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April 17, 2009 for yesterday's ticker entries click here



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April 17, 2009

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Attorney
    General honors former boss Reno

    Posted: 06:40 PM ET

    By Terry Frieden

    CNN Justice Producer

    
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Eight years and
    three months after then-Attorney General Janet Reno hugged her
    Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder goodbye, now Attorney General
    Holder warmly embraced his former boss at ceremonies honoring
    Reno’s career achievements.

    

    Sen.
    Christopher Dodd's (D-CT) Financial Donors Extend Steady Support

    Sen. Christopher Dodd's (D-CT) shaky status in Connecticut hasn't
    scared away too many donors, CQ Politics reports. The five-term
    incumbent reported just over $1 million in total receipts in
    the first three months of 2009 and has $1.4 million in the bank.


    

    Democrats
    Field Top Tier Challenger in FL-10

    The St. Petersburg Times reports state Sen. Charlie Justice (D)
    will challenge Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-FL) in 2010 in Florida's
    10th congressional district. 

    

    Democrats
    Hold Big Lead in Generic Ballot Test

    The latest Cook Political Report/RT Strategies poll finds Democrats
    with an 11-point lead over Republicans, 49% to 38%, in a generic
    congressional ballot test.

    

    Big
    Early Money for Frontline Democrats

    "Raise money early" is probably the most oft-repeated
    advice given to the 40 House Democrats singled out by party officials
    to receive special assistance, as they prepare to defend against
    potentially serious challenges in the 2010 elections.

    


    Dean
    Mends Fences with Emanuel

    Former DNC Chairman Howard Dean told The Hill that he recently
    had lunch with White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, "signaling
    a thaw in their once icy relationship."

    

    
Cuba
    Wants Discussions with United States

    The Cuban government is prepared to meet with the Obama administration,
    CNN reports.

    
Said Cuban president Raúl Castro:
    "We've told the North American government, in private and
    in public, that we are prepared, wherever they want, to discuss
    everything -- human rights, freedom of the press, political prisoners
    -- everything, everything, everything that they want to discuss."

    

    
Afghanistan:
    Supplemental Appropriations Request, NATO Support for the new
    U.S. Strategy, and a Comparison of Counterinsurgency in Iraq
    and Afghanistan

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Afghanistan MiPAL has been updated with a supplemental appropriations
    request by the White House, including the text of the President's
    letter to Congress regarding the need for more funding for military
    operations in Afghanistan, a Council on Foreign Relations interview
    with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the nonmilitary
    commitments needed from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
    in Afghanistan, a Council on Foreign Relations article evaluating
    the new U.S. policy toward Afghanistan, an Institute for Defence
    Studies and Analyses report assessing the North Atlantic Treaty
    Organization's support for the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan,
    an Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit report arguing for
    enhanced international partnerships to deliver development aid
    to Afghanistan, a Heritage Foundation report on the handling
    of Afghanistan at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's 60th
    Anniversary Summit, a European Council on Foreign Relations report
    analyzing the strategy behind the recent "surge" of
    European military forces in Afghanistan, and a Center for Naval
    Analysis report evaluating the strategic requirements for operations
    in Afghanistan as compared to those in Iraq, based on an assessment
    of differences in demographics and insurgency trends. Please
    see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
    country - the newest updates are in bold.
 

    



    
National
    Security Strategy: The Threat of Piracy to U.S. National Interests,
    U.S. Engagement with the Muslim World, and Strategy for Stability
    Operations

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The National Security Strategy MiPAL has been updated with a
    Department of Defense briefing detailing the rescue of an American
    ship captain from pirates and the threat of piracy to U.S. national
    interests, the White House's Fiscal Year 2009 supplemental appropriations
    request for the support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi
    Freedom, a report from the Department of Defense's Inspector
    General evaluating the use of Global War on Terror supplemental
    funding, remarks by the President at a student roundtable in
    Istanbul, Turkey on the benefits of enhanced U.S. engagement
    with the Muslim world, remarks by the Secretary of Defense and
    the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff elaborating on
    the Secretary's recommendations for the Department of Defense's
    FY 2010 budget, and a transcript of a Brookings Institution event
    featuring remarks by the Commander of the Combined Arms Center
    and the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy on the U.S. Army's
    strategy for stability operations. Please see the Recently Added
    Documents section for the latest on this topic - the newest updates
    are in bold.

    
North
    Korea: Additional Reaction to North Korea's Missile Launch and
    Options for Future Diplomatic Engagement with North Korea

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The North Korea MiPAL has been updated with remarks by the U.S.
    Permanent Representative to the United Nations articulating the
    U.S. position on the North Korean launch, a Council on Foreign
    Relations article outlining options for future diplomatic engagement
    with North Korea, a Brookings Institution article analyzing the
    North Korean launch as a tactical and strategic failure, an EastWest
    Institute article evaluating North Korea's motivations behind
    the carrying out the launch despite the anticipated international
    reaction, and an Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses article
    assessing the regional security implications of the launch. Please
    see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
    country - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Africa:
    15th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, and an Evaluation of
    Political Governance Issues

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Africa Regional Policy Overview has been updated with statements
    from the President and the U.S. Permanent Representative to the
    United Nations on the 15th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda,
    a Council on Foreign Relations article assessing Africa's vulnerabilities
    with regard to governance and globalization, an S. Rajaratnam
    School of International Studies article evaluating the potential
    consequences of the International Criminal Court's ruling to
    arrest the Sudanese president, reports from the Institute for
    Security Studies analyzing the future legislative prospects of
    the Pan-African Parliament and measuring the impact of sanctions
    and embargoes in Africa, especially in the case of Somalia, and
    reports from the South African Institute of International Affairs
    identifying common political governance issues in Africa and
    evaluating the state of governance in Africa. Please see the
    Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this region
    - the newest updates are in bold.
 

    
East
    Asia and the Pacific: Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations
    2009 Joint Communiqué, Japan's Political and Economic
    Challenges, and Current Security Challenges in the Asia-Pacific
    Region

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The East Asia and the Pacific Regional Policy Overview has been
    updated with a briefing by the Secretaries of State and Defense,
    along with their Australian counterparts, on the U.S.-Australian
    partnership for global security and regional defense, the Australia-U.S.
    Ministerial Consultations 2009 Joint Communiqué, a Government
    Accountability Office report urging decisive action to address
    challenges in Guam caused by Department of Defense-related growth,
    remarks by the Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister of
    New Zealand on U.S.-New Zealand security cooperation, a State
    Department release on the U.S.-New Zealand Arrangement for Cooperation
    on Nonproliferation Assistance, remarks by the Deputy Secretary
    of State on current security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region,
    an American Enterprise Institute report assessing Japan's political
    and economic challenges and their potential impact on Japan's
    role in the global community, an Institute for Defence Studies
    and Analyses article on Japan's response to maritime piracy,
    an Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis report evaluating the
    impact of the U.S.-Japan alliance on U.S. and Asian approaches
    to nuclear deterrence, and a report from the S. Rajaratnam School
    of International Studies and the Australian Strategic Policy
    Institute analyzing the threat of terrorist uses of the Internet
    in Southeast Asia and proposing strategies to counter online
    radicalization at national and regional levels. Please see the
    Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this region
    - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Western
    Hemisphere: U.S.-Mexico Partnership, and the Upcoming Summit
    of the Americas

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Western Hemisphere Regional Policy Overview has been updated
    with State Department fact sheet on the U.S.-Mexico partnership,
    a White House statement on the importance of the Summit of the
    Americas on efforts to build partnerships in the Western Hemisphere,
    a White House briefing discussing potential issues on the agenda
    at the Summit, transcripts of Brookings Institution events evaluating
    Latin America's challenges with drugs and governance and examining
    the policy choices available to the Obama Administration in Latin
    America, a Center for Security Policy article analyzing the potential
    impact of the communist Faribundo Marti National Liberation Front
    party's control of El Salvador, a Foreign Policy in Focus article
    evaluating the Obama Administration's policy in Latin America,
    a Centre for International Governance Innovation report arguing
    for a greater emphasis on the Caribbean states during the Summit
    of the Americas, and a Heritage Foundation article calling for
    more engagement with Mexico on the issues of drugs and arms trafficking,
    border security, and free trade. Please see the Recently Added
    Documents section for the latest on this region - the newest
    updates are in bold.

    
China:
    The Impact of China's Industrial Policy on the American Economy

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The China MiPAL has been updated with a Jamestown Foundation
    article assessing the threat of Jihad in China, an S. Rajaratnam
    School of International Studies article detailing China's military
    ambition to build aircraft carriers, a Brookings Institution
    article evaluating the potential prospects for political reform
    in China following the current period of economic trouble and
    domestic instability, a hearing before the U.S.-China Economic
    and Security Review Commission analyzing the impact of China's
    industrial policy on the American economy, an Institute for Defence
    Studies and Analyses article assessing China's maritime power
    in the fight against piracy, and a South African Institute of
    International Affairs report examining China's influence on energy
    sectors in Africa. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
    for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Homeland
    Security: Should the Homeland Security Council be Merged with
    the National Security Council?

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Homeland Security MiPAL has been updated with a Department
    of Homeland Security report documenting the final allocations
    of the first round of Fiscal Year 2009 preparedness grants designed
    to improve readiness against terrorism, natural disasters, and
    other emergencies, along with explanatory remarks by the Homeland
    Security Secretary, a Heritage Foundation article proposing the
    integration of the Homeland Security Council with the National
    Security Council, a Congressional hearing evaluating the capability
    of the National Capital Region to handle a disaster, and a Brookings
    Institution report assessing the commercial and security-related
    challenges inherent in managing the U.S.-Canada border. Please
    see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
    topic - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Russia:
    The Current State of Russia's Relations with the European Union

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Russia MiPAL has been updated with a Jamestown Foundation
    article assessing Russia's perspective on U.S. nonproliferation
    efforts, a Monterey Institute of International Studies report
    evaluating Russia's position on nuclear disarmament issues, a
    special report from the Heritage Foundation detailing U.S. policy
    issues relating to Russia's security, regional relations, economy,
    energy security, and domestic political situation, a transcript
    of a Brookings Institution event examining U.S. and Russian roles
    in pushing global financial and energy security agendas, a Centre
    for European Policy Studies report evaluating what Russia's recent
    conflict in the South Caucasus reveals about Russia's military
    power and regional influence, and a German Council on Foreign
    Relations article analyzing the current state of Russia-European
    Union relations. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
    for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
 

    
Weapons
    of Mass Destruction: U.S. Efforts to Stop the Spread of Nuclear
    Weapons and Strengthen the Nonproliferation Regime

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Weapons of Mass Destruction MiPAL has been updated with the
    President's statement to the 2009 Carnegie International Nonproliferation
    Conference, detailing U.S. efforts to stop the spread of nuclear
    weapons and strengthen the nonproliferation regime and declaring
    the U.S. intention to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty,
    a report from the Nuclear Weapons Complex Consolidation Policy
    Network evaluating U.S. strategic posture on nuclear weapons
    and current nuclear weapons activities and advancing recommendations
    for the Obama Administration as it revises the U.S. nuclear strategy
    and force posture, a report from the Federation of American Scientists
    and the Natural Resources Defense Council arguing that there
    is a need for a new U.S. nuclear policy to complement international
    deterrence goals, a Canadian International Council report assessing
    what the Bush Administration's tailoring of U.S. nuclear capabilities
    with the end goal of ensuring nuclear superiority and strategic
    advantage means for the development of the Obama Administration's
    nuclear policy, and a Henry L. Stimson Center report examining
    France and the United Kingdom's perspectives on nuclear disarmament.
    Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest
    on this topic - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Europe
    and Eurasia: Turkey's Potential Constructive Role in the Middle
    East Peace Process

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Europe and Eurasia Regional Policy Overview has been updated
    with an International Crisis Group report evaluating the challenges
    facing Turkey and Armenia's efforts to transform their diplomatic
    relations and open the land border, President Obama's remarks
    with students in Istanbul, Turkey, a Council on Foreign Relations
    article examining Turkey's potential to play a constructive role
    in the Mideast peace process, the Secretary of State's remarks
    on the U.S.-Norwegian partnership against global threats, an
    Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses report examining the
    utility and expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,
    a Foreign Policy Research Institute article detailing major issues
    and trends surrounding U.S.-European relations in 2009, a Brookings
    Institution report analyzing the impact of Turkey's troubled
    political economy and domestic politics on Turkish foreign policy,
    a transcript of a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
    event evaluating the prospects for the development of a common
    European security space, and a Chatham House report assessing
    the United Kingdom's reaction to the national security threats
    posed by cyberspace. Please see the Recently Added Documents
    section for the latest on this region - the newest updates are
    in bold.

    
Iran:
    The Impact of Oil Prices on Iran's Economy

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Iran MiPAL has been updated with an Institute for Defence
    Studies and Analyses article evaluating the new Israeli government's
    policies on Iran and Iran's nuclear program, a Brookings Institution
    article assessing the impact of oil prices on Iran's economy,
    a United States Institute of Peace article examining U.S. efforts
    to engage diplomatically with Iran, a Council on Foreign Relations
    article analyzing the policies driving Iran's economy and the
    economic and diplomatic impacts of imposing additional sanctions,
    and a Center for Security Policy report detailing Iranian efforts
    to influence U.S. policy on Iran. Please see the Recently Added
    Documents section for the latest on this country - the newest
    updates are in bold.

    
Syria:
    The Future of U.S.-Syrian Relations

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Syria MiPAL has been updated with a Washington Institute
    for Near East Policy article analyzing the Obama administration's
    relations with Syria, an Arab Reform Bulletin article evaluating
    Syria's economic vulnerabilities and opportunities for political
    reform, a Brookings Institution article outlining the future
    of U.S.-Syrian relations, and a German Institute of Global and
    Area Studies report examining the authoritarian regime in Syria
    under Hafez and Bashar Al-Asad. Please see the Recently Added
    Documents section for the latest on this country - the newest
    updates are in bold.

    
Near
    East and North Africa: The U.S. Defense Partnership with Lebanon,
    Constitutional Reform in Bahrain, and U.S. Relations with Morocco

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Near East and North Africa Regional Policy Overview has been
    updated with a statement by the Special Envoy for Middle East
    Peace on the U.S. relationship with Morocco and on the goal of
    a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a Washington
    Institute for Near East Policy article assessing challenges to
    border security along the Egyptian border with Gaza, a Foreign
    Press Center briefing by State and Defense Department officials
    discussing the U.S. defense partnership with Lebanon, Arab Reform
    Bulletin articles examining the involvement of Hamas in Israeli-Palestinian
    peace negotiations and evaluating the potential for constitutional
    reform in Bahrain, and a transcript of a Brookings Institution
    event assessing the potential impact of the new Israeli government
    on efforts to repair Israeli-Palestinian relations and establish
    peace in Gaza. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
    for the latest on this region - the newest updates are in bold.
 

    
Western
    Hemisphere: Reaching Out to the Cuban People

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Western Hemisphere Regional Policy Overview has been updated
    with the Secretary of State's remarks on the urgent need for
    regional and international support for Haiti, a press briefing
    with White House and National Security Council officials outlining
    the President's policy agenda at the Summit of the Americas,
    a White House press briefing and White House fact sheet detailing
    the President's steps to lift all restrictions on the ability
    of individuals to visit family members in Cuba and on Cuba's
    political and human rights situations, and a Brookings Institution
    report proposing policy recommendations for the U.S. at the Summit
    of the Americas. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
    for the latest on this region - the newest updates are in bold.

    Transformation:
    Impact of the Defense Budget for 2010 on Defense Modernization
    Efforts

    from MERLN - Military Education Research Library Network 

    The Transformation MiPAL has been updated with briefings by the
    Secretary of Defense and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
    of Staff on the impact of the defense budget for Fiscal Year
    2010 on weapons systems and programs developed to enhance defense
    modernization efforts, Congressional hearings evaluating the
    U.S. military's handling of the challenges associated with irregular
    warfare, examining the current status of the Army's Future Combat
    Systems Program, and analyzing the requirements for transforming
    the capabilities of U.S. maritime forces, a RAND Corporation
    report proposing a new joint warfighting concept based on doctrinal
    and technical issues observed during combat operations in Iraq
    and Afghanistan, and an Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
    article detailing India's initiatives to transform their Army
    Officer Corps. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
    for the latest on this topic - the newest updates are in bold.

    
North
    Korea: UN Security Council's Condemnation of North Korea's Missile
    Launch

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The North Korea MiPAL has been updated with a British Broadcasting
    Corporation resource for the latest news on North Korea, a White
    House briefing on North Korea's provocative threats and international
    commitments, statements from the White House press secretary
    and the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations supporting
    the United Nations Security Council condemnation of North Korea's
    latest missile launch, an Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
    article examining regional reaction to North Korea's defiance
    of the international community, and the President's remarks stating
    that it is North Korea's aim "to threaten countries near
    and far with weapons of mass destruction." Please see the
    Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country
    - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Haiti:
    Update on the Donors Conference

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Haiti MiPAL has been updated with the Secretary of State's
    remarks with the Haitian Prime Minister on the U.S. commitment
    to Haiti, the Secretary of State's remarks to the Haiti Donors
    Conference on urgent need for regional and international support
    for Haiti, and a Center for Strategic and International Studies
    article outlining key background information on the Haiti Donors
    Conference. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for
    the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Afghanistan:
    Strategic Options for Integrating Reconciliation with the Taliban
    into a Grand Strategy

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Afghanistan MiPAL has been updated with remarks by the Secretary
    of Defense on funding requirements for operations in Afghanistan,
    a series of Congressional hearings examining the new strategy
    in Afghanistan and Pakistan and evaluating the impact of the
    use and misuse of reconstruction funding on operations in Afghanistan,
    a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace report exploring
    strategic options for integrating reconciliation attempts with
    the Taliban into a grand strategy in Afghanistan, an Afghanistan
    Research and Evaluation Unit report detailing policymaking considerations
    concerning Afghanistan's rural development, and a Council on
    Foreign Relations article comparing expert views on the feasibility
    of negotiating with the Taliban. Please see the Recently Added
    Documents section for the latest on this country - the newest
    updates are in bold.
 

    
RUSSIA:
    Excerpts from Speech at Meeting of the Council for Civil Society
    Institutions and Human Rights

    
from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service 

    “In the crisis situation, we need to reflect on how to build
    confidence between the authorities and civil society, because
    we will not get through the crisis without it.”

    
Joint
    News Conference following Russian-Azerbaijani Talks

    
from Kremlin.Ru: Unified Wire Service 

    “Even though we currently face this economic crisis, we
    still have to think about future energy security guarantees.
    We have said on many occasions that we support the conclusion
    of full-fledged conventions in this area and the establishment
    of the right kind of international rules and comprehensive mutually
    advantageous relations between countries and their companies.
    Gas cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan could become an
    example of precisely this kind of cooperation.”

    
GAO-09-583R,
    Addressing Significant Vulnerabilities in the Department of State's
    Passport Issuance Process, April 13, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    A genuine U.S. passport is a vital document, permitting its owner
    to travel freely into and out of the United States, prove U.S.
    citizenship, obtain further identification documents, and set
    up bank accounts, among other things. Since May 2005, we have
    issued several reports identifying significant fraud vulnerabilities
    in the passport issuance process. This report (1) describes our
    recent work on passport fraud and (2) summarizes actions ...

    
GAO-09-304SP,
    United States Government Accountability Office Fiscal Year 2010
    Performance Plan, April 13, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    This report presents the Government Accountability Office's (GAO)
    Performance Plan for Fiscal Year 2010. In the spirit of the Government
    Performance and Results Act, this annual plan informs the Congress
    and the American people about what we expect to accomplish on
    their behalf in the coming fiscal year. It sets forth our plan
    to make progress toward achieving our strategic goals for serving
    the Congress and the American people. This framework ...

    
GAO-09-289,
    Military Disability Retirement: Closer Monitoring Would Improve
    the Temporary Retirement Process, April 13, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    Service members found unfit for duty due to a service-related
    illness or injury may be eligible for military disability retirement.
    When their disability is not stable, however, they may be placed
    on the military's Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) and
    granted temporary benefits for as long as 5 years. GAO was asked
    to respond to concerns about TDRL caseloads, management, and
    impact on servicemembers. To address these concerns, we ...
 

    
GAO-09-321,
    Nuclear Security: Better Oversight Needed to Ensure That Security
    Improvements at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Are Fully
    Implemented and Sustained, March 16, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    In April 2008, the Department of Energy's (DOE) security inspection
    at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) found significant
    weaknesses, particularly in LLNL's protective force's ability
    to assure the protection of weapons-grade (special) nuclear material.
    LLNL is overseen by the National Nuclear Security Administration
    (NNSA), a separately organized agency within DOE, and managed
    by a contractor. NNSA is planning to remove most ...

    
GAO-09-207,
    Defined Benefit Plans: Proposed Plan Buyouts by Financial Firms
    Pose Potential Risks and Benefits, March 16, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    Some U.S. financial and pension consulting firms have recently
    proposed alternatives to terminating a defined benefit (DB) pension
    plan and contracting with insurance companies to pay promised
    benefits. In their proposals, a plan sponsor would typically
    transfer the assets and liabilities of a hard-frozen DB plan--one
    in which all participant benefit accruals have ceased--along
    with additional money, to a financial entity, which would become
    ...

    
GAO-09-507R,
    Small Business Administration's Implementation of Administrative
    Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvesment Act, April
    16, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA),
    Congress required the Small Business Administration (SBA) to
    implement a total of eight administrative provisions to help
    facilitate small business lending and enhance liquidity in the
    secondary markets. These administrative provisions include (1)
    temporarily requiring SBA to reduce or eliminate certain fees
    on 7(a) and 504 loans; (2) temporarily increasing the maximum
    7(a) ...

    
GAO-09-337,
    Maritime Security: Vessel Tracking Systems Provide Key Information,
    but the Need for Duplicate Data Should Be Reviewed, March 17,
    2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    U.S. ports, waterways, and coastal approaches are part of a system
    handling more than $700 billion in merchandise annually. With
    the many possible threats--including transportation and detonation
    of weapons of mass destruction, suicide attacks against vessels,
    and others--in the maritime domain, awareness of such threats
    could give the Coast Guard advance notice to help detect, deter,
    interdict, and defeat them and protect the U.S. homeland ...

    
GAO-09-278,
    Superfund: Greater EPA Enforcement and Reporting Are Needed to
    Enhance Cleanup at DOD Sites, March 13, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    Prior to the 1980s and the passage of environmental legislation--particularly
    the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
    Act (CERCLA) governing environmental cleanup--Department of Defense
    (DOD) activities contaminated millions of acres of soil and water
    on and near DOD sites. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
    which enforces CERCLA, places the most contaminated sites on
    its National Priorities List (NPL) ...
 

    GAO-09-469R,
    Military Personnel: Status of Accession, Retention, and End Strength
    for Military Medical Officers and Preliminary Observations Regarding
    Accession and Retention Challenges, April ...

    
GAO-09-411R,
    Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding:
    Perspectives and Observations, April 10, 2009

    
from GAO Reports 

    In November 2005, the President issued an executive order establishing
    the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding
    (OFC) with the broad mission of supporting recovery efforts following
    Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Given their vast size and impact,
    these storms presented unprecedented rebuilding challenges to
    federal, state, and local officials which, combined with concerns
    about the lack of coordination in government's ...

    
B-401197,
    Report to Congress on Bid Protests Involving Defense Procurements,
    April 9, 2009

    
from GAO Legal Products 

    This report responds to the direction from the Committee on Armed
    Services, House of Representatives, contained in the report on
    the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
    Year 2009. The committee directed the Comptroller General of
    the United States to review bid protests filed with the Government
    Accountability Office (GAO) during the last 5 years associated
    with procurement actions by the Department of Defense (DOD).
    ...

    
B-400951,
    MINACT, Inc., March 27, 2009

    
from GAO Legal Products 

    MINACT, Inc., of Jackson, Mississippi, protests the award of
    a contract to Dynamic Education Systems, Inc. (DESI), of Phoenix,
    Arizona, under request for proposals (RFP) No. S09F6LA009, issued
    by the Department of Labor (DOL) for operation of the Carville
    (Louisiana) Job Corps Center (JCC). MINACT challenges the evaluation
    of its proposal. We deny the protest.

    
GAO-09-545R,
    Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Power Reactor Security Requirements,
    April 10, 2009

    
from GAO Legal Products 

    GAO reviewed the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) new rule
    on power reactor security requirements. GAO found that (1) the
    final rule establishes and updates generically applicable security
    requirements similar to those imposed by NRC orders issued after
    the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, adds several new
    requirements developed as a result of insights gained from implementation
    of the security orders, and updates NRC's security ...
 

    
GAO-09-565R,
    Department of Veterans Affairs: Post-9/11 GI Bill, April 13,
    2009

    
from GAO Legal Products 

    GAO reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) new rule
    on the Post-9/11 GI Bill. GAO found that (1) the final rule established
    regulations regarding a new educational assistance program for
    individuals who served on active duty after September 11, 2001;
    and (2) that the VA complied with applicable requirements in
    promulgating the rule.

    GAO-09-592R,
    Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety
    Administration: Average Fuel Economy Standards Passenger Cars
    and Light Trucks Model Year 2011, April 15, 2009

    B-401075,
    RTI Technologies, LLC, April 15, 2009

    B-401017.2,
    FPM Remediations, Inc., April 16, 2009

    
Bernanke,
    Four Questions about the Financial Crisis

    
from FRB: Speeches 

    Speech at the Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia
 

    
Bernanke,
    Financial Innovation and Consumer Protection

    
from FRB: Speeches 

    Speech at the Federal Reserve System's Sixth Biennial Community
    Affairs Research Conference, Washington, D.C.

    Minutes
    of Federal Reserve Board discount rate meetings, February 9 through
    March 16, 2009

    FRB
    announces availability of new video "Lessons from a Storm"

    Federal
    Reserve Board announces availability of online Credit Card Repayment
    Calculator

    April
    17, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN from FMS Publications 

    Updated 4/17/2009: April 17, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN INVESTMENT
    PROGRAM NOTICE OF TRANSFERS Action Percentage 1/Balance Date
    Due Date Amount (Millions) C Call 44% 04-17-2009 04-17-2009 $
    1,351 A Call 100% 04-24-2009 04-27-2009 60 B Call 100% 04-24-2009
    04-27-2009 406 The actual results of each account transfer will
 

    April
    17, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN from FMS Publications 

    Updated 4/17/2009: April 17, 2009 TREASURY TAX AND LOAN INVESTMENT
    PROGRAM RESULTS OF TRANSFERS Action Percentage 1/Balance Date
    Due Date Amount (Millions) C Call 48% 04-16-2009 04-16-2009 $
    1,519 1/Actions based on known balances are reported as dollars
    and listed here as N/A. Actions that refer to future balances
    ar

    DTS:
    April 16 2009 from FMS Publications 

    Updated 4/17/2009: TABLE I — Operating Cash Balance Opening
    balance Type of account Closing balance today Today This month
    This fiscal year Federal Reserve Account Financial Institution
    Account Supplementary Financing Program Account Tax and Loan
    Note Accounts (Table V) $ 55,514 0 199,929 1,908$ 94,509 0 199,929
    1,942

    DTS:
    April 16 2009 from FMS Publications 

    Updated 4/17/2009: 1 DAILY TREASURY STATEMENT PAGE: 1 Cash and
    debt operations of the United States Treasury Thursday April
    16, 2009 (Detail, rounded in millions, may not add to totals)
    _ TABLE I Operating Cash Balance | _ |

    
Debt
    Management Services 2009 Annual Conference Theme: Collecting
    Federal Debts in Troubled Times

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 4/14/2009: Debt Management Services 2009 Annual Conference
    Theme: Collecting Federal Debts in Troubled Times Washington,
    DC 20024 May 27-28, 2009 Agenda May 27, 2008 7:30 a.m. Registration
    8:30 a.m. Welcome 8:45 a.m. DMS Highlights 9:00 a.m. Opening
    Remarks 9:15 a.m. Introduction of Keynote Speaker 9:25 a.m. K

    
FTC
    Halts Bogus Cancer Cures

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Text
    of Press Releases 

    The Federal Trade Commission has brought to a halt two peddlers
    of bogus cancer curesthat were targeted during Operation False
    Cures, a law enforcement sweep announced last fall.
 

    
Federal
    and State Agencies Crack Down on Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure
    Rescue Scams

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Text
    of Press Releases 

    FTC, State Enforcers Sue Scammers, Warn Others; Announce Education
    Campaign Designed to Reach Borrowers Directly

    
FTC
    Chairman Jon Leibowitz Appoints Senior Staff

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Text
    of Press Releases 

    Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz has appointed
    six senior staff members with extensive experience in the private
    sector, in the public interest community, in academia, and in
    government.

    
SEC
    Issues GLB Model Privacy Form Test Data

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Text
    of Press Releases 

    The Federal Trade Commission announced today a Federal Register
    notice describing quantitative consumer testing of a model privacy
    form developed as part of a Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLB) interagency
    notice project.

    
FTC
    Publishes Proposed Breach Notification Rule for Electronic Health
    Information

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Text
    of Press Releases 

    The Federal Trade Commission today announced that it has approved
    a Federal Register notice seeking public comment on a proposed
    rule that would require entities to notify consumers when the
    security of their electronic health information is breached.

    
FTC
    Offers Pay-off Information to Consumers with Non-bank Credit
    Cards

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Text
    of Press Releases 

    Carrying a credit card balance can be expensive for consumers,
    especially for those who make only minimum monthly payments.
 

    
FTC,
    Fordham Law School's Center on Law and Information Policy, New
    York Consumer Protection Agencies to Host Free Workshop for Business
    on April 29

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Text
    of Press Releases 

    Event Emphasizes Securing Personal Information, Complying with
    Red Flags Rule

    
Economic
    Stimulus Scams

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Consumer
    Protection Press Releases 

    PRESS CONFERENCE to unveil bogus Web sites and other scams claiming
    they can help individual consumers qualify for a share of stimulus
    package money.

    
Commission
    Approves Federal Register Notice Seeking Comments on Cooling-Off
    Rule

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Consumer
    Protection Press Releases 

    The Commission has approved a Federal Register notice seeking
    public comments on the costs and benefits of the agency’s
    Cooling-Off Rule, as part of its systematic review of its rules
    and guides.; Following a public comment period, the Commission
    has approved a final consent order in the matter of American
    Telecom Services, Inc.

    
Secretary
    Salazar, Navajo President Shirley Confer on Water, Education
    and Job-Creation Projects

    
from DOI News Releases 

    Albuquerque, NM - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today
    met with Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley to discuss water,
    education, road and job training initiatives aimed at improving
    the quality of life for residents of the Navajo Nation, other
    American Indian communities and residents of New Mexico.

    
Secretary
    Salazar Joins New Mexico Congressional Leaders to Highlight Benefits
    to New Mexico of Omnibus Public Lands Act

    
from DOI News Releases 

    Albuquerque, NM - SSecretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today
    joined Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall and Congressman Martin
    Heinrich at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History to highlight
    the many benefits to New Mexico from the Omnibus Public Land
    Management Act of 2009, recently signed into law by President
    Obama. Bingaman, as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural
    Resources Committee, helped shepherd the bill through Congress.
 

    Former
    Congresswoman Heather Wilson Awarded National Intelligence Distinguished
    Public Service Medal

    Statement
    by the Director of National Intelligence on the Release of OLC
    Memos

    Developing
    system gives hope to improved battlefield communications. 4/10/09.

    The
    Tactical Ground Reporting system fills a critical information-sharing
    need,” according to DefenseSystems (4/09).

    
DARPA
    launches first podcast

    
Listen to the first DARPA podcast, and
    subscribe to receive future podcasts.
 

    DARPA
    Programmable Matter program completes key milestones

    DARPA’s
    Revolutionizing Prosthetics program was awarded IEEE Spectrum’s
    Technology in the Service of Society Award

    AHS
    International, the Vertical Flight Society, honored DARPA and
    the Smart Rotor Team with the Howard Hughes Award

    Mark
    Rosker and Preston Marshall discuss their programs in Military
    Microwave Digest (3/09)

    
Message
    from the Director Panetta: Release of Department of Justice Opinions

    
from CIA Press Releases & Statements


    April 16, 2009 - Statement to Employees by Director of the Central
    Intelligence Agency Leon E. Panetta on the Release of Department
    of Justice Opinions.
 

    
CIA
    Maps & Publications Updates - April 15, 2009

    
from CIA Library 

    April 15, 2009 - Check out the latest update to CIA Maps &
    Publications:

    
Posted new maps of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

    World
    Leaders - Updates for 7 - 16 April, 2009 from CIA Library 

    April 17 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members
    of Foreign Governments with updated entries for Antigua and Barbuda,
    Belize, Costa Rica, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Iraq, Jamaica,
    Kazakhstan, Korea, North--NDE, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico,
    Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, Spain, Venezuela. Changes
    reflect updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling of
    officials' names in the country listings during the period 7
    - 16 Apr 2009.

    
The
    People of the CIA ... Women in Leadership: Cindy Bower

    
from CIA Featured Story 

    April 16 - This is the second article in a two-part series about
    women in leadership at the CIA. It features Chief of Human Resources
    Cindy Bower. To learn more about women in leadership at the CIA,
    read the first article in our series about Director of Science
    and Technology Stephanie O’Sullivan. During her 31-year
    career at the CIA, Chief of Human Resources Cindy Bower has experienced
    a wide variety of jobs across the Agency. In fact, she has worked
    in every directorate with the exception of one—the National
    Clandestine Service. Bower was able to take advantage of numerous
    opportunities because she had a supportive mentor and an extensive
    network.

    
VIDEO:
    Sec. Hillary Clinton & P.M. of the Republic of Haiti Joint
    Press Conference

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Sec. of State Hillary Clinton meets with Haitian Prime Minister
    Michele Duvivier Pierre-Louis, where they'll discuss stability,
    security, and assistance issues surrounding the country. Afterward,
    the two hold a joint press conference. Later this week, Sec.
    Hillary Clinton will travel to Haiti, the Dominican Republic,
    and Trinidad & Tobago.

    Length: 21 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 2:30pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Mark Zandi, Moody's Economy.com, Chief Economist

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Mark Zandi talks about the state of the nation’s financial
    institutions and the latest on the TARP funding. He discussed
    calls for credit rating agency oversight.

    Length: 39 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 8:45am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    SEC Conference on Oversight of Credit Rating Agencies

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) held an all-day
    discussion on improving federal oversight and regulation of credit
    rating agencies. Four panels, including discussions led by executives
    from the three major rating agencies, addressed recent SEC rulemaking
    initiatives, competition & oversight. 

    Length:

    
Published: Wednesday at 12:30pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Pres. Obama Press Briefing on High-Speed Rail

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Pres. Obama held a press briefing on high-speed rail’s affect
    on transportation, the economy and our dependence on foreign
    oil. He was joined by Vice Pres. Biden and Transportation Secretary
    Ray LaHood. 

    Length: 24 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 9am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Rebecca Christie, Bloomberg News, Reporter

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Rebecca Christie discusses thr latest economic news related to
    financial assistance to U.S. banks as well as oversight of these
    financial institutions. 

    Length: 26 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 7:30am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Justices Give Insights on the U.S. & Law

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas gave the keynote address
    on national identity and American citizenship at the "Being
    an American" Essay Contest Awards Gala. Justice Ruth Bader
    Ginsburg appeared at a Mortiz College of Law symposium discussing
    her impact on law and American jurisprudence. 

    Length:

    
Published: Wednesday at 8pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Middle East Policy Council Discussion on U.S.-Iran Relations

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    The Middle East Policy Council hosted a discussion on what effect
    the Obama Administration's approach to Iran might have on diplomatic
    relations between the two nations, nuclear issues, and the Arab-Israeli
    conflict. Featured panelists included; Thomas Pickering, Fmr.
    Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Trita Parsi, President
    of the Nat'l Iranian American Council, and others. 

    Length: 2 hr. 16 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 9:30am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    State Department Press Briefing

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Spokesman Robert Wood conducts a daily briefing at the State
    Department.

    Length: 36 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 11:30am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn at Nat'l Press Club

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    The National Press Club hosted Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing
    Director of the Int'l Monetary Fund (IMF). He discussed new flexible
    lending programs and other efforts the IMF will use to help low-income
    countries through the deepest post-war recession. The 185 member
    IMF provides emerging economies and low-income countries with
    loans and assistance.

    Length: 1 hr. 1 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 2:30pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Press Conference with Pres. Obama & Mexican President Calderon

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    On the day after the administration appointed a "border
    czar," Pres. Obama heads to Mexico to meet with President
    Calderon. The two are expected to discuss shared concerns such
    as drug trafficking and immigration reform. Following his two-day
    visit to Mexico, the President travels to Trinidad and Tobago
    for the Summit of the Americas.

    Length: 55 min.

    
Published: Thursday at 4pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Ray Walser, Heritage Foundation, Latin America Senior Policy
    Analyst

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Ray Walser talks about President Obama's two-day visit to Mexico.
    The President's agenda includes a meeting with President Calderon
    to discuss border issues, drugs and gun violence, trade and the
    U.S.-Mexico relationship. 

    Length: 37 min.

    
Published: Today at 7am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Justin Hyde, Detroit Free Press, Auto Correspondent

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Justin Hyde gives his opinion on the future of Chrysler &
    GM. Fiat & Chrysler have until May 1st to reach a deal on
    a possible merger of the two automobile companies. 

    Length: 32 min.

    
Published: Today at 8am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    State Department Press Briefing

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Spokesman Robert Wood conducts a daily briefing at the State
    Department.

    Length: 17 min.

    
Published: Today at 10:45am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    Howard Univ. & ALBC Conference on Emancipation and Revolution

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    In light of the nation commemorating Abraham Lincoln’s 200th
    Bicentennial, Howard University hosted a symposium on “Race
    and Emancipation in the Age of Lincoln.” The four panel
    topics touched upon Comparative Emancipations in the Americas,
    Emancipation in the United States, the Emancipation Proclamation
    as a Legal Document and Emancipation in the District of Columbia.


    Length:

    
Published: Today at 9:15am (ET)

    
Amnesty
    International Bulletin Vol. 12, No.7, 10 April 2009

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 

    Contents of external sites are not the responsibility of Amnesty
    International
 

    
China's
    new human rights plan emphasizes economic rights at expense of
    civil liberties

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 

    Chinese authorities have released a National Human Rights Action
    Plan that, in some areas, includes concrete targets for 2010.
 

    
Security
    forces operating outside rule of law in Iraqi Kurdistan

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 

    Security forces in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region operate
    outside the rule of law, and regularly abuse their authority.

    
Bahrain
    King orders release of political prisoners

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 

    Authorities in Bahrain released all 178 political prisoners on
    Sunday after they were pardoned by the King of Bahrain.
 

    
Amnesty
    International puts human rights on Americas Summit agenda

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 

    An Amnesty International delegation has arrived in Trinidad and
    Tobago to take part in the Summit of the Americas.
 

    
Sri
    Lanka: Immediate Humanitarian Truce Needed So Trapped Civilians
    Can Reach Safety, Urges Amnesty International

    
from Amnesty International USA: Most Recent
    English News Releases 

    Conflict zone has, in effect, been sealed off by the Sri Lankan
    government, denying aid workers and independent human rights
    observers access to the area.

    
Banks
    Need Restructuring, Not Bailouts

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by James Parks

    The Treasury Department’s bank bailout plan is built on
    the faulty assumption that the financial crisis is the result
    of a temporary lack of a market for current financial products—and
    presumes the losses can be made up after confidence in the system
    is restored. The reality is that the entire financial services
    industry needs to be restructured and the sooner, the better,
    two experts said recently.

    


    
Big
    Business Blocks Working Family Bills by Keeping Franken’s
    Senate Seat Vacant

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Seth Michaels



    Al Franken received strong support from union members during
    his 2008 Senate campaign. 





    It’s April 2009 and we’re still checking back in to
    see who won in Minnesota’s hard-fought 2008 Senate race
    between incumbent Norm Coleman and AFL-CIO-endorsed challenger
    Al Franken—because corporate front groups are dumping money
    into delaying and dragging out the process.

    

    
Wage
    and Hour Division Gets New Leader

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by James Parks

    Earlier this week, President Obama announced he intends to nominate
    Lorelei Boylan as administrator for the Department of Labor’s
    Wage and Hour Division and Thomasina Rogers as chairwoman of
    the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC).

    

    Weekly
    Address: President Obama Discusses Efforts to Reform Spending,
    Government Waste; Names Chief Performance Officer and Chief Technology
    Officer

    In his weekly address, President Barack Obama announced that
    Jeffrey Zients, a CEO, management consultant and entrepreneur,
    will join the administration as the Chief Performance Officer,
    and that Aneesh Chopra, Virginia’s Secretary of Technology,
    will serve as the Chief Technology Officer. Zients will also
    serve as Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management
    and Budget. He will work to streamline processes, cut costs,
    and find the best practices throughout the government.

    


    President
    Obama Announces More Key Treasury Appointments

    Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
    the following individuals to key posts at the Department of the
    Treasury: Herbert M. Allison, Jr., Assistant Secretary for Financial
    Stability, who will also have the title Counselor to the Secretary
    and be an advisor on policy matters; and William J. Wilkins,
    Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant
    General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury.

    

    Vice
    President Joe Biden to Deliver Spring 2009 Commencement Addresses

    Vice President Joe Biden will serve as commencement speaker at
    Syracuse University, Wake Forest University, and the United States
    Air Force Academy this year.

    

    President
    Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 4/17/2009

    Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
    the following individuals for key administration posts: Christine
    M. Griffin, Deputy Director of Office of Personnel Management;
    Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer
    Services, United States Department of Agriculture; Rajiv Shah,
    Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, United
    States Department of Agriculture; Michael Nacht, Assistant Secretary
    of Defense (Global Strategic Affairs), Department of Defense;
    Mercedes Márquez, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning
    and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development;
    Raymond M. Jefferson, Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment
    and Training, Department of Labor; Robert S. Litt, General Counsel,
    Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and William
    F. Brinkman, Director of the Office of Science, Department of
    Energy. 

    


    Middle
    Class Task Force Holds Meeting on College Affordability

    Today in St. Louis, Missouri, the Middle Class Task Force is
    holding a meeting, titled “Making College More Affordable
    for our Families.”

    

    Press
    Gaggle By White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air
    Force One, 4/17/2009

    Press
    Briefing to Preview The President's Trip to The Summit Of The
    Americas, 4/16/2009
 

    Press
    Gaggle By White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air
    Force One En Route To Mexico City 4/16/2009

    Vice
    President Joe Biden to Deliver Spring 2009 Commencement Addresses

    Vice President Joe Biden will serve as commencement speaker at
    Syracuse University, Wake Forest University, and the United States
    Air Force Academy this year.

    

    Statement
    of President Barack Obama on Release of Office of Legal Counsel
    Memos
 

    Statement
    on visit of King Abdullah of Jordan

    5 Days from Earth Day: EPA Photo and Video
    Projects

    Your Friday reminder that the EPA is collecting videos
    and photos
    in honor of Earth Day -- here's our pick for the day. 

    

    Middle
    Class Task Force Report: College Affordability
 

    Towards
    the Summit
 

    A
    Vision for High Speed Rail

    Countdown
    to Earth Day: EPA Photo and Video Projects
 

    Where
    can I find Earth Day events?

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:41:08 -0500

    Wednesday, April 22, is Earth Day, to promote environmental responsibility.
    Visit USA.gov for links to environmental tips and Earth Day events.

    The latest Ombudsman Report to the Industry
    was recently posted to the FDIC website,
    and is now available at www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/ombudsman/feedback/message0409.html.
    This online report to the financial services industry discusses
    issues and concerns raised to the FDIC Office of the Ombudsman
    for the period July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. 

    Military
    Children Coping with Change 

    Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:00:00 -0500 


    DoD
    Announces Installation Realignments in the United Kingdom 

    Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0500 

    
Grant
    Reports from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector
    General regarding Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

    
This page has recently been updated with
    a link to the following report: 

    Compliance
    with Standards Governing Combined DNA Index System Activities
    at the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, Augusta, Maine, Audit
    Report GR-70-09-003, March 2009 

    VACANCY:
    Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Specialist, GS-0301-9/11 FEMA

    Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:54:49 -0500

    KAT-09-MS-TRO-4191-KAS (Closing Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00
    EDT)
 

    
Anchorage
    Most Wanted for Federal Bureau of Investigation

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
Monthly
    Interest Rate Update for Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
    (PBGC)

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is available on PBGC's Monthly Interest Rate Update Web page.
    

    IRS.GOV Issue: April 2009 Special Edition
    

    Inside This Issue 

    Employee Plans News. 

    This Special Edition contains the IRS’s request for comments
    on drafts of a revenue procedure and sample plan language for
    §403(b) prototype plans and highlights of the draft revenue
    procedure. 

    To read the April 2009 Special Edition, please access the newsletter
    file directly or visit the Current
    Edition of the Employee Plans News page in the Retirement
    Plans Community section of the IRS.gov Web site. 


    
U.S.
    Bureau of Labor Statistics: The Midwest Consumer Price Index
    Summary for March 2009

    
is now available at http://www.bls.gov/ro5/ro5cpi08.pdf
    . Please refer questions to BLSInfoChicago@bls.gov
    .
 

    National
    Medicare Training Program Audio-conference call Tuesday, April
    21, 2009, 2:30-3:30 p.m. EDT

    Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:46:00 -0500

    Date: 04/14/2009

    Subject: SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
    EDT

    Content: National Medicare Training Program Audio-conference
    call

    
NATIONAL ARCHIVES HOLDS BIG! FAMILY
    DAY SATURDAY, APRIL 18

    
Washington, DC. . . On Saturday, April
    18, the National Archives celebrates its new BIG! exhibition
    with a free Family Day from noon to 3 pm. All Family Day programs
    will be held in the National Archives Building in Washington,
    DC, which is fully accessible. Attendees should use the Special
    Events entrance on the corner of 7th Street and Constitution
    Avenue, NW.

    
Celebrate all things BIG! with special
    activities designed for children and their families.

    
* Treasure Hunt (Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery)

    * Use a pantograph to make large-scale drawings (Lawrence F.
    O'Brien Gallery Lobby)

    * Listen to Tall Tales from American folklore (Washington Conference
    Room)

    * Declare BIG! speeches from American history (Jefferson Conference
    Room)

    * Color in our large-scale drawing of the Faulkner Murals from
    the Rotunda (Jefferson Conference Room)

    * Design and receive a BIG! award (Jefferson Conference Room)

    * Put together BIG! floor puzzles and build a BIG! block tower
    (Madison Conference Room)

    * Sign a BIG! Petition (Presidential Conference Room Lobby)

    * Archival Adventures (Boeing Learning Center)

    
BIG! Exhibition

    The National Archives celebrates its 75th year in 2009 with a
    new exhibition featuring big records, big events, and big ideas.
    At a time when many people struggle to see documents and images
    on smaller and smaller screens, the National Archives exhibition
    "BIG!" presents the nation's original record in its
    full-scale glory. From the 13-foot scroll of the Articles of
    Confederation, the first constitution of the United States, to
    the size 22 sneaker of basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, the
    items in the exhibition are pieces of the American story-writ
    large. The exhibit, on display in the Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery
    of the National Archives Building, runs through January 3, 2010.
    Spring hours (through Labor Day) are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily.
    Admission is free. BIG! related items and the books featured
    above are available in the Archives Shop. Call (202) 357-5271.

    
All programs are free and open to the public.
    To verify dates and times of the programs, call 202-357-5000
    or view the Calendar of Events online at: www.archives.gov.

    
# # #

    
For PRESS information, contact the National
    Archives Public Affairs Staff at (202) 357-5300.

    
09-72
 

    Semi-Annual
    Report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate
    Policies
 

    Fact
    Sheet: Southwest Border: The Way Ahead

    Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    The United States depends on a secure Southwest border in order
    to ensure the safety of its citizens and those of Mexico, facilitate
    legal trade and transit, support lawful immigration and prevent
    illegal smuggling of guns, drugs, money, and people. This fact
    sheet explains how the Department of Homeland Security continues
    to meet recent increases of cartel violence in Mexico with strong
    action and solidified coordination with federal, state, local,
    tribal and Mexican authorities.

    
New
    Haven Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    
Baltimore
    Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
OPEN Update: Follow Up to OPEN SIG Program

    
The Live Meeting recording and slides from
    the April 15th OPEN SIG Program are now available for download
    from:

    
http://www.disasterhelp.gov/disastermanagement/library/archive/open-presentations.shtm

    
The Live Meeting recording is a large file
    in Windows Media Video (.wmv) format and requires Windows Media
    Player 

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx

    
or Windows Media Components for QuickTime


    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx

    
or a similar product to view. Thanks to
    all who participated.

    
Regards, 

    Amy Sebring 

    DM Team 

    NEW
    VACANCIES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 

    
Top five US Air Force news stories for
    April 17, 2009

    
DOD's eye in the sky supporting troops
    on the ground

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123144964

    
First Air Force Indy car gets ready to
    race

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123144928

    
Foreign aircrews train at Altus for multi-national
    mission

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123144919

    
Proposed B-1 program aims to speed maintenance

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123144906

    
Air Force officials modernize mentoring
    program

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123144901
 

    
April 16, 2009

    
SPECIAL PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHT NATIONAL
    ARCHIVES RECORDS IN MAY

    
Washington, DC. . . In May, the National
    Archives will feature programs

    highlighting records from its holdings, including classes on
    Native

    American and African American records. All programs are free
    and open

    to the public, unless otherwise noted. The programs will be held
    in the

    National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Please note that
    two of

    the programs will be repeated at the National Archives at College
    Park,

    Maryland.

    
Visitors to all programs in the National
    Archives Building Research

    Center (Room G-24) should use the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance,
    between

    7th and 9th Streets, NW. Visitors to the program in the William
    G.

    McGowan Theater should use the Special Events entrance at Constitution

    Ave. and 7th St., NW. The National Archives at College Park,
    MD is

    located at 8601 Adelphi Road. For directions to both locations,
    see:

    http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro.

    
Tuesday, May 5, at 11 a.m., Room G-24,
    Research Center

    Native American Records at Footnote.com

    A growing collection of National Archives records relating to
    Native

    Americans is available at Footnote.com. These records include
    Dawes

    Commission records, treaties, and census rolls. Laura Prescott
    of

    Footnote.com will review the available records, show how to search
    the

    site for best results, and demonstrate how this online resource
    can make

    Native American research easier and more effective. (This lecture
    will

    be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in
    Lecture

    Room B, on Thursday, May 7, at 11 a.m.)

    
Wednesday, May 6, at 11 a.m., Room G-24,
    Research Center

    Introduction to Genealogy

    Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research
    in

    Federal records. This lecture occurs on the first Wednesday of
    the

    month. The next introductory lecture will take place on Wednesday,
    June

    3.

    
Tuesday, May 12, at 11 a.m., Room G-24,
    Research Center

    "Discovering the Civil War" Exhibit

    Senior Curator Bruce Bustard will discuss the National Archives'

    upcoming "Discovering the Civil War" exhibit (opening
    in April 2010)

    and share some of his favorite discoveries from the exhibit team's

    research. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives
    at

    College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, May 14, at
    11 a.m.).

    
Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m., Room G-24,
    Research Center

    Introduction to Genealogy

    Archives staff will present a lecture on basic genealogical research
    in

    Federal records on select Saturdays. The next weekend lecture
    will take

    place on Saturday, June 13.

    
Saturday, May 16, noon-4 p.m., Room G-24,
    Research Center

    "Help! I'm Stuck"

    Not sure where to begin your research? Is there a genealogical
    or

    historical problem that has stumped you? Would you like to explore
    new

    directions in your research? On select Saturdays, an archivist
    will be

    available from noon to 4 p.m. to answer questions. Look for the
    sign at

    the Research Center desk reading, "Help! I'm Stuck."
    The next

    weekend opportunity will be Saturday, June 13.

    
Tuesday, May 19, at 11 a.m. and noon, Room
    G-24, Research Center

    From the Records Book Group and Lecture

    Following a related presentation at 11 a.m., the From the Records
    Book

    Group will discuss Railroads in the Civil War: The Impact of
    Management

    on Victory and Defeat by John Elwood Clark. Check the Archives
    Shop

    (202-357-5271) for book availability and a special discount for
    book

    group participants. The September book selection will be The
    General

    and the Jaguar: Pershing's Hunt for Pancho Villa: A True Story
    of

    Revolution and Revenge by Eileen Welsome.

    
Tuesday, May 26, at 11 a.m., Room G-24,
    Research Center

    History of Filipinos in the DC Area Before 1965

    Rita Cacas, archives specialist, will discuss her research for
    a

    forthcoming book on Filipinos in the Washington, DC, area. Upon

    annexation of the Philippines to the United States in 1898, Filipinos

    arrived in the U.S. as foreign nationals. While a large number
    of

    Filipinos settled in the west coast, many settled in the Washington,
    DC,

    area in the first half of the 20th century. The talk will include

    records and images from the National Archives. (This lecture
    will be

    repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture
    Room

    B, on Thursday, May 28 at 11 A.M.).

    
Saturday, May 30, 10:15 a.m.-2 p.m.

    McGowan Theater (Enter at the Special Events entrance on Constitution

    Avenue at 7th St.)

    An Introduction to Genealogy: An African American Perspective

    Deborah Daniels, American Legacy magazine, and Reginald Washington,

    staff archivist, will present a workshop on basic genealogical
    research

    and techniques. They will discuss the use of oral history, pedigree

    charts, family group sheets, and other resources including Federal,

    state, and local records available for African American family
    research.

    Reservations are required, and a fee of $20 is payable by cash
    or check

    at the door. Call 202-357-5333.

