23 Jan 2012

Braley Statement on the Resignation of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

By Jeff Giertz

Braley Statement on the Resignation of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

Waterloo, IA -- Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement regarding the resignation of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-08):

"Gabby Giffords' decision to step down from Congress hit me almost as hard as the terrible tragedy in Tucson that eventually led to her decision. Gabrielle represents everything good and noble about the institution of Congress. Her willingness to reach across the aisle and bring people together and her tireless enthusiasm for the importance of her work and its impact on her constituents inspires us to refocus on our most important job: to help people.

"I was not expecting to hear that my friend Gabby has decided to step down from Congress, but I'm glad she's doing what's best for her recovery and long-term health.

"For the last year, Gabby has been a symbol of hope and determination for all Americans.   She has inspired us to count our blessings, stop complaining, hug our loved ones and pay it forward to those who need our help.  In these troubled times  we need more people in Congress with a heart like hers.

"I hope Gabby's courageous fight will inspire a new generation of women and men to step forward and run for office. Carolyn and I continue to hold our friends, Gabby and Mark, in our thoughts and prayers as they move forward with their lives.

"I look forward to seeing Gabby again on Tuesday night."

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23 Jan 2012

Braley Statement on the Death of Master Sgt. Travis Riddick

By Jeff Giertz

Waterloo, IA - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after learning of the death of US Marine Corps Master Sgt. Travis Riddick of Centreville, Iowa, in Afghanistan:

"My thoughts and prayers are with the Riddick family.  I am grateful for Master Sgt. Riddick's service and commitment to our country.  He made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of the country he loved.  I urge Iowans to keep the Riddick family in their thoughts during this difficult time."

 

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23 Jan 2012

Mississippi River Valley Art Directory reminds the public of the 2012 spring art drive, May 5 & 6.

By Diane Volrath
One of the largest self-guided art drives in the midwest, MRVAD boasts of 50 participating sights, representing over 200 artists, upward of 30 mediums showing off a multitude of perspectives and techniques.

Individual artists may demonstrate from their home studios or galleries, some may present work in their preferred retail location, while some sights will offer classes. 

This self-guided art drive is unique in several aspects.  First, it offers local art work from Dubuque and Galena all the way along the Mississippi to Galesburg.  Secondly, the variety of art encompasses everyone's needs: decorating, gifting, adornment and practicality! 

The drive hours are 10am - 5pm, Saturday May 5 & Sunday May 6, 2012.  Visit www.MRVAD.com to verify participating location address, contact information and times.  A printable map availabe March 15, 2012 with all the details @ www.MRVAD.com
23 Jan 2012

GREENVILLE COLLEGE FALL HONORS LIST

By Greenville College

Ansley Jo DeVrieze, a junior Biology major and the daughter of Jay & Stephanie DeVrieze of Moline, and Lisa Marie Kistner, a GSR in Elementary Education and the daughter of Dale & Marianne Kistner,also of Moline, were among the of 284 students from Greenville College who qualified for honors at the conclusion of the fall semester.

To qualify for the Dean's List, freshmen are required to maintain a 3.5 grade point average (4.0 scale). Sophomores, juniors and seniors must have a 3.7 GPA. A College Scholar is a student who has made the Dean's List for three or more consecutive semesters.

Greenville College is a four-year Christian liberal arts school located in Greenville, IL., with over 1600 traditional, adult and graduate students. Founded in 1892, it is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. For further information please visit www.greenville.edu.

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23 Jan 2012

ASSOCIATED FIRE FIGHTERS OF ILLINOIS ENDORSE MIKE SMIDDY IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR 71ST HOUSE DISTRICT

By Brian Kramer

The Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois Political Action Committee announced today, January 20, 2012, its endorsement of Mike Smiddy in the Democratic primary for the 71st House District.

The AFFI represents over 15,000 members in 211 communities across the state. The firefighters said Smiddy will be the best advocate for public safety and ensure Illinois firefighters have the resources necessary to keep the citizens and first responders safe.

"Mr. Smiddy impressed us with his depth of knowledge on issues important not only to firefighters, but to all working men and women in his district and the state," said Pat Devaney, President of the AFFI. "At a time when financial resources are at a premium, it's good to know the voters have an opportunity to elect someone with fiscal integrity as well as concern for public safety."

AFFI Legislative Representative Chuck Sullivan stated that  " Mr. Smiddy's previous life experiences and work history lends credence to the fact that he understands the working middle class and is willing to stand up for all workers and their families."

The AFFI is among the most respected advocacy groups before the Illinois General Assembly and represents firefighters' efforts statewide in protecting lives and property from fire and other catastrophic events.

23 Jan 2012

Grassley: Iowa Students Earn Admission to West Point and Naval Academy

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley said today that Aloysius Richard TeKippe of Earlham has been selected for admission to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, and Matt Truninger of Clinton has been selected for admission to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, for the 2012-2013 school year.

