Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing with Attorney General Eric Holder, Nov. 8, 2011

 

Long Gun Reporting Requirement

Attorney General Holder: "[E]arlier this year, the House of Representatives actually voted to keep law enforcement in the dark when individuals purchase semiautomatic rifles and shotguns in southwest border gun shops.  Providing law enforcement with the tools to detect and to disrupt illegal gun trafficking is entirely consistent with the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens."

FACT

In Operation Fast and Furious, law enforcement was not in the dark when individuals purchased these weapons.  Rather, they were receiving real-time?and sometimes advance?notice from cooperating gun dealers when suspected straw buyers would purchase pistols or long guns.  The information for both pistols and long guns was placed onto what is called a "4473" form, which gun dealers then faxed to the ATF.  However, rather than using that information to question the suspected straw buyers and eventually make arrests, ATF chose to allow them to continue to traffic guns.  There were about 93 multiple handgun purchases by Fast and Furious suspects averaging nearly five handguns per purchase. These were already required to be reported under existing regulations.  There were about 148 multiple long gun purchases by Fast and Furious suspects, averaging over 9 long guns per purchase.  Most of the purchases were made by just a few buyers.  Cooperating dealers reported them even without a regulatory requirement because they were suspicious and involved known straw buyers.

For instance, within three days of Jaime Avila's January 16, 2010, purchase of the two weapons that were later recovered at the scene of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry's murder, ATF had entered the purchase into their Suspect Gun Database.  Beginning 7 weeks prior to that date, ATF had already entered 13 weapons purchased by Avila into their Suspect Gun Database, including 8 long guns.  The problem was not a lack of information.  It was a failure to act on the information the government already had.

Supporting Documents of the FACTS
Paul only candidate in GOP field to best the President
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - In a new Public Policy Poll, 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul bests President Obama 48 to 39 percent among independent voters. The poll also showed Paul as the only Republican candidate leading President Obama among independents.

"This is yet another poll that clearly shows how competitive Ron Paul is against the sitting President," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.  "Dr. Paul is making strides not just among Republicans, but independent voters as well. This broad base of increasing support proves that the American people are looking for conviction instead of the typical status quo rhetoric being offered by establishment candidates."

These results follow an earlier Bloomberg News poll showing Paul in a statistical first place finish in Iowa, a key early voting state.  Furthermore, a late October CNN/Time poll showed him in the top three in the key states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
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Pilot Program Will Yield Public Sector Energy Savings;
Create More Than 100 Green Jobs

CHICAGO - November 16, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced Illinois Energy Now grants to help more public sector entities - such as schools, parks and police - incorporate energy efficiency into their buildings and save money. Awarded through the Illinois Energy Now Public Sector Energy Efficiency Aggregation Program, the grants will provide an estimated $7.1 million in energy cost savings to public sector facilities, including schools, community colleges and local municipality buildings. The initiative will help create more than 100 green sector jobs.

"By improving energy efficiency in public facilities, we are making Illinois a greener place to live and work," Governor Quinn said. "This program will help save money on public facility energy costs and create green sector jobs to keep our economy growing."

The Illinois Energy Now program offers a portfolio of both electric and natural gas efficiency programs to achieve targeted annual energy savings goals. The program ensures that the state meets its annual energy savings targets in three sectors: units of local government, community colleges and K-12 schools. The state of Illinois works with the electric service territories of ComEd and Ameren Illinois, and gas service territories of Ameren Illinois, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas to ensure that the state meets its annual energy savings targets.

Grant recipients include the city of Chicago, the Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) Community College Partnership, and the Metropolitan Mayors Council. Each of these grantees is responsible for identifying projects eligible for public sector incentives, administering the applications and implementation, and reporting back project data and progress.

Grantee

Amount

Estimated Energy Cost Savings over 3 yrs

City of Chicago

$4.9 million

$3.5 million

Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) Community College Partnership

$2 million

$2.4 million

Metropolitan Mayors Council

$750,000

$1.2 million

 

The County Commissioners Association was also awarded a $260,000 Illinois Energy Now grant to increase awareness of the energy efficiency incentives for public entities, with the goal of bringing in 60 projects that otherwise would not have had the technical resources to apply.

"Prior to the implementation of the Illinois Energy Now program, Illinois did not have a coordinated effort to achieve public sector energy reduction goals," DCEO director Warren Ribley said. "Through this program, we are helping to lower the energy bills of schools, parks and police stations, while creating green sector jobs."

The Illinois Energy Now program was created under the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard law, giving Illinois among the most ambitious energy efficiency standards in the nation. The initiative requires Illinois utilities to reduce overall electric usage by 0.2 percent of demand in 2008, escalating to 2.0 percent by 2015.

"Illinois' emphasis on energy efficiency is good policy and good for jobs because it puts our union brothers and sisters to work and provides public sector workers with more resources to make their communities better," said Michael T. Carrigan, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO.

As part of Governor Quinn's efforts to ensure greater energy efficiency and create more green industry jobs, the state's energy efficiency programs created more than 1,440 direct and indirect jobs in the green economy last year. The State Energy Office within the Illinois Department of Commerce of Economic Opportunity administers public sector and low income programs, while utility partners - ComEd, Ameren Illinois, Nicor, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas - administer residential and business energy efficiency programs. For more information on Illinois Energy Now programs, visit www.illinoisenergy.org.

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WinterFest at the Familly Museum!

Bettendorf – The Family Museum will continue its tradition of WinterFest on Sunday, December 4, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. There will be a host of joyful family activities for everyone including a dance performance from the Family Museum LimeLight dancers, holiday music performed by the Pleasant Valley High School Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble, refreshments, fun activities, and a visit from Santa later in the afternoon. Admission to this event and the Family Museum's hands-on gallery is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item or monetary donation to a local food pantry. This event is sponsored by the DHCU Community Credit Union.

A huge, 300 square foot train set will be set up again this year, and each passenger on the "Polar Express" will be enjoying hot chocolate in their seats, with all of the lights burning bright and the smokestacks going full blast as the "Polar Express" winds its way on its journey to the North Pole.

The centerpiece window dressing is the last set of animated figurines from the Petersen Harden Von Maur store in Davenport.  Created by the (George) Silvestri Art Manufacturing Company, this Santa's House scene includes a Living Room with a decorated tree and fireplace, a Kitchen with a very busy stove, a Workshop where elves are busy making toy trains, and a snowball battle in the woods among the elves who are gathering firewood.  The display was built in Chicago during October of 1966, and was donated to the Family Museum in 1990 when the store was sold.

The Family Museum is located at 2900 Learning Campus Drive. For more information, please call (563) 344-4106 or visit www.familymuseum.org.

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WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley has asked Chief Justice John Roberts to provide audio and video coverage of the landmark Supreme Court proceedings of the federal health care reform law.  Grassley is the author of legislation that would allow cameras in federal courts.  The bipartisan legislation has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"Cameras in federal courtrooms are at the very heart of an open and transparent government.  Broadcasting the health care reform law proceedings would not only contribute to the public's understanding of America's judicial system, but provide an excellent educational opportunity on a case that has the potential to have a far reaching impact on every American," Grassley said.  "This law is massive in size and scope.  Its effect is reverberating throughout America's economy.  The constitutional questions are landmark.  The public has a right to hear and see the legal arguments."

Grassley first introduced the Cameras in the Courtroom legislation in 1999.  Since then, the Chief Justice has immediately released audio of oral arguments of compelling cases.  The first release came when, at the request of Grassley and others, then Chief Justice William Rehnquist allowed for the release of audio immediately following oral arguments in the Florida election matter in 2000.  Since then, Chief Justice John Roberts has released audio recordings the same day of the oral arguments for more than 20 cases, including Grutter v. Bollinger, D.C. v. Heller, the Guantanamo Cases and the Citizens United Case.

Here is a copy of the text of Grassley's letter.  A copy of the signed letter can be found here.

 

 

November 15, 2011

The Chief Justice

The Supreme Court of the United States

Washington, DC 20543

Dear Chief Justice Roberts:

I am writing to request that the Supreme Court exercise its discretion to permit television coverage of Supreme Court proceedings when the Court hears arguments in the case of the federal health care reform law.  It is my understanding oral arguments will take place in March of next year.