    
# # #

    
For PRESS information, contact the National
    Archives Public Affairs

    staff at 202-357-5300.

    
09-73

    
BIS Seminar Registration Information
    Posted - Universal City, CA

    
Registration information has been posted
    for the following upcoming seminar:

    August 19-20 in Universal City, CA - Complying with US Export
    Controls

    For program information and registration, please go to www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/universal_city_aug_19_20_09.htm


    We look forward to seeing you at a BIS event soon.

    The Office of Exporter Services

    Bureau of Industry and Security

    Western Regional Office

    949-660-0144
 

    
Current
    Funding Opportunities from the National Institute of Justice
    for Office of Justice Programs

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    NIJ has released the fiscal year 2009 solictation for the Paul
    Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. 

    The application deadline is May 29, 2009, 11:45 p.m. eastern
    time. 

    OCC Releases CRA Evaluations For 32 National
    Banks

    WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
    (OCC) today released a list of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
    performance evaluations that became public during the period
    of March 15, 2009 through April 14, 2009. The list contains only
    national banks and insured federal branches of foreign banks
    that have received ratings. The possible ratings are outstanding,
    satisfactory, needs to improve, and substantial noncompliance.


    Of the 32 evaluations made public this month, 6 were outstanding,
    26 were satisfactory, and none were needs to improve. None were
    substantial noncompliance. Evaluations are available from links
    on http://www.occ.treas.gov/cra/apr09.htm.
    The OCC’s World Wide Web site (http://www.occ.treas.gov)
    also offers access to a searchable list of all public CRA evaluations
    (http://www.occ.treas.gov/cra/crasrch.htm).
    Copies of the actual evaluations may be obtained by submitting
    a request electronically through the OCC's online FOIA site https://appsec.occ.gov/publicaccesslink/.
    You can also obtain copies by writing to the Office of the Comptroller
    of the Currency, Communications Division, Mailstop 2-3, Washington,
    DC 20219. When requests are made electronically, remember to
    include your postal mail address. Facsimile requests may be sent
    to (202) 874-5274.

    This month's list of ratings is attached.

    ###

    


    
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2009

    


    First Vote of the Week… Last Vote Predicted…

    
Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Thursday p.m.

    
Legislative Program - 51600 | Floor Information
    - 57400 | Whip Information - 63210

    
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009

    The House is not in session.



    TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2009

    On Tuesday, the House will meet at 2:00 p.m. for legislative
    business with votes postponed until 6:30 p.m.



    Suspensions (9 Bills)

    1) H.R.
    1694 - Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Protection
    Act (Rep. Holt – Natural Resources)

    2) H.R.
    388 - Crane Conservation Act of 2009 (Rep. Baldwin –
    Natural Resources)

    3) H.R.
    411 - Great Cats and Rare Canids Act of 2009 (Rep. Inslee
    – Natural Resources)

    4) H.R.
    1219 - Lake Hodges Surface Water Improvement and Reclamation
    Act of 2009 (Rep. Bilbray – Natural Resources)

    5) S.
    39 - A bill to repeal section 10(f) of Public Law 93-531,
    commonly known as the "Bennett Freeze" (Sen. McCain
    – Natural Resources)

    6) H.Res.
    320 - Honoring the Life and achievements of Dr. John Hope
    Franklin (Rep. Watt – Oversight and Government Reform)

    7) H.Res.
    254 - Recognizing the designation of March 2009 as Irish
    American Heritage Month and honoring the significance of Irish
    Americans in the history and progress of the United States (Rep.
    McCarthy (NY) - Oversight and Government Reform)

    8) H.R.
    1516 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
    Service located at 37926 Church Street in Dade City, Florida,
    as the "Sergeant Marcus Mathes Post Office" (Rep. Brown-Waite
    - Oversight and Government Reform)

    9) H.Res.
    214 - Recognizing the efforts of the countless volunteers
    who helped the Commonwealth of Kentucky recover from the ice
    storm of January 2009 (Rep. Guthrie - Oversight and Government
    Reform)





    WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK

    On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m.
    for legislative business. On Friday, no votes are expected in
    the House.



    Suspensions (13 Bills)

    1) H.R.
    749 - To amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
    to permit candidates for election for Federal office to designate
    an individual who will be authorized to disburse funds of the
    authorized campaign committees of the candidate in the event
    of the death of the candidate (Rep. Jones – House Administration)

    2) H.Con.Res.
    86 - Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol
    Visitor Center for the unveiling of a bust of Sojourner Truth
    (Rep. Jackson-Lee – House Administration)

    3) H.R.
    586 - Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009 (Rep. McCarthy
    (NY) – House Administration)

    4) H.R.
    1679 - House Reservists Pay Adjustment Act of 2009 (Rep.
    Brady (PA) – House Administration)

    5) S.J.Res.
    8 - A joint resolution providing for the appointment of David
    M. Rubenstein as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of
    the Smithsonian Institution (Sen. Leahy – House Administration)

    6) H.Con.Res. __ – Providing for the acceptance of a statue
    of Ronald Wilson Reagan from the people of California for placement
    in the United States Capitol (Rep. Lewis (CA) – House Administration)

    7) H.R.
    1580 - Electronic Waste Research and Development Act (Rep.
    Gordon – Science and Technology)

    8) H.R.
    957 - Green Energy Education Act of 2009 (Rep. McCaul –
    Science and Technology)

    9) H.R.
    1139 - COPS Improvements Act of 2009 (Rep. Weiner –
    Judiciary)

    10) H.R.
    1626 - Statutory Time-Periods Technical Amendments Act of
    2009 (Rep. Johnson (GA) – Judiciary)

    11) H.R.
    1824 - Best Buddies Empowerment for People with Intellectual
    Disabilities Act of 2009 (Rep. Hoyer – Education and Labor)

    12) H.Res.
    247 - Expressing support for designation of March 22, 2009,
    as "National Rehabilitation Counselors Appreciation Day"
    (Rep. Skelton – Education and Labor)

    13) H.Res. __ - Acknowledging and Commending National Library
    Week (Rep. Ehlers – Education and Labor)



    H.R.
    1145 - National Water Research and Development Initiative
    Act of 2009 (Rep. Gordon – Science and Technology) (Subject
    to a Rule)
 

    
Genomics
    & Health Weekly Update for Centers for Disease Control and
    Prevention (CDC)

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    Washington
    Firm Recalls Turkey Soup Products Due to Undeclared Allergen

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:11:39 -0500

    Ivar's Soup, Seafood and Sauce, a Mukilteo, Wash., establishment,
    is recalling approximately 37,776 pounds of turkey soup products
    because they may contain an undeclared allergen, milk.

    
FBI
    Gun Check Statistics

    
For updated statistics on gun checks, see
    our National Instant Criminal Background Check System webpage
    at http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/nics.htm.


    The information can be found under the "Reports and Statistics"
    section and is updated monthly. 


    
Acquisition
    Policies and Regulations for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    HSAR Deviations 

    HSAR
    Class Deviation 09-01 - Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting
    System (CPARS) Transition, March 31, 2009 (PDF, 2 pages -
    73 KB ) 

    
Critical
    Infrastructure and Key Resources Learning Series for U.S. Department
    of Homeland Security updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    Engaged Partnership for Disaster Response 

    April 28, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. EDT 

    Aerospace
    Safety Advisory Panel Releases Annual Report

    Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:00:00 -0500

    The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, or ASAP, has released its
    2008 annual report. The report examines NASA's safety performance
    and advises agency and government leaders on ways to improve
    performance.
 

    Today
    in the Department of Defense, 4/17/2009 

    Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:52:00 -0500 

    NASA's
    Kepler Captures First Views of Planet-Hunting Territory

    Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:00:00 -0500

    NASA's Kepler mission has taken its first images of the star-rich
    sky where it will soon begin hunting for planets like Earth.

    Daniel
    Roberts New Assistant Director of Criminal Justice Information
    Services Division

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:19:24 -0500

    Director Robert S. Mueller, III has named Daniel D. Roberts Assistant
    Director of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
    Division.
 

    REMINDER
    NOTICE: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 2:30 p.m. Centers for Medicare
    & Medicaid Services (CMS) Audio-conference Training

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:33:00 -0500

    Date: 04/17/2009

    Subject: REMINDER NOTICE: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 2:30 p.m.
    Audio-conference Training

    Content: Handouts and call details for next audio-training.
 

    WEBINAR:
    Near-Shoring Advantage – Industry-Specific Benefits of Near-Shoring

    This is the third webinar in the Near-Shoring Advantage series
    brought to you jointly by Politec and Everest Research Institute.

    Continuing our presentation series on Brazil as an emerging IT
    outsourcing destination, this webinar installment will analyze
    Brazil as a source of domain knowledge in several key industry
    verticals, including:

    Financial Services

    Energy (i.e., Oil and Gas)

    Manufacturing (including discrete and process)

    We will explore the advantages of Latin America as a sourcing
    destination for industry-specific skills and offer examples of
    local and multinational clients that have successfully taken
    advantage of this opportunity.

    In addition to the above, we will conduct an open forum during
    the session to revisit and address the questions we have received
    over the course of the webinar series.

    Join us for an insightful and interactive Webinar discussion
    and discover Brazil as a competitive destination for IT outsourcing
    across several key industries.

    Click
    here to register for this free Webinar.

    New FDIC Office of Inspector General Reports
    posted

    The following reports were recently posted to the Federal Deposit
    Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) Office of Inspector General
    (OIG) Web site: www.fdicig.gov
    under Publications. In cases where an OIG report includes sensitive
    or confidential information, the OIG may redact certain information
    in the report, and the report will be marked as such. In some
    instances because of the highly sensitive nature of the entire
    report, the OIG may not make the report publicly available and
    instead, a brief summary of the report is posted to the Web site.
    Thank you for your interest in the work of the FDIC OIG. If you
    have questions or need additional information, please contact
    the OIG. The html version of these reports will be posted
    as soon as possible. 


    Role
    of Bush NSA Plan Under Review: Obama Administration Faces Privacy,
    Security Challenges in Defending Cyberspace 

    
New
    Attorney Vacancies for U.S. Department of Justice posted

    
This page has recently been updated with
    the following new vacancies: 

    U.S.
    DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE U.S. TRUSTEE'S OFFICE -- ORLANDO, FL TRIAL
    ATTORNEY Applications must be postmarked by the closing date
    of May 14, 2009 and will be accepted up to five calendar days
    after the closing date. 

    
ETA
    - Advisories - Training and Employment Notices (TEN) for United
    States Department of Labor updated

    
TEN 40-08: Industry Competency Models Initiative
    has recently been added to the advisory database and is available
    at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2743.
    


    
U.S.
    Department of State U.S. Pledge at the Tokyo Donors' Conference
    

    Robert Wood

    
Acting Department Spokesman

    
Bureau of Public Affairs

    
Washington, DC

    
April 17, 2009
 

    EPA
    Posting of Statement on the "Management of Certain Cattle
    Origin Material Pursuant to the Substances Prohibited from Use
    in Animal Food and Feed Final Rule

    
BEA
    News: Summary Estimates for Multinational Companies, 2007 has
    been published

    
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
    has issued the following news release today: 

    Reflecting increases in both U.S. and foreign activity, worldwide
    employment by U.S. multinational companies (MNCs) increased 2.9
    percent in 2007, to 32.0 million workers, following a 2.6-percent
    increase in 2006. 

    Largely reflecting selloffs of foreign ownership shares in U.S.
    companies, employment in the United States by majority-owned
    U.S. affiliates of foreign MNCs decreased 1.1 percent in 2007,
    to 5.3 million workers, following an increase of 2.1 percent
    in 2006. 

    The full text of the release on BEA's Web site can be found at
    http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/mnc/mncnewsrelease.htm.
    


    
Recall
    Case Archive for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has
    been revised

    
This information has recently been updated.
    Case 011-2009, California Firm Recalls Smoked Chicken Sausage
    Products Due to Mislabeling, has been moved to the archive. 

    You may view a copy of the updated information. 

    
Daily
    Open Source Infrastructure Report for U.S. Department of Homeland
    Security posted

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    April
    17, 2009 - DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report, (PDF,
    17 pages - 150 KB) 

    New
    Interrogation Details Emerge: As It Releases Justice Dept. Memos,
    Administration Reassures CIA Questioners 


    
U.S.
    Department of State Daily Appointments Schedule for April 17,
    2009 

    Washington, DC

    
April 17, 2009
 

    Teens
    getting a low D

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:01:00 -0500

    A low D is a bad thing for a teen-ager. Low vitamin D, that is.
    A study finds teens with low vitamin D levels were more likely
    to have high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

    The Department of Health and Human Services
    (HHS) has announced the selection of Henry Claypool as director
    of the HHS Office on Disability.
    Mr. Claypool has 25 years of experience developing and implementing
    disability policy at the federal, state, and local levels, and
    he has personal experience with the nation's health care system
    from the perspective of an individual with a disability. 


    Gates
    Says America Must Protect Conventional Capabilities 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:33:00 -0500 

    
Audit
    of the John C Cannon Retirement and Assisted Living Residence,
    (2009-SE-1002, dated April 15, 2009)

    
At the request of the Region X Multifamily
    Hub, we audited the John C Cannon Retirement and Assisted Living
    Residence (project) to determine if the project owner used project
    funds in accordance with the regulatory agreement. We found that
    the project owner failed to get HUD approval for leases costing
    $189,000, used project funds to obtain unneeded equipment costing
    $10,700, and failed to keep adequate documentation to support
    expenditures costing $317,000. 



