usdemocrats.com * August 02, 2009 keynote news, current events, political news ticker, democratic daily weblog

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August 2, 2009

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CNN
Cable TV LIVE FEED

Britain
and Australia conclude military duties within Iraq

from AP Top International News At 5:48
a... by By CHELSEA J. CARTER

BAGHDAD (AP) -- The war in Iraq was truly an American-only effort
Saturday after Britain and Australia, the last of its international
partners, pulled out....

Health
care debate shifting to Main Street

from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
EST by By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The health care debate is heading back to
Main Street, to cities and towns where people are worried about
medical costs but increasingly concerned that overhauling the
system may do more harm than good....

UK
minister suggests more aggressive banking overhaul

from Malaysia News latest RSS headlines
- Big News Network.com

LONDON (AP): A government-commissioned review of the British
banking industry should be more radical regarding issues such
as shareholder rights and transparency, a U.K. minister said
Saturday. Treasu...

Positive
trends in spending seen in Dubai

from UAE News latest RSS headlines - Big
News Network.com

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) in the emirate experience rise in footfalls
despite decreases across the world, a recent study has found.
The food retail segment represents the largest segment within
the UAE...

US
congressman to visit Sudan next week

from Sudan News latest RSS headlines -
Big News Network.com

August 1, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — US Congressman, Keith Ellison
is expected in the Sudanese capital next Tuesday for talks with
the Sudanese officials on humanitarian situation in Darfur.

Souter
promoting civics education

from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
EST

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- Retired but not retiring, former U.S. Supreme
Court Justice David Souter is helping his native state of New
Hampshire promote civics education in the public schools....

Obama:
Innovation key to improving the economy

from AP Top Political News At 5:39 a.m.
EST by By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Future economic prosperity depends on building
a new, stronger foundation and recapturing the "spirit of
innovation," President Barack Obama says....

Sen.
Franken relishes policy role in new position

from AP Top Headlines At 4:24 a.m. EST
by By HENRY C. JACKSON

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Just weeks into his Senate term, Al Franken's
portfolio compares favorably to any of the Senate's freshman
members. He loves policy. He has signed on as co-sponsor to a
half dozen bills, asked thoughtful questions of Supreme Court
nominee Sonia Sotomayor, and immersed himself in a thorny debate
over health care reform....

Nissan
unveils zero-emission hatchback "Leaf"

from Reuters: Environment

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co took the wraps off
its much-awaited electric car on Sunday, naming the hatchback
"Leaf" and taking a step toward its goal of leading
the industry in the zero-emissions field.

Britain
to outlaw most private organ transplants

from AP Top Science News At 5:42 a.m. EST
by By JILL LAWLESS

LONDON (AP) -- The British government said Friday that it plans
to ban private organ transplants from dead donors to allay fears
that prospective recipients can buy their way to the front of
the line....

VACANCY:
Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P/3 (New York), Deadline: 13 Sep
2009

VACANCY:
Human Rights Officer, P/4 (New York), Deadline: 23 Aug 2009

VACANCY:
Senior Economic Affairs Officer, P/5 (New York), Deadline: 08
Aug 2009

VACANCY:
Deputy Executive Secretary, D/2 (Geneva), Deadline: 22 Sep 2009

VACANCY:
Chief, Environment and Development Division, D/1 (Bangkok), Deadline:
28 Sep 2009

VACANCY:
Head, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Branch, D/1 (Geneva), Deadline: 04 Sep 2009

VACANCY:
Chief, Infrastructure & Natural Resources Development Section,
P/5 (Addis Ababa), Deadline: 30 Aug 2009

VACANCY:
Economic Affairs Officer, P/4 (New York), Deadline: 23 Aug 2009

VACANCY:
Head, French Translation Unit, P/4 (The Hague), Deadline: 02
Aug 2009

VACANCY:
Translator/Precis Writer, P/3 (Geneva), Deadline: 08 Sep 2009

VACANCY:
Chief, Protocol and Logistics Unit, P/3 (Addis Ababa), Deadline:
13 Sep 2009

VIDEO:
House Energy & Commerce Cmte. Health Care Mark Up

from C-SPAN Recent Video

The House Energy & Commerce Cmte. mark continued after an
understanding had been reached between congressional leaders
and a conservative group of Democrats, "the Blue Dogs."
Part of the agreement is that a final floor vote on the health
care will not occur until after the August recess. The Committee
hopes to finish the mark up before the break.