The decision in this case has the potential to reach every American.  The law is massive in size and scope.  The effect of the law, and the Court's decision, will reverberate throughout the American economy.

The constitutional questions presented in the case are momentous. The public has a right to witness the legal arguments likely to be presented in the case: (1) the constitutionality of the individual mandate; (2) the severability of the individual mandate and whether or not the remainder of the law is valid without the mandate; and (3) the authority of Congress to impose mandatory Medicaid coverage thresholds on states.  Given the nature of the topic, everyone in the country would benefit from following the proceedings in this landmark case.

Modern technology makes televising the proceedings before the Court simple and unobtrusive.  A minimal number of cameras in the courtroom, which could be placed to be barely noticeable to all participants, would provide live coverage of what may be one of the most historic and important arguments of our time.  Letting the world watch would bolster public confidence in our judicial system and in the decisions of the Court.

Providing live audio and video coverage of the oral arguments will be of great benefit to the Court and to the public.  Letting the world watch these historic and important proceedings will bolster confidence in our judicial system and the decisions of the Court.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Grassley

United States Senator

 

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area announces it has rescheduled its "Texas Hold'Em Tournament & Sponsors' Gala" from Saturday, November 19, 2011, to Saturday, February 4, 2012. The tournament will be held in the Event Center at Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island.

The Arc's Texas Hold'Em Tournament features two sessions with limited capacity - the first at 12 pm and the second at 5 pm. Priority placement will be given to all those who had pre-registered for this Saturday's event. Each session will play to 10 winners and the 20 finalists will compete in the Final Round beginning at 9 pm. Buy-in is $60 with a $30 re-buy opportunity limited to the first hour of play.

Founded in 1952, The Arc of the Quad Cities Area serves more than 325 individuals with developmental and other disabilities daily. The Arc promotes living and working in partnership with the community to support individuals with developmental and other disabilities, through a variety of support services.

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Mr. Cain was consistent in his Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel editorial board meeting yesterday and has always supported Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's legislation to balance his state budget and give his state's government the tools it needs during the ongoing economic crisis. In fact, Mr. Cain traveled to Madison earlier this year to voice his support for Governor Walker's initiative to limit collective bargaining privileges in Wisconsin.

Contrary to what the editorial board members stated, federal employees can bargain collectively on some elements of their contracts. The editorial board members were wrong to correct Mr. Cain on this point.  They are forbidden to go on strike. This was a provision within the legislation that allowed federal employees to form unions. We all remember President Ronald Reagan famously firing the air traffic controllers because they went on strike in violation of federal law. We need leadership like Reagan's today in Washington - and this is why Mr. Cain is running for the office.

Green Vehicles to Reduce Fuel Costs, Emissions and Noise Pollution

SPRINGFIELD - November 15, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has been awarded a $5 million federal grant to buy up to 10 hybrid buses for Illinois communities as part of the governor's initiative to expand green transportation throughout the state. The buses are anticipated to be delivered in 2013 to the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, the City of Galesburg, the Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District and the River Valley Mass Transit District.

"Hybrid technology protects the environment and saves money," Governor Pat Quinn said. "Everyone wins as we use this technology to replace aging buses across the state with new, reliable vehicles. I want to thank our congressional supporters and Senator Durbin for his work with us and his leadership in securing this important federal funding."

The $5 million grant is from the Federal Transit Administration's Clean Fuels Grant Program, a competitive program that encourages the use of clean fuel and innovative propulsion systems in buses. The new hybrid vehicles to be delivered to the five Illinois communities are powered through dual motor fuel and electrical power systems that cut the usage of fossil fuels. They will replace older buses powered by gasoline and diesel, resulting in quieter rides, savings in fuel costs to taxpayers and reductions in harmful emissions.

The buses also will be equipped with the latest in green technology, including electrified power steering and air conditioning, regenerative braking and automated systems that stop the engines when they are idling to cut down on exhaust and energy consumption.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our fleet of green transit buses throughout the state," said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. "By employing hybrid technology, we can provide needed public transit services with state-of-the-art vehicles while improving air quality and lowering the cost of fuel purchases."

In addition to the $5 million for the hybrid buses, IDOT has received a $362,000 federal grant to develop a Web site to connect transportation providers with active military and veterans statewide. The new site will be the state's first online resource center to help active military, veterans and their families address their transportation needs by offering information on transit schedules, dial-a-ride services and ride-sharing programs in their areas.

