New Law Improves Pension Systems; State Actuary Will Oversee Certification

CHICAGO - June 18, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that will increase oversight of the state's pension systems. Senate Bill 179 creates the position of a state actuary to oversee the five state-funded pension systems to help increase transparency of the systems. After signing the new law, Governor Quinn continued his call for bold pension reform that eliminates the unfunded liability.

"We must restore integrity and accountability to the state's pension systems and we are headed in the right direction with this new law," Governor Quinn said. "Now is the time to roll our sleeves up and continue to work together to fundamentally reform our pension system and rescue it from drowning in an ocean of unfunded liability."

Under Senate Bill 179, sponsored by House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senate Majority Leader James Clayborne (D-Belleville), the position of a state actuary will be created within the Office of the Auditor General and will report to the auditor general. The actuary will oversee the state's five pension systems: State Employees Retirement System, General Assembly Retirement System, State Universities Retirement System, Teachers Retirement System and Judges Retirement System. To strengthen accountability and transparency, the actuary will review assumptions, valuations and actuarial practices for each of the systems. The actuary will also help calculate the state's annual required contributions.

"This is another important step in making the pension systems stable by requiring an independent review of how the systems create their cost estimates," said Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.

The new law is designed to ensure that all of the state's pension systems follow Illinois law when determining future contributions. Currently, each pension system submits a certification plan to the Governor and the General Assembly. Under the new law, the systems will submit their proposals to the Governor, the General Assembly and the new state actuary who will review the plans. The actuary will then issue a report containing recommended changes to the actuarial assumptions. Final certifications will be submitted on Jan. 15. The actuary will also be responsible for conducting reviews of the actuarial practices of the systems.

Governor Quinn continues to work with leaders of the General Assembly on a long-term solution to strengthen and stabilize the state's pension system. Governor Quinn introduced a plan to reform the pension systems that would eliminate the unfunded liability over 30 years and allow public employees who have faithfully contributed to the system to receive pension benefits.

"Reforming our pension systems is critical to funding vital state programs and paying our vendors on time," said the bill's chief co-sponsor, House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago). "This law will make sure that all of the state's pension systems are following the correct process, and I thank Governor Quinn for signing this quickly."

"We must restore confidence in the state's pension systems," said Leader Clayborne. "I would like to thank Governor Quinn for his quick action on this bill that will help us make sure that contributions are being calculated correctly."

The new law goes into effect immediately.

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DES MOINES, IA (06/18/2012)(readMedia)-- Country act Pistol Annies will open for the Miranda Lambert Grandstand show on August 12. Tickets for all shows are on sale now. The 2012 Grandstand line-up is presented by U.S. Cellular.

Trio Angaleena Presley, Ashley Monroe and Miranda Lambert make up the Pistol Annies. They began writing and recording songs together straight away, but barely had six tracks down when they were offered an opportunity to make their official debut on national TV via the Academy of Country Music's "Girls Night Out" special on CBS in April 2011. The Pistol Annies' smoking debut is an album equal parts sass, heartache and hard knocks, sweetened with just enough wistful Southern romance to reveal a teasing hint of vulnerability.

Country music heats up the Grandstand this year. Other acts include The Band Perry with Easton Corbin on August 14. August 17 features country icon Hank Williams Jr. and his "Taking Back the Country" tour. Country superstars Rascal Flatts will take the stage with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge on August 19. See iowastatefair.org for the complete line-up.

Tickets for all concert and track events are on sale through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. All concert events are reserved seating; track events are general admission. Beginning July 9, the Fair's Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays - Fridays and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays for walk-up orders only (no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include Fair admission.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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FURTHER REVIEW RESULTS

May 30, 2012

 

The supreme court recently issued an order either granting or denying application for further review in the cases listed below.


DENIED:

 

NUMBER

COUNTY

CASE NAME

08-1930

Linn

Byrd v. State

09-1531

Benton

State v. King

10-0681

Polk

Blackwell v. State

10-1459

Polk

Smith v. HD Supply Water Works, Inc.

