IA & IL DELEGATION MEMBERS TO GENERAL: ANY PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE JMTC WOULD FACE BIPARTISAN RESISTANCE IN CONGRESS

Members questioncost savings as Army awaits task force recommendations

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) and the bipartisan delegation that represents the Rock Island Arsenal made clear to General Ann Dunwoody, the Commanding General of the Army Materiel Command, that any proposal to close or relocate Rock Island Arsenal's Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) would be met with strong resistance in Congress. In a meeting in Washington, Dunwoody reassured the Iowa and Illinois delegation that the Army currently has no plans to close the JMTC, but could not disclose the work of an internal task force that was rumored to have been considering JMTC closure as a cost-savings measure.

Members of Congress in today's meeting - U.S. Representatives Bruce Braley (D-IA-01), Bobby Schilling (R-IL-17), and Dave Loebsack (D-IA-02), U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and representatives from Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)'s office - vowed to continue working with General Dunwoody and the Army to secure the long-term future of JMTC at Rock Island Arsenal.

"The Rock Island Arsenal is crucial to the Quad City economy," said Braley. "There are 1,700 jobs on the line at this facility and none of us are willing to jeopardize them. I'm confident that we made that clear to General Dunwoody, and I was reassured by her praise for the Arsenal and its workers. I will continue to monitor this process and work to make sure that we find ways to save and cut back in places where it makes sense ? but not at this crucial facility."

"General Dunwoody understands this delegation's commitment to defending the livelihood of the highly skilled men and women who make up the Rock Island Arsenal," said Durbin.  "It is important that every level of government work to find savings and efficiencies within system, but I firmly believe that closing or relocating the JMTC would be the wrong way to do it.  I am glad we were alerted to this task force early in the process so that we can continue to keep a close eye on it as it moves forward."

"As the Defense Department's only integrated metal manufacturer, the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center at the Rock Island Arsenal is essential to American troops abroad and to the Quad Cities community," Senator Kirk said.  "Given the importance of the JMTC to arms and armor production, as well as to veteran employment, I firmly believe in defending its position and purpose."

"We made clear to General Dunwoody that any proposal to move the work that is currently so expertly done at the Rock Island Arsenal JMTC to other facilities would contribute nothing to the Army's savings target, but would undermine the unique skills and capabilities that have served our war fighters.  We'll have to keep an eye on this task force, but I was pleased to hear the General affirm that the Rock Island Arsenal is a national treasure and express support for our delegation's efforts to ensure more stable workload in the future," Grassley said.

"Though today's meeting was productive, it is of utmost important that we as a delegation remain vigilant as the task force continues its work," Schilling said. "The Rock Island Arsenal is a national treasure and is of huge economic importance to the Quad Cities. I will continue working to ensure that work or functions at the JMTC and the Rock Island Arsenal are neither reduced nor eliminated as thisprocess continues."

"This was an important opportunity to sit down with General Dunwoody and the Arsenal delegation todiscuss the Army Material Command's review and reiterate that we will fight any efforts to close or reduce work at the JMTC or RIA to ensure jobs stay in the Quad Cities," said Loebsack. "I also believe it was critical that we discussed the need to develop a proactive strategy to keep work at the Arsenal as thedrawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan continue.  The good jobs, economic development and contributions to our national security provided by the Arsenal and its workforce must be protected."

General Dunwoody wastasked by Army Secretary John McHugh to find savings and efficiencies within the Army Materiel Command as part of an Army-wide review to find $3 billion in savings.  A task force within the Army Materiel Command was asked to perform a review and report its findings to General Dunwoody, likely by the end of the summer.

According to the members in today's meeting, it would be difficult to find savings by closing JMTC as the facility is funded through the Army's Working Capital Fund which derives most of its funding from sales revenue on its contracts, and not through regular congressional appropriations.  The members argued that the cost of moving or replicating the many unique capabilities at Rock Island Arsenal would be extensive.

The Rock Island Arsenal JMTC is a one-of-a-kind U.S. Army facility which manufactures critical equipment for our troops around the world. The more than 1,700 highly-skilled individuals - at least half of whom are veterans - employed at JMTC specialize in manufacturing artillery, armor, small arms, and mobile maintenance kits for use on the front lines. The JMTC, perhaps best known for howitzer production, operates the Army's only foundry and since 2003 has produced half of all armor for Army tactical wheeled vehicles. Rock Island Arsenal, the region's largest employer with a 8,600-person workforce anchored by the JMTC, injects $1.3 billion dollars directly into the local economy each year.

