14 May 2012

Congressman Dave Loebsack to Join Nurses to Highlight Benefits of the Affordable Care Act

By Joe Hand
IOWA CITY - Iowa Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-2nd District) and three SEIU Local 199 Registered Nurse members from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) will hold a press conference Friday, May 11 at 3:45 pm at the UIHC to highlight the many benefits for patients and providers in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. For instance, despite the difficult financial picture for next year that UIHC officials recently painted for the Board of Regents, the ACA will actually help hospitals' bottom lines, said Pauline Taylor, an SEIU Member and an operating room nurse.
"Simultaneously it will drive down costs and improve patient outcomes. That is why it is so important to fight for it no matter what the Court ultimately does," added Matt Sinovic, Executive Director of Progress Iowa, which shares SEIU's support for the ACA. In Massachusetts, where healthcare reform has been in full swing for several years, the Massachusetts Hospital Association reports that hospitals have taken billions of dollars out of the rising expense trend over the last three years.
We have been going around the hospital over the past few weeks, educating our members about the ACA and how critical it is for us as providers and for the Iowans we care for, said Taylor.

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With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, and nearly 6,000 in Iowa, SEIU is the fastest-growing
union in the Americas. SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while
uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs-
-benefit from today's global economy.
Progress Iowa is a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization. Year-round, we promote progressive ideas and causes with creative earned media strategies, targeted email campaigns, and cutting-edge new media. With our allies, we work to significantly improve the communications effort of the entire progressive community in Iowa.
14 May 2012

Enjoy America's River at Summer of Paddling 2012 Event

By Rick Martin

Moline, Ill. - As part of the Summer of Paddling 2012 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps of Engineers will hold a paddling excursion from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at Sylvan Slough on the grounds of the Moline Rowing Club.

Beginning at 1 p.m. speakers from the Department of Interior, Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Izaak Walton League and River Action will describe their roles in the broad partnership involved with the Summer of Paddling and express their support for paddling as a mode of experiencing America's Great Outdoors.

Following the remarks participants will learn paddling techniques and have the opportunity to take a kayak or canoe in Sylvan Slough, a backwater area of the Mississippi River. Expert river biologists will be on hand to provide riverine interpretation.

Inexperienced paddlers are invited to try paddling with instruction by trip leaders to learn effective paddling techniques.

To register for the event, call Jovita at 309-794-5505 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. or email jovita.a.martin@usace.army.mil. To learn more about the Summer of Paddling, visit www.SOP2012.org.

The Summer of Paddling 2012 is a series of events designed to get Americans outside to enjoy the Mississippi River via canoe, kayak or other paddle craft, and take part in a summer full of paddling events on and near the river.

Paddlers of any level can take part in events. Experienced paddlers from a variety of conservation agencies, not-for-profit organizations and adventure guide services will lead participants through the backwaters, bayous and braided streams of the Mississippi River.

All events will be listed on this website. Register for events by contacting the host listed on each event's description.

The Summer of Paddling 2012 is aligned with the Presidential Initiative America's Great Outdoors, encouraging people to be active and get outside to experience nature.

For more information about the Summer of Paddling, call Bob Clevenstine at 309-757-5800 extension 205 or email info@SOP2012.org.

For more information on the Midwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visit http://midwest.fws.gov.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwmidwest, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwsmidwest, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/.

 

- FWS -

14 May 2012

Braley, DeLauro Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Middle Class

By Jeff Giertz

Braley, DeLauro Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Middle Class

Comprehensive Bill Makes Investments, Creates Stability, Restores Fairness Necessary to Rebuild America 

 

Washington, DC - Representatives Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), co-chairs of the Populist Caucus, today introduced the Rebuild America Act, comprehensive legislation to rebuild the American middle-class.  The bill invests in our future through three main tenants: investment to foster jobs and growth, creating financial stability for middle-class families and restoring fairness to the tax code.  This stands in direct contrast to the vision for America Republicans are pushing today: slashing the social safety net to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.

