WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Scott County has been awarded a $234,683 grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.  Harkin has been a steadfast supporter of the grant program, which funds many drug fighting initiatives across the state.  Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"The people who put their lives on the line for us deserve our support and our gratitude," said Harkin. "This grant will help to keep them on the job, working to keep drugs off the street and our communities safe."

Details of the grant are as follows:

$234,683 to Scott County for the HIDE Unit, operating under the Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group (QCMEG). The county's goal is to reduce the amount of illegal narcotics available to the public and arrest those who distribute illegal narcotics.

The Byrne Grant Program, named after a police officer killed by a violent drug gang twenty years ago, is the only source of federal funding for multi-jurisdictional efforts to prevent and fight crime.  The program funds drug task forces that have been vital in reducing methamphetamine labs in Iowa and around the country. Byrne also helps pay for police, technology and crime prevention programs. The grants have resulted in major innovations in crime control, including drug courts, gang prevention strategies and prisoner reentry programs.

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RIVERSIDE, IOWA -- Thanks to the generosity of Dollar Tree, Inc., Operation Homefront Iowa is providing backpacks filled with back-to-school supplies to military families in need, including active duty, active reserve, and National Guard personnel.

"We are delighted to have the support of Dollar Tree as we work to assist military families in need. School is important to children's long-term success in life, and these supplies can make a big difference in the lives of children as they prepare to return to school," said Chapter President Michelle Reuss.

In addition, Congressman Dave Loebsack will be at the American Legion facility in Swisher on August 14 from 4-5 pm to help prepare backpacks. He will be at the same lo

Military families interested in participating in the program must first register online at: https://www.operationhomefront.net/chapter_root/chapter_backpack_form.asp?Chapter_ID=25.

Additional sponsors for this program include Hanover Direct and General Dynamics. Operation Homefront extends a warm thank you for the generosity of these organizations.

About Operation Homefront

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) will be traveling across the state this month on the Building Iowa's Future tour. This future of Iowa includes one where all Iowans will have access to affordable, quality health care and preventive care that can reduce chronic disease and rein in high health care costs; a future where Iowa leads the green economy and where our heroes get the benefits they deserve.

Senator Harkin will post daily entries chronicling his trip on his Senate website at http://harkin.senate.gov/.

Details of events from August 8th through August 14th are below.

Saturday, August 8th - Des Moines

2:00pm: Harkin will visit Des Moines Primary Health Care, Inc., 1200 University Ave, Des Moines.

Harkin will visit Des Moines Primary Health Care to discuss progress being made on health reform in Washington and the important role Community Health Centers play in our state.

Sunday, August 9th - Ottumwa

Noon: Harkin will attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Job Corps Center with Labor Secretary Solis at the Industrial Airport Complex, Ottumwa.

Senator Tom Harkin will join U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Job Corps Center in Ottumwa. Harkin worked to secure $25 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Recovery Act, for the completion of the Ottumwa Center.

Monday, August 10th - Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City

9:15am: Harkin will visit Peoples Community Health Center, 905 Franklin St, Waterloo.

Harkin will visit Peoples Community Health Center to discuss progress being made on health reform in Washington and the important role Community Health Centers play in our state.

11:30am: Harkin will attend the Grand Opening of Linn Community Care Center, 1201 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids.

Harkin will attend the grand opening of the Linn Community Care Center. Harkin has been an ardent supporter of Iowa's 13 federally-funded Community Health Centers, obtaining funds for the facilities' construction, equipment purchases, and dental expansions through his work on the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

2:00pm: Harkin will Present Military Medals to Veterans, American Legion Post #17, 3016 Muscatine Ave, Iowa City.

Harkin, who is a Navy veteran, has been a leader in the Senate in calling on the Department of Defense to improve the process for issuing military medals. These medals are being presented to the families of Kenneth Hein, Harlan Henely, Richard Donegan and Clarence Davis. In 1999 Harkin added an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that directed the Secretary of Defense to eliminate the backlog in decoration requests. Since then, delays in receiving medals have been greatly reduced.

Monday, August 11th - Bettendorf, Davenport

9:00am: Harkin will visit Eastern Iowa Community College's Nursing Program, 500 Belmont Rd, Bettendorf.

Harkin will visit Eastern Iowa Community College's Nursing Program to discuss how the Senate health reform bill will increase the medical workforce with incentives for more doctors and nurses.

2:00pm: Harkin will Present Military Medals to Veterans at the Center for Active Seniors Inc.(CASI), 1035 W. Kimberly Rd, Davenport

Harkin, who is a Navy veteran, has been a leader in the Senate in calling on the Department of Defense to improve the process for issuing military medals. These medals are being presented to John Bohy, as well as the families of Wayne Simmons and Richard Williamson. In 1999 Harkin added an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill which directed the Secretary of Defense to eliminate the backlog in decoration requests. Since then, delays in receiving medals have been greatly reduced.

Wednesday, August 12th - Storm Lake, Ft. Dodge, Story City

10:30am: Harkin will Attend Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for United Community Health Center, 630 Ontario St., Storm Lake.

Harkin will visit United Community Health Center to discuss progress being made on health reform in Washington and the important role Community Health Centers play in our state.

