20 Feb 2012

Accountability Needed in Law Enforcement Body Armor Programs

By Grassley Press

Prepared Statement of Ranking Member Chuck Grassley of Iowa

U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Hearing on "Protecting Those Who Protect Us: The Bulletproof Vest

Partnership Grant Program"

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding today's hearing.  Law enforcement officers across the country risk their lives every day to ensure that our neighborhoods and communities are safe.  Unfortunately, the tragic reality is that law enforcement officers are often placed in situations confronting dangerous criminals that are intent on harming anyone who tries to stop them.  Last year alone 164 law enforcement officers were lost in the line of duty, there were another 162 officers lost in 2010.  We owe these men and women, and their families, a debt of gratitude.

This hearing is to discuss the reauthorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program at the Justice Department.  The program was created by Congress in 1998 and was designed to provide federal matching funds to law enforcement agencies across the country to purchase body armor.

By many measures, the program has been successful in getting body armor to state and local agencies that request the matching funds.  The program has reimbursed law enforcement agencies with nearly $247 million that has purchased nearly 1 million vests.  This is important because these vests save lives, not just from bullets, but from other injuries, such as car accidents and assaults that occur in the line of duty.

Any program that helps save lives of law enforcement officers is important and should be reauthorized.  However, that does not mean that we should simply write a blank check on the taxpayers dime without determining what is and what isn't working in the program.

For example, one of the biggest concerns with purchasing body armor has been ensuring that the vests purchased are actually worn by the officers on the street.  We can authorize as much funding as we want, buy as many vests as the taxpayers can afford, but if the vests aren't on at the moment they are needed, those purchases don't matter.  For this very reason, the Bureau of Justice Assistance has a mandatory wear policy on vests that are procured through the program.

This is an important provision and one that makes sense, but according to testimony we'll hear from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) this mandatory wear policy only applies to vests funded under the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program.  It does not apply to body armor purchased through other programs like the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program.  This is an inconsistency that needs to be addressed to ensure that officer safety is a priority when federal funds are used to purchase body armor.

In addition to reviewing the program to ensure vests are worn, we also need to take a look at how this program is being managed by the Justice Department.  According to GAO's testimony, and a report released today in conjunction with the hearing, the Department's management of this program needs to be improved.

Specifically, multiple grant programs can be used to purchase body armor with federal funds, yet the programs have differing requirements on matching funds, wear policies, and standards for purchasing approved body armor.  These inconsistencies should be fixed to ensure that minimum standards for both programs are uniform.

GAO also found that the Justice Department needs to address the financial bookkeeping of this program.  GAO found that the Department has consistently failed to deobligate expired money in the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program for over a decade.  Some of these funds trace back to Fiscal Year 2002 and have not been expended.  All in all, GAO found that there is $27 million in balances from grants awarded from FY2002-FY2009.

Further, GAO found that in 2009, there was an additional $14 million in funds from the program that were officially deobligated and used to pay down a recession in the Department's budget.  So, according to GAO, funds Congress specifically appropriated for the program to purchase body armor were never used to actually purchase vests.  This is a serious matter and one that needs to be addressed immediately.

Unfortunately, according to GAO, the Department has said that they don't yet know what they'll do with the $27 million available for de-obligation and they may not know what to do with it until September 2012.  Any reauthorization of the program should ensure that the Department uses these funds to buy more vests, or pay down the national debt, not just sit on them for another decade.

Officer safety is paramount and we should do all we can to make sure officers on the street have body armor.  However, we must also ensure that taxpayer dollars are monitored and managed effectively by the Justice Department.  We can and must do both.  Reauthorizing this program affords us that opportunity.

I look forward to working on this reauthorization and to hearing the testimony of the witnesses.  I thank all the witnesses for being here today.  I also want to thank the GAO for expediting the release of their report so that we could discuss it here today.

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20 Feb 2012

Region 6 Homeland Security Board and Safeguard Iowa Partnership Announce Week 2 of "20 Weeks to Preparedness Program"

By Ross E. Bergen
Release Date: February 20, 2012
Release Number: 3

Welcome to Week 2 of the 20 Weeks to Preparedness Program brought to you by the Region 6 Homeland
Security Board and Safeguard Iowa Partnership. This program will help to better prepare you and your
family, a little at a time, over a 20 week period. Each week new preparedness information will be shared
in this publication including a list of items to gather or purchase for your disaster supply kit. Sign up at
www.safeguardiowa.org/subscribe-to-be-prepared to receive weekly reminders and announcements related to
the 20 Weeks to Preparedness program.

