|
|
|
Spear
Phishing E-Mails Target U.S Law Firms and Public Relations Firms
|
|
Upcoming
Meetings and Recently Posted Materials web page for Advisory
Committees of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
COBE
Satellite Marks 20th Anniversary
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
|
Obama
at Osan Air Base
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:47:06 -0600
President Barack Obama arrived at Osan Air Base in the Republic
of Korea Wednesday.
|
Army
Suicides
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:38:37 -0600
|
Somali
Pirate Attack
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:04:00 -0600
The cargo ship, Maersk Alabama, is sailing toward Kenya Wednesday,
after once again coming under attack by Somali pirates.
|
El
Salvador Relief Efforts
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:06:43 -0600
Servicemembers with Joint Task Force Bravo are supporting disaster
relief efforts in El Salvador after heavy rains triggered floods
and mudslides earlier this month.
|
|
Opening
Remarks for Hearing on Counterterrorism in Africa (Sahel Region)
Johnnie Carson
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Africa
Washington, DC
November 17, 2009
|
Remarks
by Attorney General Eric Holder at the Brennan Center for Justice
Legacy Awards Dinner
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:03:21 -0600
|
Homeless
Dogs Help Healing Troops
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:43:00 -0600
|
DODEA
Teacher of the Year
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:42:16 -0600
|
|
Economic
Recovery Act of 2009 for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
Weekly Recovery data for November 17, 2009 now available.
|
DOD
Announces One Army Casualty, Dustwun Status
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:14:00 -0600
|
|
Privacy
Impact Assessments (PIA) for U.S. Department of Homeland Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Los
Angeles Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Background
Notes : Denmark (11/09)
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:16:41 -0600
|
|
Small
Business Vendor Outreach Sessions for U.S. Department of Homeland
Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
Update:
Next session: Thursday, December 10, 2009
|
|
Small
Business Procurement Assistance for U.S. Department of Homeland
Security
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
Next Small Business Vendor Outreach Session:
Thursday, December 10, 2009
|
NRC
Duane Arnold Report 2009 301
|
|
HOUSE FLOOR WRAP-UP FOR NOVEMBER 18,
2009
Considered and Passed:
H.R.
3791 - Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Rep. Mitchell
– Science and Technology) (395-31)
Amendments – Passed (5):
Titus Amendment
Perlmutter Amendment
Flake Amendment
Holden Amendment
Cardoza Amendment
Bills Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (5):
H.R.
1839 - To amend the Small Business Act to improve SCORE (Rep.
Buchanan - Small Business)
H.R.
1842 - Expanding Entrepreneurship Act of 2009 (Rep. Luetkemeyer
- Small Business)
H.R.
3738 - Small Business Early-Stage Investment Act of 2009
(Rep. Nye - Small Business)
H.R.
3014 - Small Business Health Information Technology Financing
Act (Rep. Dahlkemper - Small Business)
H.Res.
890 - Welcoming the Prime Minister of the Republic of India,
His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, to the United States (Rep.
McDermott - Foreign Affairs)
Postponed Suspension Votes (3):
S.
1599 - A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to include
in the Federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association leadership
positions newly added in its constitution and bylaws (Sen. Leahy
- Judiciary)
H.R.
1834 - Native American Business Development Enhancement Act
of 2009 (Rep. Kirkpatrick - Small Business)
H.Con.Res.
