Q: What prompted your longstanding advocacy of whistleblowers?

A: Whistleblowers are unsung heroes who often risk losing their livelihoods, friends and career to expose wrongdoing. It takes courage and integrity to go against the grain, especially in deeply entrenched federal bureaucracies like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  In both the public and private sectors, an underlying rule of thumb within the workplace can be to go along to get along. Taxpayers and the general public owe a debt of gratitude to those who fight an often lonely crusade to blow the whistle from within their ranks and expose fraud.

More than 25 years ago I began advocating for whistleblowers when an employee at the Defense Department started raising questions about the astronomical prices being paid for toilet seats, hammers and coffee pots at the Pentagon. After learning about these excessive costs, I started a campaign that exposed cozy contracts and a flagrant absence of financial accountability at the Defense Department. Not surprisingly, the whistleblower in the Defense Department case was less popular at work than a skunk at a Sunday afternoon picnic. Unfortunately, this description still rings true today. 

Q:  Is there legislation to help whistleblowers?

A:  In 1986, I co-authored an update of Abraham Lincoln's False Claims Act to include "qui tam" provisions. This legal tool empowers ordinary citizens to bring a lawsuit alleging fraud on behalf of the U.S. government.  The law has helped recover more than $28 billion back to taxpayers, primarily from fraud by government contractors and against government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.  In 2009 I co-authored the Fraud Enforcement Recovery Act that was signed into law.  This new law overturns a number of court decisions that limited the scope and applicability of the False Claims Act ensuring that the law will protect taxpayer dollars for generations to come. 

I also co-wrote the 1989 Whistleblower Protection Act for government employees who stand up and speak out against wrongdoing and waste of taxpayer dollars.  Since then, I have co-authored legislation to bolster the law in response to rulings by the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.  These rulings were often based upon incorrect interpretations of the law and supported the general anti-whistleblower sentiment found in executive branch agencies. The bill, introduced with Senator Akaka of Hawaii, is called the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act. 

Q: Do whistleblowers still need protection?

A: It's a constant battle to make sure that whistleblower protections aren't watered down and that whistleblowers aren't retaliated against.  Whether raising the red flag on government waste and wrongdoing, health care or defense contractor fraud, or corporate corruption, whistleblowers put a lot on the line to protect the public and taxpayers. And, unfortunately, all too often, the federal bureaucracy seems to line up against them, maybe now more than ever.  Whistleblowers deserve strong protections under the law from intimidation, harassment, demotion or even dismissal for doing the right thing.  Our system of self-government is strengthened when government is made more transparent, more accessible and more accountable.

August 26, 2011

Dr. Paul to make five stops to speak, meet voters
ANKENY, Iowa - The Iowa component of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign announced today that Ron Paul will return to Iowa on Saturday, August 27th, two weeks after his historic near-first place showing at the Ames Straw Poll.  

Dr. Paul will greet Republican voters in Madison County, sign copies of his book Liberty Defined, grant an in-studio interview to Iowa Public Radio, speak at the Iowa Corn Growers Annual Meeting and attend the Polk County Republican Summer Picnic.

Dr. Paul's visit takes place two weeks after his historic showing at the consequential Ames Straw Poll.  Dr. Paul won 4,671 votes at Ames, topping Governor Mitt Romney's vote total from 2007 and drawing a near statistical tie with winner Michele Bachmann at 27.6 percent of the vote versus 28.5 percent.  Dr. Paul's finish earned him a strong second place and it was the fourth highest vote total ever received by a candidate at the important test of candidate strength.

"We are so pleased to again welcome Dr. Paul to Iowa, particularly in the aftermath of his respectable showing at the Ames Straw Poll," said Iowa campaign chairman Drew Ivers.

"This next visit of Dr. Paul's and future visits will enable the Iowa team to build upon past successes while redoubling our efforts on behalf of our candidate, who is the number one family-friendly champion of the Constitution," said Mr. Ivers.