Use this program to gather items for your kit in small steps over a five month period. Remember to change
and replace perishable items by the expiration date. Purchasing the food suggested by this program would last
approximately 3-5 days.

Place in storage bin:

One gallon of water per person per day
First Aid Kit, or gather Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, nitrile latex gloves and gauze pads
One package of toilet paper
Dried fruit and/or nuts

Personalized Item (if applicable):

Baby food

To do:

Find natural gas and water shut-offs. Place appropriate wrench near valves.

Additional assistance is available by contacting the Scott County Emergency Management Coordinator at 484-
3050 or visiting the website at www.iascema.com.
Visit Safeguard Iowa Partnership at www.safeguardiowa.org, on twitter @safeguardiowa or Facebook at
www.facebook.com/safeguardiowa.

The Region 6 Homeland Security Board is comprised of fourteen counties in eastern Iowa that coordinate homeland security planning,
training, exercise, response, and recovery. The counties included are Benton, Black Hawk, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton,
Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Scott.

The Safeguard Iowa Partnership is a voluntary coalition of the state's business and government leaders, who share a commitment to
working together to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters in Iowa.
20 Feb 2012

Braley Introduces Veterans Access to Care Act

By Jeff Giertz

Legislation seeks to attract top-notch medical talent to veterans' care facilities

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) introduced the Veterans Access to Care Act today, legislation that seeks to expand veterans' access to quality healthcare by helping the Veterans Administration and state veterans' homes recruit more highly-qualified doctors, nurses, and mental health providers to provide services to America's veterans.

The legislation would make veterans' care facilities eligible to hire National Health Service Corps fellows, helping attract recent medical school graduates to careers helping veterans.

Braley said, "The Veterans Access to Care Act will allow veterans' healthcare facilities to hire from a top-notch pool of medical talent committed to practicing in the public interest.  This will improve veterans' quality of care by encouraging the nation's best and brightest young doctors to work in veterans' healthcare facilities.

 

Braley continued, "The National Health Service Corps is a program with a well-established track record of attracting high quality medical professionals who have chosen to give back to their country by serving those who are most in need.  What better group of people to have caring for our veterans, who share this commitment to service?"

 

The National Health Service Corps is a national scholarship program operated by the US Department of Health and Human Services that pays medical school expenses for future doctors, nurses, and health practitioners who agree to work in medically underserved areas after graduation.  Braley's bill would simply add Veterans Administration facilities and state veterans' homes as eligible "underserved areas" in which graduates would be eligible to serve.

Dr. Douglas Steenblock, Director of Mental Health Services at the Iowa Veterans' Home in Marshalltown, approached Braley with the idea for the bill.  Steenblock is himself a former fellow of the National Health Service Corps.

 

Steenblock said, "It can be difficult to attract medical professionals to work in the unique environment of a veterans' facility, particularly those outside of our major metropolitan areas.  The Iowa Veterans' Home Mental Health Department hasn't been fully staffed since September 2010 despite ongoing efforts to hire new personnel.  The National Health Service Corps has proven to be a powerful incentive to recruit and retain quality providers in underserved areas.  It could be easily adapted to do the same for veterans' facilities."

 

The bill introduced by Braley today is similar to a proposal he introduced in 2010.  The text of the bill can be downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/QGP

# # #
20 Feb 2012

Lt. Governor Simon urges rural citizens to complete broadband survey

By Kathryn Phillips
Online poll to identify needs, promote statewide access

CARBONDALE - February 15, 2012. As a statewide voice for Southern Illinois, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is urging rural residents to participate in a new online survey about high-speed internet usage that launched today and will help create jobs, improve medical care and enhance educational opportunities.

Unlike past surveys that simply looked at internet access, this statewide poll will reach out to households, farmers, businesses and anchor institutions, such as community colleges and hospitals, to learn how they put broadband to use now and their needs moving forward.

The 20-minute survey includes questions about preferred internet devices, frequent web activities such as research, workforce training and buying or selling of goods, and the importance of broadband to job retention and expansion.

"Rural Illinoisans need affordable, high-speed internet access to land new employers, expand educational opportunities and improve health care," said Simon, who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. "I encourage my neighbors in Southern Illinois to participate in this research project to ensure that we are a part of the state's broadband strategy and can compete in the 21st century economy."