212 - Expressing the sense of Congress on the occasion of
the 20th anniversary of historic events in Central and Eastern
Europe, particularly the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia,
and reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cooperation between
the United States and the Slovak and Czech Republics (Rep. Mica
- Foreign Affairs)
|
|
University
of Florida College Democrats Meeting
What: Club/Group Meeting
Start Time: Tomorrow, November 19 at 7:00pm
End Time: Tomorrow, November 19 at 8:00pm
Where: Fine Arts C 120
To see more details and RSVP
|
|
Book
Launch: Realizing the ASEAN Economic Community
Scot Marciel
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific
Affairs
Singapore, DC
November 14, 2009
|
|
Meet
and Greet at Embassy Kabul with Employees and Their Families
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Karl W. Eikenberry
Ambassador to Afghanistan, Bureau of South and Central Asian
Affairs
Embassy Kabul
Kabul, Afghanistan
November 18, 2009
|
|
Connecticut
Democrats: Our Congressmen need support assistance
"Our Members of Congress are under
attack by special interests bent on preventing Healthcare from
becoming a reality for every citizen. The US Chamber of Commerce,
backed by Big Insurance and Big Pharma, are the latest to attack
with a misleading video attacking Congressman Chris Murphy. Don't
let big corporate profits take precedence over our nation's health
and individual lives. While you are visiting your local business
establishments please let them know that you don’t support
the tactics that their Chambers of Commerce are allowing to be
conducted in Connecticut. If they appreciate your business, they
will let their Chambers of Commerce know that this is jeopardizing
their customer base. Also, please call your local Chamber of
Commerce and express your support of healthcare! Click on the
link to locate and call your local Chamber of Commerce. http://www.2chambers.com/connecti2.htm"
|
June 9-10, 2010 in Seattle, WA - Complying
with U.S. Export Controls
For program information and registration, please go to http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/seattle_june_9_10_10.htm
We look forward to seeing you at a BIS event soon.
The Office of Exporter Services
Bureau of Industry and Security
Office of Exporter Services
|
Soldiers
Improve Remote Station in Iraq
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:50:00 -0600
|
|
Contact: Stephanie Lundberg
202-225-3130For Immediate Release
November 18, 2009
Hoyer Statement on the Fire Grants Reauthorization
Act
WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor today in support
of the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act. Below are his remarks
as prepared for delivery:
“Every day, we and our families live under the blanket of
protection provided by America’s firefighters—men and
women who are willing to risk their lives to safeguard us, our
loved ones, and our property. We may not often think about those
sacrifices—but every firefighter does. Last year, more than
100 of them died in the line of duty, and tens of thousands more
sustained injuries.
“To honor those sacrifices, and to make our communities
safer places to live, Congress has worked to become a partner
with fire departments across the nation. And today, we can reaffirm
that commitment by reauthorizing two successful grant programs
for firefighters, FIRE and SAFER. This bill reauthorizes both
programs through Fiscal Year 2014, pledging a total of $2.2 billion
per year to our firefighters.
“The FIRE Grant program authorizes $1 billion per year for
state-of-the-art equipment, up-to-date training, and fire prevention
programs. These competitive grants will benefit career, volunteer,
and combination fire departments throughout the country, as well
as state training academies and volunteer EMS departments.
“The SAFER Grant program ensures that our community firehouses
never have to sit empty: its $1.2 billion per year will ensure
24-hour staffing at eligible departments, so that there are always
firefighters on duty in case of emergency. It also commits money
each year to help volunteer departments recruit and retain new
members.
“Since FIRE’s inception in 2000, and SAFER’s in
2004, these programs have won support from Democrats and Republicans
alike. Our respect for firefighters, and our commitment to get
them the tools and training they need, has transcended party
lines—and I hope today will be no different.
“I want to commend my colleagues Harry Mitchell and Bill
Pascrell—the father of the Fire Grants Program—for
their leadership on this issue, as well as Chairman Gordon and
Chairman Wu and my fellow Fire Caucus Co-Chairs Peter King, Rob
Andrews, and Jo Ann Emerson.
“I urge all of my colleagues to vote to reauthorize these
grants and carry forward this successful and vital partnership.”
###
|
|
Briefing
En Route Kabul, Afghanistan
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
En Route Kabul, Afghanistan
November 18, 2009
|
|
USDA Awards More Than $46 Million for
Specialty Crop Research and Extension
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2009 - Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has awarded more
than $46 million through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative
(SCRI) to solve critical specialty crop agriculture issues, address
priorities and solve problems through multifunctional research
and extension.