    We recommend that the Director, Office of Insured Health Care
    Facilities, require the owner to repay the amount spent for the
    unapproved leases and unnecessary equipment. We also recommend
    the Director, Office of Insured Health Care Facilities, require
    the project owner to provide documentation supporting expenses
    paid for with project funds. Further, we recommend the Regional
    Counsel pursue double damages remedies, civil money penalties,
    and/or administrative sanctions, as appropriate, against the
    former administrator and the board of directors.



    This electronic audit report has been posted to our website and
    may be viewed directly via this link.



    http://www.hud.gov/utilities/intercept.cfm?/offices/oig/reports/files/ig0901002.pdf





    Jennifer Burns

    Administrative Officer

    HUD/OIG/Office of Audit

    202/402-8136

    DoD
    Announces Partial Installation Realignment In Germany 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0500 


    NASA
    TV's This Week @ NASA, April 17

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0500
 

    Regional and State Employment and Unemployment
    news release

    (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/laus.pdf)
    was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

    
Press
    Room for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    
Job
    Seeker & Employee Resources for DisabilityInfo.gov has been
    updated

    
This information has recently been updated

    
DOT
    News for Department of Transportation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
MTSU College Democrats: TFCD Spring
    Conference at MTSU is FREEEEEE!!!!

    
Remember that the TFCD conference is FREE
    tomorrow!!

    
9:30-10 Registration

    
10-10:15 Welcome

    
10:15-10:45 Group Training 1 Event planning

    
10:45-11:30 Group Training 2 (Dr. Gregg
    Rabidoux)

    
11:30-12 Election information and nominations

    
12-1:15 Lunch

    
1:15-1:45 Election speeches and voting

    
1:15-1:45 100 in 2010: Looking at the upcoming
    2010 with

    Andy Burke

    
1:45-2 Speech from YDA rep

    
2-2:30 Ethan Link from SEIU, Other speakers

    
2:30-3:15 Gubernatorial candidates speak

    Representative for Kim McMillan,

    Ward Carmack

    
3:15-3:30 Election Results and announcements

    --------------------
 

    
Civil
    Rights News & Events for DisabilityInfo.gov

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and can be read by visiting this link: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=218.
    

    
Audio
    NASACast for NASA

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
Bureau
    of Industry and Security Revised Entity List Guidance

    
On April 17, the Bureau of Industry and
    Security (BIS) uploaded updated information and frequently asked
    questions (FAQs) on the Entity List (Supplement No. 4 to part
    744 of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)) to the BIS
    website. The Entity List is comprised of a list of names of certain
    foreign persons - including businesses, research institutions,
    government and private organizations, individuals, and other
    types of legal persons - that are subject to specific license
    requirements for the export, reexport and/or transfer (in-country)
    of specified items. On an individual basis, the persons on the
    Entity List are subject to licensing requirements and policies
    supplemental to those found elsewhere in the EAR.

    BIS first published the Entity List in February 1997 as part
    of its efforts to inform the public of entities who have engaged
    in activities that could result in an increased risk of the diversion
    of exported, reexported and transferred (in-country) items to
    weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. Since its initial
    publication, grounds for inclusion on the Entity List have expanded
    to activities sanctioned by the State Department and activities
    contrary to U.S. national security and/or foreign policy interests.


    The revised FAQs cover topics including “General Information,”
    “Listed Entities and Their Affiliates, Subsidiaries and
    Parents,” “Transactions Other than Exports, Reexports
    or Transfers (in-country) With Listed Entities,” “Other
    Lists to Check” and “Recent Rules.”

    The updated text can be found at www.bis.doc.gov/entities/default.htm


    This email was sent at your request, based upon your subscription
    to the BIS Email Notification service.

    The BIS Web Site Team 


    
Audio
    This week @ NASA for NASA updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    NASA
    Image of the Day: Cosmic Heavyweights in Free-for-All

    Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:00:00 -0500

    The most crowded collision of galaxy clusters has been identified
    by combining information from three different telescopes. This
    result gives scientists...

    Wahpeton
    FEMA Recovery Center Now Open

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:01:05 -0500

    Bismarck, N.D. - North Dakota flood victims can get information
    and help filling out loan applications at the Wahpeton Disaster
    Recovery Center now open at the Wahpeton Fire Department, Northside
    Station. North Dakota residents who have been affected by the
    flooding that began on March 13 can speak to disaster assistance
    specialists about recovery programs.
 

    
DOT
    Secretary's Blog - Welcome to the Fast Lane for Department of
    Transportation

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    Medical
    Pioneer: Dr. Ferid Murad 

    Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:00:00 -0500 

    Dr. Ferid Murad discusses his career and the work that earned
    him the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1998. 

    Administration
    Issues Stem Cell Research Guidelines 

    Draft regulations would limit federal funding of work on human
    embryos donated at fertility clinics.
 

    Clinton
    Observes Continuing Promise at Work in Haiti 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:50:00 -0500 

    FEMA
    Community Relations Teams Visiting Barnes County

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:15:34 -0500

    Bismarck, N.D. - Community Relations field officers from the
    Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working with local
    community leaders to reach out to Barnes County residents affected
    by the Sheyenne River flooding. The Community Relations teams
    are providing information about available disaster assistance
    programs, including grants to help pay for temporary housing
    needs, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related
    expenses.

    
Florida College Democrats Spring Caucus

    
Subject: Parking on Saturday

    
Good afternoon everyone,

    
First of all welcome, I am looking forward
    to the FCD caucus and meeting many of you on Saturday. I just
    wanted to give you some information for parking on Saturday.
    Attached is the campus map of UT for your convenience.

    
You may park:

    
1) Across from the Cass Building (where
    the Caucus is being held,#25 on the campus map)

    
2) Behind the College of Business (#28
    on the campus map)

    
3) West Parking Garage located on North
    Boulevard if the first two options are full.

    
 

    
Respectfully,

    
Nathan Nandkishorelal

    VP of Operations: UT College Democrats
 

    NRC
    to Discuss Annual Assessment for Millstone Nuclear Plant at Two
    Public Meetings Set for April 23 in Waterford, Conn.
 

    CSMS#
    09-000183 - ACE Reports Issue 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:15:49 -0500

    United
    States Department of Defense Image Gallery
 

    
Cms.hhs.gov-
    Skilled Nursing Facility- Long Term Care Open Door Forum for
    Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    Notices
    and Outbreaks (Travel) for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    (CDC)

    An new outbreak notice entitled "Pertussis in Australia"
    has been added to the site. 

    The outbreak notice entitled "Yellow Fever in Brazil"
    has been updated. 

    You may access these notices on the CDC Travelers' Health travel
    notices page. 

    
Science
    and Technology Snapshots for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    
Review
    of HUD's Internal Controls over Processing of Personnel Actions,
    2009-FO-0004, dated April 15, 2009

    
We audited the U.S. Department of Housing
    and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Administration’s
    internal controls over the processing of personnel actions in
    response to an anonymous complaint received by our office. Our
    objectives were to determine why (1) human resource actions were
    not processed in a timely manner, (2) employee requests to waive
    the automatic collection of payroll overpayments were not processed
    before collection actions began, (3) adequate documentation to
    support job vacancy announcements was not maintained, and (4)
    employees were able to initiate their own personnel action requests.

    
The design and implementation of HUD’s
    internal controls over collection waivers, new hire paperwork,
    processing of awards, promotions, within-grade increases, pending
    personnel action requests, and job vacancy announcements were
    inadequate. The issues identified in our review indicated a lack
    of internal controls to ensure (1) the timely processing of collection
    waiver requests and new hire paperwork, (2) that employees were
    afforded the opportunity to request a collection waiver before
    salary offsets were taken, and (3) that Office of Personnel Management
    job announcement policies and procedures and record-keeping standards
    were followed. Finally, in certain circumstances, the HR Connect
    system lacked the controls to prevent employees from being involved
    in the processing of their own personnel action requests, which
    made HUD vulnerable to the processing of potentially fraudulent
    actions.



    We recommend that the Director of HUD’s Office of Human
    Resources implement a tracking system for (1) monitoring new
    hire accession paperwork and (2) processing awards, promotions,
    within-grade increases, transmittal of application status notification
    letters, and collection waiver requests. Additionally, policies
    and procedures regarding the processing of collection waiver
    requests should include timeliness standards for the research
    and review phases to ensure that decisions are made in a timely
    manner and that collection actions are not premature. In addition,
    we recommend that policies and procedures be established to include
    supervisory review of pending new hire paperwork actions, job
    announcement case files, and checklists upon closeout. Staff
    should be retrained regarding new hire paperwork policies and
    procedures. We also recommend that the Director of the Office
    of Human Resources ensure that staff perform the necessary reviews
    to certify that each job vacancy case file properly supports
    the recruitment process and employees do not participate in the
    processing of their own personnel action requests. Lastly, we
    recommend that all employees be informed that it is not allowable
    to participate in the processing of their own personnel action
    requests.



    This electronic audit report has been posted to our website and
    may be viewed directly via this link.



    http://www.hud.gov/utilities/intercept.cfm?/offices/oig/reports/files/ig09f0004.pdf

    
Jennifer Burns

    Administrative Officer

    HUD/OIG/Office of Audit

    202/402-8136

    
For Information: (202) 874-5770

    For Copies: (202) 874-5043 

    OCC Enforcement Actions 

    WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
    (OCC) today released new enforcement actions taken against national
    banks and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with
    national banks.

    Copies of the final actions are available for download by viewing
    the searchable database of all public enforcement actions taken
    since August 1989 at http://apps.occ.gov/EnforcementActions/.

    
You may also submit a request electronically
    to obtain copies through the OCC’s online FOIA site, https://appsec.occ.gov/publicaccesslink/.
    Fax requests should be sent to (202) 874-5274. You can also obtain
    copies by writing to the Comptroller of the Currency, Communications
    Division, Mail Stop 2-3, Washington, DC 20219. When ordering,
    specify the appropriate enforcement action number. 

    
Bureau
    of Industry and Security SNAP-R New Version Release

    
04/17/2009 - The following SNAP-R updates
    will be available April 20, 2009:

    

    
Block 15 Addition for CCAT Work Item -
    allows the BIS-748P paper form Block 15 equivalent for inclusion
    of a third party company name and full address or Other Party
    Authorized to receive a copy of the validated commodity classification,
    including full name and address.

    

    
Inclusion of Unit and Unit of Measure Commodity
    Metadata - allows the capability for the applicant and/or third
    party submitter to enter this information for each product and/or
    technology contained on the license application request and make
    it available to the licensing officer upon work item review.

    

    
Automate Hong Kong Foreign Country Denotation
    - ensures accurate review and accountability for export license
    applications destined for Hong Kong; the country associated with
    the city of Hong Kong should be Hong Kong, not China.

    

    
Edit End User and Export Item Information
    - gives the ability to add and edit End User and Export Item
    information in Export License, Re-Export License, and AGR License
    Exception Applications, as well as Export Item information in
    Commodity Classification Requests.

    

    
Please visit http://www.bis.doc.gov/snap/index.htm
    for more information.

    This email was sent at your request, based upon your subscription
    to the BIS Email Notification service.

    The BIS Web Site Team 


    TRICARE
    Beneficiary Bulletin 11

    04/16/09 4 min 52 sec 

    TRICARE4U Passwords - Tricare.mil Profile 

    To download or listen to this weeks podcast visit: http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/podcast.aspx
    

    ACE
    on the Road Event Schedule

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:28:28 -0500

    ACE Trade Outreach PresentationMaterial and content discussed
    at all ACE Trade Outreach events. For additional information,
    contact CBP.CBPCSPO@dhs.gov.
    May 12, 2009ACE Information Seminar, Chicago, IL8:30 AM - 12:00
    noon ACE Reports Mentoring Sessi. (more)

    
Inspector
    General Reports and Resources for U.S. Department of Homeland
    Security updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    New management report added to In the Spotlight: 

    OIG-09-46
    - Management Letter for the FY 2008 DHS Financial Statement Audit
    (PDF, 66 pages - 5 MB) 


    Secretary Chu Announces up to $10 Million
    to Support Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Buses



    WASHINGTON, DC ­– As part of the Department of Energy’s
    commitment to advancing the next generation of electric vehicles
    in the United States, Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced
    the selection of a new demonstration and testing project to develop
    a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) school bus to be used
    in fleets across the country.



    Navistar Corporation (Fort Wayne, IN) has been selected by the
    Department of Energy (DOE) for negotiation of a cost-shared award
    of up to $10 million to develop, test, and deploy an electric
    hybrid school bus. PHEVs will play an important role in achieving
    America’s energy independence by reducing petroleum use
    and greenhouse gas emissions. Today's announcement will also
    help meet President Obama’s goal of putting one million
    plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road by 2015.



    “These projects will help move technologies from the laboratory
    to the marketplace by improving their durability, reducing their
    costs, and validating their performance in real-world settings,”
    said Secretary Chu. “By investing in the vehicles of the
    future, we will create new jobs while reducing our dependence
    on foreign oil and improving our environment.”



    Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can be driven in electric-only
    or hybrid modes and recharged from a standard electrical outlet.
    They offer increased energy efficiency and decreased petroleum
    consumption by using electricity as the primary fuel for urban
    driving. 



    DOE will provide up to $10 million over three years (50 percent
    of the project’s projected total cost), subject to annual
    appropriations. Development will include examining hybrid architectures
    to achieve a 40-mile electric range, evaluating advanced energy
    storage devices, and operating on an emissions compliant diesel
    engine capable of running on renewable fuels. The project plans
    to deploy 60 vehicles for a three-year period in fleets across
    the nation. 