The survey is being conducted by Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a Springfield nonprofit, enlisted by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as part of the High-Speed Internet Services and Information Technology Act of 2007 to guide local, state and federal policymakers. The results will be used to develop broadband plans in several categories: agriculture, energy and the environment, economic development, education, health care, public safety and government performance.

Illinois is already working with its federal and private sector partners to improve current broadband infrastructure. In his State of the State address, Governor Pat Quinn announced the Illinois Gigabit Communities Challenge, a $6 million statewide competition funded by the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. It will provide seed money to private and public organizations that expand broadband networks and connect at least 1,000 end-users to ultra-high speed Internet.

Simon said it is crucial for rural Illinoisans to compete in the challenge and complete the survey, as they represent the communities that can benefit most from high-speed internet. Nearly one-fifth of the land area in Illinois lacks any broadband access, and eight of the 10 counties with the least access to broadband in the state are in Southern Illinois. Many suffer from slow speeds.

Similar surveys have been conducted recently in Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia. A 2010 North Carolina survey of 6,266 businesses showed that 17.5 percent of new jobs created over a 12-month period were attributed to the use of the internet and that 32 percent of those businesses consider access to mobile internet essential to their operations.

Partnership for a Connected Illinois, also known as Broadband Illinois, is working with organizations such as the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University and state agencies such as DCEO and the Illinois State Board of Education to distribute the survey to internet users throughout the state.

"A major goal of this survey is to ensure that residents of rural Illinois will have access to better broadband," said Drew Clark, executive director of Partnership for a Connected Illinois. "By developing a statewide strategy for better broadband, we're creating a future that includes enhanced economic opportunities, increased availability of educational tools, and higher-quality health care for Illinois residents."

The online survey is open to the public and can be accessed at www.broadbandillinois.org.

###

20 Feb 2012

Easy Explorations of Madagascar, Guyana & More with IE

By Emily Harley

No More Roughing It: International Expeditions Makes Getting Off the Beaten Path Luxuriously Simple

HELENA, Ala., February 15, 2012 - More and more travelers are craving destinations that offer under-the-radar appeal, active excursion options and authentic connections to the local people and environment. In fact, adventure travelers now constitute 26% of the traveling population, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association's Adventure Tourism Marketing Report, and are more likely to seek out new destinations before mainstream travelers. Appealing to this increasing demographic of discerning and adventurous explorers, nature travel pioneer International Expeditions is offering travel to remote destinations like Guyana, Madagascar and beyond.

"Many travelers who used to be comfortable with a 'do-it-yourself' approach to travel planning have discovered the value in allowing a tour operator like IE to handle all of the logistical details involved with exploring remote destinations," said Bill Robison, IE's Director of Program Development. "The backpacker generation of the 1970s still want an authentic sense of discovery, but they now have less time and higher standards ? no more bunk beds and hostels!"

For 2012, International Expeditions is expanding their line-up and pioneering upscale travel to spot exotic wildlife, hike through pristine trails and sample tantalizing cuisine in destinations where few tour operators go. Plus, IE takes care of details such as airport transfers, most tips and the entire pre-trip planning process to ensure a seamless adventure. IE's hallmark is its comprehensive itineraries featuring engaging activities, authentic encounters with the local people and passionate world-class naturalist guides who enhance each experience with their knowledge of the destinations visited.

On IE's Guyana & Trinidad tour, travelers combine Guyana's pristine nature with three days at Trinidad's world famous Asa Wright Nature Center. Guests on this rustic adventure journey deep into the heart of one of Earth's last untouched tropical rainforests and have the chance to spot more than 800 bird species. Chartered flight to and from remote Kaieteur Falls set this itinerary apart from what travelers can arrange with scheduled flights.

"The scheduled flight to Kaieteur is unreliable and is often just cancelled altogether if enough seats aren't sold," said Robison. "Traveling with a seasoned tour operator provides a safety net if unexpected changes occur."

Island life takes on new meaning as travelers set foot on Madagascar, where lemurs cavort in the shade offered by lush forests and charming Malagasy people welcome guests to Earth's oldest island. On IE's new Madagascar safari, guests spend 17 days on naturalist-guided hiking and boating excursions looking for unique endemic wildlife. Accompanying IE guests is Cassiano "Zapa" Zaparolli, a seasoned expedition leader who has guided for such groups as National Wildlife Federation and Smithsonian. Joining Zapa will be a Malagasy expedition leader and local naturalists.