"Specialty crops are an important
part of American agriculture, valued at nearly $50 billion every
year," Vilsack said. "This significant investment into
research, education and extension will enable specialty crop
producers to improve their products and increase their profitability."
The Specialty Crop Research Initiative
was established by the 2008 Farm Bill to support the specialty
crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools
to address the needs of specific crops in five focus areas: 1)
improve crop characteristics through plant breeding, genetics
and genomics; 2) address threats from pests and diseases; 3)
improve production efficiency, productivity and profitability;
4) develop new innovations and technologies and 5) develop methods
to improve food safety. Each of the focus areas received at least
10 percent of the available funds. The majority of the funded
projects address two or more focus areas.
The projects funded in 2009 address research
and extension needs for crops that span the entire spectrum of
specialty crops production, from studying invasive mealy bug
pests in west coast vineyards to developing biodegradable mulches
for specialty crops produced under protective covers. Major projects
were also funded to protect important specialty crops from invasive
pests and to develop improved varieties.
Although 20 institutions will manage the
research/extension grant funds from this program, each award
includes an average of 8 principal investigators from three other
states who will work together in a multi-disciplinary approach
to solve problems. All of the awards required 100 percent matching
funds from non-federal sources which will double the impact of
the award dollars.
Fiscal Year 2009 SCRI research and extension
grants were awarded to:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark.,
$1,463,234
Management of Virus Complexes in Rubus
University of California, Davis, Calif.,
$3,965,999
Increasing Consumption of Specialty Crops
by Enhancing their Quality and Safety
University of California, Berkeley, Calif.,
$1,957,835
An Invasive Mealybug Pest and an Emerging
Viral Disease: a Dangerous Mix for West Coast Vineyards
University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.,
$1,894,904
A Multi-disciplinary Approach to Sustainability
and Profitability of U.S. Blueberry Production Using the Tree-like
Species Vaccinium arboreum
University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.,
$1,967,863
Laurel Wilt of Avocado: Mitigation and
Management of an Exotic, Insect-vectored Disease
University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., $774,581
Advancing Onion Postharvest Handling Efficiency
and Sustainability by Multimodal Quality Sensing, Disease Control
and Waste Stream Management
University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill., $1,951,981
Integrated Genomics and Management Systems
for Control of Fire Blight
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge,
La., $2,841,987
Participatory Modeling and Decision Support
for Improving Sweet Potato Production Efficiency, Quality and
Food Safety
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge,
La., $518,749
Development of an eXtension Community of
Practice - All About Blueberries
University of Maryland, College Park, Md.,
$5,161,495
Precision Irrigation and Nutrient Management
for Nursery, Greenhouse and Green Roof Systems:
Wireless Sensor Networks for Feedback and
Feedforward Control
University of Maine, Bangor, Maine, $1,023,805
Systems Approach to Improving the Sustainability
of Wild Blueberry Production
Michigan State University, East Lansing,
Mich., $1,831,469
RosBREED-Enabling Marker-assisted Breeding
in Rosaceae
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey,
New Brunswick, N.J., $1,503,166
Locally Grown Ethnic Greens & Herbs:
Demand Assessment and Production Opportunities
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Ithaca,
N.Y., $2,381,759
Development of Comprehensive Strategies
to Manage Potato Virus Y in Potato and Eradicate the Tuber Necrotic
Variants Recently Introduced into the United States
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Wooster,
Ohio, $1,826,298
Intelligent Spray Systems for Floral and
Ornamental Nursery Crops
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater,
Okla., $422,964
Development of a Grape Community of Practice
for the eXtension System
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore.,
$1,392,933
Expansion of Hazelnut Production, Feedstock
and Biofuel Potential through Breeding for Disease Resistance
and Climatic Adaption
Texas AgriLife, College Station, Texas,
$3,900,889
Management of Zebra Chip to Enhance Profitability
and Sustainability of U.S. Potato Production
Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.,
$3,891,952
A Total Systems Approach to Developing
a Sustainable Stem-free Sweet Cherry Production, Processing and
Marketing System
Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.,
$1,821,721
Agronomic and Biochemical Impacts of Biotic
and Abiotic Stress on Pacific Northwest Flavor Crops
Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.,
$1,999,002
Biodegradable Mulches for Specialty Crops
Produced Under Protective Covers
Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.,
$474,115
Tree Fruit GDR: Translating Genomics into
Advances in Horticulture
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Kearneysville,
W.V., $637,330
FasTrack a Revolutionary Approach to Long
Generation Cycle Specialty Crop Breeding
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Kearneysville,
W.V., $559,531
Manipulating Host- and Mate-finding Behavior
of Plum Curculio: Development of a Multi-life Stage Management
Strategy for a Key Fruit Pest
The 2009 awards included a group of planning
grants that will enable awardees to develop quality proposals
for future SCRI funding opportunities. The FY 2009 planning grants
were awarded to:
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins,
Colo., $49,949
Planning Grant to Document the Health-promoting
Properties of Dry Beans and to Increase Consumption in the United
States
University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.,
$23,126
Improving Profitability of Blueberry Production
with a Comprehensive Precision Agriculture Program
Michigan State University, East Lansing,
Mich., $22,903
Limiting Bird Damage to Fruit Crops: A
Planning Program to Identify Research Directions for the Future
Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $50,000
Establishing a Broccoli Industry in the
Eastern United States
Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $50,000
Planning to Expand the New Knowledge Fusion
Model: Spurring Innovations for Specialty Crops
Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $49,979
Addressing Research and Extension Needs
of the Emerging Cold-climate Wine Industry in the Northeast and
Upper Midwest
Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., $47,297
Developing a Team to Address Major Viticultural,
Enological and Market Driven Challenges to a Strong and Sustainable
Eastern Wine Industry
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio,
$49,966
Identifying Stakeholder Needs for Establishing
Urban Specialty Crops Enterprise
Clemson University, Clemson, S.C., $48,947
Bridging Specialty Crop Producers and Institutional
Food Purchasers: Distilling a Research and Extension Agenda in
Support of Local Food Systems
Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.,
$49,479
Placing Fruit Canopy Management Automation
Technology in the Field
Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.,
$46,146
Development of a Smart Targeted Spray Application
Technology Roadmap for Specialty Crops
Through federal funding and leadership
for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses
on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting
people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information,
visit www.nifa.usda.gov .
#
|
Decisions
Will Pave Path to End War, Obama Says
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:27:00 -0600
|
|
USDA to Host Facebook Chat Featuring
Holiday Food Safety Expert
WASHINGTON, November 18, 2009 - On Thursday,
November 19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host
a Facebook chat featuring a holiday food safety expert from its
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Members of the public
can submit questions about safe preparation of the holiday meal-turkey,
stuffing and other holiday favorites--and get live answers right
on the USDA Facebook page.
For more information about the chat or
to submit questions in advance, visit the USDA Live page at http://www.usda.com/live
and become a fan of USDA on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usda.
Food safety tips for cooks preparing holiday
meals can be found at the Partnership for Food Safety Education's
new web site, www.holidayfoodsafety.org.
WHAT: USDA to host Facebook conversation
on holiday food safety
WHEN: Thursday, November 19
3 p.m. EDT
WHERE: Link to Facebook conversation at
www.usda.gov/live <http://www.usda.gov/live> and http://apps.facebook.com/usdalive
#
|
|
Baltimore
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Newark
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
VADM
Gortney on Pirates
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:09:37 -0600
|
|
Boston
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Indianapolis
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
PAYGO Essential to Achieving Progressive Issues
There is a common misconception that fiscal
discipline is only a conservative position. In fact, PAYGO has
long been supported by progressive members of Congress. They
are well-represented among the more than 160 House Democrats
who already co-sponsored and voted in favor of the legislation.
