Generation Opportunity Encourages Millennials to Stay Vigilant on Behalf of Principles

Washington, DC - (7/3/12) - Generation Opportunity, one of the largest groups in the nation educating and mobilizing young Americans ages 18-29 with more than 3.4 million Facebook fans and an extensive grassroots field program, has rolled out a new online effort for the July 4th Independence Day holiday. The initiative, called "Sign the Declaration," encourages young adults to reaffirm the principles of the Declaration of Independence by symbolically signing the document themselves online. Anyone can participate in the online initiative by visiting http://generationopportunity.org/independence-day/.

The effort comes as Generation Opportunity's flagship Facebook page, "Being American by GO," surged past 1.5 million fans, fueled by the intense patriotism and strong belief in American Exceptionalism held by the majority of young Americans ages 18-29.

"Two hundred and thirty-six years ago, our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in the cause of liberty so that America could gain independence from British rule and secure its own destiny. Young Americans believe in American Exceptionalism and know that the principles of liberty and freedom outlined in the Declaration of Independence are as relevant in 2012 as they were in 1776. On July 4th, we invite all Americans to join us in affirming their commitment to these principles, to honor those whose actions and sacrifices formed our nation and the freedoms we enjoy today, and to remain vigilant in their defense," said Paul T. Conway, President of Generation Opportunity and former Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Labor.

The online effort then specifically asks young Americans to join Generation Opportunity and affirm their commitment to the principles that inspired the courage and convictions of America's Founding Fathers by "signing" the Declaration of Independence at http://generationopportunity.org/independence-day/.

The importance of the principles behind the Declaration of Independence cannot be overstated, especially at a time when America's elected leaders should be listening to the concerns of young Americans about the growing size of government, the stifling burden posed by thousands of laws and regulations, increasing taxes, and America's indebtedness to foreign powers as a result of the government's reckless and unrestrained spending. The stakes are high and require the involvement and constant vigilance of young Americans, lest our elected leaders adopt solutions that cost future generations both their wealth and liberty.

HOW IT WORKS

• Go to this link: http://generationopportunity.org/independence-day/
• Read the statement.
• "Sign" the Declaration by entering your name and where you are from.
• For questions or for more information, email info@generationopportunity.org

Generation Opportunity commissioned a poll last year with the polling company, inc./WomanTrend (April 16 - 22, 2011, +/- 4% margin of error) and highlights some of the results below.

Young People By The Numbers - Exceptionalism, National Direction, Views on 2012:

• 56% - more than half - indicated their agreement with "American Exceptionalism" - described as an ideal of freedom and democracy exclusive and unique to the United States. Only 29% disagreed.
• 54% believe that things here in the United States have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track; only 24% believe that things are headed in the right direction. 52% indicated they are not optimistic about the country's future.
• 54% - more than half - are not confident that the U.S. will be a global leader in just 10 years. Only 9% said they were "very confident" that the U.S. would be.
• While 54% agree they have "more opportunity" than their parents, only 16% think their children will have "much more opportunity," and 27% actually think their children will have less.
• 69% say political leaders do NOT reflect the interests of young Americans, and just 31% approved of the President's handling of youth unemployment.
• 57% also say they will learn more about the policy positions of presidential candidates in the 2012 election than they did in 2008.

ABOUT GENERATION OPPORTUNITY

Generation Opportunity is a non-profit, non-partisan 501 (c)(4) organization that seeks to engage everyone from young adults, to early career professionals, college students, young mothers and fathers, construction workers, current service men and women, veterans, entrepreneurs, and all Americans who find themselves dissatisfied with the status quo and willing to create a better tomorrow.

Generation Opportunity operates on a strategy that combines advanced social media tactics with proven field tactics to reach Americans 18-29. The organization's social media platforms - "Being American by GO," "The Constitution by GO," "Gas Prices Are Too Damn High," and "Keep Texas Awesome" on Facebook - have amassed a total fan base of more than 3.4 million. All four pages post links to relevant articles and reports from sources ranging from the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO), to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Brookings Institution, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, and The Heritage Foundation.

Read about Generation Opportunity here; visit "Being American by GO" on Facebook here, "The Constitution by GO" on Facebook here, "Gas Prices Are Too Damn High" on Facebook here, and "Keep Texas Awesome" on Facebook here.

