Momentum Accelerated Behind Initial 3-Hour Deplanement Standard

Senator Boxer and Representative Thompson Champion Passenger Rights

September 22, 2009, Washington, DC - FlyersRights.org and Business Travel Coalition (BTC) today conducted a Passenger Rights Stakeholder Hearing before a packed hearing room of airline passengers, travel professionals, Congressional staff and media in the Rayburn House Office Building. Experts, both for and against legislation to address a growing extended-tarmac-delay problem, were sharply questioned by aviation journalists and travel industry professionals . The clear outcome from the hearing is that legislation is urgently required to address a growing passenger health and safety problem that airlines are apparently unable or unwilling to fix themselves.

The hearing was sponsored by the Honorary Chairwomen Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) who have championed a 3-hour national standard for providing passengers the option of deplaning, should a captain decide it is safe to do so. Their bills, S.213 and HR 674, were strongly endorsed by airline passengers, FlyersRights.org, BTC, other travel groups at the hearing.

PassengerRights.org Executive Director Kate Hanni testified , "The airline industry has been the voice of "NO" for too long. The system is broken and passengers have been paying a dear price with their health, lost productivity and missed family events. This hearing shone a bright light on the fallacious arguments put forward by those airlines that seek to continue stonewalling against reforms that will benefit passengers and all airline industry stakeholders."

"There is now a clear expectation that Congress will move to enact legislation to create a national standard beginning with the requirement that airlines provide passengers an option to deplane after 3 hours. Airlines will likely have several months to adjust operations before the law is effective," stated BTC Chairman Kevin Mitchell. "BTC further encourages Congress to phase-in a 2-hour standard 1 year after the initial 3-hour rule becomes effective. Congress should likewise make mandatory the U.S. Department of Transportation Tarmac Delay Task Force recommendations," added Mitchell. (BTC recently issued a report on passenger rights legislation .)

###

As an outreach to the community from the Lindsay Park meeting last May, a Steering Committee was formed and has been meeting to make recommendations for the park. The committee will preview the recommendations and seek additional public input at a public forum prior to presenting to the city council.

7:00 PM on TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

McKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

1716 KENWOOD AVENUE, DAVENPORT

GRAND OPENING WEEKEND OCTOBER 3-4

1862-2009: From Immigrant Hotel to Interactive Heritage Museum

Over the past 14 years, the German American Heritage Center building (pictured above over the years) was saved from demolition, restored, renovated and became listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This was accomplished through the efforts of volunteers who gave their time, labor and support to the vision of the center.

"The vision of the German American Heritage Center began with a humble start. A small group of passionate volunteers united to celebrate German-American heritage. Since then we have grown into a historic treasure that also reaches across cultural boundaries, finding commonalities amongst us all," said Executive Director Angela Hunt.

Since 2007, GAHC underwent a complete interior renovation and has increased exhibit space by six times the original layout. A ribbon cutting ceremony will kick off the grand opening weekend that takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 4, 2009 from noon - 4 p.m. Admission is free during the grand opening weekend. The museum will debut the improvements and the new interactive, audio-visual permanent exhibit, "The German Immigrant Experience." The exhibit takes visitors on an exploration of what it was like to be an immigrant to this area in the 1800s.

A brief history: From immigrant hotel to heritage museum:

Built in the late 1860s, the GAHC location appears to have had its earliest history in the hostelry enterprise. Around 1876, the thirty-room hotel was a popular spot for many immigrants, visitors, and farmers who came to Davenport. Its German character as a "Gast Haus" lasted well into the early years of the twentieth century. Today the GAHC serves as a museum, genealogy research center, and educational/cultural resource. Learn more.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE NEWLY EXPANDED MUSEUM:

New interactive, audio-visual permanent exhibit, "The German Immigrant Experience"

The new exhibit space at the museum is 3,550 square feet and includes two additional traveling exhibit spaces. The permanent exhibit is highly interactive and includes a theater, audio-visual stations, artifacts and two restored hotel rooms. The creation of this exhibit area marks a major milestone at GAHC; achieving its goal of providing a premier educational, historical and recreational experience. The exhibit was designed by Morgan-Bailey Consulting of West Des Moines, Iowa.

New traveling and special exhibits:

GAHC now has two special/traveling exhibit spaces. These spaces will change throughout the year showcasing different exhibits. Current special exhibits include "Brewery Ephemera," that explores the history of local breweries established by German immigrants; and "A to Zither," a journey into the world of the sounds and tradition of the German zither instrument. Click here to learn more.

Expanded education and recreational programs and events:

With the newly expanded exhibits, we will create seven new education programs for schools, new field trips, outreach programs and education tours. The permanent exhibit is specifically designed so that all curriculum areas from geography and literature to science can be explored. Special new group tours, community programs, member-only events and trips will also be offered.

