by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q:        Why should people pay attention to National Farm Safety and Health Week?

A:        One of the busiest seasons of the year is fast approaching in Iowa.  Heads of household can breathe a sigh of relief.  It's not yet tax season.  Over the course of the next couple of months, tens of thousands of Iowa farmers, hired hands and grain haulers will harvest more than 22 million acres of crops.  Our state's economy and heritage is heavily anchored in agriculture.  When the fall harvest hits, it's good for Iowans to have a bit more patience behind the wheel when sharing the road with farm traffic.  It's the perfect time to emphasize to new drivers that the fluorescent orange emblem on the rear of a vehicle means to slow down.  And, it never hurts to make a mental note to appreciate the grain making its way to market is not only a farm family's livelihood.  It's helping to fuel, clothe and feed America, all the while invigorating the local economy.  For generations, farm families have understood the risk that comes with earning a living from the land, tending livestock and fixing what's broken, from fences to heavy machinery.  On a daily basis, farm safety is key to survival and livelihood.  Farm families, especially those with young children, understand that safety is a high priority all 365 days of the year.  National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 15-21, helps to draw attention to environmental safety, workplace precautions and emergency response practices that farming communities can put in place to keep families and their neighbors safe and sound.  Whether we live on the farm or in a town or city, it's a good reminder to take farm safety seriously.

Q:        What precautions are recommended?

A: As a farmer, I appreciate the job pressures that are handed down from one generation to the next.  During harvest season, farmers put in even longer hours and must deal with seemingly endless equipment breakdowns and uncooperative weather.  Just consider the drought has spread across nearly 42 percent of the state, impacting crop yields and adding more stress to a farmer's worries.  Injuries and illnesses also add to the uncertainty.  According to Farm Safety For Just Kids, a national farm safety organization based in Iowa, farmers are advised to secure the slow moving vehicle emblem on their farm equipment.  Be sure it's clean and visible.  Be mindful of flowing grain suffocation hazards while unloading in bins and wagons.  Take advantage of rollover protection, especially for older tractors.  Staying alert and getting enough sleep is perhaps the cheapest advice, but also the hardest to follow during the harvest season.  It's tempting to take short cuts or avoid a safety precaution when time seems more important.  Remember a golden rule of farming:  It's better to be safe than sorry.  Taking common sense precautions will help yield a safe, bountiful harvest.

Des Moines, September 13, 2013–On Friday, September 27, the Iowa Court of Appeals will hold a special ceremony to mark the retirement of Chief Judge Larry J. Eisenhauer. This public ceremony will be at 3:00 p.m. in the supreme court courtroom on the fourth floor of the Judicial Branch Building, 1111 E. Court Ave., Des Moines. Overflow seating will be available in the auditorium and elsewhere in the building.

Judge Eisenhauer was born in Emporia, Kansas, and received his undergraduate degree from Emporia State University in 1968. He then served in the United States Army for two years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, before attending Drake University Law School. After graduating in 1974, he practiced law privately and served as an associate juvenile judge from 1985 to 1993. He was appointed to the district court bench in 1993 and served as district court judge until his appointment to the court of appeals. He was selected chief judge in 2012. Judge Eisenhauer is a member of the Polk County, Iowa State, and American Bar Associations, and the Iowa Judges Association. Judge Eisenhauer is married, has two children, and one grandchild.

In 2005, Judge Eisenhauer volunteered for a six-month term as an international judge for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo. While there, he served as presiding judge on a three-judge panel in a case in which the defendants were charged with trafficking in human beings and rape, and he served as the investigating judge in a terrorism case.

In 2008, Judge Eisenhauer received the Iowa Judges Association Award of Merit. The award is given annually to recognize a judge who has made extraordinary contributions to the Iowa Judges Association and who has been a role model to new judges.

Media Advisory: The court will allow cameras and audio recording equipment in the courtroom subject to available space. If you wish to be present for the entire ceremony and have camera and recording equipment to install, please arrive twenty minutes in advance of the ceremony. If you wish to record only a portion of the proceedings inside the courtroom, please contact Steve Davis to make arrangements. The media room will also be open for use by the media. For questions about equipment set-up, contact Jim Evans at 281-5241.

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today participated in the USO Care Package Service Project in recognition of September 11^th being designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.  The event, hosted by the USO in the U.S. Capitol complex, brought together Members of Congress to assemble care packages, which will be delivered to Wounded Warriors.  Loebsack is a member of the USO Caucus and has participated in this event in past years.

"Twelve years ago our nation was attacked and we suffered one of the darkest moments of our history.  But just as the sun that was shining so brightly that Tuesday morning, in the minutes, days, and weeks that followed, our shared sense of unity, engagement and purpose shone through.  Whether it was the heroic first responders that rushed to the scene, the strangers who lined up to help survivors, or the communities that came together to mourn our tremendous loss but also reaffirm our country's strength, our country's enduring values and sprit were unshaken.

"As we pause to remember the events of that day, it is also important that we join together and play a part in moving our nation forward by participating in a service event in the community. Giving back to your community is a way to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.  Whether it is giving back to the service men and women who so bravely serve our nation, helping clean up a park in your neighborhood, or serving food to seniors through Meals on Wheels, your service is a living reminder of hope and gives comfort to those whose lives were forever changed.

"Everyone remembers where they were that morning, but let's also remember the families of all those we lost, the first responders who rushed to the scene, the volunteers who cleared rubble or lined up to donate blood, and our men and women in uniform who have made incredible sacrifices in defense of our nation. Our nation may have been shaken that morning, but we remain unbroken."

A photo of Congressman Loebsack preparing care packages can be seen here.

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CARBONDALE - September 11, 2013. On the 12^th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon is encouraging Illinois residents to participate in the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.

"As we pause to remember the tragedy that changed our nation forever, let us remember the extraordinary acts of courage and selflessness demonstrated by first responders," said Simon. "It is fitting that we honor these fire fighters, law enforcement officers and medical personnel who risked their own lives to save strangers, by taking time to serve others."

Simon is urging residents throughout Illinois to participate in the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, which was started in 2002. The service day is a means of honoring the men and women who responded to the attacks with sacrifice and compassion. Sept. 11 was officially designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act signed by President Obama.

"Today is a day to reflect and dedicate ourselves to helping others," said Simon. "By remembering the victims and honoring survivors through service in our communities, we are building a stronger tomorrow."

To learn more about Sept. 11 volunteer opportunities, or to learn about the more than 250,000 service projects available throughout the year, visit www.Serve.gov.

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