In the 1990s, the Clinton Administration turned deficits into
record surpluses due in large part to adhering to PAYGO. However,
under President Bush and Congressional Republicans, PAYGO was
waived and allowed to expire so that they could pass debt-financed
tax cuts for the wealthy that wiped out those surpluses. Democrats
understand that paying for what we buy is crucial not only to
roll back deficits, but to achieve additional progressive goals
for all Americans.
Click here to read
more.
###
|
|
Jacksonville
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
U.S.
Department of State : Daily Press Briefing - November 18
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:21:13 -0600
|
|
Miami
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
ODNI
News Release: IC Offers Job Opportunities to Wounded Service
Members
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:45:00 ET
The Intelligence Community attracted nearly 200 wounded service
men and women yesterday to its first Community-wide job fair
for them - emphasizing how their work ethic, resilience and team
spirit are needed to further promote IC reform.
|
|
Chicago
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
San
Diego Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert
Programming Information for Wed. 11/18 - Thurs. 11/19, 2009
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN Highlights
Tonight:
* Senate Judiciary Cmte. Hearing on DOJ Oversight with A.G. Holder
(9pm)
* House Hearing on H1N1 Vaccine Production (1am)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. House: In Session (10am) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN2 Highlights
Tonight:
* House Hearing on H1N1 Vaccine Production (8pm)
* WJ: Senate Historian Don Ritchie on Senator Byrd (D-WV) (9:25pm)
* Senate Floor Tributes to Senator Byrd (D-WV) (10pm)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. Senate: In Session (Time TBA) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN3 Highlights
Tonight:
* Highlights: Senate Judiciary Cmte. Hearing on DOJ Oversight
with A.G. Holder (7pm)
* Speech by Meera Shankar, Indian Ambassador to U.S. (8pm)
* State Opening of British Parliament (9pm)
Tomorrow:
* Senate Banking Cmte. on Financial Regulatory System Markup
(10am) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN Radio Highlights
Tonight:
* Programming TBA Check the Schedule for Updates - http://www.c-span.org/Schedules/C-SPAN-Radio-Schedule.aspx
Tomorrow:
* Washington Journal (7am) - LIVE
* Programming TBA Check the Schedule for Updates - http://www.c-span.org/Schedules/C-SPAN-Radio-Schedule.aspx
**********************************************************************
Politics Highlights
* C-SPAN Political Programming - Sunday
on C-SPAN at 6:30pm ET
**********************************************************************
Washington Journal Highlights
* Health Care
* Economy
* Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) on Atty. Gen. Holder plans for detainees
**********************************************************************
|
|
Dallas
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Foiled
Pirate Attack Encourages Defense Officials
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:47:00 -0600
|
U.S.,
NATO Officials Tackle Interoperability
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:01:00 -0600
|
DoD
Contracts for November 18, 2009
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:14:00 -0600
|
Today
in the Department of Defense, 11/19/2009
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:56:00 -0600
|
|
U.S.-Brazil
Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 18, 2009
|
FDA
Enforcement Report for November 18, 2009
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:36:00 -0600
|
DOD
Identifies Army Casualty
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:16:00 -0600
|
|
A
New Era in U.S.-Indian Partnership
William J. Burns
Under Secretary for Political Affairs
Remarks at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Event
Washington, DC
November 18, 2009
|
Highlights:
Iran: U.S. Continues to Consult with P5+1 Partners and the IAEA
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0600
|
|
Sojourner
Truth Luncheon
What: Fundraiser
Start Time: Saturday, December 5 at 11:30am
End Time: Saturday, December 5 at 1:30pm
Where: Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries Tabernacle
To see more details and RSVP
|
DoD
Western Media Press Conference
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:05:27 -0600
|
DoD
Top News
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:59:05 -0600
|
|
Serbia:
The November 19, 2009 Funeral of Patriarch Pavle
Ian Kelly
Department Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 18, 2009
|
|
Subject: Save the Date - Idaho Capitol
Rededication
Hope you can join us on Saturday, January
9th for the rededication of the Idaho Capitol Building! Be sure
to RSVP below.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201499594438&ref=nf
|
Jonathan changed the time of the event "Fundraiser
for Sen. Ellis, Sen. Hoffman & Sen. Wielechowski".
It is now Tuesday, November 24 at 5:00pm.
|
|
San
Francisco Young Democrats Annual Holiday Gala
"Come party for the kids!"
What: Holiday Party
Start Time: Thursday, December 10 at 6:00pm
End Time: Thursday, December 10 at 9:00pm
Where: Taverna Aventine
To see more details and RSVP
|
Senate
Dems Close In On Reform: Details Of Health Care Bill Revealed
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com
Senate Democrats moved one step closer Wednesday night to comprehensive
health care reform as Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
unveiled a health care reform package that is a product of a
merger of twin plans that passed the health and
|
GOV JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS are posted
at www.usdemocrats.com/ticker/jobs/
|
DHS
Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report,
(PDF, 21 pages - 154 KB)
|
Comptroller Dugan Urges Regulators Around
the World To Set Minimum Mortgage Underwriting Standards
TOKYO — Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan said today
that regulators around the world should address the problem that
sparked the financial crisis of the past two years by establishing
minimum underwriting standards for all mortgages made in their
respective countries.
These standards “would be the true minimums that we believe
must be observed to keep lenders from risking too much loss to
both themselves and their customers,” he said in a speech
to a seminar on international banking and finance sponsored by
the Japan Financial News Company. “These standards would
not dictate every underwriting feature of a mortgage product;
instead, they would focus on core practices of sound underwriting
on which there is the broadest consensus.”
The Comptroller added that these standards should not be the
same everywhere in the world.
“Each country has its own unique credit culture and different
approaches to mortgage financing, and what works well in one
might not work well in another,” Mr. Dugan said. “What
I am suggesting, though, is that each country should articulate
what those standards are for their lenders, and should report
periodically on how well those standards are working.”
In the United States, for example, at least three underwriting
standards should be mandated:
Verification of income and assets. Low- and no-documentation
mortgages have performed extremely poorly in terms of delinquency,
default, and foreclosure, he said. Not only do they invite misrepresentation
and fraud, but these mortgages materially distort the integrity
of other underwriting standards that rely on accurate measures
of a borrower’s income. “Regulators should consider
prohibiting this practice except in very, very limited circumstances
where it clearly can be justified,” he said.
Meaningful down payments. As house prices rose, lenders responded
by allowing lower down payments. With defaults low, lenders and
investors then began to tolerate “no-money down” mortgages.
“The effect has been pernicious,” the Comptroller said,
noting that OCC data shows borrowers are much more likely to
walk away from loans where they have none of their own money
– or “skin in the game” – invested in the
mortgage. Mr. Dugan said it will not be easy to decide how large
a down payment is appropriate, since too high a requirement would
result in many creditworthy borrowers being turned down for a
mortgage. “We will need to exercise great care in striking
that balance,” he said.
For mortgages with monthly payments that increase over time,
qualifying borrowers on their ability to afford the later, higher
payments rather than just the initial, lower payments. Too many
“nontraditional” mortgages were structured so that
payments were low at first, but increased over time, and sometimes
very sharply. Mr. Dugan said that borrowers qualified at the
lower initial rate often couldn’t afford the higher payments.
“That is the type of underwriting practice that generally
should be prohibited, because it often implicitly relies on house
price appreciation as the ultimate source of repayment of the
loan – and as we have learned all too painfully in the last
two years, house prices can certainly go down as well as up,”
he said.
“We also should generally prohibit the lowering of monthly
payments through so-called ‘negative amortization’
mortgages, which have performed terribly,” Mr. Dugan added.
“These mortgages lowered initial monthly payments by allowing
borrowers not to pay the full amount of interest due, with the
unpaid interest added to the principal balance of the loan. Borrowers
should not be allowed to dig deeper into debt with each monthly
payment.”