10-1492

Polk

State v. Pargo

10-1734

Polk

State v. Phipps

11-0079

Des Moines

State v. Willform

11-0275

Polk

Thomas v. State

11-0361

Pottawattamie

State v. Burnett

11-0429

Buena Vista

State v. Banks

11-0459

Scott

State v. Hoon

11-0462

Linn

In re J.T.J. & J.A.J.

11-0543

Polk

Doe I v. Iowa Bd. of Medicine

11-0744

Dubuque

In re Marriage of Eck

11-0763

Polk

State v. Ramsey

11-0857

Floyd

State v. Cooper

11-0901

Harrison

Donelson v. State

11-0922

Polk

State v. Hughes

11-1152

Clinton

Dierks v. Vatsavayi

11-1160

Pottawattamie

Stump v. State

11-1165

Polk

Miron Constr. v. Poula

11-1177

Polk

Kohlhaas v. Hog Slat, Inc.

11-1248

Harrison

In re Marriage of Ronfeldt

12-0413

Polk

In re Z.C.

12-0454

Polk

In re A.R.

GRANTED:

 

NUMBER

COUNTY

CASE NAME

 

 

11-0085

Guthrie

Hoyt v. Knapp

11-0469

Mahaska

State v. Messer

11-0738

Sioux

State v. Kooima

12-0133

Polk

In re A.B. & S.B.

May 30, 2012


May 1, 2012

April 18, 2012

April 5, 2012

March 13, 2012

February 14, 2012

January 11, 2012

Beert-McCoy Insurance Agency receives recognition from Grinnell Mutual

Beert-McCoy Insurance Agency of Eldridge, Iowa, is the recipient of an Award of Excellence from Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company of Grinnell, Iowa.  This award recognizes 15 years of outstanding achievement in the insurance profession and superior performance for Grinnell Mutual.

Receiving the award are Robin Beert, Bill McCoy, Sandra Peitersen, and Trudy Beert.

Arp Insurance recognized by Grinnell Mutual

Brent Arp of Arp Insurance of Walcott, Iowa, was presented with an Award of Excellence from Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company of Grinnell, Iowa.  This award recognizes five years of outstanding achievement in the insurance profession and superior performance for Grinnell Mutual.

For more information please contact:

Brent Arp
Arp Insurance
Phone: 563-284-6244
E-mail: brentrarp@aol.com

Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, in business since 1909, provides reinsurance for farm mutual insurance companies and property and casualty insurance products for homeowners, farmowners and businessowners through more than 1,600 independent agents in 12 Midwestern states. Grinnell Mutual is the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in North America.

 


Urges Illinoisans to take precautions, check on elderly

CHICAGO - June 18, 2012. With hot weather forecasted across Illinois this week, Governor Pat Quinn today announced services available throughout the state to protect people from the heat. The Governor also encouraged residents to check on family members and neighbors who are vulnerable to hot weather, including the elderly and children.

"Rising temperatures like those we're expecting in the days ahead can be extremely dangerous, especially for elderly residents and children," Governor Quinn said. "I urge people to take steps to stay safe and cool. If you have children, or elderly neighbors or relatives, please check on them regularly to make sure they are safe."

The state has opened more than 120 cooling centers around Illinois, in order to help those without air conditioning find respite from the heat. The cooling centers are located at Illinois Department of Human Services offices throughout the state, as well as at Illinois Tollway Oases in the Chicago area. Cooling centers are open to the public during regular business hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the Illinois Department of Human Services hotline at (800) 843-6154, or visit, http://www2.illinois.gov/KeepCool/Pages/coolingcenters.aspx for locations.

"High temperatures and humidity can lead to serious health problems, particularly for the elderly and young children," Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health said. "If the body does not cool properly or does not cool enough, a person may suffer a range of heat-related illnesses from, heat rash to heatstroke, which can be fatal."