Details of the events are as follows.  All times CDT.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

10:00 a.m.
Madison County GOP Meet & Greet
North Side Café
61 W. Jefferson St. (N. of Courthouse)
Winterset, Iowa 50273

1:00 p.m.
Signs copies of his book Liberty Defined
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
4550 University Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266 

2:30 p.m.
Iowa Public Radio (10-min in-studio recording)                   
2111 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312

3:45 p.m.
Iowa Corn Growers Annual Meeting and Policy Conference           
Polk Room
Sheraton Hotel
1800 50th Street
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266          

5:15 p.m.
Polk County Republican Summer Picnic Fundraiser             
Jalapeño Pete's at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
(Centrally located at the State Fairgrounds across from the Admin. Bldg.)

Contact:
Drew Ivers, Iowa Campaign Chairman
Drewi@RonPaul2012.com
515.835.1914
Authorized and paid for by Ron Paul 2012 PCC. www.RonPaul2012.com

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Second Annual Chocolate and Wine Tasting Event to Raise Funds for Mothers and Children living with HIV/AIDS in the Quad Cities

The second annual Project Chocolate With A Splash of Wine fundraising event will take place Sunday, September 25th, 2011 from 2 to 5 pm at the Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, Iowa. Ticket prices are $35 per person, $60 per couple, or $220 for a "Box of Chocolates" group package that includes 8 tickets and a complimentary bottle of wine. Attendees will be treated to samples of chocolate-themed creations made by local chocolatiers, bakers and chefs. Vendors include Chocolate Manor, the Clarion Hotel, Edible Arrangements, Little Slice of Heaven, Ultimate Chocolates, The Isle of Capri, Decadent Revenge Bakery, Cupcakes, Muffins & More, and Shakespeare's Chocolates. The Hotel Blackhawk will provide wine samples and hors d' oeuvres and the Bettendorf Coffee Hound will provide gourmet coffee. Local celebrities will be judging the chocolate concoctions and guests will have the opportunity to vote for "People's Choice." There will also be live entertainment and a raffle that includes items from Isabel Bloom, East Side Bakery, D'Alessandro and more.

All proceeds from Project Chocolate will benefit The Project of the Quad Cities (TPQC). Established in 1986, The Project of the Quad Cities is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the Quad City area with case management and support services Project Chocolate funds will directly benefit HIV positive Mothers and Children in the Quad City area. Visit the website at www.apqc4life.org to learn more about The Project of the Quad Cities.

To purchase tickets or for more information please contact Shannon Rembowski at 309-721-7804 or Shannon@apqc4life.org.

At The Phoenix Fine Art Gallery in Moline:
Please come:
Friday, August 26th. 6.00 p.m.
Vernissage ( opening reception)  for  Artists Zachary Cleve and Emma Farber for their show "Stepping in, Looking Through," a two-person fine arts exhibition with paintings
that explore themes of isolation, obstacles, communication and personal development.

The reception will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and is open to the public. 
About the Artists:
Zachary Cleve was born in 1986 in Davenport, Iowa. He graduated with bachelor's degrees in painting and sociology from Saint Ambrose University in 2010, culminating in a senior honors exhibition in his final semester. Zachary has facilitated figure drawing sessions at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, been a teaching assistant, and participated in numerous group exhibitions.

Emma Farber was born in 1988 in Moline, Illinois. She is graduating this winter from Saint Ambrose university with degrees in painting and graphic design, with a minor in art history. She will have her senior honors show this December.

The medium for the paintings are Oil on Canvas.
Certificates of  authenticity and provenance for all art sold throught the Phoenix Fine Art Gallery is provided with all sales.
The Phoenix Fine Art Gallery is at 1530 Fifth Ave. Moline.
First floor of the Moline Club building, corner of  5th. Ave and 16th. Street.

The current national soybean yield average is 44 bushels per acre, but to meet world demand, that figure needs to be boosted to 59.5 bushels per acre by the year 2030. The checkoff's Production Research program funds research utilizing soybean genomics to help meet this goal.

A new checkoff project will use the mapped soybean genome to accelerate the process of developing and introducing new traits that could lead to high-yielding varieties.

Click here to download an audio news report with USB Production Research program Chair Jason Bean, a soybean farmer from Missouri, discussing how says the checkoff supports research that utilizes the mapped soybean genome to identify and evaluate specific soybean genes that increase yields.

If you would like to conduct additional interviews, please call Erin Hamm at 888.235.4332 or e-mail your request to hamme@osborn-barr.com.

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley will hold town meetings in 14 Iowa communities today through Thursday.  

   

Starting this afternoon, the meetings will take place in Carroll, Denison, HarlanOaklandRed OakAtlanticOnawaMissouri ValleyGlenwoodSidneyShenandoahBedford, Corning and Audubon  

   

"I look forward to these meetings to hear directly from Iowans and to have the kind of dialogue that's needed for the process of representative government to work.  I like to say it's a two-way street.  I need to go to people to answer questions and listen to comments, and they need to come out and participate in the discussion.  The meetings are open to the public.  Everyone's invited."  

   

Grassley has held a constituent meeting in every one of Iowa's 99 counties every year since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate.  After the 14 town meetings this week, he will have held a constituent meeting in every Iowa county this year.  

   

In addition to regular meetings in Iowa, and Grassley participates in many meetings beyond one in every county, every year, the Iowa senator responds to every constituent letter, email and phone call.  Grassley also communicates with Iowans on Facebook, Twitter and athttp://grassley.senate.gov.  He is a regular guest on public affairs programs statewide where he responds to questions from Iowans on any subject.  

   

Separately this month, Grassley participated in a wind-farm groundbreaking ceremony in Iowa Falls, attended the Iowa State Fair, and spoke to the National Foundation for Women Legislators.  He also participated in a General Aviation Manufacturers Association event at the Rockwell Collins' hangar at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids and spoke at Rotary Club meetings in Bettendorf and Ames.  The U.S. Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, September 6.  

   

Below is more information about the town meetings this week.  Grassley will be available for interviews with local reporters for 15 minutes after every meeting.  

   

Monday, August 29  

   

3-4 p.m.  

Carroll County Town Meeting  

New Hope Village Activity Center Gymnasium  

1211 East 18th Street in Carroll  

   

5-6 p.m.  

Crawford County Town Meeting  

Denison Municipal Utilities Community Room  

721 Broadway in Denison  

   

Tuesday, August 30  

   

8-9 a.m.  

Shelby County Town Meeting  

Harlan Public Library  

718 Court Street in Harlan  

   

10-11:30 a.m.  

Pottawattamie County Ag Town Meeting  

Oakland Community Building  

129 Harrison Street in Oakland  

   

1-2:30 p.m.  

Montgomery County Ag Town Meeting  

Montgomery County Family YMCA  

101 East Cherry Street in Red Oak  

   

3:30-5 p.m.  

Cass County Ag Town Meeting  

Cass County Community Center Medium Room  

805 West 10th in Atlantic  

   

Wednesday, August 31  

   

7:30-8:30 a.m.  

Monona County Town Meeting  

Onawa Community Center  

320 10th Street in Onawa  

   

10-11 a.m.  

Harrison County Town Meeting  

United Western Coop  

222 East Lincoln Highway in Missouri Valley  

   

1-2 p.m.  

Mills County Town Meeting  

Glenwood Senior Center  

20 North Vine in Glenwood  

   

3-4 p.m.  

Fremont County Town Meeting  

Sidney Senior Center in the Northridge Shopping Center  

2820 Northridge Road in Sidney  

   

4:45-5:45 p.m.  

Page County Town Meeting  

Shenandoah Medical Center Rapp Meeting Room  

300 Pershing Avenue in Shenandoah  

   

Thursday, September 1  

   

8-9 a.m.  

