James Andrew to represent Iowa
on America's Farmers Grow Rural Education^SM advisory council

About Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work.  Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

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AMES, Iowa - More than 5,908 Iowa State University undergraduates have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the 2011 fall semester Dean's List. Students named to the Dean's List must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work.

Bettendorf, IA

Lauren Paige Anderson, Psychology;Jacob Ryan Bergman, Psychology; Jamie Marie Blaser, Pre-Computer Science; Stephanie Ann Blaser, Dietetics (H SCI); Jessica Marie Blaum, English; Kaitlin Janaye Bohn, Kinesiology and Health; Kimberly Ann Booe, Chemical Engineering; Benjamin Alexander Britz, Mechanical Engineering; Molly Rebecca Bryant, Pre-Journalism and Mass Communication; Jonathan William Buck, Civil Engineering; Sarah Anne Buck, Psychology; Brittney Corrine Carpio, Political Science; Nicholas Lee Cervantes, Computer Engineering; Tyler Benjamin Cline, Civil Engineering; Spencer Owen Crane, Pre-Business; Aislinn Grace D'Auben, Genetics (LAS); Emily Marcene Doerder, Music; Gabriel S. Domingues, Agricultural Systems Technology; Jessica T. Drish, Veterinary Medicine; Dillan P. Dwyer, Mechanical Engineering; Zachary J. Edwards, Pre-Business; William Randolph Emerson, Mechanical Engineering; Taylor Marikey Finney, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design; Christopher Joseph Foss, Mechanical Engineering; Elizabeth Anne Fry, Kinesiology and Health; Jenna Corinne Fussell, Biology; Matthew Nicholas Gaul, Architecture-Professional Degree; Emily M. Graham, Elementary Education; Amanda Michelle Haffarnan, Nutritional Science (H SCI); Jiyeon Han, Nutritional Science (H SCI); Michael Paul Hayes, Psychology; Natalie S. Heiderscheit, Marketing; Jacob T. Hemberger, Chemical Engineering; Kelly Marie Hering, Psychology; Aaron Michael Hewitt, Integrated Studio Arts; Lindsay Jo Hoffman, Diet and Exercise (H SCI); Bryce Phillip Johnson, Business Undeclared; Carolyn Anne Johnson, Animal Science; Megan Michelle Johnson, Kinesiology and Health; John Michael Jones, Management Information Systems; Rachel E. Kirkpatrick, Child, Adult, and Family Services; Abigail Marie Kline, Child, Adult, and Family Services; Kelsey Lynn Kraft, Construction Engineering; Alexander Ernest Krist, Civil Engineering; Jason Carl Kruse, Architecture-Professional Degree; Michael Drew Kurtz, Aerospace Engineering; Elizabeth Ilene Larsen, Psychology; Mikaela Marie Leners, Civil Engineering; Nathan Gull Leners, Aerospace Engineering; Julie Christine Leonard, Apparel Merchandising, Design, and Production; Elizabeth J. Martin, Elementary Education; Thomas Ray McGee, Industrial Engineering; Sarah Elizabeth Miller, Biochemistry; Brock Robert Mills, Psychology; Emily Jeanne Misak, English; Mary Kate Misak, Event Management; Jared Paul Mumford, Psychology; Stefan Juel Nitzschke, Management Information Systems; Nicole Renee Oldfather, Animal Science; Emily Paige Rheinhart, Child, Adult, and Family Services; Carleigh A. Rose, Apparel Merchandising, Design, and Production; Caleb D. Schulze, Electrical Engineering; Cortney Jay Sievert, Marketing; Benjamin Timothy Stecker, Kinesiology and Health; Erin Cathleen Toohey, Biology (AGLS); Kelly Ann Wagner, Dietetics (H SCI); Paige Nicole Wear, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design; Chad Edward Wisham, Civil Engineering; David Thomas Zimmerman, Industrial Engineering;

