McCausland, IA / May 7th, 2012 - Peaceful River Trading Co. will feature the work of Rita Templeton on May 17th, 2012 with a Gallery Opening from 4-7pm.  The gallery will feature some of Rita's latest photography work with images focusing on the natural beauty of our surrounding area.

Rita has always enjoyed nature and taking pictures; so it was only natural she took her passion to the next level when she received a SLR camera from her husband. Photography is not her fulltime career, although she hopes it will be some day.  "I love to capture nature at her best.  You only have a split second to achieve that perfect picture.  Many times you have to wait for what seems like hours." says Rita. "I feel it's an honor that God has provided me the beauty and I have been able to capture it." And capture it she does. Rita's work ranges from stunning close ups of animals to beautiful pieces that juxtapose man and nature. When asked what she wants her viewers to get from her work, Rita said, "Life is not measured by breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. That is how I want people to feel when they look at my photos."

When she wants that perfect shot, timing is everything. Sometimes Rita can capture her shot in an instant and sometimes it can take hours. One particularly long wait she can remember was when photographing a crane (see below). Rita found the perfect framing for this image, but the bird was not quite in the place she wanted, so she sat in the weeds and waited. The whole time she was swatting bugs and hoping her batteries wouldn't die. Her secret to capturing the perfect image is patience and it sure pays off.

Peaceful River brings visitors back to a simpler time and is housed in a beautiful, circa-1916 bank building, formerly the home of McCausland State Bank. They carry many items from arts and crafts to antiques, gifts, and collectibles. Peaceful River Trading Co. is open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday through Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.  McCausland is located about 20 miles northeast of Davenport, just off Utica Ridge Road on F33 and 5 minutes north of Scott County Park.  Explore Peaceful River Trading Co. at www.peacefulrivertradingco.com.

 

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CHICAGO, IL (05/07/2012)(readMedia)-- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Zygmunt Matynia, Consul General of the Republic of Poland, the Illinois National Guard and Polish civic organizations honored Polish Constitution Day celebrations at the James R. Thompson Center and Daley Plaza in Chicago May 4 and 5.

"I think it is important for the people of Illinois, almost 13 million people, to join together with our fellow patriots in Poland and celebrate this very important date in world history," said Quinn May 4 at a press conference at the Thompson Center. "This is a celebration. Both our nations believe in freedom and the written constitution."

Celebrated May 3, Constitution Day is a celebration of Poland's most important civil holiday - the signing of Europe's first codified national constitution May 3, 1791. Poland's constitution is the second oldest in the world, after the United States Constitution signed in 1781.

"We celebrate the constitution because it symbolizes the spiritual and moral renaissance of the Polish society after a long period of disorder," said Matynia. "The fathers of the Polish constitution saw the government as a tool of service for the common good. They truly believed that government must serve not in the interest of the few, but in the interest of the entire nation."

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Illinois National Guard's State Partnership Program with Poland. The Illinois National Guard has maintained a state partnership with Poland since 1993 and is one of the few National Guard States to co-deploy with a state partner.

Servicemembers from the Illinois National Guard's Bilateral Embedded Support Team-A9 (BEST-A9) are serving in Afghanistan with Polish Task Force White Eagle in Ghazni province as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)/International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.

"The Illinois National Guard's partnership with Poland is the largest and second oldest partnership program in the National Guard," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart of Belleville, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "We must continue to develop this partnership and serve together as we serve our individual nations and continue to move toward world peace."

At the Polish Constitution Day Ceremony, Matynia was also presented the Illinois Military Medal of Merit by Enyart. Instituted in May 1978, the Illinois Military Medal is presented to those who distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the state of Illinois.

"As the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, it is my duty to confirm medals to servicemembers and occasionally to civilians who have earned them through their merit and good work. Consul General Matynia has indeed earned this medal," Enyart said. "His commitment to excellence and dedication to the State Partnership Program reflects great credit upon himself, the Polish Consulate in Chicago and the Republic of Poland."

As part of the festivities, the city of Chicago honored the Polish holiday with a ceremonial flag rising at Daley Plaza May 5. The Illinois Army National Guard's 144th Army Band played ceremonial music, while the Chicago-based 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Color Guard posted both countries' colors.

"What a fantastic day it is to be here to represent the partnership between the Illinois National Guard and the nation of Poland." said Brig. Gen. James W. Schroeder, commander of the Illinois Air National Guard. "The energy and enormity of today's crowd is impressive - even despite the misty, overcast day."

The city also hosted the 121st Polish Constitution Day Parade in Grant Park May 5. Established in 1892, the Chicago parade is the largest Polish parade outside of Poland. More than 30 floats and 90 organizations participated in the parade as thousands of spectators waving Polish and American flags lined Columbus Drive in front of the historic Buckingham Fountain.

For additional photos of the event please visit the Illinois National Guard Facebook page at www.facebook.com/illinoisnationalguard.

Nudity Has Long Offered Lucrative Edge, Historian Says

As the economic recovery slogs from the worst recession since the Great Depression, businesses struggle to innovate, or else risk bankruptcy. Case in point: The Fawlty Towers Motel in Cocoa Beach, Fla. is allowing guests to take it all as of May 1.

After years of declining revenues, owner Paul Hodge was in a "make-or-break situation," he told Florida Today. Rather than lose his motel, he was able to convince his wife that going nude was the best option.

Hodge hired a lawyer and consulted the American Association of Nude Recreation. He found nothing prohibitive in his state's laws. In Texas, however, a nudist maid service had to reclassify the business as "sexually oriented," which requires a permit.

"Nudity offers a potentially lucrative edge for several types of businesses trying to tough out the anemic market," says historian Mike Foster, co-author with his wife, Barbara, of the biography, A Dangerous Woman: The Life, Loves, and Scandals of Adah Isaacs Menken (www.TheGreatBare.com). "Recession has people rethinking some of their long-held prejudices."

Nudity is not the only issue being reconsidered, he says. To ease government spending and increase tax revenue, some conservative pundits, including broadcaster Pat Robinson, are reconsidering their stance on marijuana's illegality.

Whether in recent or not-so-recent history, nudity can make people rich. Foster gives the following examples:

• Hugh Hefner: The founder and chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises was worth $43 million in 2009, according to divorce papers filed that year.

• Lindsay Lohan: She earned $1 million for a nude spread in Playboy.

• Janet Jackson: Now synonymous with terms like "wardrobe malfunction" and "nipplegate," Jackson's flashed breast earned her an incalculable amount of free press.

• Sandro Botticelli's The Birth of Venus: Although often valued as priceless, some estimate the most iconographic nude portrait to be worth half a billion dollars.

• Adah Menken: dubbed "The Great Bare" by writer/admirer Mark Twain, Foster says Menken single-handedly created the first celebrity bombshell in the Civil War era, earning her fame and money.

Menken was a singer and actress who became famous as "The Naked Lady" for her starring role in "Mazeppa." In this drama she rode a stallion up a four-story stage mountain, apparently in the buff. She actually wore a flesh-colored body stocking, but audiences were shocked, horrified and intrigued by this blend of danger and sex appeal, Foster says.

"If you were a young woman and didn't have a father or a husband to take care of your cost of living, then times were always rough back then," Foster says. "She used her body for independence, ambition and money."

To this day, part of the appeal of nudity is the fact that it's still a salient taboo in our society - a relic from the Victorian era, Foster says.

"For the business owner struggling to keep his or her business afloat, going nude can be among the most cost-effective rebranding that comes to mind," he says. "Besides a possible need for permitting, a nudist business simply needs some patrons to go semi-nude or nude, which is after all our most natural state."

About Michael & Barbara Foster

Michael Foster is a historian, novelist and biographer who graduated from Cornell University with honors in philosophy. He earned his master of fine arts from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. "A Dangerous Woman" is his fifth book. Barbara Foster, an associate professor of women's studies at City University of New York, has published poetry and travel articles extensively, and is the co-author of three books.