Taylor County Town Meeting  

Taylor County Farm Bureau Meeting Room  

607 Pollock Boulevard in Bedford  

   

10:15-11:15 a.m.  

Adams County Town Meeting  

Corning Community Building  

601 6th Street in Corning  

   

1:30-2:30 p.m.  

Audubon County Town Meeting  

Audubon County Economic Development Community Room  

800 Market Street in Audubon  

 

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WHAT:           "I Can Run a Mile" Run with Carl training run for area youth

Pleasant Valley Elementary Schools participate in this event. It helps encourage participation for Run with Carl, held Labor Day, Sept. 5th at 7:30 a.m. Run with Carl is a memorial run that raises money for Pleasant Valley and Bettendorf High School college scholarships.

WHEN:           Thursday, Sept. 1st at 3:15 p.m.

 

WHERE: Pleasant Valley Elementary Schools Participating:

Bridgeview

Cody

Pleasant View

Riverdale Heights

Hopewell

WHY: "Run with Carl is a great event for families to do together. It's affordable and supports the local community," said Jamie Lange, PR Chair, Run with Carl. "The practice run is a great way for kids to realize they can complete the full mile on race day. There's something for all ages and these are short enough distances that kids and novice runners can accomplish it."

Having a practice run before race day (Labor Day) builds confidence in the participants and helps kids prepare for the one mile fun run.  Funds raised through Run with Carl provide college scholarships to graduates of Pleasant Valley High School and Bettendorf High School.

 

About the Bettendorf Rotary: The Bettendorf Rotary Club was chartered in 1957. The group meets every Wednesday at noon at Fortune Garden Restaurant (2211 South Kimberly Road, Bettendorf). Bettendorf Rotary has been the title sponsor for Run with Carl for six year. The race is presented by Trinity Regional Health System.  Additional sponsored by United Healthcare and Hamilton Technical College. 

 

About the Carl D. Schillig Memorial Fund, Inc.: The Carl D. Schillig Memorial Fund was established in 1995 in memory of Carl Schillig who was killed at age 15 in a car-pedestrian accident. The fund provides a $4000 college scholarship to graduates of Pleasant Valley High School - which Carl attended - and Bettendorf High School graduates. With Carl's philanthropy as its inspiration, the nonprofit also distributes proceeds from the run to organizations in which Carl was active, including the Bettendorf  Pleasant Valley Aquatics, the Cornbelt Running Club, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

 

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New York, NY, August 29, 2011 - A local favorite has been recognized as one of the best in the nation when it comes to fine vodka.  TheFiftyBest.com recognized locally crafted River Baron Vodka as one of the top 10 vodkas made in the United States.

River Baron, which is distilled at Mississippi River Distilling Company in Le Claire, Iowa, was named as eighth best in a sampling held in New York City.  A panel of 28 judges participated in a blind taste test to determine the nation's 50 best handcrafted vodkas.

River Baron Vodka was one of the highest scoring spirits in the competition and was awarded a silver medal.  Judges comments included:  "Full sweet nose, butterscotch, vanilla, buttery, cotton candy, banana, nutty, sweet butter, pepper, light spice, smooth, velvety, assertive, very light, really good, perfect."

The vodka is made from 100% local ingredients.  Corn from Le Claire, Iowa and wheat from Reynolds, Illinois are used to make this handcrafted vodka. Distillers say the honor is a big thrill.  "We're a tiny distillery in little old Le Claire, Iowa." said owner and distiller Garrett Burchett.  "To have aficionados in New York City even taste our vodka, let alone call it one of the best, is a real thrill."

The small distillery has come a long way in a short time says distiller and owner Ryan Burchett.  "It's been a wild ride.  In eight months, we've seen over 10,000 tourists visit our distillery.  We've launched three products with two more on the way before the year is out.  Now to be recognized as one of the best in the country, is somewhat surreal.  It's been so much fun to watch this thing grow in such a short period of time."