1:30pm: Harkin will visit Ft. Dodge Community Health Center, 126 N. 10th St., Ft. Dodge.

Harkin will visit Ft. Dodge Community Health Center to discuss progress being made on health reform in Washington and the important role Community Health Centers play in our state.

3:30pm: Main Street Tour, 602 Broad St., Story City

Harkin has secured a total of $55,000 in federal funds to revitalize the Story City Herald Building and the Charlson Buildings. Built in 1898, the Charlson Building, initially known as the Swan Building, has stood as a cornerstone at the center of Story City's downtown district for over 100 years. The funds will be used to renovate the commercial and residential spaces, and put an end to the ongoing deterioration of the building, with a new roof, tuck pointing and the addition of a basement floor. To date, Harkin has secured nearly $4 million for the Main Street Iowa program, which preserves the character and vitality of Iowa's small towns by providing communities with the grants to help revitalize their main streets.

4:00pm: Renewable Energy from the Heartland Event, NextEra Energy Resources, I-35 Business Park (exit 124 off I-35), Story City

Harkin will tour this facility and visit with company and local elected officials about their collaborative work on this project. Harkin will use the opportunity to see the major components of a gear box that generates the power produced in the wind turbines around the state. NextEra Energy Resources, the largest wind and solar energy producer in North America, broke ground on the Generation Repair and Service (GRS) facility in April.

Iowa has been a national leader in renewable energy and green collar jobs. The state currently ranks second in wind energy generation with nearly 3,043 megawatts from 2,136 turbines across the state. Iowa also leads the nation in wind generation as percentage of its total power output at 15 percent.

Thursday, August 13th - Des Moines, Mason City

9:00am: Harkin will attend the Iowa State Fair, State Fairgrounds, Des Moines

Harkin will participate in a number of events at the Iowa State Fair, including serving as a guest chef at the Iowa Pork Producers tent on Grand Avenue at 11 A.M.

5:45pm: Main Street Tour, 7 North Federal Ave., Mason City

Harkin will take a walking tour of Mason City and visit the Parker Opera House, Park Inn Hotel and the Lundberg Building. Harkin has been able to secure a total of $110,000 in federal funds to revitalize the Parker Opera House Building and convert the old Lundberg Building into four residential apartments. Each unit of the Lundberg Building will be equipped with energy efficient equipment, using "green" practices wherever possible for long-term sustainability. To date, Harkin has secured nearly $4 million for the Main Street Iowa program, which preserves the character and vitality of Iowa's small towns by providing communities with the grants to help revitalize their main streets.

In addition to the two Main Street stops, Harkin will visit the Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank site. Harkin secured $393,760 for the rehabilitation of the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is next to the Park Inn Hotel, the only remaining hotel in America designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Friday, August 14th - Mason City

9:00am: Harkin will visit North Iowa Area Community College, 500 College Dr., 104 H McAllister Hall, Mason City.

Harkin will visit North Iowa Area Community College's Nursing Program to discuss how the Senate health reform bill will increase the medical workforce with incentives for more doctors and nurses.

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Bettendorf, IA - Jessica Palmer, Director of Marketing and Research at the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CRACVB) will be speaking to local public relations, marketing and media professionals on August 20, 2009 at 3:00 pm at the Quad City Area REALTOR Association office located at 1900 State Street, Bettendorf, IA on behalf of the Public Relations Society of America - Quad Cities Chapter.

Jessica will be speaking about the Cedar Rapids flood and the overall crisis response from your organization to the citizens and businesses.  Also she will talk about what was done as a city to overcome the devastation and how the community retained and encouraged area businesses to stay in the community after the floods.

PRSA members, Local Public Relations, Marketing and Media professionals, students, and the general public are invited to hear Jessica discuss the CRACVB's response and overall role in this crisis.

Jessica Palmer is currently director of marketing and research for the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CRACVB). Her responsibilities include working with community and partner organizations to support regional needs. She is responsible for strategic planning, marketing and communication activities. Prior to joining the CRACVB, Jessica was manager of communication and research with Priority One.

Jessica serves as a board member of YPIowa, Co-chair of ImpactCR, Chair of the Corridor MPO MAC, Cedar Rapids Area Recovery and Reinvestment Coordinating Team, Rebuild Iowa Economic and Workforce Development Taskforce, United Way Young Leaders Society Committee, Cedar Rapids Downtown District Committee, Eastern Iowa Marketing Roundtable and is a 2008 graduate of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber Leadership for Five Seasons program. In 2007, Jessica was named as one the region's "40 Under 40" by the Corridor Business Journal. A Cedar Rapids native, Jessica earned a B.S. in business marketing from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids.

The Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CRACVB) is the area's official destination management organization. The CRACVB is entering its fourth decade of operation. Over the past 30 years, the CRACVB has played a variety of roles in the community from destination marketing leader, to event developer, to facility development advocate.

Formed in 1978, the Quad Cities Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America serves public relations and communications professionals throughout the greater Quad Cities region. The chapter offers programs, resources and networking opportunities for area PRSA members.  www.qcprsa.org

To RSVP for this event please email Cissy Wendt, Chapter Administrator at qcprsa@gmail.com