In addition, Mr. Dugan said it is critical that any new mortgage
regulations apply to all providers in order to prevent the kind
of competitive inequity and pressure on regulated lenders that
eroded safe and sound lending practices in the past.
The Comptroller said that with house prices sharply increasing
in recent months in some countries, this is a good time to address
mortgage underwriting. The Joint Forum, an international regulatory
group that he chairs, has been asked to provide recommendations
to the Financial Stability Board to address differences and gaps
in the regulation of financial services around the world. One
set of recommendations under consideration involves minimum mortgage
underwriting practices, he added.
Mr. Dugan said he is normally much more comfortable with markets
establishing the terms for credit extension by willing lenders
to willing borrowers, with supervisors focusing on lenders’
ability to manage the credit risks they assume, and on lenders’
compliance with consumer protection laws.
“But sometimes, when underwriting standards get so out of
balance that they cause widespread damage to borrowers and lenders
alike, it becomes necessary for regulators to act more prescriptively,”
Comptroller Dugan added. “If ever there was a demonstrated
need for such intervention, the searing U.S. mortgage market
experience of the last several years fits the bill.”
Related Links:
Remarks before the Special Seminar on International Banking and
Finance (http://www.occ.gov/ftp/release/2009-143a.pdf)
Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan (http://www.occ.gov/dugan.htm)
###
|
|
The latest Consumer Price Index news release
(http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cpi.pdf)
was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Highlights
are below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U
increased 0.3
percent in October after rising 0.2 percent in September.
The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.2
percent in October, the same increase as in September.
|
|
Brazilian
Black Consciousness Day
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 18, 2009
|
|
Keynote
Address at the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) 24th
Annual Briefing
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Dean Acheson Auditorium
Washington, DC
November 18, 2009
|
Recovery
Act Information: Financial and Activity Report Weekly Update:
November 16, 2009
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:11:15 -0600
|
|
Secretary
Hillary Rodham Clinton's Trip to Afghanistan
Ian Kelly
Department Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 18, 2009
|
Open
Doors 2009: Annual Report on International Education
Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0600
|
THE
WHIP PACK | BILL TEXT & BACKGROUND | WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16,
2009
|
THE
DAILY WHIPLINE | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009
|
Byrd
Reaches Milestone
With Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) reaching the milestone of becoming
the longest serving member of Congress today, it's interesting
to watch a C-SPAN interview from a few years ago in which he
talks about the role of the U.S. Senate.
|
Clinton:
Karzai Must Do More to Fight Corruption in Return for Aid
US Secretary of State also says Washington wants any US civilian
aid sent to Afghanistan should be handled by government ministries
that can be held accountable
|
Obama,
Medvedev Discuss New START Treaty
Still plan arms reduction treaty replacement by end of year
|
France
Honors Iraqi President Talabani With State Visit
Jalal Talibani makes first official trip to country, to meet
with political, business leaders
|
Afghanistan
to Form Major Anti-Corruption Unit
Interior Minister Hanif Atmar says security officials from US,
Britain and EU will train prosecutors in unit
|
Bernanke
Predicts Moderate Economic Growth
US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says significant economic
challenges remain, as Commerce Department reports increased sales
in October
|
Afghanistan,
Iraq Rated Among Most Corrupt Nations
Afghanistan and Iraq receive billions of dollars in international
aid
|
EU
to Train Somali Security Forces
European Union also plans to possibly expand its anti-piracy
mission off Somalia's coast in effort to bring stability to war-torn
Horn of Africa nation
|
Afghan
Corruption Concerns US Policy Planners
In Transparency International's 2009 survey of world corruption,
Afghanistan was ranking 179th out of 180 countries surveyed,
only Somalia is perceived as being more corrupt
|
Geithner
Warns Other Countries Not to Rely on US Consumers as Engine of
Economic Growth
US treasury secretary spoke to Senate Foreign Relations Committee
on role of Group of 20 nations
|
Saudi
Arabia: Evolution of Culture, Politics, and International Relations
in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabia MiPAL has been updated with a Washington Institute
for Near East Policy article analyzing the situation on the Yemeni-Saudi
border and a Middle East Institute report examining the evolution
of culture, politics, and international relations in Saudi Arabia
over the past thirty years. Please see the Recently Added Documents
section for the latest on this country - the newest updates are
in bold.