TheFiftyBest.com is an award winning website that provides rankings for various products and services including gourmet dining, wine & spirits, travel, and luxury goods.  The site bills itself as, "A good taste guide to things that taste good."

Mississippi River Distilling Company is open from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday and from 12 to 5 PM Sundays.  Free tours are offered to the public daily on the hour from 12 to 4 PM or by appointment.  The tour takes visitors through the entire distilling process.  Tours end in the Grand Tasting Room with free samples of products for those patrons over 21 years of age.

#####

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/28/2011)(readMedia)-- As approximately 160 members of the Illinois Army National Guard travel to New York for hurricane relief operations, approximately 1,000 Illinois National Guardsmen are being released from duty. The additional 1,000 Soldiers and Airmen were activated Aug. 27 to prepare and train for hurricane relief efforts, but federal officials have deemed their services no longer necessary in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

"This mission is indicative of what the National Guard has done for 375 years," said Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "These servicemembers are men and women who live next door to you and who put aside everything in their civilian lives to help others in need."

The Illinois National Guard is sending six UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, pilots and crew, ground support vehicles, and command and control staff to New York to help with relief efforts.

Units departed for New York to provide hurricane relief include : Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 106th Aviation Battalion in Peoria and elements of Company A, 106th Aviation Battalion in Decatur; Company B, 106th Aviation Battalion in Chicago; Company C and Company D, 106th Aviation Battalion in Peoria; and 2nd Battalion, 238th General Support Aviation Battalion in Peoria. An advanced party of approximately 20 Soldiers from the 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago also left for the East Coast.

Fifteen National Guard units in 13 Illinois communities had their Soldiers and Airmen report to duty and will now release those citizen-Soldiers to return to their civilian lives.

Units reporting for preparation and training for hurricane relief and now releasing their Soldiers include : 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago, 710th Area Support Medical Company in North Riverside, Company C, 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Carbondale, 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Springfield, 1544th Transportation Company in Paris, 1844th Transportation Company in Quincy, 631st Engineer Company in Lawrenceville, 3625th Maintenance Company in North Riverside, 933rd Military Police Company in Fort Sheridan, 33rd Military Police Battalion in Bloomington, 333rd Military Police Company in Freeport, 405th Brigade Support Battalion in North Riverside, Company B, 405th Brigade Support Battalion in Crestwood, Company A, 405th Brigade Support Battalion in Streator and 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria.

The 1,000 additional Soldiers will remain at their respective units until Monday afternoon to unpack gear, clean and put away equipment and prepare to return to normal day-to-day activities.

"I am proud of our Soldiers and Airmen," Enyart said. "From plans with family to work and college commitments, these troops continue to show their selfless service and prove why we are one of the greatest organizations in the world."

For more information, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/28/2011)(readMedia)-- Out of the 10,000 Soldiers in the Illinois Army National Guard, less than 700 Soldiers are active duty National Guardsmen. The rest are part-time Soldiers that attend drill weekends once a month, perform two-week annual training periods and work-full time civilian jobs or attend college.

Citizen-Soldier, weekend warrior, and in the past the State Militia. These are all terms used to describe the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest-enduring institutions ... the National Guard.

For some Soldiers, service has been taken to a new level. These Soldiers serve, not only their country, but their community and the state. From holding important positions in state and federal government to being elected to serve in a county position, there are National Guard Soldiers striving to serve others.

"Citizen-Soldiers are not only committed to protecting others but to serve as well," said Capt. Jonathon Monken of Chatham.

Monken, an Iraq war veteran, has been with the Illinois Army National Guard since July 2007, and is assigned to Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield as the Intergovernmental Affairs and Plans officer.

In his civilian job, he was recently appointed the director of Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

"I swore to defend, as a Soldier and civilian," said Monken.

In both roles there are similar responsibilities.

"Principles of leadership don't change," explained Monken. "It's a great deal of team work and discipline. Though the military and civilian world is different, we work well together. We understand the mission, our capabilities and understand each other."

