SAINT PAUL, MN (07/11/2012)(readMedia)-- Sydney Quandt, a student at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., has been named to the Dean's List for academic excellence for the spring 2012 semester. Sydney is the daughter of Jim and Julie Quandt from East Moline, IL.

The Dean's List honors students who achieve an outstanding scholastic record during a semester with a grade point average of 3.6 or greater.

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,600 students from 48 states and 25 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minn., with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel offers rigorous bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 relevant fields. For further information on Bethel University, go to www.bethel.edu.

TINLEY PARK - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will kick off the 2012 College Changes Everything conference on Thursday morning in Tinley Park. The conference, coordinated by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, brings together educators, legislators and other advocates to work towards the state's college completion goal. To keep pace with employer needs, the state wants 60 percent of working-age adults to hold a college degree or credential by 2025, up from 41 percent today.

In her opening remarks, Simon will discuss two of her college completion initiatives. She crafted legislation signed by Governor Quinn this month that aims to reduce remedial needs at colleges and universities by implementing the state's first middle school and high school math curricula. She also wants to create College Choice Reports for Illinois colleges and universities so prospective students can compare higher education options and make good choices about where to pursue certificates and degrees.

TIME: 8:30 a.m.

DATE: Thursday, July 12

PLACE: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that five cities in Iowa have received funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, and the HOME programs.  The cities of Ames, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, and Sioux City will all receive funds to assist moderate, low and very-low income families improve their economic circumstance and to provide housing.

"The importance of helping those of modest means improve their chance to move upward economically and to provide decent housing is especially crucial for families raising children," said Harkin.  "These funds will help cities with the programs that allow these families to find quality, affordable housing and feel a sense of security in their living situation."

The Community Development Block Grant program provides annual grants to develop viable urban communities by providing housing and a suitable living environment, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

The Emergency Shelter Grants program provides annual grants to improve quality and number of emergency homeless shelters.

The HOME program helps to expand the supply of decent affordable housing to low- and very low-income families by providing grants to fund housing programs that meet local needs and priorities.

Details of the Grant are as Follows:

Ames - $511,276.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program.

Cedar Rapids - $1,091,099.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program and $361,579.00 from the HOME program.

Davenport - $1,328,125.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program and $410,918.00 from the HOME program.

Iowa City - $ 638,918.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program and $385,380.00 from the HOME program.

Sioux City - $1,507,259.00 from the Community Development Block Grant program, $197,984.00 from the Emergency Shelter Grants program, and $376,184.00 from the HOME program.

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement today after voting against a Republican bill that would repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

"I voted against repeal today for the sake of thousands of Iowans like my nephew, Tucker.  Tucker survived a fight with liver cancer at age 2 because he had health insurance.  But his parents lived in constant fear of losing their jobs because if they did, Tucker would be denied new insurance due to his pre-existing condition.  The healthcare reform law ended those fears - but repealing the law would roll back this important reform and many more.

"Because of the Affordable Care Act, 18,000 young Iowans can stay on their parents' insurance up to age 26, insurance companies are prohibited from denying coverage due to preexisting conditions, screenings for diseases like breast cancer are covered 100 percent, and 42,000 Iowa seniors are saving an average of $615 per year on their Medicare prescription drug benefits.

"Iowans can't afford to go back to where we started."