In May, after learning that an internal task force at the Army Materiel Command was considering relocating Rock Island Arsenal's JMTC, the bipartisan group of seven lawmakers from both the Illinois and Iowa Congressional Delegations called for a meeting with McHugh, as soon as possible to discuss their concerns about the cost associated with conducting such a move as well as the impact it would have on the Rock Island Arsenal.  A few weeks later, the members received assurances from McHugh that the Army currently has no plans to close the JMTC.  Today's meeting was in response to a similar request sent to General Dunwoody in May.

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The Arc of Rock Island County is announcing to the public its new name, graphic identity and signage at its four main sites. Individuals served, staff, board members, organization members and family of individuals served will be in attendance.

Founded in 1952, The Arc promotes living and working in partnership with the community to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc serves 325 individuals on a daily basis throughout the community.

WHO: All are welcome! The event is open to the public.

WHAT: "Reveal Event" celebrating the organization's new name and revealing its new graphic identity and signage. Light refreshments will be provided.

WHY: Publicly announcing these major organizational changes.

WHERE: The series of reveal events will kick off at the Arc Administration Building, with three additional reveals at other main sites as set forth below.

WHEN: Friday, July 15, 2011

10:00 am

Arc Administration Building

4016 9th Street, Rock Island, IL

The Arc will hold subsequent reveal events at other sites as follows:

11 am  Arc Industries
610 37th Avenue, Rock Island, IL

12 pm  Heritage Fifty-Three
4601 53rd Street, Moline, IL

1 pm  Opportunity Center
5101 52nd Avenue, Moline, IL

WEST BRANCH, IOWA– National Parks are known for their ranger-led programs
and activities. This summer, rangers at Herbert Hoover National Historic
Site in West Branch, Iowa will offer short 10- to 15-minute talks to
visitors enjoying a summer evening in the park. Come and hear "Historic
Preservation: Why, How, and What?" on Wednesday, July 20 at the Friends
Meetinghouse and "Herbert Hoover's West Branch" at the intersection of the
Downey and Penn street traces near the Birthplace Cottage on Thursday, July
28. Meet the ranger at 7:00 p.m. on those evenings to hear some things you
may not have known about Herbert Hoover NHS.

On Saturday, July 16 writer M.S. Coe will help kids ages 4 through 6 flex
their poetry muscles through creative movement, drawing, reading, and
writing at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. "Poetry Sprouts" starts
at the visitor center on Saturday, July 16 at 9:30 a.m. and will last about
one hour. If you are interested in attending, please call (319) 643-2541
before July 16. Parents are invited to stay and participate with their
children. M.S. Coe is the Artist-in-Residence at Herbert Hoover NHS until
July 20.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential
Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are
open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please
allow extra time to find a parking space. For more information go online to
www.nps.gov/heho or call (319) 643-2541.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site
110 Parkside Drive
PO Box 607
West Branch, Iowa  52358

319 643-2541 phone
319 643-7864 fax
www.nps.gov/heho

Photographs may be available upon request.
Herbert Hoover NHS is on Twitter: @HooverNPS.

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) called on Darrell Issa, Chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to launch an investigation into Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Rep. Braley called for the investigation following reports that News Corporation and its subsidiaries may have bribed foreign law enforcement officials and potentially hacked the phone lines of U.S. citizens.

"These reports are very troubling and I believe they require a thorough investigation," said Rep. Braley. "The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a duty to protect the privacy of Americans and to hold U.S. corporations accountable - and I expect Chairman Issa to direct the Committee to carry out its duties as they relate to this very serious case."

A copy of Rep. Braley's letter to Chairman Issa is pasted below and available here: http://go.usa.gov/BO4 

July 13, 2011

The Honorable Darrell Issa

Chairman

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

2157 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Issa:

As you may know, serious allegations have recently been raised accusing Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation of acting improperly and possibly in violation of United Stateslaw.

It has been reported that News Corporation and its subsidiaries may have bribed London police officers for information for use in newspaper articles, including information about high-ranking government officials. If true, these charges could be a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) that forbids bribery of foreign government officials by U.S.-based companies.

Additionally, News Corporation has already admitted to phone hacking in London, and I have concerns about allegations that hacking may have also extended to U.S. citizens. I ask that you investigate whether victims of the September 11, 2001 attack and other U.S. citizens had their cell phones targeted by News Corporation. Please look into the serious allegations that have been made against News Corporation. We owe it to the American public to find out if victims have been subject to criminal actions by News Corporation and its affiliates.

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a duty to protect the privacy of Americans and tohold U.S. corporations accountable. I look forward to your response within ten business days regarding an investigation of News Corporation. Thank you foryour consideration.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced that several provisions of his Plain Writing Act of 2010 are going into effect.

Today is the deadline for agencies to designate a Senior Official for Plain Writing. This individual will be responsible for overseeing each agency's implementation of Braley's law, including:

·         creating a plain writing section of the agency website;

·         training agency employees;

·         ensuring full implementation of the law; and

·         publishing a public report on progress towards meeting the plain writing requirements.

"The Plain Writing Act requires some simple changes to business-as-usual that'll make a big difference for anyone who's ever filled out a tax return or received a government document," Rep. Braley said.  "Today, some of those changes go into effect and begin the process of making our government agencies moreaccessible. In the long run, writing government documents in plain languagewill increase government accountability and will save Americans time and money."

The Plain Writing Act, authored by Rep. Braley, requires the federal government to write documents, such as tax returns, federal college aid applications, and Veterans Administration forms in simple easy-to-understand language, making government more transparent and saving the government millions of dollars. President Obama signed Rep. Braley's bill into law last October.

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced that 20 Iowa hospitals will receive $12.5 million in additional Medicare reimbursements. The payments will be delivered to the hospitals tomorrow, and come as a result of a provision Rep. Braley authored and passed into law during the health care negotiations last Congress.

"For decades, Iowa's doctors have been punished for no reason other than geography," said Rep. Braley. "These payments are the first step toward ending these geographic disparities and reforming our Medicare system so it finally rewards quality of care instead of the number of procedures performed."

The following Iowa hospitals will receive the funds:

Hospital Name  

County  

Estimated Payment  

Broadlawns Medical Center  

Polk  

$44,991  

Grinnell Regional Medical Center  

Poweshiek  

$89,982  

Iowa Lutheran Hospital  

Polk  

$479,904  

Iowa Methodist Medical Center  

Polk  

$1,709,658  

Lakes Regional Healthcare  

Dickinson  

$74,985  

Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center  

Marshall  

$164,967  

Mary Greeley Medical Center  

Story  

$479,904  

Mercy Hospital  

Johnson  

$509,898  

Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids  

Linn  

$584,883  

Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines  

Polk  

$2,129,574  

Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa  

Cerrogordo  

$1,004,799  

Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City  

Woodbury  

$779,844  

Skiff Medical Center  

Jasper  

$104,979  

Spencer Municipal Hospital  

Clay  

$164,967  

St Anthony Regional Hospital  

Carroll  

$104,979  

St Luke's Hospital  

Linn  

$794,841

St Luke's Regional Medical Center

Woodbury

$374,925

Trinity Regional Medical Center

Webster

$434,913

Unity Hospital

Muscatine

$74,985

University Of Iowa Hospital & Clinics

Johnson

$2,399,520

TOTAL

$12,507,499

Rep. Braley secured the funding during late night negotiations with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Obama Administration officials before the final health care votelast spring. Tomorrow, Iowa hospitals will receive $12.5 million in additional Medicare reimbursements, or 8.3 percent of the available funds. Under Rep. Braley's provision, Iowa receives the 4th-highest amount of payments of any state.

Last Congress, Braley negotiated a compromise adding language to the health carereform bill that provides an immediate $800 million to address geographic disparities for both doctors and hospitals, as well as written guarantees from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for further action toreform Medicare reimbursement rates. Iowa doctors and hospitals have long suffered from an unfair Medicare formula which reimburses them at a lower rate than providers in other states - all while offering some of the highest quality, lowest-cost care in the nation.

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New national television ad, grassroots activities, and Capitol Hill blitz tell lawmakers, "Seniors are not pushovers."

Washington, DC–Today, AARP launched its latest wave of efforts, centered around a new direct-message television ad, urging Congress and the President to make responsible decisions during the deficit reduction debate by cutting waste and closing loopholes instead of cutting critical Medicare and Social Security benefits that millions of Americans have earned through a lifetime of hard work.

The new, multi-million dollar advertisement is AARP's third focusing specifically on the deficit debate, and begins airing today nationally and in local markets.  In addition to the TV ads, AARP leaders are hitting Capitol Hill to urge their Members of Congress to oppose cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits as part of a deal to pay the nation's bills.  AARP is keeping up the pressure on Congress and the President by engaging its millions of members to make their voices heard through direct mail, phone calls, email alerts, publications, and tele-townhall meetings.

"We're taking the voice of older Americans to the airwaves, to Capitol Hill and across the country," said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President. "Don't cut the Social Security and Medicare benefits seniors have earned."

AARP will air the television spot beginning July 13.  The television ad script follows here:

"I'm a grandfather.  A retired teacher.  And I count on Social Security.

"Here's what I'm not...

"A pushover.

"Right now, some in Washington want to make a deal cutting the Social Security and Medicare benefits we worked for.

"With billions in waste and loopholes, how could they look at us?

"Maybe we seem like an easy target...

"Until you realize...

"...there are 50 million of us.

"Tell the politicians to cut waste and loopholes, not our benefits."

To date, nearly 4.5 million petitions have been signed and will be delivered to Congress, and over 500,000 calls and emails have gone into congressional offices and to the White House over the past several weeks urging elected leaders to protect Medicare and Social Security from harmful cuts as part of a deal to raise the debt ceiling.

LeaMond added: "We know Washington needs to make tough decisions to reduce the deficit, but they should make responsible decisions instead of cutting the Social Security and Medicare benefits that seniors have worked for their entire lives."

To view the new television ad and learn about AARP's campaign, visit www.aarp.org/protectseniors

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with nearly 35 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Law Supports Creation of Innovative Partnership School in Aurora to Advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education

AURORA - July 13, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will advance STEM learning in Illinois by allowing the creation of an innovative school that will offer specialized education opportunities. Senate Bill 621 supports the creation of a math and science partnership school operated by Aurora's four school districts and Aurora University on campus. Joined by local middle school students attending summer science camp, Governor Quinn called for increased STEM learning opportunities in Illinois as a way to prepare students for 21st century jobs. 

"We want our children to be prepared to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow," said Governor Quinn. "This innovative school will increase learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and give students more opportunities to succeed."

Sponsored by Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego), Senate Bill 621 authorizes Aurora University (AU) and its four partner school districts ? West Aurora, East Aurora, Indian Prairie and Oswego ? to jointly operate a STEM school on the AU campus. When fully operational, the partnership school will serve more than 400 third through eighth grade students who have demonstrated a proficiency in mathematics and science. The school will also train teachers who return to their home school districts as leaders in mathematics and science education.

"By signing this legislation, Governor Quinn is leading the way to make STEM learning more available for children in Illinois," said Aurora University President Rebecca L. Sherrick.

In addition to nurturing students talented in mathematics and science, the partnership school will provide access to cutting-edge STEM education methods. Best practices and research results will be shared to improve mathematics and science education throughout the community.

"This is an important step to improving student achievement and increasing their interest in school," said state Sen. Holmes, who introduced the bill in the Senate. "We owe it to our students to ensure that they aren't being shortchanged during these tough economic times. It's essential that we give them the tools needed to become future leaders in Illinois."

"This has truly been a collaborative effort with one goal in mind - to provide a partnership school with area school districts at Aurora University placing an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics - something that we need to focus on in our state," said state Rep. Cross.

The university will begin to raise private funding for the partnership school immediately and estimates the cost to be $15 million. This new law passed both the Illinois House and Senate with unanimous support and takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.

The partnership school is the cornerstone of the Mathematics and Science Education Center of Aurora University, which was launched by the university's Institute for Collaboration in 2009 to address the deficiencies in STEM education in the United States. The center's programs also include content-based bachelor's and master's degrees, professional workshops and institutes for teachers, and after-school and summer studies programs for students.