For our Spanish-language page - Generación Oportunidad - click here.

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CHICAGO - June 29, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the passage of the federal transportation bill.

"Today's news from Washington D.C. is a step in the right direction for Illinois."

"The federal transportation bill that passed today will provide $4.1 billion dollars for Illinois highways and $1.5 billion for Illinois public transit over the next three years. In addition to the $14 billion we are investing through our Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, we will build a first-class transportation system for the people of Illinois, while creating or retaining approximately 200,000 jobs.

"We are extremely grateful to Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Jerry Costello, with whom we worked closely to fight hard to strengthen our infrastructure and improve our roads, streets, bridges and transit systms. Without their relentless efforts, Illinois could have been left behind by the original House proposal.

"I also want to thank the members of the Illinois Congressional delegation who fought for more resources for the Highway Trust Fund similar to the levels of the bipartisan bill that passed the U.S. Senate. Now that this bill has passed, I urge the House leadership to continue working to identify additional resources for the Highway Trust Fund, which will pave the way for more economic growth."

"The Illinois Department of Transportation is reviewing the legislation to determine its full impact on Illinois, but we know that Illinois will receive a larger percentage of funds than in previous bills and obtain more revenue back from Washington. As a result, Illinois will move from 7th in the nation to 6th in overall highway transportation dollars received from the federal government.

"This investment will help us continue to fund safety improvements across Illinois, bolster all modes of transportation, increase our seatbelt usage -- which stands at 93.6 percent -- and reduce roadway fatalities, which have remained under 1,000 in Illinois for each of the past three years. We will also continue to protect the environment while ensuring that projects move ahead as efficiently as possible.

"I look forward to President Barack Obama signing this important legislation, which will allow Illinois to continue moving forward to strengthen our transportation network and put more people to work."

Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will visit The Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria on Friday to announce a pilot program that will help domestic violence survivors receive free legal consultations using webcam technology. The Virtual Legal Clinic is being piloted at the Peoria center and the Crisis Center Foundation in Jacksonville, with plans to expand to additional locations. The two centers serve about 4,000 domestic violence survivors across seven counties annually.

TIME: 2 p.m.

DATE: Friday, June 29

PLACE: The Center for Prevention of Abuse, 720 West Joan Court, Peoria

Budget-neutral Braley provision dedicates more funds to cracking down on reckless drivers

Washington, D.C. - In a unanimous, bipartisan vote late last night, the US House of Representatives added an amendment authored by Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) to a key transportation funding bill requiring the federal government to devote at least $10 million to helping states enforce traffic laws that punish reckless drivers for illegally passing stopped school buses.

The amendment is completely budget-neutral because it simply redirects operations funding for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to school bus traffic law enforcement.

"Kadyn's Amendment", which passed last night by unanimous voice vote, is named after 7-year-old Kadyn Halverson, who was fatally struck by a pickup truck in May 2011 as she crossed the street to board her school bus near Northwood, Iowa.  The provision devotes $10 million of federal funding for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to strengthening the enforcement of existing state laws prohibiting drivers from passing stopped school buses that have warning lights flashing and stop arms extended.

"When reckless drivers ignore warnings and pass stopped school buses, children's lives are put at risk," Braley said.  "The budget-neutral 'Kadyn's Amendment' will strengthen the enforcement of laws punishing drivers who ignore school bus warning lights without costing taxpayers another penny.  This measure will help save lives and convince drivers to slow down and act more responsibly around kids and schools.

"Today, Kadyn's memory has brought together an often divided Congress to make our streets safer for our kids as they head off to school.  As a father of three, I know how important that is."

Iowa Rep. Tom Latham (IA-04) authored the transportation funding bill that Kadyn's Amendment was attached to.  Braley and Latham worked together to gain support for the amendment from the full House, and Latham's support was essential to its passage.

In March, Braley introduced Kadyn's Act, a bill modeled after Iowa's new law of the same name, to require states to strengthen penalties for drivers who pass stopped school buses or risk losing federal highway funding.  Even with the passage of Kadyn's Amendment this week, Braley will continue work to pass Kadyn's Act.

The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services estimates that cars illegally pass stopped school buses 13 million times per year.  An average of 16 children per year are killed by drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses.