Lt. Governor to meet new General, lend support to federal workforce act

ROCK ISLAND - May 28, 2012. In advance of a visit to the Quad Cities on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon said Congress is on the right track in efforts to increase the workload at and ensure the long-term health of the Rock Island Arsenal.

Simon, who chairs a state committee on retention and reuse of military bases, is backing bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk of Illinois and Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin of Iowa. It would require the Army to create a strategic plan for awarding government contracts that would ensure arsenals receive the workload they need to keep workers' skills sharp between military engagements.

"The Rock Island Arsenal is a valuable national security resource and an economic engine for Illinois," Simon said. "Our federal government has a responsibility to protect this resource. Allowing the arsenal to compete for more government contracts could help contain production costs at the national level and keep people employed at the local level during peacetime and times of conflict."

For more than a decade, the arsenal has produced critical weapons, parts and material for use on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan, including armor for Humvees that were vulnerable to improvised explosive devices. With the military engagements winding down, lawmakers are seeking ways to maintain a vibrant workload at the arsenal through government and public contracts.

As introduced, the Army Arsenal Strategic Workload Enhancement Act of 2012 would make arsenals around the nation eligible for military contracts from all U.S. Department of Defense agencies, rather than just within the Army. This builds on federal legislation passed last year that allows for unlimited private-public partnerships at arsenals, which could translate to more domestic manufacturing work.

Simon serves as chair of the state's Interagency Military Base Support and Economic Development Committee (IMBSEDC), which was established in 2005 in response to U.S. Department of Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) recommendations to close and realign military bases nationwide.

On Wednesday, Simon plans to meet with Major General Patricia McQuistion, the arsenal's first female commanding general, and other support staff. McQuistion oversees operations on the island and leads a global organization responsible for providing front-line logistics support to combat units. During the visit, they will discuss the importance of the Strategic Workload Act and its value to the arsenal and surrounding community.

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Dear Fellow Americans,

Today we have the great honor to inform our generous and devoted constituents, the media, independent journalists and the proper Elections Departments in each State of the Union, that after long deliberations with my campaign advisors, family and friends, I have nominated my running mate for the position of Vice President for the coming 2012 Presidential Election, Mr. Steve McAllister.

Mr. McAllister kindly accepted the nomination after consulting with his family and friends. We are so proud to have Steve on board, a patriot, a person that will work hand in hand to preserve our founding fathers' values, defend our rights for a free and democratic nation, he will work with all sectors of our country without discrimination. An entrepreneur that has dedicated a great part of his life to help others and disseminate the profound values of our Christian faith and a proud direct descendant of the Abraham Lincoln family. We are honored to have his unconditional support. Welcome to our team, Steve!

God bless America!

Sincerely,

Paul Chehade
Candidate for President of  the United States of America 2012.

P.S.: Spread the word, forward this message to your friends and colleagues, it is a great way to help to this campaign.

The spirit of New Orleans comes up the Mississippi River this summer when The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District presents Gumbo Ya Ya - Mardi Gras in The District on June 8-9. Enjoy Cajun food, Zydeco and Cajun music on two stages, bead tosses, and a French Quarter marketplace.  Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Hop on your hog for Mississippi River Motorcycle Rally at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust Street in Davenport, Iowa, from June 13-16, for the largest gathering of motorcycles in the Midwest. Enjoy powerhouse bands, vendor booths, sportbike stunt show, and motorcycle races. General gate admission is $10.00 per person or $5.00 for motorcyclists who ride in.

Join the thousands of other bicycle riders for Ride the River on Sunday, June 17. This is the 27th year for the annual Father's Day tradition of biking through the Quad Cities. View the Mississippi River from both Quad Cities shorelines on the Illinois and Iowa side from the seat of your bicycle during this festive event that the entire family can enjoy. Register in advance online!

Enjoy more bands at the Hillcrest Music Fest on June 15-17, with country music on Friday and rock bands on Saturday. On Friday, the music starts at 5 p.m. and the bands include Wild Oatz, Dirt Road Rockers, Slough Buoys, and the Dani Lynn Howe Band. On Saturday, the music starts at 12 noon and the bands include Saints & Sinners, Wicked Liz & The Bellyswirls, Meet the Press, Dani Lynn Howe Band, and The Jimmy Van Zant Band. General admission for both days with free tent camping is $40.00 in advance, and $50.00 at the gate. On Sunday, there will be a Father's Day golf outing. Hillcrest Resort is located at 16260 East 350th Street in Orion, IL.

The Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf treats dads to some great BBQ during their Father's Day Grill Out & BBQ Showdown on Saturday, June 15th at 6:30 p.m. Help determine which BBQ Sauce is the best and enjoy music provided by The Premium Sellouts. Tickets are $20.

On Sunday, June 24, the Deere homes' gardens are in bloom and everyone is invited to Blossoms at Butterworth to see them in their glory. From 12-5 p.m., visitors can enjoy the splendor of Butterworth Center's impressive gardens with living history volunteers, old-fashioned music, games of the 1800s, jugglers, kid's activities, antique auto show located at the Deere-Wiman House, food vendors, free guided trolley tours through Overlook historic neighborhood, and festivities on the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman lawn.

The Juneteenth festival honors June 19, 1865, when the last American slaves were freed. This year's Juneteenth celebration will take place on Saturday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in LeClaire Park in downtown Davenport, Iowa. After the opening ceremonies, this family event has activities for children and adults, educational programs, and entertainment scheduled throughout the day.

Bishop Hill's Midsommar Music Festival is Saturday, June 23, with a strong line-up of musical performers. Highlights of this free all-day event in Bishop Hill, Illinois, include Main Stage performances, Music Workshops; Open jamming, a Swedish Maypole celebration at 4 p.m. and Old-Fashioned Barn Dance at the Colony School at 7 p.m.

Hawkeye Herman will be the headline act at its third annual Jewish Feast-ival on Sunday, June 24, at the Tri-City Jewish Center, 2715 30th Street in Rock Island, Ill. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with Hawkeye Herman performing twice during the day. The Jewish Feast-ival also features outstanding traditional food, live entertainment, an arts bazaar, family activities, cultural exploration, and a Mah Jongg Marathon. Admission is $2.00 with children under the age of 12 admitted free.

The annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival celebrates its 27th annual festival on June 29-July 1 with an all-star line-up of blues legends and up-and-coming stars.  More than 10,000 festival enthusiasts are expected to partake in the three days of fun, food, and great music on the banks of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa.  The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is considered one of the top five blues festivals in this country and one of the top twenty in the world.

SPRINGFIELD - May 25, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding the Illinois House of Representatives passing Senate Bill 2194, a key part of his proposal for Medicaid restructuring.

 

"I applaud Speaker Madigan and Leader Currie and members of the House of Representative for passing legislation to increase the price of cigarettes to help eliminate Medicaid's $2.7 billion deficit, improve the health of people across Illinois, and bring back federal dollar-for-dollar matching funds.

 

"We need to take decisive action to protect Illinois' Medicaid system from collapse. The cigarette tax is not just good fiscal policy, but good health policy. Adding a dollar per pack will help 60,000 people quit smoking, prevent 60,000 deaths from smoking-related conditions and keep 80,000 kids from taking up smoking in the first place.

 

"Today's action will improve the health of our people and lower the burden of smoking-related conditions on our Medicaid system, while helping to fill the $2.7 billion Medicaid shortfall and stabilize the system for those that need it.

 

"We hope Senators will follow their colleagues in the House, and quickly pass this legislation, which is critical to rescuing Medicaid."

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