CHICAGO, IL (08/27/2011)(readMedia)-- DePaul University announced the following local area residents made the Spring 2011 Dean's List:

Alexandra Vitas of Bettendorf

Mark Lazio of DAVENPORT

Kelly Stotmeister of Coal Valley

Alexa Vallejo of Silvis

Serving more than 25,000 students, DePaul University is the nation's largest Catholic university and offers programs, many nationally ranked, in the liberal arts and sciences, education, commerce, law, computer technology, music and theater. Additional information about DePaul's exceptional academic programs can be found at www.depaul.edu.

CHICAGO, IL (08/26/2011)(readMedia)-- DePaul University announced the following local area residents were among its 112th graduating class this summer:

Lauren Lipovic of Bettendorf graduated Cum Laude.

Alexa Vallejo of Silvis graduated Cum Laude.

Alexa Vallejo of Silvis graduated Cum Laude.

Serving more than 25,000 students, DePaul University is the nation's largest Catholic university and offers programs, many nationally ranked, in the liberal arts and sciences, education, commerce, law, computer technology, music and theater. Additional information about DePaul's exceptional academic programs can be found at www.depaul.edu

CHICAGO - August 26, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:  

   

Bill No.: HB 212  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Provides that two adjoining municipalities may enter into an intergovernmental agreement to form a business corridor if they meet the definition of a "disadvantaged municipality".  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: HB 224  

An Act Concerning: Insurance  

Brings Illinois health insurance internal and external review laws into conformity with federal law and regulation standards by enhancing consumer appeal rights and protections.   

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediate  

   

Bill No.: HB 1079  

An Act Concerning: Education  

Allows Central Management Services (CMS) to require public universities to give an inventory of all items valued over $1,000.00 and requires public universities to submit an annual report to the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and the General Assembly on tuition increases, cost-saving measures, programs created or altered, and programs with low performance.  

Action: Amendatorily Vetoed  

   

Bill No.: HB 1253  

An Act Concerning: Sex Offenders  

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act in several sections and provides that a sex offender or sexual predator, who has never previously been required to register under the Act, must register if the person has been convicted of any felony offense after July 1, 2011.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  


Bill No.: HB 1716  

An Act Concerning: Government  

Provides additional time to process FOIA requests made by "recurrent requesters", allows entities to charge for the actual costs of retrieving information and amends provisions related to the Public Access Counselor.    

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 2860  

An Act Concerning: Transportation  

Allows the driver of a motorcycle or bicycle to proceed through a red light if the signal fails to detect them. Exempts City of Chicago.  

Action: Amendatorily Vetoed  

   

Bill No.: HB 2927  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Provides a temporary wage subsidy for private sector employers who create new jobs for unemployed persons seeking jobs.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 2972  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Sets limits on the amount of time that temporary or expired appointees can continue to serve in their position.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 3425  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Expands the Mid-America Medical District to include the municipalities of Belleville and O'Fallon and grants the District bonding authority.   

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: HB 3440  

An Act Concerning: Service Dogs  

Allows for reasonable accommodations to be made by a school for a student who uses a service animal.   

Action: Amendatorily Vetoed  


Bill No.: HB 3635  

An Act Concerning: Public Aid  

Removes any potential fiscal liability the State might accrue absent federal approval of the recently enacted nursing home assessment and payment enhancements and also creates an appeals process for ground ambulance service providers serving citizens receiving medical assistance from the State.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 63  

An Act Concerning: Elections  

Creates a new 23rd judicial circuit and changes the composition of the 16th circuit.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 83  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Allows a public utility water system to be acquired by a majority of the municipalities it serves through eminent domain and requires such municipalities to sustain the collective bargaining power of all water system employees.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 109  

An Act Concerning: Revenue  

Creates "manufacturers representatives" of cigarette manufacturers, and requires them to be licensed by the Department of Revenue.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 122  

An Act Concerning: Education  

Requires the Illinois Board of Higher Education to collect data on first generation college students and submit this data in its annual report to the General Assembly.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 123  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Allows physicians to issue public health standing orders and allows health care personnel to provide medical services within a public health clinic in conformance with standing orders issued by a public health standing orders physician without prior establishment of a physician-patient relationship.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  


