A  Reuters/Ipsos poll found that when you remove the controversial individual mandate from the equation , strong majorities favor most of what's  actually in the new law:

·  61 percent of respondents favored allowing young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plans until age 26.

·  72 percent of respondents wish to maintain the requirement that companies with more than 50 workers provide health insurance for their employees.

·  82 percent of respondents favored banning insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

In recent weeks, some Republicans have come out in support of the most popular and successful Obamacare provisions, attempting to whitewash their longstanding blanket opposition. Insurance companies have also pledged to maintain key Obamacare measures regardless of the Supreme Court's ruling.

Earth Force, a non-profit organization, will use the grant to make 19 small grant awards up to $5,000 each to organizations that apply with a joint application and agree to work together as a team.  Each team applicant will identify partner organizations within their community to meet the specific goals identified in their application.  These awards will be used for the development and implementation of projects, programs and solutions to meet a variety of educational and environmental priorities.  Four of the 19 awards will be made to organizations working directly on the development of environmental literacy plans.

 

"The variety of organizations and diversity of projects to receive these environmental education sub awards will exhibit the commitment of communities to creating and sustaining a healthy environment," said Karl Brooks, Region 7 administrator.  "The rewards to be reaped from these sub awards will be visible in a stronger earth, cleaner air, reduced pollution, environmentally astute citizens, and healthier people."

 

These projects will bring together diverse organizations working on a number of environmental issues that will meet the needs of their community.  Sub award applicants will have the flexibility to support the strategic initiatives identified through one or more EPA educational priorities such as community projects, human health and the environment.

 

The Environmental Education Grant Program is a competitive grant program that supports EPA's efforts to enhance the public's awareness and knowledge about environmental issues. This grant program supports environmental education projects to increase the skills that help people make informed decisions that affect environmental quality and to take responsible actions toward the environment.

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Learn more about EPA's environmental education grant program:

www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html

 

Learn more about Earth Force:

http://www.earthforce.org/index.php

 

Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/eparegion7

Army Sgt. John McSorley, counter IED trainer mentor with 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment prepares a simulated pressure plate IED for use on the Dismounted IED Visual Indicator Lane.

By Ian Lumley, Matthew Brady and William Fisher
174th Infantry Brigade Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Integration Cell

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- A major part of training service members for combat revolves around countering the insurgent's use of improvised explosive devices. IEDs remain the weapon of choice for terrorists, insurgents and criminal networks worldwide.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., serves as a mobilization training center for First Army Division East with the mission of preparing joint forces for military operations in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and other active conflict areas around the world. A great deal of time and effort is devoted to training service members how to operate effectively in an IED environment.

"Before they go to an active area of operations, they need to know what to look for," said Army Sgt. John McSorley, 174th Infantry Brigade Counter-IED trainer mentor. "The DIVIL is a great way to expose troops to multiple scenarios and increase IED awareness overall."

The latest joint base training enabler, the DIVIL, or Dismounted IED Visual Indicator Lane, encompasses 15 independent IED training stations. Each station provides information concerning a specific type of IED and provides multiple examples of the IED as it may appear in an active IED environment. The intent is to expose service members to as many devices as possible to increase potential survivability, according to McSorley.

He went on to explained that training lanes have progressed from being a simple walk in the woods where an opposing force sets off training devices and simulates gunfire. During the last 10 years training enablers have increased in complexity and changed how service members train for deployment. Training enhancements such as the Virtual Battle Space Simulator is an example of how training has evolved to assist service members preparing for missions in an IED environment. The increased realism and reduced cost from less wear and tear on traditional field equipment has proved an effective enhancement at the joint base.

"Building the lane is an ongoing project," said McSorley. "Our goal is to continuously update the exhibits and tailor the site towards multiple areas of operations and keep current with the latest tactics being used by the enemy."

