Granite boulder serves as a tribute to all Iowa teachers

DES MOINES, IA (05/06/2012)(readMedia)-- Over 100 educators, friends, and family unveiled a new memorial at the Capitol Complex on Sunday, May 6. The memorial-established as a tribute to Iowa Teachers and their outstanding service to Iowa's students-is the 47th memorial and first to honor teachers on the Capitol grounds.

"We are pleased to be a part of the ceremony today marking the first-ever teacher memorial in our state. Iowa has a long history of attracting the best and the brightest into the profession. We pride ourselves in our strong graduation rates and our great student scores. We have fine public schools and outstanding students. We are a strong and proud profession and we know we have the most important job in the world. Tomorrow marks the first day of National Teacher Appreciation Week and I can think of no better way to launch this week than with this memorial tribute to all Iowa teachers," said Chris Bern, President of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA).

"We are gathered to pay tribute to those thousands of teachers who, on a daily basis, make a difference. I'm sure there are other states that treasure the field of education and educators as much as Iowa, and I'm sure those states can boast of great educators. But I am also sure no state exceeds us in either of those categories," said Tim Lane, memorial organizer.

The Teacher Memorial rests on the terrace located on the northwest corner of the Capitol Complex across from the Historical and Wallace buildings on Grand Avenue. The memorial is a granite boulder with a one-word inscription "TEACHER." Private donations for the memorial were collected from members of the Iowa Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD).

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have agreed to move forward with a comprehensive study that will help determine ways to reduce rail congestion and let trains achieve higher speeds along the Chicago-to-Detroit high-speed rail corridor.

The goal of the study, which will be funded through a $3.2 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration and $200,000 each from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Norfolk Southern, is to reduce passenger travel times between Chicago and Detroit and efficiently move freight through one of the nation's busiest freight rail networks, the congested Chicago to Porter, Ind., segment.

"This is an important step toward achieving higher speeds along the entire Chicago to Detroit rail corridor and improving the flow of freight to the east coast," said Secretary LaHood. "Eliminating bottlenecks will boost the economy by reducing delays and allow for the freer flow of both people and goods throughout the region."

An important focus of the study will be reducing congestion by linking a double track passenger main to the 110 mph service at Porter.  The study will build on progress Michigan has already made by achieving 110 mph service from Porter to Kalamazoo.

"The comprehensive study will help us establish faster passenger rail service for business and leisure travelers moving between Chicago and Detroit, as well as make freight movements more efficient," Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said.  "In Illinois, we have made high-speed rail and freight infrastructure improvement top priorities, and I am pleased to work with our neighboring states and Secretary LaHood, who understands the importance of providing significantly reduced travel times and promoting economic development through rail improvements."

"This is an important partnership in our efforts to reinvent Michigan, specifically creating an accelerated rail connection between Detroit and Chicago for both citizens and businesses," said Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.    "Relieving congestion will also help the Midwest's freight industry by better enabling the rapid and efficient movement of manufactured and agricultural products."

The Chicago to Detroit line is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Network, which is located in one of five densely populated mega-regions, areas already overwhelmed by congestion and in need of better transportation options.  Bringing safe, fast, convenient, affordable high-speed rail to these areas will create jobs, increase economic opportunities and relieve congestion.

More than 100 million people call the Midwest region home, with the vast majority of residents living within 500 miles of the Chicago rail hub.  Using the Gross Domestic Product as a measure, the Great Lakes-Midwest economic region would be the fifth largest economy if it were its own country.

The Federal Railroad Administration and its 32 state partners are making great progress on High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail projects across the country.  With $10.1 billion in federal funding, they're moving forward with 153 projects, laying the foundation for a 21st century passenger rail network.

Justice Department IG Expected to Investigate

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is pressing for answers in the alleged mistreatment and detainment by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of a University of California-San Diego student.

In a letter to DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, Grassley specifically asks about an investigation by the Department of Justice Inspector General and the DEA's cooperation with the Inspector General.   He also inquired about the DEA's general detention policies and the detailed actions by the DEA in the case of the California student.

"Judging from the press reports, the Inspector General will have a lot to look into," Grassley said.  "And, if the allegations are true, the DEA and its agents need to be held accountable for the treatment of this young man."

The Senate Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Here's a copy of Grassley's letter to Leonhart.