Length:

Published: Thursday at 10am (ET)

VIDEO:
Space Shuttle Endeavor Landing

from C-SPAN Recent Video

The Space shuttle Endeavour and its seven-member crew returned
safely to Earth after completing a 16-day mission during which
they completed construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency's Kibo laboratory.

Length: 9 min.

Published: Friday at 10:45am (ET)

VIDEO:
Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD), Congressional Progressive Caucus,
Member

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Rep. Donna Edwards shares the Progressive Caucus's view of health
care legislation. Progressives on Thursday voiced their oppostion
to the deal worked out by Chairman Waxman, the Blue Dogs &
Speaker Pelosi. Progressives want a "robust" public
option for the health care plan.

Length: 28 min.

Published: Friday at 7:30am (ET)

VIDEO:
House Transportation Cmte. Hearing on Infrastructure Programs

from C-SPAN Recent Video

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Cmte. held a hearing
on the Recovery Act: 160 day Progress Report on the 787 billion
dollar economic stimulus package, looking specifically at infrastructure
and transportation projects. The witnesses are government officials
in charge of projects using stimulus funds.

Length: 2 hr. 57 min.

Published: Friday at 10am (ET)

VIDEO:
Pres. Obama Remarks on the Economy

from C-SPAN Recent Video

President Obama made remarks on the economy from the White House
Diplomatic Room.

Length: 6 min.

Published: Friday at 1:15pm (ET)

VIDEO:
State Department Press Briefing Fri July 31 2009

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Philip Crowley conducts
a daily briefing at the State Department.

Length: 32 min.

Published: Friday at 1pm (ET)

VIDEO:
Joe Biden Address to the National Urban League

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Vice President Joe Biden addressed the “2009 National Urban
League Conference: The Path to Power,” in Chicago, IL. Marc
H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, introduced
Vice President Biden.

Length: 37 min.

Published: Friday at 11:15am (ET)

VIDEO:
House Spkr. Pelosi and Democratic Leadership Press Conference

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Leading up to the August recess, House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi
(D-CA) and other members of the House Democratic Leadership participated
in a press conference to discuss the ongoing process of drafting
health care reform legislation and other issues on the legislative
agenda.

Length: 37 min.

Published: Friday at 2pm (ET)

VIDEO:
Sec. of State Clinton Joint Press Conference with Prince Saud
Al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Prince Saud Al-Faisal,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated
in a joint press conference at the State Department.

Length: 21 min.

Published: Friday at 2:15pm (ET)

VIDEO:
House Floor Debate on Executive Compensation

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Members of the House of Representatives debated H.R. 3296, a
bill which would give corporate shareholders the right to vote
on compensation for executives of companies in which they are
invested.

Length: 1 hr. 9 min.

Published: Friday at 10am (ET)

VIDEO:
White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs conducts a daily briefing at the
White House.

Length: 49 min.

Published: Friday at 1pm (ET)

VIDEO:
Pres. Obama Weekly Address

from C-SPAN Recent Video

Following the release of Friday’s Gross Domestic Product
report, President Obama talks about the steps his administration
has taken to revive the economy in his weekly address to the
nation.

Length: 5 min.

Published: Saturday at 10am (ET)

VIDEO:
House Energy & Commerce Cmte. Hearing On Health Care

from C-SPAN Recent Video

By a vote of 31 to 28, the House Energy & Commerce Cmte.
passed their version of health care legislation, Friday night.
After the August recess the committee will return to consider
amendments to the bill that were not brought up during this markup
session.

Length:

Published: Friday at 12am (ET)

Weekly
Address: President Obama Says GDP Numbers Show Recovery Act Working;
Long-Term Investments Still Needed

WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Barack
Obama said the newly released GDP numbers are an indication that
the Recovery Act is working, but that long–term investments
in innovation are needed to ensure our nation’s long-term
economic growth.

Briefing
by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 7/31/09

Remarks
by the First Lady upon return of the USNS Comfort and USS Eisenhower

Remarks
by the President on the economy

Remarks
by President Obama and President Arroyo of the Philippines in
Joint Press Availability, 7-30-09

Remarks
by the President at Town Hall in Raleigh, North Carolina

CEA
Chair Romer’s Chat on Health Insurance Reform and Small
Business

Posted by Jesse Lee

Weekly
Address: This Economic Storm Will Pass

Posted by Macon Phillips

The President discusses the state of the economy amidst positive
signs from the GDP. Making clear that this is little comfort
to those struggling, he notes that we appear to have averted
an even worse disaster and offers hope for the time ahead.