The DIVIL is a joint project between the 174th and installation entities. Soldiers assigned to the 174th used their skills and experience to build realistic representations of IEDs and 174th maintains project oversight. The Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security provided and maintains the terrain, while the Training Management Division assists with work orders.
In keeping with the Army Training Model 2015, which stresses the importance of hands on training, instructors take students out of the classroom and onto automated with fully-operational simulated IEDs active lanes. Students encounter hidden IEDs along the lane, which reinforces the training they receive.

Instead of a blast, the IEDs are connected to a siren or horn to simulate a blast.

"The DIVIL affords us a more productive learning environment, and constant lane improvements will keep training relevant," said McSorley. "We are working on putting together a marine-time station to demonstrate threats Coast Guard and Navy personnel may encounter."

The 174th IN Bde., trains service members from all branches of the military in preparation for deployments around the world. This newly redesigned lane allows them to train any unit for any area of conflict.

Parental Lessons
Estranged Spouses Must Put Children First, Father Says; Offers Tips

In his wedding pictures taken during the 1980s, Steve Fenton is on top of the world. He's a handsome American newlywed with a sly smirk on his face, about to drink a toast with his beauty queen wife in a traditional wedding in Xalapa, Mexico.

Eight years later, the rising tension begins in this real-life, Hollywood-styled drama, detailed in his new book, Broken Treaty (www.BrokenTreaty.info). He became estranged from his wife Silvia, but allowed her to take their son, Stephen, 6, on a two-week trip to her native Mexico in December 1992. More than four, frantic weeks later, he found out Silvia had enrolled their son in a school there, quit her job in California and had no plans of coming back.

"I know a lot of mothers down here who have done this same thing with no problems," she told him over the phone.

Fenton also spoke with his son during that call, and could tell the boy was close to tears.

"He wanted to come back home to his friends, his school and a model submarine project we were working on," he says. "Silvia hung up the phone shortly thereafter."

He pursued the Hague Convention Treaty, an international accord signed by Mexico the previous year, to return his son. A year later, although adamantly assured by both Mexico and the U.S. State Department that his son would be returned to his birth country, Fenton saw that his only hope would be to leave diplomats to their own devices. He began quietly engineering a complex plan to bring his son home to California.

Fenton grew his hair and a beard and donned sunglasses and a hat to disguise his appearance. He hired a pilot and others to help in the extraction of his son from southeastern Mexico. After spending tens of thousands of dollars and risking his life with no guarantee of success, he landed back on U.S. soil - with Stephen.

But while the action movie portion of the story ends here, another saga - single-parenthood - would begin. He offers tips that, despite his unique circumstances, apply to all divorced parents.

• It's not about you. Although Fenton's heroics to recover his son on foreign soil were life-changing, the mission's purpose was to provide young Stephen with a better life. That meant giving his son the opportunity to continue his relationship with the mother who abducted him.

• "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished." That's the second-to-last chapter title in Fenton's book. Initially, he took his son to visit his mother at the border, where they two were separated by a tall chain-link fence. He asked authorities to reduce charges against her when she came back to the states, so that his son could continue to have a meaningful relationship with her. His reward - Silvia was perpetually taking Fenton to court for child custody and child support, though she was court-ordered to repay him $51,000 for the rescue mission.

• Forgiveness is ultimately rewarded. Fenton's second marriage broke up because of the stress on his family from his first wife's actions. He was reprimanded by his lawyer for putting himself in a compromising situation. But  the doting father got the affirmation he was looking for during a lunch with his then-22-year-old son. Stephen spelled out his gratitude for his father's instincts and actions. "Fourteen years after brining my son home, he helped me understand that I could look ahead and realize that we'd both finally made it home," Fenton says.