Bill No.: SB 269  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Provides greater opportunities for minority-owned businesses, female-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and small businesses to participate in the State procurement process.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 539  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Allows two or more municipalities to designate a joint redevelopment project area under certain guidelines.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 673  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Requires that up to $500.00 annually in smoking cessation programs be covered by an insurance policy.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 675  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Transfers authority over care funds from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to the Comptroller.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 745  

An Act Concerning: Gaming  

Allows certain fraternal and Veteran facilities to operate video gaming machines in Hamilton County.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 959  

An Act Concerning: Transportation  

Adds an airport concession fee to the list of charges a motor vehicle renter company may assess to a renter.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  


Bill No.: SB 1122  

An Act Concerning: Human Rights  

Creates a civil rights violation if a person is discriminated against in the workplace on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions and modifies procedures for cases in which both the EEOC and IDHR have jurisdiction.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1228  

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law  

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 to reorganize provisions relating to theft.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 1310  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Extends the sunset of the Interior Design Title Act from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2022.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1394  

An Act Concerning: Civil Law  

Updates the Self-Storage Facility Act to make changes to late charges, liens, and other provisions.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1435  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Extends the TIF District for the City of Lawrenceville by 5 years.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1436  

An Act Concerning: Local Government  

Adds areas owned by a conservation district to definition of conservation area in regards to municipal annexation of territory.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 1539  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

Creates the Appraisal Management Company Registration Act and extends the repeal date of the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  


Bill No.: SB 1544  

An Act Concerning: Insurance  

Establishes a filing fee cap for forms submitted to the State by insurance companies.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1557  

An Act Concerning: Government  

Changes the requirements for when physical and occupational therapy will be included under state employee insurance health benefits.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1631  

An Act Concerning: Criminal Law  

Allows counties to use the probation and court services fund to pay the salaries of probation officers and other court personnel whose salaries are reimbursed by the State if the amount of money appropriated to the counties for probation salaries for the fiscal year is less than the amount appropriated to the Supreme Court for these purposes for State Fiscal Year 2002.   

Action: Amendatorily Vetoed  

   

Bill No.: SB 1651  

An Act Concerning: Civil Law  

Makes several changes to the Common Interest Community Association Act.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1782  

An Act Concerning: Liquor  

Clarifies that a brewer may only sell the beer it produces on the premises.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1799  

An Act Concerning: Education  

Creates a new Article of the School Code and a new system for educator licensure.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 1824  

An Act Concerning: Civil Law  

Requires life insurance policies to be allocated equitably between spouses at the time of the dissolution of marriage and allows the court to use life insurance to secure a maintenance obligation.   

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  


Bill No.: SB 1831  

An Act Concerning: Public Employee Benefits  

Makes a number of reforms and technical changes to the pension code.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: January 1, 2012, except certain provisions take effect immediately.  

   

Bill No.: SB 1883  

An Act Concerning: Education  

Requires universities to report to the Illinois Board of Higher Education on changes or terminations of academic programs and those programs which have low enrollment or duplicative services, who will then compile an annual report with this information.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 1907  

An Act Concerning: Transportation  

Allows townships to abolish township road districts by voter resolution in an election, and to assume all previous duties and powers of the road district.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 1918  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Removes oversight from distribution of incentive grants.  

Action: Veto  

   

Bill No.: SB 1943  

An Act Concerning: Public Health  

Clarifies requirements for warning statements under the Lead Poisoning Preventions Act.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  

   

Bill No.: SB 1968  

An Act Concerning: State Government  

Adds an immediate effective date of changes concerning the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund as a trailer bill to SB 335, the budget implementation bill.  

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 2015  

An Act Concerning: Civil Law  

Provides new circumstances in which a court may appoint a temporary guardian of a minor or extend that temporary guardianship.         

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Jan. 1  


Bill No.: SB 2062  

An Act Concerning: Regulation  

This bill creates the Clean Coal FutureGen for Illinois Act of 2011 and re-organizes the Illinois Power Agency.  

Action: Amendatorily Vetoed  

   

Bill No.: SB 2133  

An Act Concerning: Education  

Allows the South Suburban Community College District to issue bonds.   

Action: Signed  

Effective Date: Immediately  

   

Bill No.: SB 2288  

An Act Concerning: Safety  

Changes the definition of municipal waste incineration to exclude the combustion of alternative fuels as governed by federal biomass combustion regulations.  

Action: Veto  

   

   

 

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This has just been announced by the U. S. Green Building Council, and we are thrilled that the building has been recognized.  LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

"Davenport Public Library Eastern Avenue Branch's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U. S. Green Building Council.  "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and the Eastern Avenue Branch serves a prime example with just how much we can accomplish."

