FRANKLIN, Tenn. – As part of the Union Sportsmen's Alliance's (USA) Work Boots on the Ground conservation program, members of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 81 and the Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC) volunteered their time and trade skills to complete a large-scale restoration of a handicap-accessible fishing pier and fishing house at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Iowa June 6.

To complete the restoration, approximately 60 volunteers spent more than 800 man hours painting and staining the pier and fishing house, repairing the fishing house roof and replacing the old doors and windows. This project also included pouring a concrete pad and walkway at a picnic area and replacing the plumbing, lighting and wiring in the restroom facility. While the bulk of the materials were purchased by funds previously raised at the 2015 Iowa Conservation Dinner, the volunteers also used approximately $2,300 worth of donated materials.

"These projects are valuable to the park in many ways," said Park Manager Josh Shipman. "They help the staff maintain heavily-used facilities, such as our fishing pier, while providing years of future use for anglers and other park users. By having skilled union members do the work, we are saving lots of money and time that can then be devoted to other areas of the park, while ensuring the work is done properly and professionally."

The union volunteers are equally happy about the project, according to IUPAT District Council 81 Business Manager Robert Gilmore.

"The lakes, parks and campgrounds are used by all Iowans, and by volunteering to repair or restore them, we are giving back, not only to our families, but we are ensuring these resources can be enjoyed for many more generations of Iowans," said Gilmore. "When we complete projects in the community, it reinforces the understanding that conservation, public land use and clean water are important to every citizen. That allows us to build bridges and foster working relationships."

The Central Iowa BCTC also plans to demolish an unused building and haul away the rubble later in the year, pending permits.

Through the USA's Work Boots on the Ground program, union members volunteer their time and trade skills to projects that conserve wildlife habitats, educate future generations of sportsmen and women, improve public access to the outdoors and restore America's cherished parks. For more information about Work Boots on the Ground, email USA Conservation Manager Ty Brown at tyb@unionsportsmen.org or call him at 615-831-6751.

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Consumer fireworks are illegal in Illinois, but each year tens of thousands of residents are found testing the law, sometimes leading to severe burns and injuries and costly fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association:

• In 2013, 11,400 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms in the United States, an increase of 31 percent from 2012.

  • Forty percent of those injuries occurred to children under the age of 15.

• In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires

  • On Independence Day in a typical year, fireworks account for two out of five of all reported fires, more than any other cause of fire.

• The risk of fire death relative to hours of usage is higher for fireworks than for cigarettes, making fireworks the riskiest consumer product

Although sparklers are legal for consumer use in Illinois, they too should be a major cause for concern because they burn at up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Each year, they cause burn injuries to more than 3,500 children and adults in the U.S.

"Sparklers are often viewed by the public as a 'safe' alternative to fireworks, so many adults place sparklers in the hands of children and are unaware of the dangers. The heat is enough to melt glass or even aluminum and easily causes third-degree burns to humans," states IFSA Executive Director Philip Zaleski.

"Independence Day should be a cause for celebration, but it should be celebrated in a safe manner that does not put people's health and lives at risk," adds Zaleski. "If you want to see fireworks, go to a public show that is operated by professionals."

To read more about the dangers of fireworks and sparklers, please visit www.IFSA.org/education-prevention/fireworks.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same sex couples have the right to marry, no matter where the live.

"Iowans are no strangers to being on the forefront of fighting for greater civil rights. We have long strived for equality, whether it is based on race, gender or sexual orientation. That is why I am thrilled that the Supreme Court today struck down state laws that discriminate against gay and lesbian couples, effectively legalizing marriage between two people of the same sex nationwide. This is a momentous day in civil rights history, and I am so happy that same-sex couples are one important step closer to the equality they deserve."

WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Senator Chris Coons, Congressman J. Randy Forbes and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene have relaunched the Congressional Trademark Caucus in an effort to support the vital role trademarks and legitimate Internet website domain names play in the U.S. economy.

"The Congressional Trademark Caucus can help educate members of the House and Senate, as well our constituents, about the valuable role trademarks play in the global marketplace.  The Caucus will be focusing on a number of items to increase awareness and foster public dialogue about the value trademarks have in our economy and the risks associated with counterfeit goods.  Consumers should know the dangers of purchasing fake and potentially unsafe products," Grassley said.

"Trademarks are a bedrock of our economy and one of the critical ways in which American companies distinguish themselves from competing products around the world," said Coons. "When our trademarks are open to attack, our economy and national security are put at real risk. The Congressional Trademark Caucus will work hard in both the House and the Senate to build support among policymakers and consumers for protecting our trademarks and fighting against intellectual property theft."

"Protecting American trademark holders not only impacts consumer safety, but also the economic well-being and national security of our country," Forbes said.  "As a member of both the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, I am acutely aware of the ripple effects that trademark counterfeiting and infringement have across industry lines, and the concerted efforts necessary to protect American consumers by curtailing counterfeit products entering the U.S. I am pleased to join my fellow Co-Chairs in taking a leadership role in shaping policy to combat trademark counterfeiting, and ensuring the United States remains both competitive and secure."

"Trademark counterfeiting and Internet domain name theft activity is a threat to our economy and national security, and it cannot be ignored. It damages brand owners large and small, posing health and safety threats to consumers," DelBene said. "As a member of the House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet, I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow Co-Chairs to broaden the focus on trademark counterfeiting efforts across industry sectors and to make it a priority for policymakers to focus on the serious harm trademark counterfeit products pose to the health and safety of American consumers."

The caucus is looking to support congressional committees with jurisdiction over trademark Intellectual property, with special attention to consumer issues; help increase awareness among Congress, the media and the public about trademarks' importance to global commerce; play a role in creating public policy dialogues on the responsibilities of state and federal governments and brand owners in decreasing the presence of counterfeit goods in the marketplace; and highlight trademark protection in discussions between the U.S. and other nations and world governing bodies.