Governor Quinn and the IDPH are encouraging Illinoisans to watch for signs of heat-related illnesses. Symptoms of heat-related illness include headaches, skin that is hot to the touch, increased body temperature, loss of consciousness, seizures and irregular heartbeats.

To stay cool and avoid illness, people should increase their fluid intake but avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and sugar; decrease strenuous, outdoor physical activity; and remain in air-conditioning when possible.

The Illinois Department on Aging also encourages relatives and friends to make daily visits or calls to senior citizens living alone. When temperatures and humidity are extremely high, seniors and people with chronic health conditions should be monitored for dehydration and other effects of extreme heat. Additionally, seniors should eat lighter meals, take longer and more frequent rests, and drink plenty of fluids.

For information about heat preparedness, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

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Scholar Gives 4 Reasons Why Stephen Hawking is Wrong

Large swaths of Americans seem to have drastically different views of how humans came to be, according to a June Gallup poll.

Nearly half of America - 46 percent - agrees with the creationist view that humans are purely the product of God, absent of evolution, within the last 10,000 years. Fifteen percent believe humans evolved independent of God, which is 6 percent more than 30 years ago.

These millions of Americans are pitted on two sides of a conflictwhich has a solution, says engineering physicist Daniel Friedmann, CEO of the aerospace company known for building the space station's robotic arm and author of The Genesis One Code (www.danielfriedmannbooks.com).

"The creation-evolution conflict is a recurring point of contention in the United States, from the presidential election to what should be taught in schools," he says. "American science legend Carl Sagan tried to settle this conflict by calling both camps 'non-overlapping magisteria' - in other words, science and religion each preside as the source of wisdom over separate domains."

Friedmann argues that both wisdoms are two sides of the same coin and can enlighten each other. The reason the debate developed in the first place, he says, is because the discoveries of modern science of an old Earth seemed to conflict with descriptions in the Bible of a young Earth.

"People believed both could not be right," he says. "It had to be one or the other - science or religion."

But they both agree on the timeline for the development of the universe and life on Earth, Friedmann says. He has developed a formula that converts "Bible time" to years as we know them. When applied to calculating the age of the universe and life on Earth, the Bible consistently matches scientific estimates derived from the study of fossil timelines, the solar system and the cosmos.

His formula -- 1,000 X 365 X 7,000 -was derived from references in religious texts and science. The first number is found in Psalms, which says a year for God is 1,000 years for mortals. The second refers to the amount of days in one solar year. The third comes from scriptural study that indicates one creation day in Genesis equals 7,000 God years.

When those numbers are multiplied in human years, each creation day is an epoch of 2.56 billion years, he says. Using the formula, the biblical age of the universe is 13.74 billion years. Scientific estimates put the universe's age at 13.75 billion, plus or minus 0.13 billion, he says.

"I have nothing but respect for scientists like Sagan and Stephen Hawking, but I feel that both were wrong about religion to varying degrees, especially Dr. Hawking," he says. "Last year, Hawking dismissed religion, publicly calling it a 'fairy tale' for people who are afraid of death. I think that is a terriblynaive and misinformed view of what millions of people have believed in for more than a millennium."

These are a few of the reasons Hawking is wrong, Friedmann says:

The Bible and science agree on what happened and when it happened with respect to the formation of the universe and the appearance of life on Earth.

The term "creation days" can be shown from biblical sources to be 2.5 billion years. Using this conversion factor, it is clear that the Bible is correct about timelines we have confirmed through science, including the age of the universe.

If the Bible and science agree on what happened and when it happened, do we really have a conflict? It is time to reexamine and bury the conflict between science and religion.  In fact, Friedmann in his book, shows that religion has answers to science's three biggest questions.

By continuing this false dichotomy of religion vs. science, we are severely limiting progress and our potential as humans. Nearly 54 percent of the world's population - Christians, Jews and Muslims - assert the truth of biblical scripture. Recognition of a commonality among diverse cultures, while linked to scientific principle, provides a better chance to advance the understanding of our origins.

About Daniel Friedmann

Daniel Friedmann is CEO of MDA, anaerospace company in Canada, which among other things, specializes in robotics used on the international space station. He has a master's in engineering physics and 30 years' experience in the space industry. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific papers on space industry topics. He is also a longtime student of cosmology and religion.

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2012 -- The U.S. Forest Service will celebrate National Grasslands Week from June 17-23, showcasing the beauty, history and economic value of these national treasures on the 75th anniversary of the legislation that established them.

America's 20 national grasslands, spanning 12 states and 4 million acres, were created through the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937, authorizing the federal government to acquire damaged lands for rehabilitation. Thirteen of these national grasslands reside in the Great Plains, where the ravages of the Dust Bowl left the soil bare of vegetation for years. Today, the benefits grasslands provide are valued in the billions of dollars.

"Our national grasslands remain beautiful examples of successful restoration programs," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "These lands are once again rich habitats brimming with native wildlife, grasses and wildflowers. They are also economic engines, generating jobs and bolstering rural American communities."

The national grasslands offer a wealth of recreation and education opportunities for more than 1 million annual visitors. The grasslands feature some of the world's best bird-watching experiences as well as camping, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, target shooting, off-highway vehicle riding, picnicking and learning activities. Scenic drives offer unique geological features, wildlife and stellar locations for stargazing.

History buffs can visit old cemeteries and homesteads and take guided tours of  Native American petroglyphs. They can also share in the experience of early settlers and their trek on the Santa Fe Trail.

"It took decades to restore the national grasslands from the barren landscapes of the Dust Bowl, to the rich prairie habitats we see today," said Tidwell. "Every American should experience these unique grasslands that are so much a part of our rich natural heritage."

The national grasslands provide tremendous benefits including pollination of native and agricultural plants estimated at $6 billion annually. Livestock grazing and energy ventures including oil, gas, coal and wind also contribute to the economic benefits provided by these lands. They help prevent drought and floods, maintain biodiversity, generate and preserve soils, contribute to climate stability and protect watersheds, streams and river channels.

These lands were managed by the USDA's Soil and Conservation Service, now the Natural Resources Conservation Service, until 1960 when they were transferred to the U.S. Forest Service and designated as national grasslands.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


Ben Lange says he's a straight-talker on tough issues, but if you listen to him, all you hear is another Washington politician.  It's obvious Lange learned a few things from his years working in Congress.
Just take his comments on Social Security on Friday.
Social Security ensures Iowa seniors have a secure retirement after working their whole lives.  The program also provides critical benefits to people with disabilities and widows with dependent children.
Workers pay into Social Security and in return get a guaranteed income at retirement age and the peace of mind knowing if they're disabled and can't work, or if they pass away unexpectedly, their families will have a safety net to fall back on.
Bruce Braley is working to protect and preserve Social Security for future generations, but Ben Lange wants to radically alter the program in ways that will endanger its very survival.
During Friday's taping of Iowa Press, Lange reiterated his support for ending Social Security as we know it, telling voters he supports a two-tiered system that replaces Social Security for middle-aged workers and replaces it with retirement accounts that are gambled in the stock market.
Yet, when pressed for details on his Social Security privatization plan, Lange began dancing a Washington two-step worthy of Fred Astaire.  

It must have been awkward with IA-02 GOP nominee John Archer sitting next to him, who had just candidly discussed his own plan to raise the Social Security retirement age and end Social Security completely for some retirees.
Watch for yourself: http://youtu.be/vTuQkqusMIw

Lange is apparently incapable of giving a straight, yes-or-no answer to tough questions about his Social Security plan, but Iowans deserve to know details about his radical ideas.  Will Lange give a straight answer to these questions, or will he keep sounding like a seasoned Washington politician?
  1. Does Ben Lange agree with John Archer that the Social Security retirement age needs to be raised?
  2. How would Ben Lange's plan to privatize Social Security affect Social Security disability benefits and benefits for widows with dependent children?
  3. What's the cutoff age for Social Security benefits under Lange's plan?  How old does Lange think you need to be to continue to receive Social Security benefits as promised?
  4. Does Lange agree with John Archer that Social Security should be a "means-tested" program and should be cut off altogether for some middle class workers?
WHERE THEY STAND: SOCIAL SECURITY

Bruce Braley Ben Lange
Wants to maintain Social Security benefits.

Opposes privatizing Social Security.

Opposes raising the Social Security retirement age.

Supports maintaining Social Security benefits for workers who have paid into the system.


Wants to "change" Social Security.

Supports privatizing Social Security.

Wants to take Social Security funds of some middle age workers and gamble them in the stock market.

We don't know if he supports raising the retirement age.

We don't know if he supports making Social Security means-tested.

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Chuck Smith, Director of Working, the musical

Smith Chuck 2012.jpg

Eleventh Consecutive Season at Timber Lake Playhouse

From: Chicago, IL

College: Governor State University, Chicago

Currently: Twentieth Year as Resident Director at Goodman Theatre in Chicago

Why did you choose to return to TLP each year?

"Mainly it is one of the few places I can relax and enjoy myself and do the type of shows I wouldn't ordinarily do in Chicago. It is a completely relaxed atmosphere for me."

How did you get started in theatre?

"I had just got discharged from the Marine Corp and some guys I met talked me into being in a play. It was Mack Adam and Eve, a comedy, at a small community theatre group in Chicago."

Out of all of the shows you have directed in your life, which ones stick out to you as your favorites?

"The most recent successes normally stick out in your mind so I would have to say Race by David Mamet that I directed at the Goodman this past year. Over my career, another show that always sticks out in my mind is August Wilson's Ma Raney's Black Bottom. It set a box office record in the 70's at the Goodman Theatre and was my first main stage production."

What was your favorite show that you have directed at TLP?

"The Crucible is probably my favorite. It was my second season here. Artistic Director, Brad Lyons, was in the show and it featured performers from the Mount Carroll community. It was the show that really put me in touch with the people in the community here. I got to know them which is why I come back here...it is like a second home to me."

You are currently directing Working. What can you tell us about that show?

"Doing this show, I am saying, 'I would like to introduce you to some people I know, ordinary people in their jobs.' It was originally a book. I saw it on stage when it was presented in Chicago and thought what a big show from a big book. I saw it remounted again recently with only six characters. Immediately after the show I called James Beaudry, TLP's Artistic Director, and said that this show would work at TLP. I had never asked to do a show before but I knew this show would be great here."

You mentioned that you usually don't pick the show that you direct here at TLP. What is that like for you, directing a show you didn't select?

"It is delightful! It really takes the pressure off of me. I don't pick the show or the cast. I like coming in and directing in the second slot of the season. The company members are still fresh and energetic. This is not easy work for anyone and the company still has a lot of energy. I am a new person coming in to direct and they are always excited about that."

Why should people come and see Working?

"It is a good play and everyone will be able to relate to it. Everyone works. Even if you don't work, there is a housewife represented, so no one is left out. You know these people. They are ordinary people that you run into everyday. The musical numbers are quite wonderful, especially with the six talented people that are on stage. It is my eleventh year and I have never had a show go up so fast. It is because the cast is so good and so talented. It has made my job easy. This group is more effective than the show in Chicago...I would put this production against any show with a big priced ticket."

Working, the musical, runs June 21st through 30th. Performances are at 7:30pm, weekdays and there are 2pm matinees on Sundays and Wednesdays. New this season, there is also a Saturday matinee performance on opening weekends at 2pm. Tickets are available through the box office during regular business hours, 11am - 6pm daily, at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or 815-244-2035. Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll.

WORKING.jpg

Timber Lake Playhouse, What's Your Story?

This program is partially supported by a grant for the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Production Sponsors are Kunes Country Auto Group and Compliance Signs.