Prepared Floor Statement of Senator Chuck Grassley

Ranking Member, Senate Committee on the Judiciary

On the Nominations of

Jacqueline Nguyen, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit;

Kristine Gerhard Baker, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas;

John Z. Lee, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois

Monday, May 7, 2012

 

Mr. President,

 

Today, the Senate is expected to confirm three additional judicial nominees.  With the confirmation of Judge Nguyen to the 9th Circuit, Ms. Baker to the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Mr. Lee to the Northern District of Illinois, we will have confirmed 83 judicial nominees during this Congress.

 

It is somewhat ironic that today, according to press accounts, the White House is holding  a forum and strategy session with administration officials  and 150 supporters from across the country concerned about the judicial vacancy rate.

 

I wonder if at this strategy session, the White House took a look in the mirror, when addressing the vacancy rate.  Only the President can make nominations to the Senate.  While we have a responsibility to advise and consent, Senators cannot nominate individuals to fill vacancies.  I would note the President has failed to do this in 47 of the 76 remaining vacancies, including 21 of 35 seats designated as judicial emergencies.  That is more than 60 percent of current vacancies with no nominee.

 

The White House and the Democrats in the Senate are fond of their claim that "millions of Americans" are living in districts with vacancies.  Of course, what the other side fails to tell you is that 88 million Americans live in judicial districts where vacancies exist because the President has failed to nominate judges.  Most of those seats have been vacant for more than a year.  Once again, if the White House is serious about judicial vacancies, it holds the key to nominations for those vacancies.  It has failed in too many instances, to use that key.

 

Furthermore, according to the press accounts, in its invitation, the White House accused Republicans of subjecting consensus nominees to "unprecedented delays and filibusters."  This is a statement without factual basis and ignores the record of judicial confirmations.

 

I would note that after today's confirmations, there are 12 nominees on the executive calendar that might fall into the category of "consensus nominees."  Seven nominees on the calendar had significant opposition in committee, and clearly are not consensus nominees.  The substantial majority of those 12 nominees were reported out of committee fewer than 10 legislative days ago.  Not only is there no filibuster against any of the consensus nominees, but I am not sure how there can be any accusation of delay.

 

Let me remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle of the obstructionism, delay and filibusters, which they perfected.  The history of President Bush's nominees to the Ninth Circuit provides some examples.

 

President Bush nominated nine individuals to the Ninth Circuit.  Three of those nominations were filibustered.  Two of those filibusters were successful.  The nominations of Carolyn Kuhl and William Gerry Myers languished for years before being returned to the President.  A fourth nominee, Randy Smith waited over 14 months before finally being confirmed after his nomination was blocked and returned to the President.  After being renominated, he was finally confirmed by a unanimous vote.

 

President Obama, on the other hand, has nominated six individuals to the Ninth Circuit. Only one of those nominees was subject to a cloture vote.  After that vote failed, the nominee withdrew.  Today, we confirm the third nomination by President Obama to the Ninth Circuit.   Those three confirmations took an average of about 8 months from the date of nomination.  For all of President Obama's Circuit nominees, the average time from nomination to confirmation is about 242 days.  For President Bush's Circuit nominees, the average wait for confirmation was 350 days.  One might ask why President Bush was treated differently than this President.

 

Another example of past Democratic obstruction and delay is in Arkansas.  Today, we confirm President Obama's nominee to the Eastern District of Arkansas within about six months of her nomination.  I would note that President Bush's nominee, J. Leon Holmes, sat on the executive calendar for more than 14 months awaiting confirmation.  From nomination, his confirmation took over 17 months.  Again, why was President Bush's nominee treated worse than this President's nominee?

 

I can only conclude that the White House has selective memory, or a different definition, when it accuses Republicans of unprecedented delay and obstruction.  I am disappointed that the President continues to blame Republicans for vacancies which have no nominee and chooses to follow a political strategy of blaming, rather than working with the Senate to nominate consensus nominees.

 

I will put the remainder of my statement in the record which discusses the qualifications of today's nominees.

 

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Jacqueline Nguyen, presently serving as a United States District Judge, is nominated to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit.  Judge Nguyen received her A.B. from Occidental College in 1987 and her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 1991. She began her legal career as an associate in the Litigation Department at the Los Angeles law firm of Musick, Peeler & Garrett where she handled litigation matters involving commercial disputes, intellectual property, and construction defects.  From 1995 until 2002, Judge Nguyen was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.  There, she handled the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking, immigration fraud, mail and tax fraud, and money laundering cases.  In 2000, Judge Nguyen became Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Section.  In that position, she handled the training and supervision of all new Assistant U.S. Attorneys and various types of criminal cases involving violent crimes, drug trafficking, firearms violations, and fraud.