 

"The Rebuild America Act is the kind of comprehensive plan we need to strengthen the middle class, grow America's economy, and invest in the future," Braley said.  "From the modernization of America's schools to the expansion of renewable energy, from a national manufacturing strategy to raising the minimum wage, this bill is the kind of bold vision that will put America back on a path to prosperity and progress.  Congress has been paralyzed by inaction, but I believe this common sense plan can appeal to people regardless of partisanship."

 

"The debate in Washington has gone on for too long.  We need to stop talking and start implementing solutions to get America back to work," DeLauro said.  "The Rebuild America Act makes bold, critical investments in our future to create jobs and promote the financial stability so crucial to middle-class Americans.  These families have been facing pressures on all fronts, from struggling schools to declining manufacturing to the squeeze on pensions and retirement security.  This bill will help both individuals and businesses start to pull themselves out of the morass we have been in and prepare our economy for future challenges."

 

The Rebuild America Act has three overarching principles:

 

  1. Investing in America to Create Jobs and Future Growth
  2. Creating Financial Stability and a Better Future for Middle-Class Families
  3. Restoring Fairness to the Tax Code and Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

 

Investing in America to Create Jobs and Future Growth

Creating solid middle-class jobs that cannot be outsourced will lay the foundation for long-term economic growth.  To do this, we need to move from being a nation that consumes to one that builds and exports.  The Rebuild America Act invests in our schools and teachers, renewable energy and roads, bridges and infrastructure.  It also rebuilds our manufacturing power through expanded tax credits and access to credit for business.

 

Creating Financial Stability and a Better Future for Middle-Class Families

Middle-class families are facing enormous financial pressures, both during their working years and in retirement.  The Rebuild America Act helps ease this stress by strengthening social security, establishing a fair minimum wage and ensuring paid sick days are available for workers across the country.

 

Restore Fairness to the Tax Code and Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility

Our current tax system is unfair, too complex and keeps us on a path of perennial deficits.  The Rebuild America Act takes action to level the playing field for all Americans.  The bill includes the Buffet Rule, ends tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and makes Wall Street take responsibility for their irresponsible actions that led to the 2008 financial collapse.  Crucially, the Rebuild America Act protects the pensions that workers are counting on to get through retirement by encouraging employers to continue to provide pensions and creating additional protections for people whose pension is a casualty of bankruptcy.

 

The following organizations support the Rebuild America Act:

 

SEIU

AFSCME

AFL-CIO

AFT

Building Trades Unions

Machinists Union

UAW

NEA

IAFF

USW

IUPA

Main Street Alliance

American Sustainable Business Council

Campaign for America's Future

American Dream

National Women's Law Center

National Partnership for Women and Families

National Employment Law Center

Urban League

US Action

Community Change

Moms Rising

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Children's Defense Fund

Young Invincibles

Social Security Works

Coalition on Human Needs

Family Values at Work

ADA

First Five Years Fund

NAEYC

CLASP

NWLC

PEW

PreKnow

Independent

NACCRAA

ECE Consortium

Zero to Three

Head Start

First Focus

Voices

NAWB

Workforce Alliance

JAG

American Progress

Knowledge Works

Alliance for American Manufacturing

American Small Manufacturer Coalition

Industrial Unions Council

United Spinal Association

The Arc

 

Formed in 2009, the House Populist Caucus is the only caucus in Congress dedicated soley to strengthening America's middle class.  The Populist Caucus has 28 members.

 

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14 May 2012

Taco Dinner Fundraiser

By Karen L. Davies
  Wilton Masonic Lodge #167 Scholarship Fundraiser

 Taco & Ice Cream Dinner

3 Tacos and Ice Cream

Saturday, June 9, 2012

4:00 pm until 7:00 pm

at the Wilton Masonic Lodge

405 Cedar Street, Wilton IA

 Dinner is $7.00 per person

 We hope you can attend and if unable we hope you will help support our Scholarship Fundraiser

 

 

 

14 May 2012

Braley Joins Westmoreland to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect American Manufacturing Jobs

By Jeff Giertz

Bill would reverse regulation threatening Marshalltown refrigeration manufacturer

 

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today joined Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) to introduce a bipartisan bill that would remove burdensome government regulations on refrigerated deli-style display cases that threaten the future of their manufacture in the United States.