May 4, 2012

Via Electronic Transmission

The Honorable Michele Leonhart

Administrator

Drug Enforcement Administration

700 Army Navy Drive, Room 12060

Arlington, VA 22202

Dear Administrator Leonhart,

I write today regarding reports of the alleged mistreatment of Daniel Chong, a University of California-San Diego college student, by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in San Diego.  If the reports are accurate that Mr. Chong was left for five days in a five-by-ten foot windowless cell without the basic human necessities of food, water, or a bathroom, the actions of the DEA raise serious and troubling questions.

According to media reports, Amy Roderick, a DEA spokeswoman states "seven suspects were brought to county detention after processing, one was released and the individual in question was accidentally left in one of the cells."  In the same article, Mr. Chong himself states that, from his cell, he heard occasional footsteps, doors opening and closing, and the sound of muffled voices and that he even saw shadows beneath the door.  If that is true, it is difficult for me to comprehend how no one could have heard what he says were his own repeated cries for help over his course of time in the cell.  I appreciate that Acting Special Agent-in-Charge William Sherman has expressed his "deepest apologies" to Mr. Chong and has willingly opened an internal investigation into the matter, but I am not sure that will be enough to put the matter to rest.

The physical and psychological trauma that Mr. Chong was subjected to because of the apparent neglect by the DEA is the most troubling to me.  The article asserts that Mr. Chong resorted to survival skills to stay alive and when he was eventually found he was immediately "taken to the hospital and treated for cramps, dehydration and a perforated lung - the result of ingesting some broken glass."

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, I have a distinct responsibility in conducting oversight over the DEA.  Further, given the alleged actions give rise to serious constitutional violations; I would appreciate expeditious responses to the following questions.

·         What is DEA's written policy on the detention of suspects at DEA facilities?  Please provide a copy of all relevant policy and training manuals that reference procedures for handling detainees in DEA custody at DEA facilities.

·         Is there a shift supervisor responsible for oversight of the facility and the detainees?

·         What are the policies and procedures of the facility for the handling of a detainee, from intake to discharge?

·         Is there a log system in place to maintain and track the detainees?  If yes, please explain the process.

·         Routinely, holding cells are monitored by surveillance cameras for the protection of both the detainee and the law enforcement official.  Is this technology available at the DEA facility?  If so, is someone responsible for monitoring the cameras?

·         Is there a system in place to indicate when someone is located inside a holding cell (ie. strobe light indicator)?

·         What was the reason that Mr. Chong was originally apprehended in the raid?  Was he interviewed or the subject of questioning?  If questioned and determined to be innocent, why was he returned to the holding cell instead of being released?

·         Was Mr. Chong searched for weapons and contraband before placing him in the holding cell?  Was the holding cell searched for weapons and contraband before receiving Mr. Chong?

·         Can you explain where the methamphetamines came from?  Was it inventoried as evidence or contraband on DEA records?  If so, please provide the chain-of-custody records for the methamphetamines found in the holding cell?

·         How would it have been possible for Mr. Chong to hear others in nearby rooms and for them not to have heard his reported cries for help?

·         Mr. Chong asserts that "when they opened the door, one of them said: 'Here's the water you've been asking for."  How was Mr. Chong finally discovered?  Was Mr. Chong discovered by someone from the DEA?  Please provide a timeline showing the time when Mr. Chong was received into the county facility until the time he was discharged.

·         It is my understanding that the Department of Justice Inspector General (OIG) has initiated an investigation into the DEA's conduct in this matter.  What if any contact has the DEA had with the OIG?  Will DEA cooperate with the OIG's inquiry?

Thank you for your cooperation and attention to this important matter.  I look forward to your prompt response no later than May 11, 2012.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

Left Bank Art League is an organization of around 100 artists and supporters of the arts in the Quad Cities.  Our primary focus is to encourage education in art, as well as regularly meet together to work on our art together, sponsor and participate in art workshops and network. This competition was held at the Quad City Arts in Rock Island, IL.

Congratulations go out to -

Caitlyn Doran, a senior at Moline High School won with her piece titled "Inside the Bear".  It was created in watercolor and ink.  Caitlyn's instructor is Nick Digioia.

Max McInnnis, a 10th grader in Bettendorf and student of Mrs. B's School of Art won with his piece titled "Water Runner".  It was created in acrylic.  His instructor is Pat Bereskin.