    For information on the Department of Energy’s work to advance
    vehicle technologies, visit the Vehicle Technologies Program
    website: http://www.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/



    - DOE - 

    CBP
    ISF/"10+2" 2009 Outreach Schedule

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:28:28 -0500

    CBP is hosting trade outreach events in various locations around
    the country to provide the trade community with an opportunity
    to learn more about the new Importer Security Filing and Additional
    Carrier Requirements (a.k.a. ISF/"10+2") interim final
    rule. (more)

    We have recently added the following information
    to the Airport
    Improvement Program Grant/Apportionment Data page on
    the FAA website: 

    FY 2009 Cumulative Approved American Recovery and Reinvestment
    Act (ARRA) Grants (3-16-09 through 4-17-09) 


    Endeavour
    Moves to Launch Pad 39B

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0500

    Space shuttle Endeavour takes its post on Launch Pad 39B before
    STS-127.

    
U.S.
    Federal Aviation Administration Recently Published Rulemaking
    Documents

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
Working
    Toward a Comprehensive Peace Settlement in the Middle East 

    Special Envoy George Mitchell

    
Jerusalem, DC

    
April 16, 2009
 

    
Special
    Envoy George Mitchell Meets With Palestinian President Mahmoud
    Abbas 

    Ramallah, West Bank

    
April 17, 2009

    
Privacy
    Impact Assessments (PIA) for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
U.S.
    Department of State: Spain: Possible Case Against Bush Administration
    Officials 

    Robert Wood

    
Acting Department Spokesman, Office of
    the Spokesman

    
Bureau of Public Affairs
 

    Department
    of Defense, 4/20/2009 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:04:00 -0500 

    Department
    of Defense, 4/19/2009 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:04:00 -0500 

    Work-at-Home
    Scams : Job One: Don't Take the Bait 

    The opportunity to make easy money sounds tempting, but don't
    fall victim to fraudsters who want your cash and your identity.
    Story 


    Department
    of Defense, 4/18/2009 

    U.S.
    Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division
    has updated its Press Releases page.


    Oil Company and Two Executives Plead Guilty to Environmental
    Crimes (09-359) 

    This information has recently been updated, and is now available.
    

    Gates
    Cites Need to Learn From Past Drawdowns 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:46:00 -0500 


    
U.S.
    Department of State: Daily Press Briefing - April 17

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:36:49 -0500

    Robert Wood

    
Acting Department Spokesman

    Daily Press Briefing

    
April 17, 2009

    Airport
    News and New Resources page on the FAA website updated 

    FY 2009 Cumulative Approved American Recovery and Reinvestment
    Act (ARRA) Grants (3-16-09 through 4-17-09) 

    Updated Part 139 Airport Certification Status Table 

    Selected
    New Postings on U.S. Department of Justice Web sites
 

    
Federal
    Register Notices for CFTC.gov

    The following Final
    Rules has been published:

    
CITATION# 74 FR 17826 

    Summary : 

    The Commission hereby (1) amends the charter of the Energy Markets
    Advisory Committee by renaming the committee the ``Energy and
    Environmental Markets Advisory Committee'' and substituting the
    attached ``Charter of the Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory
    Committee'' for the existing charter; (2) adopts the attached
    Findings in support of the charter amendment; (3) authorizes
    the Secretary to sign four official copies of the committee charter
    for filing; and (4) authorizes the filing of the amended charter
    with the Office of the Secretary; the Library of Congress; the
    Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; and
    the House Committee on Agriculture. 

    HHS
    Releases Guidance for Securing Health Information and Preventing
    Harm from Breaches

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:30:00 -0500

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published
    guidance today regarding technologies and methodologies to secure
    health information and prevent harm by rendering health information
    unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized individuals.
    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act required publication
    of the guidance by April 18. This builds on the existing requirements
    of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, which are unchanged.

    CFTC
    News Room for the latest news and events or News
    Room Archives for previous releases. 


    US Department of Energy: President Obama
    Announces More Key Administration Posts



    WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Barack Obama announced his
    intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration
    posts: Christine M. Griffin, Deputy Director of Office of Personnel
    Management; Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition
    and Consumer Services, United States Department of Agriculture;
    Rajiv Shah, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics,
    United States Department of Agriculture; Michael Nacht, Assistant
    Secretary of Defense (Global Strategic Affairs), Department of
    Defense; Mercedes Márquez, Assistant Secretary for Community
    Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development;
    Raymond M. Jefferson, Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment
    and Training, Department of Labor; Robert S. Litt, General Counsel,
    Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and William
    F. Brinkman, Director of the Office of Science, Department of
    Energy.



    President Obama said, "I am grateful that these fine individuals
    have made the admirable decision to serve their country. Their
    expertise and dedication will be a valuable asset both to my
    administration and our nation as we work to bring about the real
    change that the American people need today."



    President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following
    individuals today:



    Christine M. Griffin, Nominee for Deputy Director of Office of
    Personnel Management Christine M. Griffin has been a member of
    the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission since January
    2006 and currently serves as its Acting Vice Chair. As a member
    of the Commission, Ms. Griffin participates, with the other Commissioners,
    in the authorization of litigation and the development and approval
    of regulations, policy and guidance that relate to the enforcement
    of the nation's employment discrimination laws. Since joining
    the Commission, Griffin has been vocal in her support of increasing
    diversity in the federal workforce, most notably through her
    launch of the LEAD Initiative - Leadership for the Employment
    of Americans with Disabilities - to address the significant under-employment
    of individuals with severe disabilities in the federal government.
    Prior to joining the Commission, Griffin served as the Executive
    Director of the Disability Law Center in Boston from 1996 to
    2005. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Griffin received her
    undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy
    and her law degree from Boston College Law School, and was awarded
    the prestigious Skadden Arps Fellowship upon graduation. In 2005,
    Griffin was selected as one of the nation's eleven "Lawyers
    of the Year" by Lawyers Weekly USA newspaper. Griffin is
    also a U.S. Army veteran. 



    Kevin Concannon, Nominee for Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition
    and Consumer Services, United States Department of Agriculture



    Kevin Concannon was appointed Iowa Department of Human Services
    Director in March 2003. He was re-appointed as DHS Director by
    Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge in January 2007. Iowa
    DHS provides authority and financing for health care for Iowans
    of all ages through the Medicaid program and the Iowa hawk-i
    program. The agency also is the lead agency for child welfare,
    low income assistance programs, child support collections, food
    assistance and behavioral health care, and directly operates
    four state psychiatric hospitals and two State Resource Centers
    for Iowans with developmental disabilities, two state juvenile
    residential centers, and the Civil Commitment Unit for Sexual
    Offenders (CCUSO). Previously, Concannon served as Maine's Department
    of Human Services Commissioner from 1995 to 2003. From 1987 to
    1995 he was the Director of the Oregon Department of Human Services.
    From 1982 to 1987 he was Commissioner of the Maine Department
    of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. From 1980 to 1982 he
    was Commissioner of the Maine Department of Mental Health and
    Corrections. He has led efforts at the state level to obtain
    more affordable prescription drugs for state residents. He has
    been instrumental in increasing access to food stamps, farmers
    markets, and simplified application processes for state residents.
    He has been a leader in long-term care system reform for elderly
    and disabled persons and has championed improved child support
    and child care programs. Concannon has served as President of
    the American Public Welfare Association (APWA) and previously
    served as President of the National Association of State Mental
    Health Program Directors. 



    Rajiv Shah, Nominee for Under Secretary for Research, Education,
    and Economics, United States Department of Agriculture



    Rajiv J. Shah is the Director of Agricultural Development in
    the Global Development Program for the Bill and Melinda Gates
    Foundation where he manages the Foundation's Agricultural Development
    program - including grant-making portfolios in science and technology,
    farmer productivity, market access, and policy and statistics
    - with the goal of helping the world's poor lead healthy and
    productive lives. Shah joined the Foundation in 2001 and previously
    served as the Foundation's Director of Strategic Opportunities
    and Deputy Director of Policy and Finance for Global Health.
    In these roles, he helped develop and launch the Foundation's
    Global Development Program and the International Finance Facility
    for Immunization - an effort that raised more than $5 billion
    for child immunization and hopes to save more than five million
    lives around the world. Prior to joining the Foundation, Shah
    was the health care policy advisor on the Gore 2000 presidential
    campaign and a member of Governor Ed Rendell's transition committee
    on health. Shah is the co-founder of Health Systems Analytics
    and Project IMPACT for South Asian Americans. In addition, he
    has served as a policy aide in the British Parliament and worked
    at the World Health Organization. Currently, Shah serves on the
    boards of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, the
    Seattle Public Library, and the Seattle Community College District.
    Dr. Shah earned his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania
    Medical School and Master of Science in health economics at the
    Wharton School of Business. He is a graduate of the University
    of Michigan and the London School of Economics and has published
    articles on health policy and global development. In 2007, he
    was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.



    Michael Nacht, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense (Global
    Strategic Affairs), Department of Defense



    Michael Nacht is currently Professor of Public Policy and former
    Aaron Wildavsky Dean at the Goldman School of Public Policy at
    the University of California - Berkeley. Nacht served a three-year
    term as a member of the U.S. Department of Defense Threat Reduction
    Advisory Committee, for which he chaired panels on counter terrorism
    and counter proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, reporting
    to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. He continues to consult for
    Sandia National Laboratories and Lawrence Livermore National
    Laboratory. From 1994-1997, Nacht was assistant director for
    Strategic and Eurasian Affairs at the Arms Control and Disarmament
    Agency, leading its work on nuclear arms reduction negotiations
    with Russia and initiating nuclear arms control talks with China.
    He participated in five summit meetings with President Clinton
    - four with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and one with Chinese
    President Jiang Zemin. Nacht has testified before Congress on
    subjects ranging from arms control to the supply and demand for
    scientists in the workplace. Nacht earned his B.S. in aeronautics
    and astronautics at New York University and began his career
    working on missile aerodynamics for NASA before earning a Ph.D.
    in political science at Columbia University.



    Mercedes Márquez, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for
    Community Planning and Development, Department of Housing and
    Urban Development



    Mercedes Márquez assumed her duties as the General Manager
    of the City of Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) in January
    2004. Mercedes returned to public service after serving as Vice-President
    of McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc., a national firm specializing
    in the development, consultation, and management of urban communities.
    Márquez oversaw developments throughout the Southwest
    and California, which included initiating new developments, coordinating
    the planning process, acting as liaison with joint venture partners,
    and interfacing with government officials and local community
    groups. Prior to her time with McCormack Baron Salazer, Inc,
    she served in the Clinton administration as the Senior Counsel
    to the Secretary and Deputy General Counsel for Civil Rights
    and Fair Housing for the United States Department of Housing
    and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, D.C. She was principal
    advisor to former Secretary Andrew Cuomo on civil rights policy
    including fair lending and fair housing enforcement, and led
    investigations and negotiations of housing discrimination cases
    resulting in landmark settlements. She also advised the Secretary
    on rural housing and economic development policy, supervised
    farm worker and Colonias Community Builder specialists in five
    states, and served as a U.S. delegate to international commissions.
    From 1992 to 1997, Márquez was a partner at Litt &
    Márquez, where she specialized in complex public interest
    litigation including slumlord, fair housing, public housing,
    sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and constitutional
    issues cases. Márquez is an Advisory Board Member of The
    Eleanor Roosevelt Papers & Human Rights Project and the Center
    for Urban Redevelopment Excellence, a former Trustee of The McAuley
    Institute, and past national Vice-President of the YWCA of the
    USA. Márquez has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University
    of Southern California and a J.D. and LL.M. from Georgetown University
    Law Center. 



    Raymond M. Jefferson, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Veterans
    Employment and Training, Department of Labor



    Ray Jefferson is a leadership consultant with over 20 years of
    experience spanning several of the world's premier organizations.
    From 2006 to 2008, he served with McKinsey & Company in Southeast
    Asia where he created and delivered leadership training and development
    programs for clients and offices throughout Asia. His focus areas
    are organizational change, inspirational leadership, top team
    development and peak performance. Ray graduated from the U.S.
    Military Academy at West Point with a major in leadership. He
    served as an Army Officer with the infantry, Rangers and Special
    Forces, with leadership positions in the U.S. Presidential Honor
    Guard, 3rd Ranger Battalion and 1st Special Forces Group. While
    attempting to protect his teammates from a hand grenade detonating
    prematurely during Special Forces training, he lost all five
    fingers on his left hand. After recuperating, Ray attended Harvard's
    Kennedy School of Government, earning an MPA in Strategic Management
    with Distinction as a Littauer Fellow. He then earned an MBA
    from Harvard Business School and was recognized with the Dean's
    Award for exceptional leadership and service. Upon graduation,
    he was selected as a White House Fellow and worked as a Special
    Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Ray then served
    as a Fulbright Fellow in Singapore, where he studied leadership
    within Asian contexts. Afterwards, he served as the Deputy Director
    for the State of Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development
    and Tourism (DBEDT). DBEDT's mission involves creating jobs,
    facilitating business development, diversifying the economy and
    creating renewable energy initiatives. While at DBEDT, he co-led
    the organizational transformation for a department of over 230
    team members with an operating budget of $182 million. Ray was
    selected by then-Secretary of State Colin Powell as one of the
    two inaugural recipients of the Harrison H. Schmitt Fulbright
    Alumni Leadership Award for dedication to public service. He
    is a member of the Asia Society, the Fulbright Association, the
    NAACP and the Special Forces Association. Born and raised in
    Guilderland, New York, he now considers Honolulu, Hawaii his
    home.



