SPRINGFIELD, IL (09/17/2010)(readMedia)-- The New Madrid Seismic Zone was the subject of a three-day conference here in which movers and shakers from all over the country, and Central and South America, met to plan for the eventuality of a major earthquake.

More than 250 National Guard leaders from more than 30 states - including Illinois and the seven other states that would be most affected by a major earthquake along the infamous fault line that once moved the mighty Mississippi River in 1812-met Sept. 14 to 16 to discuss capabilities, shortfalls and response planning.

Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee are all members of the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC), whose mission is the reduction of deaths, injuries, property damage and economic losses resulting from earthquakes in the central United States.

The workshop was held at the National Guard Bureau's Professional Education Center, on Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Ark., and included presentations by CUSEC, the National Emergency Management Association, the Arkansas Geological Survey, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Southern and Northern Commands. Even America's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, offered a look at its planned disaster response efforts.

It is widely accepted that an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 or greater would quickly absorb the response capabilities of each of the directly-affected states. According to Brig. Gen. Steven P. Huber, Land Component Commander and Director of the Joint Staff for the Illinois National Guard, the main focus of the workshop was to proactively identify capabilities and gaps, and where the respective states could turn for help.

"I think the value is in getting to meet the people within the regions, specifically the folks around the impact area, and to do some coordinating," said Huber, a Chicago native. "We can talk about what we can bring to the table as well as what we feel we need. We would rather get to know these people and shake their hand here than at the scene of an incident."

Dr. Paul Stockton, the assistant secretary of defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs, was the keynote speaker on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Stockton gave a comprehensive presentation, centering on a unity of effort concept between the federal government, active duty military units, National Guard units, state governments and local emergency managers.

He led a discussion following his remarks, where he sought input from everyone in the room as to how best achieve unity of effort in the face of a catastrophe such as an earthquake in the center of the country.

According to CUSEC, there were no seismological measurements in 1812, but recent studies and contemporary reports suggest the magnitude of the largest of four earthquakes centering near New Madrid, Mo., was approximately 7.8. Fortunately, in 1812 the area was sparsely populated with few buildings and supporting infrastructure.

Today, the region is home to millions of people, including those in the cities of St. Louis, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn. Adding to the danger, most structures in the region were not built to withstand earthquake shaking, as they have been in more seismically active areas like California.

According to Scott Ausbrooks of the Arkansas Geological Survey, one of the greatest dangers lies in the phenomenon of liquefaction, which occurs when loose, sandy, water-saturated soils are strongly shaken. According to Ausbrooks, the soils lose their capacity to bear any weight and can flow like a liquid.

Ausbrooks and many other experts in the room agreed that an earthquake of such magnitude would knock out communication and nearly all of the bridges in the Mississippi River basin in the affected states. Scientists estimate that a magnitude 6.0 or larger earthquake is overdue in the region and could hit the Mississippi Valley at any time.

"All of the available resources, military and civilian, will be consumed quickly," explained Maj. Gen. William Wofford, the adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. "We will be overwhelmed.

"The response needs are going to exceed all of the available military and civilian assets," said Wofford. "The affected states will need to look to other states to fulfill any shortfalls."

Emergency Management Assistance Compacts between the states were at the center of many discussions at the workshop.

"We have a number of handshake agreements, but we have a lot of work ahead of us," said Wofford. "We all came to the workshop to work and to plan, which is key, but it's a work in progress."

According to Wofford, the agreements hammered out this year will be reviewed next year, taking into account troop deployments and operations considerations in the responding states.

"The planning aspect is the real benefit of a workshop like this, and having the National Guard Bureau, the federal government, civilian agencies and supporting states here is invaluable," said Wofford. "We've communicated, we've coordinated and now we're cooperating."

A series of community meetings will take place to gather public input on a Comprehensive Plan for Davenport Parks and Recreation for the next 10 years.  There will be three meetings in total.

The first meeting took place from 6:30pm - 8:30pm on August 24 at the Davenport Junior Theater, 2815 Eastern Ave in Davenport.

The second meeting will take place on from 6:30pm - 8:30pm on September 7 at Duck Creek Lodge, 3000 E Locust St in Davenport.

The third meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 28 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm again at Junior Theater, 2815 Eastern Ave in Davenport.

The public is encouraged to attend these meetings.  Discussion topics will include golf, parks, facilities, programs, theater and the River's Edge.

Air Force Brigadier General Will Complete the Term of Retiring Brig. Gen. John P. Hughes.

SPRINGFIELD , IL (08/31/2010)(readMedia)-- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn appointed Illinois Air National Guard Brig. Gen. James W. Schroeder as the Assistant Adjutant General-Air Aug. 31.

Schroeder will complete the term of retiring Brig. Gen. John P. Hughes, which ends January 2011.

A pilot for American Airlines, Schroeder has served as the Illinois Air National Guard's chief of staff since July 2007 where he was responsible for assisting in command, control, and operations of all plans and programs for more than 3,000 Illinois Airmen located in Peoria, Springfield, and Scott Air Force Base.

"Brig. Gen. Schroeder brings a wealth of education, experience and expertise, both civilian and military, to the post," said Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "His leadership and expertise will be a valuable asset to me and all Illinois Airmen as we continue to support overseas missions and remain ready to respond to domestic emergencies."

Schroeder, a Westmont, Ill., native, currently residing in Geneva, commissioned in 1982 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School. Schroeder assisted in the initial setup of the aerial refueling training operation at Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany. His involvement helped pave the way for the on-going rotation of Air National Guard refueling units to the NATO base.

He most recently flew combat air patrol sorties in support of Operation Noble Eagle and flew combat support missions in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

"This is an opportunity to positively affect the lives of Illinois Airmen and their families, to build upon the great things we do day in and day out, and to strengthen those relationships with the communities we serve," said Schroeder.

Schroeder holds a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology from Western Illinois University and completed the Air War College in 2002.

For more information please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs office at 217-761-3569.

DIXON - After recent headlines of a court ruling in California that protects lying about military honors, Senator Shawn Hamerlinck (R-Dixon) filed legislation this week that prevents disingenuous Iowans from lying in order to profit from prestigious military awards, such as the Purple Heart.

In 2006 Congress passed the Stolen Valor Act which made it a federal crime to lie about receiving medals of honors from the United States military. On August 17th the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California ruled the Stolen Valor Act unconstitutional in a 2-1 vote citing it violates the First Amendment. The case is being appealed to the Supreme Court.

Appeals Judge Milan D. Smith wrote if the courts upheld the law, "then there would be no constitutional bar to criminalizing lying about one's height, weight, age or financial status on Match.com or Facebook, or falsely representing to one's mother that one does not smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, is a virgin, or has not exceeded the speed limit while driving on the freeway.  The sad fact is, most people lie about some aspects of their lives from time to time."

"If upheld as it currently stands, it becomes acceptable for individuals to lie about military service and honors of valor in order to profit in some way," stated Senator Shawn Hamerlinck (R-Dixon). "Demeaning the Congressional Metal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart to the weight recorded on a driver's license is appalling."

Per capita, Iowa has more active duty soldiers currently deployed than another other state in the nation. "In Iowa, those who volunteer for service are held at a higher regard than the credit offered by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California," Hamerlinck went on to say.  "Knowing that the U.S. Supreme Court process could take another two years, I have filed a Stolen Valor Act in Iowa and am confident that it will be embraced by the Legislature and win approval in the upcoming session."

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