The Eastern Avenue Branch Library achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water, and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.  By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses, and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers, and the larger community.

The Eastern Avenue Branch Library has received four prominent awards for its construction, design and green building strategies.   Those awards are: named as a New Landmark Library by Library Journal, a national award; Midwest Construction Award for Cultural Buildings for the Midwest Region; Master Builders of Iowa Award; and the Lorraine D. Wright Award of Excellence from the National Association of Women In Construction, Quad-Cities Chapter.

The primary architect for the building was Engberg Anderson, Inc. from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with Joe Huberty as the primary architect, Debra Sider, Project Manager, and Shaun Kelly, who submitted the project to the US Green Building Council.  Bush Construction, Davenport, Iowa, was the general contractor.  A.J. Loss is President, Rob Davis is Project Manager, and Ryan Schertz is Project Superintendent. Mark Blackwood of River Place Technologies is the Commissioning Agent for the project.   All of these plus the Library Board of Trustees Buildings and Grounds Committee chaired by Greg Lundgren; the City's Project Manager, Greg Albansoder; and library staff spent many hours coordinating the project.

"We are pleased to have the Eastern Avenue Branch Project recognized as such an outstanding project for our Davenport community", said Library Director, LaWanda Roudebush.

For more information regarding the Eastern Avenue Branch LEED certification, please contact LaWanda Roudebush, Library Director, at 563.326.7837.

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New Laws Strengthen Repossession Regulation, Security Deposit Safeguards

CHICAGO - August 26, 2011. As part of his ongoing commitment to consumer protection, Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will enhance safeguards for borrowers and tenants. The new laws will give the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) increased oversight of entities that repossess collateral in the case of defaulted loans. They will also strengthen tenants' rights to their security deposits after a change in property ownership.

"In these tough economic times, many people are struggling to fulfill a loan or are living in a foreclosed property," said Governor Quinn. "Today's action will increase regulation of repossession businesses and create greater safeguards for tenants following foreclosure."

Senate Bill 1306, sponsored by Rep. Frank Mautino (D-Spring Valley) and Sen. John Mulroe (D-Chicago), creates the Collateral Recovery Act and allows the ICC to regulate entities that repossess collateral should a debtor become delinquent on their loans. The new law establishes procedures and sets fees for license application, as well as permits for repossession business employees.

The license and permit procedure will include a criminal background check and will ensure that repossession agencies' names cannot be designed to misrepresent themselves to consumers. The law also includes a number of new consumer safeguards, such as owner notification when personal property is found in repossessed vehicles. 

House Bill 1574, sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero) and Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), protects tenants in foreclosed properties by requiring a mortgagor to transfer security deposits and accumulated interest to the purchaser of rental properties with five units or more.

Prior to this legislation, the security deposits of tenants in foreclosures that became bank-owned were not protected under Illinois law. The new law requires all new owners of rental properties - including banks following a foreclosure - to assume liability for any transferred security deposits. Residents of the purchased property must be notified within 21 days that their security deposit has been transferred to the purchaser. The legislation was proposed by the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.

"This legislation represents an important step towards protecting innocent tenants in foreclosed properties," said Sam Tuttle, Housing Staff Attorney from the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.

Senate Bill 1306 takes effect July 1, 2012; House Bill 1574 is effective immediately.

 

 

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New Law Permits Independent Review of Health Insurance Rescissions and Denials for Pre-Existing Conditions

CHICAGO - August 26, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to strengthen the state's Health Carrier External Review Act, which allows a consumer to appeal certain health insurance claim denials to independent review organizations approved by the Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI). House Bill 224 ensures that Illinois law conforms to numerous minimum consumer protections required by federal law.  

"Too many Illinois patients and their families have paid expensive premiums for health insurance only to see coverage dropped or denied, often when it is needed most," Governor Quinn said. "This new law will help protect individuals - especially those with pre-existing conditions - by increasing fairness in the process." 

The Health Carrier External Review Act, which was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in 2009, requires health insurance companies to establish and maintain external review procedures that allow a consumer to appeal the denial of certain health insurance claims to independent review organizations. Independent review organizations are composed of medical experts and are approved by the DOI.