Davenport, IA

Hannah Marie Adams, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design;Joshua John Arguello, Architecture-Professional Degree; Ashley M. Arnold, Anthropology; Whitney Ann Bacon, Elementary Education; Heather Nicole Bennett, Community and Regional Planning; Callie Renee Blake, Elementary Education; Nicholas C. Borcherding, Nutritional Science (H SCI); Molly E. Bridges, Elementary Education; Rebecca Joy Briesmoore, Civil Engineering; Matthew Allen Burmeister, Mechanical Engineering; Allison Eckert Bush, Early Childhood Education; Margaret Marie Carlin, Community and Regional Planning; Abigail Nicole Clevenger, Animal Science; Timothy O'Toole Corlett, Kinesiology and Health; Neal Robert Crooks, Aerospace Engineering; Matthew T. Darmour-Paul, Architecture-Professional Degree; Karen Arlene Dau, Chemical Engineering; Matthew Lee Decker, Aerospace Engineering; Elizabeth Marie Doebel, Mathematics; Kalynn Dawn Doebel, Biology; Melanie Joy Drenter, Computer Science; Brett Christopher Ebert, Mechanical Engineering; Trevor Murphy Fennelly, Pre-Business; Marinda R. Gacke, Biology (AGLS); Alexander Joseph Gowey, Accounting; Travis John Hattery, Chemical Engineering; Alicia Rhea Hendrix, Journalism and Mass Communication; Emily Nicole Hill, Elementary Education; Kelsey Jane Hoeksema, Elementary Education; Kathleen Marie Hoil, Performing Arts; Kayla Marie Kaasa, Biology; Malcolm Andrew Kelly, Mechanical Engineering; Lance David Keltner, Civil Engineering; Emily Marie Kenneke, Elementary Education; Nicholas Aaron King, Landscape Architecture; Austin Miles Laugen, Computer Engineering; Megan Elizabeth Maller, Music; Vanessa Lynn McNeal, Child, Adult, and Family Services; Samantha Leigh McPherson, Psychology; Britney Jean Meier, Child, Adult, and Family Services; Alexandra Eleni Menard, Anthropology; Gregory Paul Miers, Supply Chain Management; Colin Narby, Pre-Business; Matthew Douglas Neubauer, Kinesiology and Health; Kara Nhu Nguyen, Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management; Thanh Kim Nguyen, Mechanical Engineering; Alison Margaret Perkins, Interior Design; Nathan S. Premo, Software Engineering; Stephen James Quist, Marketing; Bailey Christine Randone, Communication Studies; Brittany Michelle Redmond, Biochemistry; Aleah Nicole Salisbury, Finance; Bryce Taylor Sandry, Management Information Systems; Erin Bates Sickels, Kinesiology and Health; Brian Vincent Skalak, Pre-Advertising; Matthew J. Skoglund, Chemical Engineering; Brian Michael Smith, Journalism and Mass Communication; Sally Ann Stringham, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design; Michal-Marie Tillotson, Child, Adult, and Family Services; Ian Jeno Toppler, Materials Engineering; Mary Therese Van Camp, World Languages and Cultures; Jeramie Lee Vens, Electrical Engineering; Benjamin M. Wells, Mechanical Engineering; Kelsie Deanne Witt, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design; Connor S. Young, Preparation For Human Medicine;

Moline, IL

Kelsey Breann Carlson, Animal Science;Alex James Michl, Architecture-Professional Degree; Hans William Schaeffer, Mechanical Engineering; Kevin Craig Shedd, Mechanical Engineering; Caleb Jack Spiegel, Architecture-Professional Degree;

Riverdale, IA

Amy K. DCamp, Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration;

Rock Island, IL

"Americans are looking for leadership.  The 13 million people who are unemployed need to know that leaders in Washington can come together to get people back to work and move the country in the right direction.