"Because it engages learners of all ages, we believe the STEM partnership school holds great potential as a groundbreaking model for similar communities throughout the state and nation," said Sherry Eagle, Executive Director of the Institute for Collaboration of Aurora University, which is leading the project.

More information about this partnership school is available at www.aurora.edu/institute.

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Leucadia Project Will Boost Regional Economy;

Provide Long-Term Price Certainty to Consumers

CHICAGO - July 13, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will help create Illinois' first coal gasification plant and substantially reduce carbon emissions, while creating 1,500 jobs and saving consumers more than $100 million over the next several years. The new law follows principles the Governor outlined in the spring legislative session requiring all energy projects to protect consumers, create jobs and safeguard our environment.

"Projects that create jobs and protect consumers strengthen our continued economic recovery," said Governor Quinn. "This project protects Illinois consumers, while continuing our position as a leader in clean energy technology by utilizing home grown resources to create the jobs of today and tomorrow."

The Chicago Clean Energy project is a $3 billion coal gasification project that will be located on a brownfield site within the Chicago-Calumet Industrial Corridor at 115th Street and Burley Avenue, formerly the LTV Steel plant, on Chicago's southeast side.

The project will utilize, for the first time in Illinois, an advanced clean coal process known as gasification. The chemical process allows production of substitute natural gas from Illinois coal and petroleum coke without burning the coal or petroleum coke. Carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions are captured as part of the process and then eventually sequestered underground. Experts view the process as a lynchpin to development of new coal facilities with sharply reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Chicago Clean Energy expects to generate more than $10 billion in economic output for Illinois and create tens of thousands of jobs, including approximately 1,100 construction jobs, 200 permanent jobs and 165 additional mining jobs. The plant will use at least one million tons of Illinois coal per year.

"We are grateful to Governor Quinn for his foresight in seizing an opportunity to make Illinois a leader in clean energy technology, and in securing clean energy jobs for the state," said Tom Mara, executive vice president of Leucadia National Corporation, the company behind the Chicago Clean Energy project. "We are committed to working closely with local leaders and community members to make this project a tangible benefit to Chicago and the entire state of Illinois."

The final legislation was revised from a previous measure considered earlier this year to include input from the Governor, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the Citizens Utility Board, local organizations near the project site and other stakeholders. The bill now proportionally allocates the natural gas produced at the facility to Illinois' gas utilities. It also includes a number of consumer protections, including a rate cap, a robust reserve account that fairly aligns the interests of the developer with those of the consumer, and a revised system to share savings and potential revenues with consumers. 

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ART TALKS AT FIGGE

Talks highlights techniques used to make chairs and environmental art

"How was it made?" is a question that one hears frequently when looking at art. Learn how several chairs in the Figge Art Museum special exhibition The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Chair Design were made at an art talk at 7 pm Thursday, July 14. Mark Holmes, associate professor of Art at Knox College, will present the talk. In addition to his work as a sculptor, Holmes spent 15 years designing and making furniture (including chairs) as the owner of -ism Furniture in Chicago. He received his MFA in Sculpture from Yale University.

The Art of Seating will be on view at the Figge through September 4. The exhibition is developed by the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and the Jacobsen Collection of American Art, and organized by International Art & Artists, Washington, D.C. For additional exhibition-related programs, please visit the Figge website at www.figgeart.org.

Also this Thursday, at 6pm visiting artist Aurora Robson will talk about her work, Up Drop, which is installed on Level 1. The sculpture is made from plastic debris (PET bottles) caps, rivets, tinted polycyrlic and steel armature.  Robson's intricate and remarkable hanging structures are created from all manner of discarded plastic waste.   This work complements the current exhibition, Water Views by providing an interesting counterpoint to the idyllic waterscapes ofWater Views

Robson will be featured in the fall installation, Everything All at Once Forever, opening September 24 in the Orientation Gallery on Level 1.  The installation will feature plastic debris sculptures created specifically for the Figge installation. These new individual pieces will complement Up Drop, a work borrowed from the Gallery 212 in Colorado. Together they will create a space for the audience to explore the works on an intimate level.

Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members.

-end-

 

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