 

In 2002, Governor Gray Davis appointed Judge Nguyen to the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles.  In 2009, she was nominated by President Obama to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California.  The Senate approved her nomination on December 1, 2009 by a vote of 97 -0.  In her capacity as a judge, she has presided over thousands of cases.

 

The ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary unanimously rated her as Qualified for this position.

 

Kristine Gerhard Baker is nominated to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas.  Ms. Baker received her B.A. from St. Louis University in 1993 and her J.D. from University of Arkansas School of Law in 1996.  She served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Susan Webber Wright, then the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.  In 1998, she became an associate in the law firm Williams & Anderson, LLP where she handled commercial litigation cases involving breach of contract and fraud. In 2000, Ms. Baker joined the law firm Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC.  Her focus at the firm has been devoted to complex commercial litigation cases, including cases involving employment discrimination, securities violations, unfair competition, products liability, Fair Housing Act claims and Freedom of Information Act claims.  She has handled in administrative proceedings and in federal and state court claims for discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination as well as claims arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.  The ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary gave her a substantial majority rating of Well Qualified and a minority Qualified.

 

John Z. Lee is nominated to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.  Mr. Lee received his A.B. from Harvard College in 1989 and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1992. He began his legal career as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Environment & Natural Resources Division.  There he represented the United States in federal courts on issues primarily involving environmental statutes.  He also served as Special Assistant to the Counsel to former Attorney General Janet Reno.

 

In 1994, he left the public sector to take a job as an associate at Mayer Brown.  In 1996, he joined a new firm, Grippo & Elden, as an associate.  In 1999, he moved to his current firm, Freeborn & Peters.  There he made Income Partner in 2001 and Equity Partner in 2004.  In private practice, Mr. Lee has focused almost entirely on litigation, expanding his expertise to complex commercial disputes, including cases involving antitrust, intellectual property, employment and business tort issues.  Most of these cases were in federal courts, particularly the Seventh and Ninth Circuits.  He also represented clients in criminal investigations of antitrust and financial regulations violations.  In private practice, he represents public and private companies, individual businesspersons and low-income clients pro bono. He has an ABA rating of Substantial Majority Qualified, Minority Not Qualified.

 

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Iowans know a thing or two about allergies. Every spring and fall, pollen from alfalfa, Burr oak, butternut trees, and corn reek havoc on people's eyes, noses, ears, and sinuses. And like most Americans, Iowans rush to stores for any relief from the sneezing and itching.

Embria Health Sciences, an Ankeny-based company, has a different idea on how to combat allergy symptoms - as well as those for colds and flu. Experts there believe the power lies in balancing the human immune system.

What most people don't know is the human body shouldn't be bothered by allergens such as tree and grass pollens. Our immune systems react to these "invaders" in much the same way as it does cold and flu bugs - seek and destroy before they can do harm. In reality, our bodies should see substances that cause seasonal allergy symptoms as harmless.

Embria scientists created a proprietary dietary supplement called EpiCor that helps "educate" the human immune system to boost and suppress itself when needed. Several clinical studies show the nutrients in EpiCor may indeed help us achieve immune system balance.

Gov. Terry Branstad wants Iowa to become the healthiest state in the nation by 2016, and prevention is a key to making this happen. Balancing our immune systems can be a top preventive measure Iowans can take in helping reach this goal. EpiCor can play an important role in the "Blue Zone" program sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Healthways.

I'd like to offer a story angle on how Embria Health Sciences is taking a unique approach to combating symptoms of allergies, colds, and flu for a healthier Iowa. There are several expert resources available for interviews or who can provide detailed information about immune balance versus passively treating symptoms with sprays and pills.