"Washington needs to focus on fostering opportunities with an environment where the economy can improve and jobs can be created.  Tax certainty and low taxes are a major factor, and one of the biggest tax increases in history will happen at the end of this year if Congress and the President don't stop it.  America's fiscal problems don't come from a revenue shortage, but from too much spending, and government spending needs to be reduced.  A massive federal debt gets in the way of economic growth.  So does the heavy hand of government regulation, and it must be lifted.  America also needs new export markets for our products and services, and the economy is helped by affordable energy, so domestic production has got to be a priority.  The President's decision last week, to deny the Keystone pipeline project, prevents energy-related infrastructure development that creates jobs, in this case as many as 20,000 jobs.  The decision also stymies an energy partnership with a friendly neighbor, and whether or not the United States approves the Keystone project, the oil will be produced, and if it doesn't come here, China likely will get it.  The result of this decision is just the opposite of what our national priority ought to be and that's opportunity.

"Since 2009, President Obama's theory of economic stimulus and government intervention has failed in terms of job creation, economic growth and fiscal responsibility, so we need a new direction.  At the same time, President Obama seems determined to test and even exceed the powers of his office.  America has a system of checks and balances that's generally worked for more than two centuries.  The President's interest in putting the executive branch above the other branches of government is unconstitutional and counter-productive.  It's something Americans rejected 235 years ago.  Today, finding common ground with the elected representatives of Congress would be more productive than trying to govern by edict from the Oval Office."

Braley Response to State of the Union Address 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after attending President Obama's State of the Union address tonight:

"I'm glad the President so strongly emphasized strengthening the middle class tonight.  I was especially encouraged by his focus on economic fairness, creating jobs, and investing in education.

"The American middle class is being squeezed more than ever, yet Wall Street bankers and big corporations are making record profits.  It seems like there are two sets of rules - one for the elite, and one for everyone else.  America has always been about opportunity.  We need to level the playing field and keep the promise that if you work hard, you can get ahead.  An easy first step in strengthening the middle class is to pass a yearlong extension of the payroll tax cut.

"Our schools, colleges, and universities are avenues of opportunity.  We need to strengthen education if we are going to succeed in the global economy.  China and India are churning out well-educated and skilled workers.  We need to meet their challenge."

Governor Quinn Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address

CHICAGO - January 24, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released a statement regarding President Barack Obama's fourth State of the Union Address.

"We in Illinois applaud President Obama for the vision he laid out in tonight's State of the Union. The President put forth a blueprint for a growing economy that gives all Americans equal access to the success through hard work that has always made this nation great. We agree with the President that we can't wait - we need to keep pushing to restore our economy and the American middle class.

"In Illinois, we are focused on the same issues that the President laid out tonight: creating manufacturing jobs and training our workforce for the 21^st century; making education more accessible; modernizing our roads and bridges; and prioritizing housing for our families.

"And as the President said, an America built to last calls for responsibility from each of us and fairness for all. We commend the President on his vision, and look forward to working together as a nation to restore our economy and create opportunities for all Americans."

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Lt. Governor Simon Statement on State of the Union

CARBONDALE - January 24, 2011. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon pledged to work with President Obama and Illinois schools to send more students into the workforce with college credentials that qualify them for in-demand jobs.

"President Obama's blueprint for our economy is built on a strong, skilled American workforce," Simon said. "A growing number of jobs require employees to hold more than a high school education, but not necessarily a bachelor's degree. Illinois community colleges are poised to help more students earn career certificates and associate degrees that translate to good-paying jobs. I will work with the colleges, state leaders, and President Obama to ensure that we offer clear paths to employment. If our students work hard in school, we want them to find a job here in Illinois that will enable them to raise a family, own a home, and save for retirement. Our focus on college completion will help create an America that's built to last."

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Tea Party Response to State of the Union

Tonight Obama did what he has done for the past 3 years: showcased the class warfare rhetoric WE HAVE REJECTED while showing no interest in providing some semblance of leadership.