TeKipee will graduate in May from Earlham High School.  He is the son of Krista and Ron TeKippe.  Truninger graduated in 2009 from Northeast Middle/High School in Goose Lake.  He is the son of Gina and Mark Truninger.

"Admission to the service academies is highly competitive and a great honor," Grassley said.  "Young people like Aloysius TeKippe and Matt Truninger work very hard to earn this kind of opportunity, and I join many others, no doubt, in wishing them well and expressing appreciation for their commitment to serving our nation."

TeKippe and Truninger were among the Iowans Grassley nominated this year for  appointments.  Information about seeking a nomination is posted at http://grassley.senate.gov/info/academy_nominations.cfm.

For more than 200 years, the U.S. service academies have educated and trained the best and the brightest to lead and command the U.S. armed forces.

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23 Jan 2012

First Lady to Announce New Nutrition Standards for Meals Served in America's Schools

By Rick Martin

Public-Private Partnership Aims to Connect More Kids to Nutrition Programs

WASHINGTON, January 20, 2012 - First Lady Michelle Obama will be joined by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at Parklawn Elementary School to speak with parents about the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new and improved nutrition standards for school lunches. An important accomplishment of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that President Obama signed into law last year, USDA is making the first major changes in school meals in over 15 years, and doing so in a way that's achievable for schools across the nation. The new standards make the same kinds of changes that many parents are already encouraging at home, including ensuring kids are offered fruits and vegetables every day of the week, substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods, offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties and making sure kids are getting proper portion sizes.

Mrs. Obama and Secretary Vilsack will join children in the lunch line in Parklawn's cafeteria where the school's food service employees and celebrity cook Rachael Ray will be serving a healthy, delicious meal that meets new and improved nutrition standards for school lunches. Mrs. Obama and the Secretary will then join elementary kids for lunch.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
11:15 a.m.

WHAT: First Lady Michelle Obama, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services will announce the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new and improved nutrition standards for school lunches.

WHERE: Parklawn Elementary School
4116 Braddock Road  
Alexandria, Va. 22312

23 Jan 2012

IOWA FARM BUREAU WEBINAR DISCUSSES 2012 CROP INSURANCE, MARKETING

By Heather Lilienthal

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA -Jan. 20, 2012 - As farmers' costs of production increase, risk management tools, including crop insurance and marketing decisions, are vital to the success of their operations. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Margin Management webinar series highlights these topics and tools at its next webinar offered Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 1-2 p.m. at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

The free, live webinar features Ed Kordick, IFBF commodity services manager, and William Edwards, Iowa State University professor of economics.

"In these volatile times, risk management is more important than ever. Farmers need to understand their options as they look forward to marketing and protecting that next crop," said Kordick. "The webinar will address the changes for 2012 in crop insurance, which is a main component in crop risk management.   We will also discuss how crop insurance can be used to enable farmers to be more confident in marketing the crop before harvest."

Participants can pre-register and access the free webinar at www.iowafarmbureau.com. For more information, contact Kordick at ekordick@ifbf.org or 515-225-5433. The seminar will be recorded and available on the IFBF website, www.iowafarmbureau.com, starting the following day, for Farm Bureau members to view the information on their farm/home computer.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

23 Jan 2012

Braley Statement on Southwest Airlines Des Moines Service Announcement

By Jeff Giertz

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement in response to Southwest Airlines' announcement that it would convert AirTran operations at Des Moines International Airport to Southwest Airlines service:

"Southwest Airlines' announcement is good news for Iowa travelers and the Iowa economy.  Southwest Airlines will bring reduced prices and increased competition to the Des Moines airport.  That means a more competitive business environment for Iowa employers and more money in the pockets of consumers."

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23 Jan 2012

IHT World Launches Medical Tourism Services Low Cost Health Care

By Pam Brammann

IHT World introduces medical tourism services to empower Americans with an alternative to the high price of health care, including non-emergency surgery.

Although many people have never heard the term "medical tourism", a growing number of Americans are finding it highly valuable to travel outside the United States for health care services. While medical tourism has been popular in many countries, Americans have only recently begun to understand the benefits of the medical tourism option.

Pam Brammann R.N., President and Managing Director of IHT World said, "As a nurse, I became extremely frustrated with our health care system. Upon discovering that American quality care can be obtained in other countries for a fraction of the cost in the United States, I decided to offer medical tourism as an option to save Americans a great deal of money on their health care costs."  Typical savings are 50 to 80 percent compared to medical costs in the United States - including travel expenses for two.

Individuals, employers and insurance companies are all experiencing the financial burden of American health care.  IHT World offers customized medical tourism services that will help reduce health care costs without compromising quality.

To discover more go to www.ihtworld.com

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