The federal Affordable Care Act mandates that all state external review laws must meet certain minimum consumer protections, including the timeframe in which a decision must be reached or who can assign an independent review organization to review an appeal. State external review laws that fail to meet these minimum consumer protections will be pre-empted by a federal external review process.

House Bill 224 amends Illinois' external review law to meet the required consumer protections. The law also extends Illinois' external review rights to consumers whose coverage has been rescinded or who have been denied a benefit due to a pre-existing health condition. 

Rescission refers to the practice of canceling coverage for individuals. Rescission sometimes occurs after a consumer files a claim, putting their coverage into effect; the practice can leave a patient suddenly uncovered by insurance after an expensive procedure has already taken place.  Illinois has far more rescissions than any state in the United States and, per capita, is second only to New Mexico.

Sponsored by Rep. Mary E. Flowers (D-Chicago) and Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), House Bill 224 was an initiative of the Illinois Department of Insurance and is based on model law adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) through a public process with stakeholders including consumers, health care providers, health insurers and insurance agents.

"This is a significant step in providing stronger recourse for individuals facing rescissions or denials due to pre-existing conditions," Rep. Flowers said.  "This new law protects consumers and brings Illinois law in line with federal requirements."

House Bill 224 goes into effect immediately.

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Gene and Shirley Newell of Scott Coounty have been inducted into the 2011 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 21.

Eighty-eight Iowa counties are participating this year and have selected 121 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members will be presented a certificate by the Iowa 4-H Foundation as they are introduced on stage.

Gene and Shirley Newell feel 4-H is an educational experience no one should miss! Their lives have been involved with Extension and they value the influences it has had in their lives and the lives of their children. Skills learned in 4-H enabled their 3 children to find fun filled careers. Projects such as dairy and public speaking taught responsibility and leadership. Shirley has been an advocate for 4-H for 32 years on the fair board for the Mississippi Valley Fair with Gene assisting as a 4-H supervisor at the fair. They have been generous donors to the Iowa 4-H Foundation and Scott County 4-H. Their perseverance and enthusiasm has been an asset to generations of 4-H members and Extension staff.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said Becky Bray ISU Extension Director.  Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension county council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa's 4-H'ers through the years.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the counties and state to recognize and celebrate 4-H volunteers and staff who have shown outstanding service and dedication to Iowa's 4-H program," said Chuck Morris, director of ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development.

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. Information about previous inductees will be available at the 2011 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building. Information about previous inductees also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and select "Recognition."

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Would Help Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties

CHICAGO - August 26, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today requested federal assistance to help people, businesses and local governments in Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties recover from flash flooding in late July. In a letter to President Barack Obama, Governor Quinn requested federal assistance to help local governments in the three counties recoup 75 percent of their disaster-related expenses. Governor Quinn also requested assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help people and businesses in Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties that were affected by the 15 inches of rainfall.

"The people in Northwest Illinois have suffered through three major weather-related disasters in the past 12 months," Governor Quinn said. "With many roads washed out and hundreds of homes damaged, federal assistance is needed to help these communities quickly recover."

Earlier this week, representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) met with local government representatives in the three counties to review flood and storm-related expense information, including costs for emergency protective measures, debris removal and repair or replacement of government-owned facilities. That review determined that local government expenses related to the flooding total more than $7.5 million.

Representatives from IEMA, FEMA and the SBA also toured the area this week to assess damage to homes and businesses. Governor Quinn used information from the damage assessments to certify that Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties each had at least 25 homes or businesses that have sustained uninsured losses of 40 percent or more, as required for SBA assistance.

If Governor Quinn's request is approved, low-interest loans would be available to people and businesses in Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties, as well as adjacent Carroll County.

On August 10, Governor Quinn declared the three counties state disaster areas and pledged the state's commitment to helping the area recover.

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LINCOLN, NEB. -- (08/26/2011)(readMedia)-- Samantha Adrales of Davenport will be part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 290-member Cornhusker Marching Band in 2011. A freshman English major, Adrales is in the flag corps. The band will make its debut Sept. 3 at Memorial Stadium with pre-game and halftime performances at Nebraska's football season opener against the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

This year's band includes representatives from nearly every region of the country, but 80 percent of the students are from Nebraska. Nearly one-fourth (23 percent) of the students are music or music education majors. The rest of the students are studying in more than 70 other degree programs across campus. Each band member passed two auditions to gain admittance to the group.

