WASHINGTON --- Senator Chuck Grassley today joined Senator Mary Landrieu and other senators to highlight their support for short- and long-term efforts to aid orphans in Haiti.

During a news conference on Capitol Hill, the bipartisan group emphasized their commitment to continued oversight of the federal agencies responsible for completing already approved adoptions in Haiti and to facilitate adoptions for children orphaned by this month's earthquake in Haiti.  Click here to view the video of Senator Grassley's statement at the news conference.

Last week, Grassley, Landrieu and others wrote to top U.S. government officials to urge more effective collaboration in the effort to evacuate the 600 to 700 orphans in Haiti who have adoptive families waiting for them in the United States.  Their letter said that a lot of the chaos that surrounds efforts to get these orphans safely to their adoptive families in the United States is a direct result of a lack of logistical inter-agency coordination, a lack of communication to the public and ad-hoc processing of travel documents by the U.S. Embassy.  Grassley, Landrieu and the others asked for a commitment that these orphans be safely and efficiently evacuated within the next ten days.

Today, Grassley said that the stories of children from Haiti joining adoptive parents in the United States and receiving the love and care they need "are heartwarming and inspirational.  There are many more children in Haiti who need that kind of help and everything possible should be done to facilitate adoptions and match true orphans with families who can give them a home.  It will take extensive cooperation with the government of Haiti and strong leadership on the part of the U.S. government."

Grassley is a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, which Landrieu co-chairs.  Last month, the two senators established a Senate Caucus on Foster Youth.  They have worked together and won passage of legislation to help more children move from foster care to permanent, loving homes.

The Next-Generation Ford Explorer to be Made in Chicago

CHICAGO - January 26, 2010. Governor Quinn today joined with Ford Motor Company to announce the addition of 1,200 new jobs at Chicago-based manufacturing facilities to produce the next-generation Ford Explorer SUV. The auto maker will invest $400 million to launch the project.

"The production of the new Ford Explorer will create 1,200 new jobs in Illinois and make way for a brighter economic future," said Governor Quinn. "I want to commend Ford for investing nearly $400 million in its Chicago-area manufacturing facilities to increase production and staff."

Ford's $400 million investment includes approximately $180 million in manufacturing investment at the site and approximately $220 million for launch and engineering costs. In addition, Ford will be making significant investment in supplier tooling to support next-generation Explorer production.

The auto company is benefiting from Governor Quinn continuing effort to create and maintain jobs in Illinois. On December 14, Governor Quinn sign into law the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit for auto manufacturers. That EDGE tax credit enables the auto industry, which is among Illinois' largest employers, to retain employee income tax withholdings as an alternative to current EDGE corporate tax credit and reinvest those funds into operations that generate greater employment.

"Governor Quinn immediately understood the importance of helping Ford by proposing and passing legislation that provides us with an alternative way to claim and secure these important tax credits," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "We are grateful for his support of Ford and auto manufacturing in Illinois and want to thank him for his leadership in this area."

"The Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit that I put the full weight of my Administration behind and signed into law will provide much-needed relief to our State's ailing automotive industry and prove to be a necessary incentive for one of our nation's leading car companies to stay and thrive in the Land of Lincoln," said Governor Quinn.

The new Explorer will deliver at least 25 percent better fuel economy than the current model.  The vehicle will feature unibody construction, Ford's EcoBoost engine technology, a six-speed transmission and lightweight materials. Ford will unveil the new Explorer later this year.

Since taking office, the Quinn Administration has assisted in putting together more than 55 business investment packages, which have led to companies expanding and creating and retaining jobs in Illinois. In total, these projects will create more than 3,000 jobs, retain more than 8,800 jobs and leverage nearly $1.32 billion in private investment.

For the complete "Illinois Economic Recovery Plan: Jobs for Today and Tomorrow," please visit: Illinois.gov/gov.

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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is developing plans to stock Flathead catfish and channel catfish in the Rock River later this year as part of a continuing effort to speed the recovery of the river's fishery in the aftermath of a June 2009 fish kill.

Tens of thousands of sport fish were lost in the Rock River fish kill event first reported on June 20-21, 2009. At that time, dead fish were discovered in the Rock River in an area from two miles north of Grand Detour to 50 miles downstream at Prophetstown.

The IDNR stocked the river with smallmouth bass and northern pike last Summer and channel catfish last fall in the aftermath of the fish kill.

"At a recent meeting of area anglers, we again heard loud and clear how important the Rock River fishery is to them and to all of those who enjoy fishing from throughout the region," said Dan Sallee, regional administrator for the IDNR Division of Fisheries. "The Rock River fishery is very important to the local anglers and to the communities along the river. Although the fishery is expected to fully recover, the public would like to see all possible efforts made to speed this recovery."

IDNR fisheries biologists this Spring plan to collect and relocate up to 100 pairs of Flathead catfish into areas of the Rock River that were affected by the fish kill. At the same time, IDNR personnel will relocate pre-spawn channel catfish to the same area of the Rock River, and further supplement the channel catfish population by stocking small fish from state hatcheries.

"Individual female Flathead catfish may lay 100,000 eggs or more. If only one in 1,000 of these eggs survives and thrives, this stocking level would result in an increase of up to 10,000 Flathead catfish in the population," Sallee said. "This number of spawning pairs should speed the recovery of the fish kill zone. The channel catfish stocking will also be beneficial."

Anglers with questions about the Rock River fishery can contact IDNR District Fisheries Biologist Ken Clodfelter at 815-454-2759.

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Stars in Flight is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping our youth feel more connected to our community through the art of music.

This new community project wil make a positive impact in kids' lives and will help them take pride in the Quad Cities and themselves. We will be capturing history and showcasing the Quad Cities in a live musical performance that includes ballet, dance groups, show choirs, jugglers, clowns, gymnasts and many vocalists and muscians.

If you live in the Quad Cities or surrounding towns you can get involved from the ground up on this project. A new board of directors is being formed and adults are needed to oversee this project. If you are passionate about music, photography and videotaping, have skills in directing shows or choreography, or are passionate about retaining youth, please consider getting involved. If you are in charge of a performing arts group, please consider having your group select a song and be in the show.

The public is invited to stop in for more information at our next meeting scheduled for February 10th at the Davenport library from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

We believe that all kids should have the opportunity to be a part of this project. If you are passionate about helping at-risk kids, please contact us.

For more information, please call Kim Hatfield at 563-940-1679 or email kim.hatfield1@yahoo.com