 

The Department of Energy has interpreted a 2005 energy efficiency law passed by Congress to include refrigerated deli display cases in the same category as standard refrigerators.  However, the Department of Energy acknowledges that the inherent design of display cases makes it impossible for them to reach the minimum efficiency standards established in the 2005 law, effectively outlawing their manufacture.

 

Braley and Westmoreland's Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations Act will simply create a separate product category for refrigerated deli-style display cases, effectively reversing the Department of Energy regulation.

 

Lennox Industries, Inc., manufactures the deli-style display cases covered by the regulation in their Marshalltown, Iowa, facility.

 

Representative Bruce Braley (IA-01) said: "When government regulations defy common sense and put jobs at risk, it's time for a change.  With their regulation, the Department of Energy has effectively outlawed refrigerated display cases commonly found in grocery stores, delis, ice cream shops, and restaurants.  This regulation is unfair and harmful to manufacturing in Iowa and America.  Our bipartisan bill will reverse this misguided regulation and protect American jobs.  I'm proud to work with Representative Westmoreland to create a common sense solution that will appeal to people on both sides of the aisle."

 

Representative Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) said: "Sometimes smaller issues, like this one, are overlooked in a federal government as large as ours.  But that doesn't mean they aren't important and don't impact the livelihood of many Americans, including many of your friends and neighbors here in Georgia.  By creating a separate product class for these display cases, we are allowing American manufacturers to continue to make and sell them - saving American manufacturing jobs - and we can do so at no cost to the American taxpayer.  It's bipartisan bills like this that show both sides of the aisle are opposed to the overregulation that has become commonplace in Washington.  The more regulations and red tape created by bureaucrats in Washington, the harder it is for American companies to succeed, making it harder for them to expand and hire new employees.  By eliminating unnecessary regulations, we are able to encourage job creation and economic growth.  I'm proud to have joined Congressman Braley in introducing the bipartisan BURR Act and encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in eliminating this unnecessary regulation."

 

A copy of the Better Use of Refrigerator Regulations Act can be downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/VAq

 

A photo of the refrigerated deli-style display cases manufactured by Lenox in Marshalltown can be viewed below:

 

LIIRefrigeration_ServiceDeli2 (2)

 

# # #
14 May 2012

Reports dings IRS whistleblower progress, President should engage

By Randy Stalsberg

May 10 


Today the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released a report calling for better Internal Revenue Service (IRS) management of the IRS whistleblower program aimed at curbing big-dollar tax cheating.  Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa last week expressed his "extreme disappointment in the management of the program" in a letter to the agency.  Grassley wrote the 2006 law improving the IRS whistleblower office.

Grassley made the following comment on today's report.

"This report confirms my concern that the IRS isn't serious about processing whistleblower claims in a timely way.   Open-ended timeframes don't get the job done.  Ironically, taxpayers are subject to strict deadlines and stiff penalties for foot-dragging with the IRS.  The accountability is one-sided.  Meanwhile, while the grass grows at the IRS, big-dollar tax cheating continues.   Whistleblowers who are trying to expose the wrongdoing are left twisting in the wind.   If the IRS and the Treasury Department really want to close the tax gap, they need to focus on cleaning up the processing of claims and issuing awards.   Instead of going to conferences in Miami and San Diego, they should process whistleblower claims and make these payments.    For example, the whistleblower office director's approval of an award apparently has to be reviewed by an executive committee before a whistleblower can be paid.   As I said in my letter last week, the IRS needs to get the process moving.   President Obama should make this a priority.  While he promotes higher taxes on millionaires, his own administration is allowing big-dollar tax cheating to continue by letting whistleblower cases sit on the shelf.  He could do a lot for tax compliance by lighting a fire under the IRS on whistleblowers."