New
Deadline Set for Health Care Bill

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) "has set a new
deadline of Sept. 15 to complete bipartisan health care talks,"
Roll Call reports.

Administration
denies split on Sudan policy

Posted: July 31st, 2009 04:59 PM ET

From CNN Senior Producer Charley Keyes

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Obama administration
has made no decision on whether to remove Sudan from a list of
terrorism-sponsoring countries, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
said Friday, a day after another administration official spoke
in favor of its removal.

Recess
politics of health care

Posted: August 1st, 2009 07:54 AM ET

Key
House committee passes health-care bill

Posted: August 1st, 2009 08:02 AM ET

Boxes of amendments sit in the chamber where the House Energy
and Committee meets.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Barack Obama's top domestic
priority moved one step closer to congressional approval Friday
as a key House committee passed comprehensive health-care reform
legislation.

White
House weekly radio address

Posted: August 1st, 2009 09:16 AM ET

National
Guard Remarks

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:56:01 -0500

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs Dennis McCarthy
speaks at the 2009 National Guard Family Program Volunteer Workshop
in Dearborn, MI.

Ada
County Democrats: What's Walt Thinking?

"Happy Hour Q & A with Congressman Walt Minnick"

What: Informational Meeting

Host: Ada County Democrats

Start Time: Tuesday, August 11 at 5:30pm

End Time: Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00pm

Where: Smoky Mountain Pizza

Department
of Homeland Security Sustainability and Efficiency Task Force
Holds Inaugural Meeting

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0500

The Department's Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) Sustainability
and Efficiency Task Force held its first meeting. The task force
is a group of energy and environmental experts who advise Secretary
Napolitano on ways to bolster national security by maximizing
resource efficiency.

Toward
A Comprehensive Strategy For Sudan

Scott Gration

Special Envoy to Sudan

Washington, DC

July 30, 2009

US-CERT Current Activity

Adobe Releases Security Updates for
Reader and Acrobat

Original release date: July 31, 2009 at
2:32 pm

Last revised: July 31, 2009 at 2:32 pm

Adobe has released Reader 9.1.3 and Acrobat
9.1.3 to address a

vulnerability. By convincing a user to open a PDF document embedded

with a specially crafted SWF file, an attacker may be able to
execute

arbitrary code.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators
to review Adobe security

bulletin APSB09-10 and apply any necessary updates to help mitigate

the risks. Additional information regarding this vulnerability
can be

found in US-CERT Technical Cyber Security Alert TA09-204A.

Relevant Url(s):

<http://www.adobe.com/support/security/bulletins/apsb09-10.html>

<http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/TA09-204A.html>

====

This entry is available at

http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#adobe_releases_security_updates_for3

FEMA
Administrator Fugate Meets With Administrator Of U.S. Small Business
Administration

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:55:52 -0500

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate
met today with Administrator Karen Mills, of the U.S. Small Business
at FEMA headquarters. The two administrators discussed the need
to build on past cooperation and engage the public, particularly
small businesses, on the need to be prepared for any emergency.

President
of First Fidelity Mortgage, Inc. Indicted and Arrested on Federal
Charges

VACANCY:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CRIMINAL DIVISION OFFICE OF OVERSEAS
PROSECUTORIAL DEVELOPMENT, ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING EXPERIENCED
ATTORNEY / GS-14 to GS-15 Applications
will be accepted until October 15, 2009.

VACANCY:
Public Affairs Specialist

The Public Affairs Specialist reports to
the Manager of the Office of Public and Legislative Affairs at
the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund.
Specific duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
contributes to the planning and implementation strategies to
convey the mission, program policies, and accomplishments of
the CDFI Fund to stakeholders; collects information and develops
such information into both traditional and electronic communication
formats; identifies, cultivates, and tracks relationships with
the Fund’s varied constituencies including all segments
of the CDFI industry, financial institutions, public agencies,
and elected officials; researches, drafts, and edits a variety
of written documents.

Commitments of Traders Reports for CFTC.gov.

The current
reports for the week of 7/31/2009 are now available.

See previous weeks in Historical
Commitments of Traders Reports.

FDA
Approves New Drug Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:14:00 -0500

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Onglyza
(saxagliptin), a once-daily tablet to treat Type 2 diabetes in
adults. The medication is intended to be used with diet and exercise
to control high blood sugar levels.