New facility rental space:

GAHC has a new rental space on fourth floor that boasts panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the City of Davenport. GAHC will use the space for programs and will also make it available for private and nonprofit groups to rent. Discount rates are available for GAHC members and nonprofit groups. The space holds up to 100 persons, includes a kitchenette, restrooms, tables/chairs, and audio-visual equipment.

GRAND OPENING WEEKEND:"The German Immigrant Experience"

Open to the public, Free admission during the grand opening weekend

Saturday, October 3 - 4, 2009; 10 am - 4 pm

Sunday, October 4, 2009; 12 - 4 pm

During grand opening festivities, the Center will unveil the new interactive permanent exhibit. Enjoy special performances by folk dancers from the Germany, zither music demonstrations, children's activities, and more. Visit www.gahc.org or call 563-322-8844 for more information. The German American Heritage Center is located at 712 W 2nd Street, Davenport.

After the grand opening weekend, GAHC will offer new hours. The new hours, admission and membership rates are:

ADMISSION - $5 ADULTS; $4 SENIOR CITIZENS (60+); $3 CHILDREN (AGES 3 - 17); FREE (UNDER 3)

Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:
-Quarterly issues of our newsletter, "Infoblatt"
-Free admission to many programs
-Free admission to the new permanent exhibit,
"The German-American Experience" (NEW)
-Special member-only exhibit preview events (NEW)
-Free admission and/or discounts to special exhibits
-10% discount at the gift shop
-Discounts on classes, events, and trips
-Discount to facility rental (NEW)

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS:
INDIVIDUAL $35

COUPLE $45 (TWO ADULTS IN SAME HOUSEHOLD)

HOUSEHOLD $55 (UP TO TWO ADULTS & CHILDREN IN SAME HOUSEHOLD)

GRANDPARENTS $55 (UP TO TWO GRANDPARENTS & THEIR GRANDCHILDREN)

LIFE MEMBER INDIVIDUAL $1,000 (OR $1,500 FOR TWO ADULTS IN SAME HOUSEHOLD)

For more information please visit www.gahc.org for photos, videos, programs, and events.

As you may know, Churches United has the 27 food pantries that cover every single neighborhood in the Quad Cities on both sides of the river. Last year we provided meals for over 105,000 individuals. THIS year, because of the economy, some of our food pantries are experiencing a 75% increase. We also have 3 hot meal sites: The Churches United meal site @ Salvation Army in Davenport, the Churches United meal site @ Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist church in East Moline and the Hope UCC Meal Site in Moline. Every single night in the Quad Cities, a hot meal is served. Last year over 30,000 meals were served and so far in 2009 they're seeing increases of up to 50%! Additionally, Churches United has our Winnie's Place Woman's Shelter which serves women who are homeless or victims of domestic violence, with or without children. Just this year, Shelter has seen a 100% increase in clients in need.

With the economy the way it is, donations are down and usage at the food pantries, meal sites and the shelter is up. People who have never had to use a food pantry are having to do so. Same with the meal sites. So Churches United is trying to be creative in increasing it's financial support. This is where you come in!

• Non-Gala - September 31, 2009 - No, it's not a typo. It's a non-event on a non-day. We had some supporters who suggested that instead of holding a Gala which requires them to buy a new dress or pay a babysitter, they'd rather just write out a check and know that 100% of the money goes to help feed and shelter. We have been encouraging businesses to have fundraising events at their places of employment - departments preparing food and selling it to the other departments, jean day, etc. and sometimes the company is matching the money earned by it's employees! And some people are holding "Non-Gala's" in their homes as just a fun way to have a get together with neighbors and friends and let them know how many people Churches United helps out week after week, year after year. We are hoping to raise $100,000 by the closing day which is another non-day - November 31, 2009.

• Silent Auction: Great prizes that can be bid on beginning MONDAY! Go to our website at www.churchesunited.net and see great things like a pair of AirTran tickets anywhere AirTran flies, Farm Day with Happy Joe, digital photography package, restaurant packages and many many more!

• Trivia Night - Friday, October 16th is a very special Trivia night, held in October which is domestic violence awareness month and will benefit our Winnie's Place shelter. However, this is the first of it's kind...a Bi-State Trivia. One in Illinois (@ First UCC in Moline) and one in Iowa (@ St. John's UMC Davenport) at the same time! The top 3 from each state will do an extra round of questions to get the STATE WINNER! Mike Mickle will host the Iowa side and Jim Mertens the Illinois side. It's only $10 per person with 8 to a table. Dinner will be available along with mulligans, 50/50, Silent Auction, etc.

If you have any questions about our upcoming events, or Churches United in general, please give us a call at 309-786-6494. Thank you for your support!