Maj. Tammy Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, is another Soldier who has been to war defending the freedoms she swore to protect. But she is more than just a Soldier. She is someone who overcame the odds after being severely wounded in Iraq and continued to serve the military and the public.

"Being a citizen-Soldier is the deepest commitment to the nation," said Duckworth. "It is a way to give something back, which I wanted to do when I returned."

In early 2009 Duckworth was appointed as the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C; a position she recently resigned to pursue even greater aspirations. After her resignation, she announced plans to run for Congress.

"I wanted to set the example for what can be done no matter what has happened to you," said Duckworth.

Duckworth has been a member of the Illinois Army National Guard since 1996.

The National Guard has seen the nature of its mission change, with more frequent call-ups since September 2001.

"People called us weekend warriors and never thought of us as front line Soldiers," explained Col. Tony Libri, of New Berlin, who recently retired from the Illinois Army National Guard after 30 years wearing the uniform.

"Now half of the nation's Army is made up of National Guard Soldiers," Libri said.

When Libri retired he was part of Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield. However, Libri continues to serve his community as the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk, a position he also held while serving as a part-time Soldier with the Illinois Army National Guard and through a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan.

"Being a citizen-Soldier taught me to be a strategic thinker and a better elected official," Libri said.

As a life-long public servant, Libri has a lot of experience helping others. Libri was the senior mentor to the Afghan National Police and commander of the Police Mentoring Teams in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2009. He also helped the Hungarian Army get into the United Nations in 1997 on a deployment to Bosnia, Hungary and Croatia.

One of his greatest accomplishments came when he helped establish an all boys orphanage in Afghanistan.

"I swore an oath in the military to defend and now I continue that oath by serving the people," Libri said.

Another Soldier has used his position with the Illinois Army National Guard to educate the public on how to help veterans returning home from deployment.

Capt. Dan Grant, of Springfield, is the Inter-Governmental Officer with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield. He works on interagency projects within Illinois and abroad, such as the Illinois National Guard's state partnership with Poland. His service however goes beyond just the military interaction.

Grant was also the director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs for two years before recently deciding to pursue a Master's Degree in Business Administration with Harvard University Business School.

"I'm able to serve my country and assist other countries in establishing systems to serve their returning troops," said Grant. "At the same time I am able to preserve a career outside the service doing something that I love - supporting our own troops as they return from harm's way."

A 2002 West Point graduate, Grant has seen what a war can do to Soldiers.

"West Point helps prepare you for the military and civilian life ahead of you."

From Ballad to Tikrit, from force protection to ordnance collection and disposal, he has seen his training come full circle.

"Deployments are the time when you put it all together and you pour everything into your mission," Grant said. "It's where you go from theory to practice."

Serving one's country is a service to others. From defending freedoms abroad to defending the freedoms at home, citizen-Soldiers will always be here.

"The military teaches us invaluable lessons and values," said Grant. "From the ethic of service that we are taught, to putting the mission first; our time in the service carries us much further in life, regardless of where we go."

Photo 1Photo courtesy of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs/ The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs have had three well-known veterans serve as director in recent years. (From left to right) Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Dan Grant of Springfield served as director from February 2009 to August 2011; Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates served from December 2006 to February 2009; and just recently Army veteran Erica Borggren of McHenry was appointed to replace Grant who resigned to further his career at Harvard University Business School.

Photo 2: Photo by Spc. Brian Vorce, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment/ Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates speaks at the statue unveiling June 18 in Mount Vernon. A statue sharing her likeness was uncovered at the ceremony.

Photo 3: Photo submitted by Capt. Jonathon Monken/ Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Jonathon Monken of Chatham (middle) talks to Gov. Pat Quinn (right), Phil Anello with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) (left) and Illinois State Representative John Bradley (back left) while assisting with flood response efforts in Olive Branch this spring. Monken, IEMA Director, was demonstrating the capabilities of the IEMA mobile command center during the flooding in southern Illinois.

For high resolution photos and additional photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

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