The 2010 NFAIS Annual Conference, Redefining
the Value of Information: Exploring the New Equation, is scheduled to take place February 28 - March
2, 2010 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue in Philadelphia,
PA. The conference theme description, press release, hotel information/directions,
and information on Philadelphia are now available at: http://www.nfais.org/events/event_details.cfm?id=58
.

GEN
Petraeus Honors Marines

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:22:24 -0500

General David Petraeus paid tribute to the Marine Corps in a
speech Thursday in Arlington, Virgnia.

U.S.
Department of State Highlights: Toward a Comprehensive Strategy
for Sudan

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0500

Visit
to Laos and Thailand of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Population, Refugees, and Migration Witten

Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

July 31, 2009

Florida College Democrats: Join our
Fan page and follow us on Twitter!

Hey, College Democrats!

The Florida College Democrats have exciting
plans in the works, and we'd like everyone to know about them!
If you haven't already, join our Fan Page. The page is more versatile
than the group and allows us to share opportunities and news
statewide:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Florida-College-Democrats/139455782941

You can also follow us on Twitter!

http://www.twitter.com/FLCollegeDems

Hope to see you link with us! Please contact
me if you have any questions.

All the best,

Ben Cavataro

Florida College Democrats President

flcollegedemspres@gmail.com

DoD
Releases Quarterly Report on Iraq

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:38:00 -0500

Federal
Rule Changes Win Committee Approval

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:29:00 -0500

The Judicial Conference's Committee on Rules of Practice and
Procedure recently approved several proposed rules and forms
amendments, and a new rule.

Citing
Internet Sources In Judicial Opinions

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:29:00 -0500

The Judicial Conference has issued a series of "suggested
practices" to assist courts in the use of Internet materials
in opinions.

Scheduled
Events for U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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

August 3-7, 2009

General
Officer Assignments

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:54:00 -0500

DoD
Contracts for July 31, 2009

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:05:00 -0500

U.S.
Department of State : Daily Press Briefing - July 31

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:08:29 -0500

Philip J. Crowley

Assistant Secretary of State

Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC

July 31, 2009

Exec
Pleads Guilty to Making Illegal Payments to Union Official

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:58:11 -0500

Santo Petrocelli, Sr., the former owner and chairman of Petrocelli
Electric Company, pled guilty in Manhattan federal court to making
tens of thousands of dollars worth of payments to Brian McLaughlin,
a former Business Representative of Local 3 of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in violation of federal labor
law.

Exec
Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud and Tax Shelter Charges

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:54:55 -0500

Mark Bloom pled guilty in Manhattan federal court to investment
fraud charges and to obstructing the administration of the Internal
Revenue Laws in connection with fraudulent tax shelters he helped
market while a partner at BDO Seidman, LLP, a major international
accounting firm.

Rhode
Island Union Official, Contractor, Plead Guilty in Illegal Payment
Scheme

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:47:18 -0500

Nicholas Manocchio, the director of the New England Regional
Organizing Fund of the Laborers International Union of North
America (LIUNA), pled guilty to conspiring to receive money and
other things of value from building contractors whose employees
LIUNA represented. Gerald Diodati, a construction contractor,
also pled guilty today to conspiring to make unlawful payments
to LUNA officials, including Manocchio.

Louisiana
Mortgage Company President Indicted on Bank Fraud Charges

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:16:19 -0500

William Everett Nichols, of Alexandria, Louisiana, the president
and sole shareholder of First Fidelity Mortgage, Inc. was indicted
and arrested on federal bank fraud charges in connection with
allegedly preparing fraudulent notes by forging the signatures
of buyers.

Today
in the Department of Defense, 8/2/2009

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:31:00 -0500

Department
of Defense, 8/3/2009

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:55:00 -0500

U.S.
Department of State Remarks With Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister
Prince Saud Al-Faisal

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Treaty Room

Washington, DC

July 31, 2009

Johnson County Democratic Party needs
your help.

The Johnson County Dems are requesting
volunteers for the JoCo fair. Let's show them our support. You
can also join other KCYD's at the JoCo 2nd Saturday Democratic
Breakfast and listen to Democratic State Representative Cindy
Neighbor discuss the 2009 legislative session.

The Kansas City Young Democrats will start
giving recognition to active members at its events, so please
let me know if you plan on attending these functions.

Thank you,

Chris Cardinal

KCYD President

JOCO Fair volunteers needed;

2nd Saturday Breakfast,

Aug 8 -- NEW LOCATION!!!