About Steve Fenton

Steve Fenton is a specialty building contractor. After his estranged wife spirited their son, an American, away to Xalapa, Mexico, the father decided he had to take action. With little to no help from the U.S. and Mexican governments after a year and a half, the determined father went on a clandestine recovery mission across the border. What ensued were life-changing events that have defined the lives of father and son.  His book was written with some technical assistance from Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who would later become a national hero after safely landing U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad today named Duane Magee as the new Executive Director of the Board of Educational Examiners.

Magee, who serves at the pleasure of the governor, will begin the appointment starting July 1, 2012.

"Duane will be a great leader and asset to the Board of Educational Examiners.  He holds a tremendous resume, which makes him highly skilled in educational administration," said Branstad.

Magee currently is the assistant superintendent of human resources for the Waukee Community School District. Previously, he served as director of human resources in the Waukee Community School, and before moving to Waukee, Magee was a principal in the Harlan Community School District.

Magee holds an Ed. S. in Educational Leadership from Drake University, an M.S.E. in Education Administration from Buena Vista University and a B.S.E. in Secondary Business Education from Drake University. He is an Ames Senior High School graduate.

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"Civility With a German Immigrant Accent"

The German American Heritage Center is pleased to announce that Chairman Jim Leach of the National Endowment for the Humanities has provided a copy of his public remarks on June 16 to the community.  We are happy to share them with our members and friends, and thank all of you who inquired if they could be made available.  We are honored that Chairman Leach has fulfilled this request.  You can view his talk here...

 

 

Janet Brown-Lowe, Executive Director

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds today announced that they both will pay 20% of their healthcare costs beginning August 1, 2012.

"Hard-working Iowa taxpayers are accustomed to paying for some or all of their own healthcare costs, and for far too long, their tax dollars have also paid for the total cost of state employees' healthcare," said Branstad. "I truly believe the only way we will begin improving our health as a state and controlling the rising costs of healthcare is by empowering Iowans to take ownership of their own health."

Gov. Branstad signed Executive Order 78 today to allow state employees to voluntarily pay for 20% of their own healthcare. Branstad individually asked all state-wide elected officials and department heads to volunteer as well.

The governor worked with the health plan administrator and Department of Administrative Services to make this healthcare option available to all state employees.

"Our decision to begin paying 20%, and to allow employees to an opportunity to also contribute, will accomplish both goals of making employees healthier and allow for government to spend less," said Reynolds.

A single person, whom chooses to pay for 20% of their own healthcare on the least expensive plan will save taxpayers at least $1,000.

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Former Hawkeye standout, NFL playmaker supports ANF

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - July 2, 2012 - Dallas Clark, a small-town Iowa boy who's made it big in the National Football League, is teaming up with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and the University of Iowa (UI) to promote the America Needs Farmers (ANF) campaign.

It's all about Iowa pride for Clark.

"I really respect and have a lot of pride in the values that farmers have, and the values of Iowa and the values of community, and that's what Farm Bureau represents," said Clark, a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. "I'm thrilled to be part of this initiative and believe in the importance of farming and the effects it has on our communities and the world."

Clark joins an impressive list of former Hawkeye players who support ANF, a campaign launched by legendary Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry in 1985 during the Farm Crisis. The ANF emblem is displayed on Hawkeye football players' helmets today.

With most people two to three generations removed from the family farm, IFBF and UI joined forces to promote the ANF message and talk to consumers about the food, fuel and fiber raised by farmers.

The ANF campaign continues to create excitement with the 2012 Hawkeye football season drawing closer.

  • ANF, Iowa football players and farmers will be featured at Farm Bureau Park, located on the Grand Concourse at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 9-19. Visitors can register for prizes, play games and learn more about farming.
  • "ANF Day at Kinnick" will be held Oct. 20 at the Iowa versus Penn State night game.  The day will feature pre-game events featuring Iowa farmers and an autograph session with former Hawkeye greats.
  • Kinnick Stadium visitors can see ANF Plaza and the Wall of Fame, located between the stadium's west grandstand and the north grandstand.
  • ANF merchandise is for sale at www.bravosportsmarketing.com. Farm Bureau members can take advantage of special discounts throughout the year at www.iowafarmbureau.com.
  • The website www.AmericaNeedsFarmers.org features fun facts, trivia, ANF events and comments from former University of Iowa football players who proudly wore the ANF on their game helmets during their playing days at the UI.