    Robert S. Litt, Nominee for General Counsel, Office of the Director
    of National Intelligence



    Robert S. Litt is a Partner at Arnold & Porter LLP, where
    he specializes in white collar criminal defense. Prior to joining
    the firm, Litt served for five years at the Department of Justice
    as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General and as Deputy
    Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division. In these
    positions, his responsibilities included matters relating to
    national security, healthcare fraud, public corruption, computer
    crime and intellectual property. From 1978 to 1984, Litt served
    as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District
    of New York, including as Chief Appellate Attorney. Litt is a
    member of the governing Council of the Criminal Justice Section
    of the American Bar Association and is a member of the Advisory
    Committee to the ABA's Standing Committee on Law and National
    Security. He clerked for the Honorable Edward Weinfeld in the
    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and
    the Honorable Potter Stewart on the U.S. Supreme Court. Litt
    holds an A.B. from Harvard College, a M.A. from Yale University
    and a J.D. from Yale Law School.



    William F. Brinkman, Nominee for Director of the Office of Science,
    Department of Energy



    William F. Brinkman is currently a Senior Research Physicist
    in the Physics Department at Princeton University. He retired
    as Vice President of Research from Bell Laboratories, Lucent
    Technologies, Murray Hill, NJ. In that position his responsibilities
    included the direction of all research to enable the advancement
    of the technology underlying Lucent Technologies' products. Previous
    to this position he was Physical Sciences Research Vice President
    and Vice President of Research at Sandia National Laboratories
    in Albuquerque, NM. William received his BS and Ph.D. in Physics
    from the University of Missouri in 1960 and 1965, respectively.
    He joined Bell Laboratories in 1966 after spending one year as
    an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at Oxford University. In 1972, he
    became Head of the Infrared Physics and Electronics Research
    Department, and in 1974 became the Director of the Chemical Physics
    Research Laboratory. He held the position of Director of the
    Physical Research Laboratory from 1981 until moving to Sandia
    in 1984. He returned to Bell Laboratories in 1987 to become Executive
    Director of the Physics Research Division. In 1993, he became
    Physical Sciences Research Vice President, and in January 2000
    became Vice President, Research. William is a member of the American
    Philosophical Society, National Academy of Sciences, and the
    American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has served on a number
    of national committees, including chairmanship of the National
    Academy of Sciences Physics Survey and their Solid-State Sciences
    Committee. 





    -DOE-

    Next-Generation
    Navy Destroyer Set for Construction in Maine 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:01:00 -0500 

    
April 17, 2009 BLS Update

    
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
    A listing of the latest

    publications from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is now available
    at

    http://www.bls.gov/opub/update.htm
    Please refer questions to

    blsdata_staff@bls.gov
    .
 

    
Constituent
    Update for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
U.S.
    Department of State Digital Town Hall of the Americas 

    Hillary Rodham Clinton

    
Secretary of State

    
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

    
April 17, 2009

    DoD
    Contracts for April 17, 2009 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:01:00 -0500 


    
C-SPAN Weekend Alert Programming Information
    for Fri. 4/17 - Mon. 4/20, 2009

    **********************************************************************

    
C-SPAN Highlights

    
Friday:

    * Howard Univ. & ALBC Conference on Emancipation and Revolution
    (8pm)

    * Pres. Obama at the Summit of the Americas (9pm)

    
Saturday:

    * Communicators: National Cable Television Association Conference
    (6:30pm)

    * A&C: Panel Discussion on Challenges Facing Women &
    the Law (7pm)

    
Sunday:

    * Newsmakers: Austan Goolsbee, White House Chief Economist (10am)

    * Q&A: Author Janet Tavakoli (8pm)

    
Monday:

    * U.S. House: In Recess. Reconvenes Tuesday, April 21

    * Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Town Hall Meeting on Health Care Reform
    (5pm) - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN 2 Highlights

    
Friday:

    * Book TV: Kirstin Downey, Author, "The Woman Behind the
    New Deal" (8pm)

    * Book TV's After Words: Philip Dray, Author, "Capitol Men"
    (8:55pm)

    
Saturday/Sunday:

    * Book TV on C-SPAN2 All Weekend

    * Check the Book TV Schedule, Updated Daily: http://www.booktv.org/

    
Monday:

    * U.S. Senate: In Session (2pm) - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN 3 Highlights

    
Friday:

    * C-SPAN Viewer Video of Tax Day Tea Parties (8pm)

    
Saturday:

    * Book TV: Simon Winchester, Author, "A Crack in the Edge
    of the World" (10am)

    
Sunday:

    * Book TV: Panel Discussion on Founding Fathers & the American
    Revolution (10am)

    
Monday:

    * Programming TBA. Check <a href="http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=schedule&tID=&date=2009-04-20

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN Radio Highlights

    
Saturday:

    * Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

    * Annapolis Book Festival (11:30am) - LIVE

    
 

    
Sunday:

    * Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

    * Sunday Network News Shows (12pm)

    
 

    
Monday:

    * Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE

    **********************************************************************

    Politics Highlights

    
* C-SPAN Political Programming - Sunday
    on C-SPAN at 6:30pm ET

    **********************************************************************

    Washington Journal Highlights

    
Saturday:

    * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls

    * Discussion on Summit of the Americas

    * Discussion on High Speed Rail System

    * Discussion on the Role of the Internet in the 2008 Elections

    
Sunday:

    * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls

    * Discussion on the News of the Week

    * Discussion on Pres. Obama's Tax Policy

    * Discussion on the U.S. Economy

    
Monday:

    * Newspaper Articles & Viewer Calls

    * Discussion on The Week Ahead in Congress

    * Discussion on Energy & Environmental Issues

    * Discussion on Apartheid in South America

    **********************************************************************

    C-SPAN Capitol Spotlight

    
* Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates plans
    to brief congressional leaders Monday on a “fundamental
    shift” in defense spending and priorities, his spokesman
    said Friday. The fiscal 2010 funding choices... - Full Story
    at http://www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight

    
* Of the 49 Democrats from McCain-voting
    districts, who represents the most pro-McCain district? - Answer
    at http://www.c-span.org/capitolspotlight

    FBI's
    Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending April 17, 2009 

    Read about our Top Ten news stories of the week, including the
    extradition of fugitive U.S. Marine Cesar Laurean from Mexico
    to the U.S. to face murder charges; the seizure of 45 kilos of
    cocaine and related arrests in a New Hampshire drug bust; and
    the guilty plea of a cruise ship passenger to assault on the
    high seas. More 

    
National
    Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation has been updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    
New
    York Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
UST
    Home Page for U.S. Department of Justice updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
New
    Haven Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    DoD
    Announces Winners Of The Secretary Of Defense Environmental Awards
    

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:38:00 -0500 

    Commitments
    of Traders Reports for CFTC.gov updated

    The current reports for the week of April 17, 2009 are now available.


    See previous weeks in Historical
    Commitments of Traders Reports. 

    
Washington
    Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    Iraq
    Briefing 

    Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:15:15 -0500 

    COL Gary Volesky, Commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team,
    1st Cavalry Division speaks via satellite with reporters at the
    Pentagon. 

    NEW
    VACANCIES CFTC.gov 

    The following job opening has been published. 

    09-146,
    Trade Practice Analyst, 1801-11/12/13 

    Division of Market Oversight, Chicago, IL 

    Closes May 1, 2009 

    
Federal Election Commission Draft Advisory
    Opinion is now available:

    
Draft Advisory Opinion 2009-06, http://saos.nictusa.com/aodocs/1059566.pdf 


    
Philadelphia
    Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    DoD
    General Officer Assignments 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:30:00 -0500 

    CDC
    Hosts 58th Annual Epidemic Intelligence Services (EIS) Conference
 

    Navy
    Customs Unit Works to Get Troops Home 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:14:00 -0500 

    
U.S.
    Department of State Turkmenistan-U.S. Relations 

    Richard A. Boucher

    
Assistant Secretary

    
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs

    
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

    
April 16, 2009

    
New
    Orleans Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:16:00 -0500

    04/17/2009
    Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009
    (CHIPRA) Overview

    Topic(s): CHIPRA, CHIP, Public Law 111-3

    
Miami
    Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    IRS.GOV
    Issue Number: RR-2009-12 Revenue Ruling 2009-12 provides various prescribed rates for federal
    income tax purposes including the applicable federal interest
    rates, the adjusted applicable federal interest rates, the adjusted
    federal long-term rate, the adjusted federal long-term tax-exempt
    rate. These rates are determined as prescribed by § 1274.




    Revenue Ruling 2009-12 will be in IRB 2009-19, dated May 11,
    2009. 


    CSMS#
    09-000184 - Western Hemisphine Travel Initiative (WHTI) and ACE
    e-Manifest Trucks

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:22:30 -0500

    
Kansas
    City Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
OIP
    FOIA Post for U.S. Department of Justice has been updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 


    
U.S. Army Environmental Command Army
    Earth Day Updates

    
As we prepare to celebrate Earth Day across
    the Army on April 22, please remember to send in your highlights
    to the USAEC Earth Day Coordinator at 

    APGR-USAECEarthDay@conus.army.mil
    so that we can showcase them as we did last year. 2008 highlights
    can be found 

    here http://aec.army.mil/usaec/newsroom/earthday00d.html
    

    
San
    Diego Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation updated

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    
Texas Christian University Democrats
    OFA FT Worth Listening Tour

    
Hi, I know it has been awhile since the
    last time I wrote but I have an event that I thought some of
    you might be interested in attending.

    
There is an "Organizing for America/
    The First 100 Days" Meeting on Sunday, April 26 from 6:00
    - 8:00 pm. This is a time where supporters of President Barack
    Obama can come to support and bring ideas to the meeting. Issues
    such as community, healthcare, education, and the economy will
    all be brought up. Texas for Obama is an associated group and
    this would be a great way for you to bring any questions or ideas
    to the table.

    
There are only 50 seats and 30 have already
    been taken. If you would like to RSVP please let me know soon
    and we can get a group together.

    
-Elizabeth Slagle

    --------------------
 

    
U.S.
    Department of State Remarks With Dominican Republic President
    Leonel Fernandez 

    Hillary Rodham Clinton

    
Secretary of State

    
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

    
April 17, 2009
 

    EPA
    to Propose Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

    Sources say agency plans to propose regulating emissions on the
    grounds that the pollutants pose a danger to the public's health
    and welfare, a major shift on climate change.

    Flight
    Nurse Provides Care in the Air 

    Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:00:00 -0500 


    Chairman
    Emphasizes Need to "Get It Right" for Soldiers, Families
    

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:02:00 -0500 

    U.S.
    Department of State Secretary's Remarks: Remarks at Interamerican
    Woven Garment Factory

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:05:39 -0500

    
U.S.
    Department of State Remarks at the Hogar Rosa Duarte Elementary
    School 

    Hillary Rodham Clinton

    
Secretary of State

    
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

    
April 17, 2009
 

    Iraqi
    Police Training Focuses on Sustainable Approach 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:41:00 -0500 

    Air
    Force Band Member Enjoys Audience Interaction 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0500 

    
Texas Young Democrats Convention

    
Thank you everyone for your support. The
    weekend that all Young Democrats have been waiting for has come
    upon us. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Renee Hartley for
    her tireless efforts planning this wonderful convention. Also,
    to Ms. Shondra Wygal for her dedication to Texas and her passion
    while continuing to elect Democrats to office.

    
I am urging all of you to please come to
    Texas Young Democrats Convention and to my hospitality party.

    
To my lovely friends retiring from Texas
    Young Democrats, you have become friends that I will remain close
    to for a lifetime.

    
Con Carino,

    
Melanie Aranda

    Candidate for President

    Texas Young Democrats
 

    
Interactive
    Knowledge Exchange (IKE) Scenario Comment Page for USDA Food
    Safety and Inspection Service

    
This information has recently been updated,
    and is now available. 

    Treasury
    Congratulates Liberia on the Buy Back of Outstanding Commercial
    Debt

    April 17, 2009

    TG-91

    
Federal Election Commission Advisory
    Opinion Requests

    
Advisory Opinion Request is now available:

    
AOR 2009-09, http://saos.nictusa.com/aodocs/1059478.pdf
    


    
Our first issue of the year demonstrates
    how the CDC has worked with non-traditional public heath partners
    in the private sector to improve the health of people around
    the world. Amidst the global economic crisis, Public-Private
    Partnerships have become a vital way to leverage increasingly
    limited resources to help respond to country needs, advance progress
    on U.S. Government global health initiatives, and achieve the
    greatest possible health impact.

    
>> Read
    the E-Brief 

    
Flu
    Weekly Report and Flu
    Weekly Map for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    (CDC)

    
This information has recently been updated
    and is now available. 

    NASA
    Celebrates Earth Day Across the Country

    Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:00:00 -0500
 

    International
    Effort Benefits Afghanistan's Alasay Valley 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:45:00 -0500 

    Billions
    in Mortgage Fraud Schemes, Part II

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:57:46 -0500

    FBI Special Agent Brian Weber says there are more than 2,000
    investigations in the U.S. right now. The broadcast is part of
    our radio show "FBI, This Week," which is broadcast
    on ABC Radio Networks.

    Phony
    Medicare Bills, Part I

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:42:38 -0500

    Special Agent Rolf Gjertsen of the FBI’s Miami office discusses
    a major investigation into a billing company . Second in a series.
    The episode is part of our "Gotcha" series highlighting
    closed FBI cases.
 

    National
    Security Personnel System Goes Under Microscope 

    Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:19:00 -0500 

    
U.S.
    Department of State Remarks With Haitian President Rene Preval
    

    Hillary Rodham Clinton

    
Secretary of State

    
Port-au-Prince, Haiti

    
April 16, 2009

    ticker timeline 12:02 Eastern Time 17 Friday
    April 17, 2009
 

    



    
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