"Frankly, travel to Madagascar can be difficult if you aren't in the hands of an experienced travel provider," said Robison. "Flight delays and last-minute changes are part of traveling there, but IE guests travel with an expedition leader and guides who look after them every step of the way. "

International Expeditions can also help travelers harness their inner "backpacker" with a fully customized trek on the Salkantay Trail. A less-touristy alternative to the Inca Trail, Salkantay passes through stunning Andean scenery before ending at Machu Picchu. Although the excitement and surroundings are reminiscent of rugged mountain climbs, the accommodations are anything but rustic. After a day of guided hiking along the trail, IE guests spend their evenings at boutique mountain lodges, where warm showers and cold drinks greet them at day's end.

Celebrating 32 years of nature travel, International Expeditions specializes in small-group journeys to Earth's most exhilarating destinations. For more information or a brochure, call IE at 1-800-234-9620, e-mail nature@ietravel.com, or visit www.IEtravel.com.

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20 Feb 2012

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Host Chinese Officials at First U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium in Iowa

By USDA Communications

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2012- TOMORROW, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host American and Chinese officials and private sector representatives for the first U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa. Vilsack traveled to China for the second time as Agriculture Secretary in November to continue to strengthen bilateral trade relations and support the American brand of agriculture throughout the Asia Pacific region. During the visit, Vilsack and Chinese officials developed the U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium as a key forum to expand their discussions into 2012 and beyond. The all-day forum will feature a morning program of remarks by U.S. and Chinese officials, followed by discussions on four main topics: sustainable agriculture; food security; food safety; and the role of the private sector in agriculture in the United States and China. USDA anticipates about 100 guests for the Symposium, including high-level U.S. and Chinese officials.

 

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012

9-9:45 a.m. CST

 

WHAT: Remarks by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, Chinese Agriculture Minister Han Changfu, and other officials.

 

WHERE: World Food Prize Hall of Laureates

100 Locust Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

20 Feb 2012

TODAY: Braley to Discuss Introduction of Veterans Access to Care Act

By Jeff Giertz

Braley will be joined by Iowa Veterans' Home's Dr. Douglas Steenblock

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) will hold his weekly press conference call with Iowa reporters this morning at 10:30am CST.

Braley will discuss the introduction of legislation that will expand veterans' access to quality healthcare by helping the Veterans Administration recruit more qualified health providers to America's rural communities.  Braley will be joined on the call by Dr. Douglas Steenblock, the Director of Mental Health Services at the Iowa Veterans' Home, who initially came to Braley with the idea for the legislation.

WHAT: Bruce Braley's weekly press call with Iowa reporters

WHO: Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01)

Dr. Douglas Steenblock, Director of Mental Health Services, Iowa Veterans' Home

WHEN:                 TODAY, Wednesday February 15th, 2012

11:30am EST // 10:30am CST

CALL-IN:               866-704-2208

PASSCODE:         2414543#

 

# # #
20 Feb 2012

Wapsi River Center Events

By Lisa Gerwulf

Art Program Planned

On Saturday, February 25 at 11:00 A.M. the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will be hosting a natural charcoal art program. Have you ever wanted to make your own drawing charcoal?  Well, now you can!  Join Aaron Askelson to learn how to create our own charcoal and put it to the test by drawing your own winter outdoor scene.  Please bring paper and BYOM - Bring Your Own Mug.  Please call (563) 328-3286 to register.

 

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E.  Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

 

 

Maple-Syruping Demonstration Planned

On Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 P.M. the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will be hosting a maple-syruping demonstration. Join Tom Greene as he discusses the history and procedure of tapping trees for syrup.  Handouts and where to find tapping equipment will be provided to participants.  Please call (563) 328-3286, if you are interested in attending.

 

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E.  Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

20 Feb 2012

USDA Grants Support Local Efforts to Fight Hunger and Food Insecurity

By USDA Communications

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2012-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today 27 grants to local organizations to build community food systems and fight hunger and food insecurity. The awards were made by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through its Community Food Projects program. The new projects, totaling $4.8 million in funding, include a teen-run community kitchen incubator, faith-based community food assessments, a program to help indigenous people return to healthful eating, and a youth-led food security movement. Community Food Projects have been funded in nearly 350 communities in 48 states in the program's 15-year history.

"Hunger remains an important issue in the United States. Last year, 17.2 million households faced food insecurity?meaning they lacked consistent access to adequate food," said Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon. "The grants supported by the Community Food Projects empower local organizations to respond to food and nutrition needs in their own communities."