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Governor proclaims Dec. 4-10 as "Iowa Farm Bureau Week"

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Nov. 15, 2011 - Members of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) will gather for the organization's 93rd annual meeting Dec. 7-8 at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines to discuss the many aspects of food and energy production and the important role Iowa farmers play as international leaders in ag technology, innovation and environmental sustainability.

To celebrate the annual gathering, Governor Terry Branstad has declared the week of Dec. 4-10 as "Iowa Farm Bureau Week."

"This year, our annual meeting theme 'Setting the Table for the World,' focuses on how our Iowa farmers, our members, help feed and energize a growing world," said Craig Lang, IFBF president and a fifth-generation dairy farmer from Brooklyn. "The world population will grow to more than 9 billion people by 2050, and these people will need food and energy. Iowa farmers lead the nation in the production of corn, soybeans, livestock, ethanol and wind energy. We must be at the table to discuss how our farms can support our nation and the world in a sustainable way. It's a huge task and one that can be met if we continue to focus on developing technology, production efficiencies and conservation practices."

Lang added that food production discussions also need to address consumers and their needs and demands.

"More than ever, people want to know more about the food they eat; where it comes from, how antibiotics are used by livestock farmers or how waterways and soils are protected," said Lang. "Farmers want to be transparent about why they do what they do. I know that we'll have some enlightening discussions that will benefit farmers and consumers, alike."

The IFBF annual meeting educational seminars will discuss the environmental, health and economic aspects of today's food production system and will be kicked off with a luncheon panel discussion of ethical food production. Moderated by Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation, the panel will include experts from Pioneer, Elanco and Hy-Vee.

The three seminar topics include : 1."Environment: Optimizing Resources to Feed A Hungry World," with Marv Wilson , Pioneer, and Craig Chase, from the Leopold Center; 2. "Health: Meeting Consumer Demand for Safe and Healthy Food," featuring Scott Hurd with the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Bahia Nightengale of the Golden Hills RC&D, and Ellen Reis, HyVee dietician; and 3. "Economics: The World Food Economy," with Grady Bishop, Elanco swine business unit director; Frank Mitloehner, ag researcher from the University of California-Davis; and Daniel Whitley, deputy director of the U.S. Foreign Ag Service.

Lang will address members and special guests on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m. In addition, Dave Miller, IFBF director of research and commodity services, will lead a session focused on farm revenue risk and the Food Security Act of 2012 on Dec. 8. The organization will celebrate the contributions of dedicated Farm Bureau members with a recognition banquet on Dec. 7 and a young farm leaders' achievement luncheon on Dec. 8.

Farm Bureau will wrap up its annual meeting with a voting delegate session and elections.   The following directors are up for re-election this year: IFBF President Craig Lang, District 2 board member Charles Norris, District 7 board member Andy Hora, and District 9 board member Jim McKnight.

Members can register for the 2011 IFBF annual meeting at their county Farm Bureau offices.  For more information about the annual meeting, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com.

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The Arc of the Quad Cities Area invites you to "The Arc Holiday Choir in Concert," a recital performance to be held Sunday, December 4, 2011, at 7 p.m. with a reception immediately following the concert. The performance will take place at First Lutheran Church, 1230-5th
Avenue in Moline.  The recital performance is free of charge and open to the public.

The Arc Holiday Choir is directed by Mary Vande Voorde, LSW, graduate of Augustana College and 22-year member of Hersong, the Quad Cities Women's Chorus. Vande Voorde, a Qualified Support Professional with The Arc of the Quad Cities Area, directs The Arc Holiday Choir and coordinates Music Therapy for The Arc's day program, thanks to generous grants from The Wilber L. Burress Endowment.

Founded in 1952, The Arc of the Quad Cities Area serves more than 325 individuals with developmental and other disabilities daily. Day programs are offered in both Moline and Rock Island. The Arc promotes living and working in partnership with the community to support
individuals with developmental and other disabilities, through a variety of support services.

The Arc welcomes volunteer support of its programs and activities, including an Assistant Choir Director for the 2012 Holiday Choir.

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