Today's report is available here.

The text of Grassley's latest letter is available here.

14 May 2012

House Armed Services Committee Approves FY2013 Defense Bill

By Andie Pivarunas

Includes Schilling Efforts to Strengthen RIA, Streamline Small Business Contracting, Improve Health Care for Military Families and Help Bring MIA Warriors Home

Washington, DC - With the support of Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17), the House Armed Services Committee early this morning overwhelmingly approved H.R. 4310, the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).  The final package reported out by the Committee added several bipartisan provisions authored by Schilling with the support of a number of committee colleagues, including provisions to strengthen the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA), streamline small business contracting, improve health care for military families and help bring MIA warriors home.

The NDAA is annual comprehensive legislation that specifies the budget authority of the United States Department of Defense (DOD) and additional national security programs under the Department of Energy (DOE).  The Act supports common defense and provides for the needs of our troops, ensuring that they have access to the best possible tools, equipment, and training necessary to complete their mission.  The NDAA is now cleared for consideration by the full House of Representatives next week.  

"I'm honored for the opportunity to serve on the Armed Services Committee and the chance to advance the interests of the Rock Island Arsenal, our nation's warfighters, and their families," Schilling said. "This year's defense bill includes several provisions I'm pleased to have worked on with a number of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and I want to sincerely thank them and members of the Committee for their support in moving these initiatives forward.  Providing for our common defense and the well-being of American warfighters and their families should not be a Republican or a Democrat issue, but a red, white, and blue issue."

Schilling worked to ensure a number of provisions were included in this year's NDAA, the 51st annual defense authorization bill.  Schilling's provisions include :

  • Language authored with Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02), also a member of HASC, to ensure DOD recognizes the critical manufacturing work done at facilities like the RIA in our overarching national security strategy, and reviews how to maintain those skills and therefore the people who do the work.  Schilling and Loebsack are building on their historic, bipartisan work to strengthen the arsenal in last year's NDAA.
  • Language authored with Congressman Steve Stivers (OH-15) to better shape the policies and practices of TRICARE to efficiently and effectively account for the specific health care needs of children.  TRICARE is the military health care system covering 9.6 million, including military retirees, the children and families of active duty soldiers, and National Guard and Reservists.  As the program's reimbursement structure is based on Medicare, TRICARE often adopts policies and practices from Medicare that do not account for pediatric health care delivery and settings.  This Schilling and Stivers language will convene a working group to review and make recommendations for improving TRICARE policies and practices to account for children's needs, and work jointly with specialty providers of children's health care.
  • Language authored with Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) to encourage cooperation between the DOD and universities to uncover the remains of American troops who died in action overseas. This bipartisan provision will help provide closure for families with lost loved ones, and will honor those who gave so much for our country.  Universities such as the University of Illinois are already working to reduce the backlog of cases that have been reported but not investigated or for which remains have been located but not recovered, but there is bureaucratic red tape that complicates coordinating efforts with the DOD.  This provision will help DOD be more cost effective and increase the speed at which we can bring our warfighters home from more friendly countries, allowing the DOD to focus on its recovery efforts in more dangerous areas of the world.
  • Language authored with Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), who serves with Schilling on the Small Business Committee, to reform small business contracting and make it easier for small contractors wishing to do business with the federal government.  Small businesses have proven that they can perform a service or produce goods for the government at a lower cost and often at a faster pace than their larger counterparts, but many challenges remain for businesspeople seeking to break through the bureaucracy.  This bipartisan provision allows the Small Business Administration to oversee civilian mentor-protégé programs (programs intended to partner small businesses with established mentors  to improve the small business' ability to win contracts and subcontracts), facilitating inter-agency agreements, guaranteeing that programs benefit small businesses, and encouraging equal treatment among all small businesses, including those owned by women and minorities.

