westfeldt, with Robert Klein, Fred Willard, and Frances Conroy - which was voted Best Comedy at the 2007 HBO comedy festival; and "Save Me" with Chad Allen and Robert Gant, a film which she also produced with Herb Hamsher through their production company, Tetrahedron Productions, in conjunction with GKE and Mythgarden Productions. "Save Me" had its US premiere at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, followed by screenings at both NYC's NewFest and LA's Outfest, as well as a screening and panel discussion aboard RSVP vacations Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing. "Save Me" was released theatrically nationwide in the summer of 2008 by First Run Features.

In 2005, Judith returned to her performing roots in theater, opening at The MCC Theatre in New York in the production of Laura Wade's "Colder Than Here". Judith showcased her musical abilities in 2004 in the role of Joanne in Steven Sondheim's "Company" at the Freud Theatre in LA as part of Reprise! Judith also appeared in Athol Fugard's "Sorrows and Rejoicings" in 2002 at the Second Stage Theatre in New York and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

In 2001, Judith opened in Washington, DC at The Shakespeare Theater portraying the title character in the Henrik Ibsen classic "Hedda Gabler". In 1999 she also took to the stage at the Union Square Theater, starring as the brilliant and uncompromising "Dr. Vivian Bearing" in the critically acclaimed and Pulitzer Prize winning Off-Broadway play "WIT". Originally directed by Derek Anson Jones, "WIT" is a heartbreaking and at times very funny play about how 'Dr. Bearing' copes with ovarian cancer, and how it transforms her and her views of life. A university professor who has always treasured her independence and lack of personal connections, 'Dr. Bearing' is forced to change her stance when she undergoes radical chemotherapy. Judith performed in New York until January 2000 and then toured with WIT nationwide, in such cities as Boston, Washington (at the Kennedy Center), and San Francisco. For her outstanding performance, Judith received the Helen Hayes Award in Washington, DC, as well as the Elliot Norton Award in Boston.

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA, Judith has worked in repertory theaters throughout the United States and Canada as well as a USO Tour of "Guys and Dolls" with William Atherton and Paula Wagner throughout Europe. Judith's Broadway debut was in "A Doll's House" with Liv Ullmann and was followed by a season at the Eugene O'Neil Playwright's conference.

Judith is a Board Member and advocate for many organizations and charities representing AIDS-related and Human Rights issues including: Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS, The Names Project/The AIDS Memorial Quilt, The AIDS Memorial Grove, CDC's Business Responds to AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS, Hollywood Health and Society, Faith in America,  Project Angel Food, The Matthew Shepard Foundation, The National Aids Memorial Grove, The Point Foundation, The Rome Chamber Music Festival, and The Trevor Project.

Judith lives in New York and Los Angeles and is married to writer/actor, Robert Desiderio.

 

 

About SCROOGE & MARLEY

 

"Scrooge & Marley" is a modern-day variation on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Recounted from a gay sensibility, with heart, comedy and music, the magic of Dickens' timeless tale of a man's redemption at the holidays-thanks to the help of three ghostly spirits-comes alive from a fresh perspective that will appeal to audiences of every persuasion. The film is based on an original script by Ellen Stoneking, Knight and the late Timothy Imse. It was directed by Knight and Peter Neville. Executive producers of the film are Tracy Baim ("Hannah Free") and David Strzepek ("Foodgasm"), joined by several co-producers (Knight, Neville, Stoneking, Kroell, and Moretti) and noteworthy crew.

 

Full cast and production team bios at http://www.scroogeandmarleymovie.com .

Will see firsthand affects of recent drought

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack will tour farms in Clinton and Scott counties TOMORROW, August 16th to see firsthand the effects of the recent drought.  He will meet with farmers, community members and representatives from Farm Bureau.  Loebsack has been leading the fight in Congress to ensure Iowa's farmers have the resources they need to deal with the impact of the drought.  Media is invited to attend.  Details are below.

 

Tour of Drought Stricken Farms

Mike Holst's Farm

20757 30th Avenue

Stockton, IA 52769

10:00 a.m.

 

Dustin Johnson's Farm

1560 432nd Avenue

Clinton, IA  52732

12:30 p.m.

In Dubuque, Iowa, this afternoon, President Obama laid out the clear choice in this election between his plan to strengthen Medicare and the Romney-Ryan plan to end Medicare as we know it.

 

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYzBOWrPV0o&feature=youtu.be

 

TRANSCRIPT

I think they know their plan's not very popular. You can tell that because they are being pretty dishonest about my plan. Especially, by the way, when it comes to Medicare. Now, this is something I've got to point out here because they are just throwing everything at the wall to see if it sticks. Here is what you need to know: I have strengthened Medicare. I have made reforms that have saved millions of seniors with Medicare hundreds of dollars on their prescription drugs. I've proposed reforms that will save Medicare money by getting rid of wasteful spending in the health care system - reforms that will not touch your Medicare benefits, not by a dime. Now, Mr. Romney and his running mate have a very different plan. They want to turn Medicare into a voucher program. That means seniors would no longer have the guarantee of Medicare, they'd get a voucher to buy private insurance. And because the voucher wouldn't keep up with costs, the plan offered by Governor Romney's running mate, Congressman Ryan, would force seniors to pay an extra $6,400 a year, and I assume they don't have it. My plans already extended Medicare by nearly a decade. Their plan ends Medicare as we know it. My plan reduces the cost of Medicare by cracking down on fraud and waste and subsidies to insurance companies. Their plan makes seniors pay more so they can give another tax cut to millionaires and billionaires. That's the difference between our plans on Medicare, that's an example of the choice in this election, and that's why I am running for a second term as President of the United States of America.

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