 

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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.

Law Will Help Protect Dwindling Shark Populations Worldwide

CHICAGO - July 1, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that bans the sale, trade, or distribution of shark fins in Illinois. The practice of harvesting shark fins, most commonly for shark fin soup and Asian cuisine, usually results in the shark's death. As part of Governor Quinn's efforts to stop animal cruelty and preserve natural resources in Illinois, this new law will help end the killing of sharks for their fins and prevent the collapse of shark populations worldwide.

"Sharks have roamed our oceans for millions of years but the practice of harvesting them for their fins poses a great threat to the species," Governor Quinn said. "By limiting the market for shark fins, we will protect ocean ecosystems and shark populations around the world."

House Bill 4119, sponsored by Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and Sen. Antonio Munoz (D-Chicago), bans the selling and trading of shark fins in Illinois, which are harvested and typically used in shark fin soup and Asian cuisine. Frequently, sharks are caught and their fins cut off to be sold or traded. The shark is then thrown finless back into the ocean where it bleeds to death or drowns.

"I would like to thank Governor Quinn for signing legislation and putting Illinois at the forefront of this important issue," said Rep. Feigenholtz. "In addition to being inhumane, the practice of harvesting shark fins has had a devastating impact on worldwide shark populations and put at risk the balance of our global oceanic ecosystems."

"In Illinois and Chicago, where we value our beautiful Lake Michigan, our rivers and natural resources we understand the importance of preserving and saving delicate ecosystems," said Sen. Munoz. "Thank you, Governor Quinn, for helping us do what's right and protect these animals."

Shark populations worldwide have declined by an estimated 90 percent or more during the past 50 years. The demand for shark fins has increased along with the popularity of shark fin soup. This new law will help protect shark populations by prohibiting the fins from being distributed in Illinois. Illinois is the first non-Pacific state to enact such protections. The ban takes effect on Jan. 1.

The Governor signed the law at the Shedd Aquarium's Wild Reef, which is 25 feet below street level. A re-creation of Apo Island, an Indo-Pacific island in the Philippines, the Wild Reef brings one of North America's largest and most-diverse shark habitats to the shores of Lake Michigan. More than 20 sharks reside in a curved-overhead 400,000-gallon habitat, including blacktip reef, spotted and japaense wobbegong, and sandbar sharks. Other large reef fish, such as the 40-pound Napoleon wrasse share the habitat.


"This is a historic day for sharks around the world. We applaud Governor Quinn, State Representative Feigenholtz, the Illinois General Assembly and our coalition partners for enacting this law," said Ted A. Beattie, Shedd Aquarium president & CEO. "Each year millions of sharks are killed, many only for their fins. As a global conservation and education organization, and leader in shark research, this is welcomed news for these amazing and very misunderstood animals."

"The unsustainable demand for shark fins has had a devastating impact on shark populations worldwide, and this decisive action makes it clear Illinois will no longer contribute to the cruelty," said Kristen Strawbridge, Illinois state director for The HSUS. "We thank Governor Quinn for signing this bill into law and making Illinois the first Midwestern state to join the international movement to protect sharks by shutting down the market for shark fins."



Shedd Aquarium

The John G. Shedd Aquarium, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public education and conservation, is among one of the world's largest indoor aquariums. The facility houses over 32,500 aquatic animals representing some 1,500 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from waters around the world.  Beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Shedd Aquarium is known as "The World's Aquarium."  Since its opening in 1930, the aquarium's mission has been to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the aquatic world.  Shedd Aquarium is committed to a number of projects designed to preserve threatened or endangered aquatic species. For more information visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

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