The NDAA authorizes $544 billion for national defense and $88.5 billion for Overseas Contingencies Operations.  This is nearly $4 billion more than the President's budget request, but less than last year's request.  It is, however, consistent with the budget resolution the House passed last month.  

The legislation includes a number of broader provisions as well, including:

  • Provisions providing for the warfighter and military families: The NDAA seeks to provide our warfighters and their families with the care and support they need, deserve, and have earned.  It ensures that our military is robust, flexible, and capable.  The NDAA rejects Administration proposals to increase some TRICARE fees and establish new TRICARE fees; authorizes a 1.7 percent pay increase; and extends bonuses and special pay for our servicemen and women.  It also reflects a bipartisan effort actively supported by Schilling to provide new regulations and procedures to combat and prosecute sexual assault within the military.
  • Provisions to maintain and rebuild our military: The NDAA does not authorize additional rounds of Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) in either FY2013 or FY2015, as had been called for by the Department of Defense.  Schilling strongly opposed efforts to authorize a BRAC.  The bill includes and restores vital systems, platforms, and authorities to maintain America's combat power after a decade of war.
  • Provisions pertaining to detainees: The FY2012 NDAA reaffirmed U.S. authority to pursue terrorists who are part of or substantially support al Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces.  The FY2013 NDAA, though the incorporation of the Right to Habeas Corpus Act, makes clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that every American will have his day in court.  It also prohibits the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States.

More information on the FY2013 can be found here on the HASC website.  Having passed HASC early this morning, the NDAA is now cleared for consideration by the full House of Representatives next week.

# # #

14 May 2012

Bringing Up Little Angels

By Ginny Grimsley
Children's Authors Offer Character-Building Tips

A recent rash of news stories highlights the positive in society's youngest members: "Child Saves Kids from Bus Crash;" "Child Saves His Brother from Possible Abduction;" "Child Saves Family from House Fire."

But all too often, the news involving children indicates a dangerous lack of morality: 7- and 8-year-olds stealing cars; a 9-year-old's recent shooting of a school classmate; a 12-year-old charged with armed robbery. A particularly bad one nearly 20 years ago shocked sisters Debbie Burns and Patty Cockrell. Two 10-year-old truants abducted a toddler in England, tortured the little boy and beat him to death.

It prompted the women to begin work on Tukie Tales: A New Beginning for a Better Tomorrow (www.tukietales.com), a series of five children's books designed to help parents teach young children important values.

"There is something especially senseless in reading about small children committing sadistic crimes," Burns says. "We wanted to be part of a 'positive push' in the right direction."

The younger the child, the more impressionable they are, she says. We wanted to help busy parents scrambling to make ends meet teach children empathy, compassion, environmental awareness and other values.

"I don't think parents are bad," she says. "But with all the economic worries, the job losses and home foreclosures, many are focused on working and worrying. It's hard to also be thinking, 'What value will I teach my child today?' "

Burns and Cockrell offer tips for parents to help positively shape children:

• Promote a love for nature: Are your kids outdoors much? Parents who are busying shuttling their sons and daughters from one building to another may overlook the benefits of the great outdoors. Wilderness, however, has a therapeutic effect on indoor dwellers. Spending time in nature also helps children learn about their place in the world and the value of all the life that shares space with us.

• Show the value of teamwork: Working together toward a common goal doesn't always come naturally to children - or adults. Many youngsters learn teamwork through sports, which is good but almost always includes a competitive element. It's important for children to experience the added benefits of creating, problem-solving and getting chores done as a team. Parents should look for opportunities to point out their children's great teamwork.

• Make sure they appreciate safety: No good parent wants to unnecessarily frighten their children, but carelessness leads to bad habits, injuries and opportunities for others to do them harm. The best medicine for any problem is prevention. Remember: Don't take for granted that your young child knows what's safe and what's not. Some years ago, someone taught you that stoves can burn your hand - even though you can't remember who or when it was.