Anthony M. Falcone, associate director of bands in the UNL School of Music, is the director of the Cornhusker Marching Band. Douglas W. Bush is the assistant director of bands and assistant marching band director. Carolyn Barber, associate professor of music, is director of bands. Other band staff members are graduate teaching assistants Raul Barcenes, Jeremy Cardamone and Eric Chrostoski. Ben Coleman is the band's percussion instructor and Ashlea Jurgens-Woitzel is the color guard instructor. Rose Johnson is the administrative technician for the band program, Jan Deaton is the office associate and Nolan Schmit is the marching band's announcer.

The drum majors for the 2011 marching band are seniors Joanie Halouska of Plattsmouth, Andrew Kroeger of Omaha, and Tommy Krueger of Lincoln. The twirler is junior Rachel Foehlinger of Omaha.

The Cornhusker Marching Band was founded in 1879 as an ROTC unit and is one of the oldest marching bands in the nation. The Marching Red has received many honors throughout its 132-year history, including a Distinguished Recognition Trophy presented by John Philip Sousa in 1927 and the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Trophy in 1996 for high musical standards and innovative marching routines. The Sudler Trophy is the highest honor given to collegiate bands.

The Marching Red has been seen by millions of viewers on television including in 2005, when the band was featured on the NBC prime-time series, "Tommy Lee Goes to College," and in 2007 on ABC's "Extreme Home Makeover: Home Edition."

The band was the first collegiate ensemble to perform at all the major football bowl games (Rose, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar and Cotton). The full marching band will be traveling to the Nebraska game at Michigan on Nov. 19. Pep bands will travel to the Wyoming, Wisconsin and Minnesota games.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Samantha-Adrales-of-Davenport-picked-for-Cornhusker-Marching-Band/2965347.

Yet another unconstitutional and costly adventure
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - Today, 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul issued a statement on the situation in Libya. See comments below.

"The current situation in Libya may be a short term victory for Empire, but it is a loss for our American Republic. And, I fear it may be devastating to the Libyan people.

"There is no doubt that Moammar Gadhafi is a bad guy, and that he has brought harm and misery to his country. However, our involvement in another country's civil war is costly and unconstitutional.

"We have spent over $1 billion on a war that this administration has fought not with the consent of Congress but under a NATO flag and authorization from the United Nations.

"It is a serious thing for a President to engage us in a war. He is bound by our Constitution to seek authority from the People, through our Congress, prior to engaging in any military action unless that action is to address an imminent threat to our safety and security. The situation in Libya is a civil war contained within that country's sovereign borders, and it presented no imminent threat to the United States.

"And so, our government continues to spend trillions of dollars in overseas foreign wars while we face unsustainable debt, a looming dollar crisis, and our Constitution seems to lose any meaning. These actions will sink our country if we do not reverse course.

"Meanwhile, we must beware of any 'Mission Accomplished' euphoria. The conflict in Libya is far from over, and there could very well be war in Libya for a long time to come.

"While I hope and pray that the hostility draws to a close and the people there find peace, I fear this is only wishful thinking. We face a situation where a rebel element we have been assisting may very well be radical jihadists, bent on our destruction, and placed in positions of power in a new government.

"Worse still, Gadhafi's successor is likely to be just as bad, or worse, than Gadhafi himself.   Alternately, Libya may descend into anarchy like Somalia after the overthrow of dictator Siad Barre.  Much like when we removed Saddam Hussein, another thug in Iraq, the likelihood of either a new brutal dictatorship or tribal violence and a protracted insurgency are much more likely than the peaceful transition to democracy we are all hoping for.

"With all these problems and the predictable chaos that will likely ensue, we must ask why this administration was so eager to embark on this Libyan operation in the name of 'humanitarianism.' Governments in Bahrain and Yemen have this year used military force to put down democratic protestors. The Saudi regime, which practices Sharia Law, has also been repressive, yet we have not intervened there. These countries continue to sell us oil, while Libya had begun to turn their exports toward Russia, China, India, and Brazil. Could this war largely be about protecting our oil interests at the expense of our Constitution?

"This episode is all too familiar. We were already involved in two wars that have dragged on years longer than the people who led us into them initially predicted.  We can no longer afford to police the world, in terms of both dollars and American lives. We will destroy ourselves if we do not stop, build a strong national defense at home, and focus on trade and commerce with the world instead of Empire."

Authorized and paid for by Ron Paul 2012 PCC. www.RonPaul2012.com

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