  • Paul Faganel, Embria Health Sciences president, can describe how EpiCor came from a serendipitous start more than a decade ago.
  • Larry Robinson, Ph.D., is Vice President of Scientific Affairs for Embria. He can discuss the science behind EpiCor and how that science shows the efficacy of the ingredient.
  • Dr. Mark A. Moyad, co-director of the University of Michigan men's health program, can discuss the results of clinical studies on immune balance and EpiCor he's personally led, and why such balance can have benefits beyond allergies, colds, and flu.

For more information about Embria Health Sciences, please visit www.embriahealth.com. For information and science about EpiCor, please visit www.epicorimmune.com.

DES MOINES, IA (05/07/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is looking for over one million people who are owed over $239 million. The spring publication of the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt is scheduled to begin soon and includes thousands of names that have been received in the last year. Fitzgerald wants Iowans to know they do not have to wait much longer to see if they have extra funds coming to them in the form of unclaimed property.

"We look forward to the spring publication every year," said Treasurer Fitzgerald. "Our goal is to locate the rightful owners of the unclaimed property. I'm sure that when we publish the new list, a lot of individuals will be pleasantly surprised." Treasurer Fitzgerald would also like to remind individuals that they do not have to wait for publication to begin to see if they have unclaimed property. "Individuals can go to www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com and search the entire Great Iowa Treasure Hunt list for their names anytime. It just makes sense to check."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $143 million in unclaimed property to more than 359,000 individuals since Fitzgerald started it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office, where it is held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

Everyone is encouraged to keep watch for the upcoming publication coming soon to papers across the state. In the meantime, all Iowans are urged to visit www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com and check to see if they have unclaimed property. Individuals may also send an email to foundit@iowa.gov. For those who prefer corresponding by mail, please write to: State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319. Please make sure to provide current name, previous names and addresses.

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(Rock Island, IL) A unique feature of the Lights ON program at the high school is  the 'Racing Tech' automotive program.  In this program, students are able to take advantage of the state of the art facilities UTHS offers in the fields of Auto Mechanics and Auto Body to gain experience beyond what is provided in those credit bearing courses. Math, Science and technical reading skills are all enhanced through this one-of-a kind program taught by instructors Scott Kave and Jamie King.

The media are invited to watch the students work on the Lights ON dragster this Tuesday, May 8th at 3:30 pm at the high school (address here).  On hand for interviews with be the students, teachers and administrators.

According to instructor, Jamie King, a mathematical connection is at the heart of the program.  "The students are learning the science of combustion engines and the performance of their project car.  While students are very comfortable making modifications to this vehicle, they are learning how to maximize results with each alteration.  They are in a constant search of correlations between equipment, installation techniques and power boosts.  The Dyno (complex system measuring engine power) and the drag strip will be the assessment tools for their hard work".

WHO:  UT Auto Car Club
WHAT:  Building  a Lights ON drag car
WHEN:  Media preview Tuesdy, May 8, 2012  3:30 pm
WHERE:  United Township High School  Rock Island (check in at office)

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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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San Diego, CA - The buzz at the annual Brewers Association convention is all about canning craft beer, the segment of the industry that seems to be growing, as bottle and tap sales lag. Today's Canny Awards announcment, showcasing the nation's best designed cans included Davenport's Great River Brewery Hop•A•Potamus Double Dark Rye Pale Ale. The can placed first in the Best Illustration of Name Catagory, one of seven catagories awarded. The competition included 231 entries from 83 craft breweries. The Hop•A•Potamus can was designed by Quad Cities designer Larry McDonald who is responsible for much of the GRB packaging and branding, and features illustration work by Kevin Deichmueller.
The Canny Awards honor craft beer and the distinctive graphics created in an industry known for unique brands and brews. The competition is sponsored by four leading suppliers to the canned craft beer industry - Ball Corporation, Cask Brewing Systems, Hi-Cone and Mumm Products. Besides Great River Brewery's award in the Best Use of Illustration category, other awards included Best Shelf Presence, Best Graphics, Best Use of Color, Best Seasonal, Best Character, and Best Local Tie-In.
According to McDonald, "The competition allowed each brewery to submit only three entries and GRB's products are strong in so many ways, it was a job to pick which category to enter which product. This product is brewer Scott Lehnert's baby and I know Kevin really worked hard, it's really their award."

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.

 

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