• Build their confidence with at least one skill: Remember what it's like to be 4 years old? Very young children come into this world with no previous experience, which means their brains are hungry for know-how. Knowledge and skills to a child are like water for a thirsty man in the desert.

• Kindness counts: It is one thing to teach kids the old idiom that one catches more flies with honey than with vinegar. But children should also know that people who make kindness a habit tend to be happier; there is an inherent joy in helping others.

"I understand parents are busy earning a living to support their children," Cockrell says. "But who you raise in the process makes all the difference to the future world."

About Debbie Burns & Patty Cockrell

Burns and Cockrell are sisters and best friends. They were determined to instill honest and wholesome values in their children after establishing their families. Deeply affected by the bad news of the world, they decided to promote a better experience for children. The "Tukie Tales" series is written with compassion and love for all of the world's children in the hope of making a positive difference.

14 May 2012

Schilling, Loebsack Partner with Senators in Authoring Legislation Supporting RIA's Workload

By Nicholas Depew

Washington, DC - Even as they successfully added language that would help protect arsenal workload to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) yesterday, Congressmen Bobby Schilling (IL-17) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) yesterday introduced H.R. 5706,  The Army Arsenal Strategic Workload Enhancement Act.  This legislation builds upon their historic wins in the FY 2012 NDAA and their success in including a Rock Island Arsenal (RIA)-boosting provision in this year's NDAA committee report.

"We've made significant progress over the last year and a half in paving the way for more public-private partnerships at the Rock Island Arsenal, but our work preserving the Arsenal as an economic engine and national treasure is far from over," Schilling said. "I will continue fighting however I can to protect the Arsenal and promote its highly-skilled workforce for the economic well-being of our region, the benefit of our warfighters, and the security of our nation."

"The men and women who work at the Rock Island Arsenal have a proven track record that is second to none and this initiative ensures they will continue to be able to rapidly get our troops the equipment they need, when they need it," said Loebsack.  "I have worked in a bipartisan, bi-state and bicameral fashion to expand the public private partnerships.  This is the next step in strengthening Rock Island Arsenal, supporting the good job it provides, and ensuring it continues to be a key component of our national security and our region's economy."

The bipartisan and bicameral Army Arsenal Strategic Workload Enhancement Act, which was also authored by area senators, would help to keep arsenals like Rock Island warm and employees' skills sharp by requiring that the Army produce a plan to ensure they are properly workloaded.  Though the Army creates such plans for some of its divisions, it currently does not for arsenals. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by other members of the Illinois and Iowa Congressional Delegation representing the Quad Cities - Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Mark Kirk (R-IL).

The Illinois and Iowa Delegation supported Schilling and Loebsack's efforts on the House Armed Services Committee to include in last year's defense bill the landmark provision lifting the cap on the number of public-private partnerships arsenals are able to enter into, maximizing the possibility for private-sector job growth at installations like the Rock Island Arsenal.  Schilling and Loebsack also included in last year's bill the provision designating the Rock Island Arsenal as a Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence, further improving its ability to enter into public-private partnerships, provide for our men and women in combat, and strengthen the Arsenal's core skills and manufacturing abilities.  These provisions were included in last year's comprehensive defense bill and signed into law by the President.

# # #

14 May 2012

State Treasurer Fitzgerald is Proud of Iowa's Participation in Financial Literacy Program

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (05/10/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is excited to announce Iowa schools and students had excellent participation in a new financial literacy program. The National Financial Capability Challenge, which ran from March 12 to April 13, was designed to help students increase their financial knowledge in areas like earning, spending, saving, borrowing and risk protection.

"I'm happy to say that Iowa had excellent participation in the Challenge," said Fitzgerald. "Nearly 3500 students from eighty-eight schools took part in the program. By doing so, they made a big step towards creating a secure financial future for themselves. It's very exciting to see so many young adults take their financial educations into their own hands."

The average Challenge score for participating Iowa students was 72% which was 3% higher than the national average. Twenty-three students received perfect scores. They, along with other top-scoring students, will be presented with personalized award certificates.

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