The primary goals of the Community Food Projects program are to (1) meet the food needs of low-income individuals; (2) increase the food self-reliance of low-income communities; (3) promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues; and (4) meet specific state, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs, including needs relating to infrastructure improvement and development, planning for long-term solutions and the creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers.

Fiscal Year 2011 awards include :

  • Juneau Cooperative Christian Ministry, Juneau, Alaska, $93,825
  • International Sonoran Desert Alliance, Ajo, Ariz., $163,807
  • Developing Innovations in Navajo Education, Inc., Flagstaff, Ariz., $116,863
  • Uncommon Good, Claremont, Calif., $300,000
  • North Oxnard United Methodist Church, Oxnard, Calif., $24,884
  • Urban Tilth, Richmond, Calif., $300,000
  • North Coast Opportunities, Inc., Ukiah, Calif.; $300,000
  • Las Animas Helping Hands, Las Animas, Colo, $25,000
  • Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Honolulu, Hawaii, $25, 000
  • Matthew 25 Ministry Hub, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, $25,000
  • Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture, Kansas City, Kansas, $124,587
  • Good Shepherd Food-Bank, Auburn, Maine, $25,000
  • Cultivating Community, Portland, Maine, $300,000
  • United Teen Equality Center, Lowell, Mass., $297,767
  • Regional Environmental Council, Worcester, Mass., $300,000
  • Youth Farm and Market Project, Minneapolis, Minn., $299,660
  • Rio Puerco Alliance, Santa Fe, N.M., $25,000
  • Society for the Preservation of Weeksville and Bedford Stuyvesant History, Brooklyn, N.Y., $197,500
  • PathStone Community Improvement of Newburgh, Newburgh, N.Y., $25,000
  • Why Hunger, New York City, N.Y., $250,000
  • Community Food Security Coalition, Portland, Ore, $250,000
  • Friends of Zenger Farm, Portland, Ore., $187,860
  • Urban Tree Connection, Philadelphia, Pa., $300,000
  • Women's Community Revitalization Project, Philadelphia, Pa., $269,317
  • Staunton Creative Community Fund, Inc., Staunton, Va., $25,000
  • Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Community Center, Madison, Wis., $298,930
  • Growing Power, Milwaukee, Wis., $250,000

USDA's Household Food Security in the United States, 2010 report found that the percentage of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent of households in 2009 to 5.4 percent in 2010. The USDA study indicates that in 2010, 17.2 million households in America had difficulty providing enough food due to a lack of resources. The number of food insecure households in 2010 was relatively consistent with statistics released in 2008 and 2009.

The report also indicates that 59 percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest nutrition assistance programs near the time of the survey. In fiscal year 2010, these programs provided much needed food assistance to millions of individuals, children and families in need:

In an average month of fiscal year 2011, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided benefits to 44.7 million people in the United States.

In fiscal year 2011, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provided meals to an average of 31.8 million children each school day.

In fiscal year 2011, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) served an average 9 million participants.

Food insecurity rates were substantially higher than the national average for households with incomes near or below the current federal poverty line ($22,350 for a family of four), households with children headed by single women or single men, and black and Hispanic households. Food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas than in suburban areas and other outlying areas around large cities. The media briefing kit can be obtained at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/HouseholdFoodSecurity2010/.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.

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20 Feb 2012

Sparta Army National Guard Fire Fighting Team Deploys

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPARTA, IL (02/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Deployment ceremony

WHO:

• 662nd Engineer Fire Fighting Team in Sparta

WHAT:

• A deployment ceremony is scheduled for approximately 10 Soldiers who are scheduled to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom this winter.

WHEN/WHERE:

• Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Sparta armory fire station, 1803 N. Hillcrest Drive in Sparta.

WHY:

• The 662nd will provide fire department emergency response services for deployed forces in the Operation Enduring Freedom theater of operations. Potential missions include, but are not limited to: fire prevention and protection, structural and aircraft fire fighting, vehicle rescue, emergency medical and hazardous materials incident response.

• Additionally, the team will be involved in the Rescue Air Mobile Squad (RAMS) mission, providing personnel rescue capabilities in tactical situations. During a RAMS mission, the team is transported via helicopter to a remote emergency incident and will perform rapid technical rescue and medical stabilization measures for U.S. and coalition personnel who are entrapped and/or otherwise injured as a result of enemy action.

For more information, contact the Public Affairs office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil or call 217-761-3569.

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