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Joe Smith Donates Recorded Interviews with Music's Who's Who to the Library of Congress

More than 25 years ago, retired music executive Joe Smith accomplished a Herculean feat?he got more than 200 celebrated singers, musicians and industry icons to talk about their lives, music, experiences and contemporaries. The Library of Congress announced today that Smith has donated this treasure trove of unedited sound recordings to the nation's library.

The list of noted artists and executives is a veritable who's who in the music industry.  They include Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Barbra Streisand, Little Richard, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elton John, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Billy Joel, Sting, Tony Bennett, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Dick Clark, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, B. B. King, Quincy Jones, David Geffen, Mickey Hart, Harry Belafonte and many others.  All types of popular music are represented?from rock 'n' roll, jazz, rhythm & blues and pop to big-band, heavy metal, folk and country-western.

While president of Capitol Records/EMI, Smith recorded 238 hours of interviews over two years, excerpts of which he compiled and presented in his groundbreaking book, "Off the Record," published by Warner Books in 1988.  These candid and unabridged interviews have been digitized by the Library and initially will be accessible in its Capitol Hill reading room.  Some of the recordings also will be streamed on the Library's website (www.loc.gov) later this year.

The Joe Smith Collection is an invaluable addition to the Library's comprehensive collection of recorded sound," said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington. "These frank and poignant oral histories of many of the nation's musical icons give us unique insights into them as artists, entertainers and human beings.  The world knows these great musicians through their songs, but Joe Smith has provided us an intimate window into their lives through their own words.

"Smith's career in music started in the 1950s at the dawn of the rock 'n' roll era.  Following his graduation from Yale, Smith worked as a sportscaster and later as a disc jockey at WMEX and WBZ in Boston.  He transitioned into record promotions when he moved to Los Angeles in 1960 and rose to legendary status in the industry as president of three major labels?Warner Bros., Elektra/Asylum and Capitol/EMI.  Smith signed such notable artists as the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, Frank Zappa, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles.

His relationship with the industry's creative community over four decades enabled him to compile a history of popular music by presenting the artists' stories in their own voices.  One critic wrote that "Joe Smith has done what no historian, musician, pop critic or rock writer has been able to do. He's compiled a history of popular music, ranging from the big bands of the '20s to the chart-toppers of today ... a paper jukebox that's chock-full of pop."

A couple of decades following the success of his book, Smith (now 84) envisioned sharing his original unabridged interviews with scholars, researchers and the American public. "In recent years, it dawned on me that, if anything, the significance of recollections from Jerry Lee Lewis, Mick Jagger, Smokey Robinson, Ahmet Ertegun, Herb Alpert, Ruth Brown and all the other notables I was fortunate enough to interview, are truly part of the fabric of our cultural history," said Smith. "I wanted to share this treasure trove with any and all who might be interested. The Library of Congress is, clearly, the venue most appropriate and best equipped to do just that now and into the future.  I hope that generations to come will benefit from hearing the voices of these brilliant artists and industry luminaries recounting their personal histories.  I'm just thrilled that the Library of Congress has agreed to preserve and safeguard these audio artifacts."

As an insider, Smith connected with the artists on a personal level, leading to some interesting revelations.

· Bo Diddley talking about his own death
· Mickey Hart's revealing story about his father
· Steven Tyler's problems with drug addiction
· Peter Frampton's short-lived popularity
· Bob Dylan's surprising assessment of the turbulent '60s
· David Bowie's description of Mick Jagger as conservative
· Paul McCartney's frank admission of professional superiority
· Les Paul's creation of an electric guitar in 1929
· Motown's restrictive work environment
· Herb Jeffries' and Dave Brubeck's recollections of working in a racially segregated society

The recordings in the Joe Smith Collection will be housed in the Library's Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Va., a state-of-the-art facility that was made possible through the generosity of David Woodley Packard and the Packard Humanities Institute, with benefaction from the U.S. Congress.  The Library's Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division's collections include nearly 3 million sound recordings.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library's rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov.


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