Johnson County Fair, August 4-8

JOHNSON COUNTY FAIR

Gardner, KS

Tuesday-Saturday

August 4-8

MORNING 10-12 A.M.

AFTERNOON 5-9 P.M.

Johnson County Democrats will have a booth
at the Johnson County Fair again this year. We need volunteers
to help staff the booth mornings and evenings (but not in the
heat of the afternoon).

If you can help, please contact Roberta
Eveslage -- (913) 422-7831, reveslage@kc.rr.com -- or Kevin King
-- kevin.king1974@gmail.com.

Driving directions at link: JOCO Fair.

For more information, please visit our
website at http://www.jocodems.org.

2nd Saturday Breakfast -- Cafe 75!!!

We will meet on Aug. 8 at Cafe 75 located
in the strip shopping area of the NE corner of the intersection
of 75th and Quivira. (It is just south of where Dillons was.)

Still 8 AM, still $10, still buffet.

Come hear Democratic State Representative Cindy Neighbor discuss
the 2009 legislative session.

Driving directions at link below: Cafe 75.

Breakfast buffet opens at 8:00 AM ($10.00
per person -- exact change appreciated -- no checks) with the
program and announcements to follow.

Contact Ken Leonard 913-541-8721.

For a complete and updated list of events,
go to http://www.jocodems.org/?q=event.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.jocodems.org.

First
Lady Welcomes Sailors Home, Thanks Families

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:16:00 -0500

Statement
on the Passing of Filipino President Corazon Aquino

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

July 31, 2009

Young
Democrats of Louisiana's Big Easy Bash in Chicago

""Laissez les bon temps roulez!!!!" "

What: Cocktail Party

Host: Young Democrats of Louisiana

Start Time: Friday, August 7 at 10:30pm

End Time: Saturday, August 8 at 1:00am

Where: YDL Skyline Hospitality Suite Hyatt
Regency McCormick Place

To see more details and RSVP

Knowledge Manager Needed for Contract Opportunity!

Do you have knowledge management experience? Do you have an MLS
or a degree in Information Management/Science? We have a great
opportunity for you! We are seeking a Knowledge Manager for a
three month contract assignment with a defense agency in the
Washington, DC area. You will be promoting the sharing of knowledge,
experience and best practices across the team, affecting organizational
change through the development of leading practices in the areas
of people, process, technology and content.

Requirements include experience with web development and maintenance,
outstanding communication skills, ability to present information
in a targeted and easily accessible manner, ability to manage
a team and direct assignments, ability to multi-task in a fast-paced
and deadline-oriented environment, experience developing and
executing communication strategies and plans, and experience
in education and training as well as program development. Secret
clearance required. Send your resume for immediate consideration
to Elizabeth.Bearden@trakrecordsandlibrary.com!

Elizabeth Bearden

Placement Director ~ TRAK Records and Library

1776 Eye Street, NW

Suite 575

Washington, DC 20006

202.261.7200 (phone)

202.466.4499 (fax)

Contact:

Stephanie Lundberg

202-225-3130For Immediate Release

July 31, 2009

Hoyer Statement on Energy and Commerce
Passage of House Health Reform Bill

WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after
the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the America's
Affordable Health Choices Act, the third committee to do so this
month:

“The action by the Energy and Commerce Committee to approve
legislation that gives Americans the peace of mind of affordable
quality health care they can count on is truly historic. For
half a century, health reform has remained elusive, and the result
has been a system that is more inefficient and costly for families,
businesses and our economy every year. Today, we are closer than
we have ever been to achieving the change we have sought for
so long.

“I commend Chairman Henry Waxman for working to build consensus
within a diverse committee to move this legislation forward.
I also want to recognize Chairman Emeritus John Dingell for his
tireless commitment over more than five decades to improve health
care for all Americans. And I want to thank all the members of
the committee who worked extraordinarily hard to overcome the
challenges in passing such a complex, but significant piece of
legislation.

“There is no question that every Member of the Democratic
Caucus cares very deeply about this issue, and that has been
evident in the vigorous debate we have seen so far throughout
this process. But that debate and discussion has made this bill
stronger, and the American people will benefit as a result. We
never expected this to be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is.

“That is why we recognize that our work is far from finished.
Over the next five weeks, Members of Congress will have an opportunity
to review the legislation in its current form and discuss with
their constituents how they and their families stand to benefit.
I expect that when Congress reconvenes in September we will be
in a strong position to pass through the House the health reform
America has waited so long to achieve."

###

Tropical
Storm Lana (Eastern Pacific)