|
National
Security Strategy: Global Threats Associated with Climate Change
and Energy Security
The National Security Strategy MiPAL has been updated with a
Military Review article evaluating the role of emotional intelligence
in the Army Leadership Requirements Model, remarks by the Director
of National Intelligence detailing the global threats associated
with climate change and energy security, a series of remarks
by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff concerning the challenge
of maintaining resiliency and providing details on the current
military challenges in today's security environment, a series
of State Department briefings examining international energy
security and the national security implications associated with
public diplomacy efforts, a report from MISSION: READINESS -
Military Leaders for Kids claiming that 75 percent of young adults
cannot join the military, as well as a Department of Defense
briefing concerning current recruitment and personnel challenges,
and a RAND Corporation report assessing the impact of deployments
during the War on Terrorism on reenlistment trends, and a report
from the National Defense University's Center for Technology
and National Security Policy presenting recommendations for the
strengthening of civilian response capabilities to support complex
operations. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for
the latest on this topic - the newest updates are in bold.
|
South
Asia's Strategic Security Challenges
The South and Central Asia Regional Policy Overview has been
updated with remarks by the Deputy Secretary of Defense concerning
the U.S.-India defense relationship and the situation in Afghanistan
and Pakistan, a Center for American Progress article highlighting
the need to address South Asia's strategic security challenges,
a Central Asia-Caucasus Institute article analyzing Tajikistan's
reaction to the situation in Afghanistan, a Small Wars Journal
article assessing the current operational concept of operations
in support of the Pakistan-Afghanistan interagency policy and
goals, a Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars report
analyzing governance, economic, environmental, and energy challenges
likely to impact Asia's future, and an Institute of South Asian
Studies report arguing that South Asia should adopt a regional
approach to policy formulation. Please see the Recently Added
Documents section for the latest on this region - the newest
updates are in bold.
|
East
Asia and the Pacific: President Obama's Trip to Asia
The East Asia and the Pacific Regional Policy Overview has been
updated with the President's remarks with the Prime Minister
of Thailand and with the Prime Minister of Japan, as well as
an address by the President detailing his administration's approach
to East Asia, a series of White House releases featuring the
declaration by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders
and the U.S.-Japan joint statement on nuclear disarmament, remarks
by the Secretary of State with the Foreign Secretary of the Philippines
and at the APEC Singapore Conference, a State Department release
providing an overview on the U.S. response to disasters in the
Asia-Pacific region, an op-ed by the Secretary of the Treasury
concerning the road ahead for APEC, and a Center for Strategic
and International Studies report providing recommendations for
the future of the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Please see the Recently
Added Documents section for the latest on this region - the newest
updates are in bold.
|
Iraq:
An Assessment of the Political Situation in Iraq
The Iraq MiPAL has been updated with a Department of Defense
briefing providing details on current U.S. military operations
in Iraq, a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace article
assessing the political situation in Iraq, and the latest Department
of Defense report to the U.S. Congress on the stability and security
of Iraq. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for
the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
|
Terrorism:
Predicting Catastrophic Terrorist Events
The Terrorism MiPAL has been updated with remarks by the Attorney
General and with a Department of Justice and Department of Defense
joint press release concerning the recent forum decisions on
ten detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, including the accused 9/11
plotters, a Heritage Foundation report assessing the global threat
of the Pakistan-Britain terror connection, a Center for American
Progress report providing recommendations for the handling of
the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, a U.S. Department of Justice
report reviewing the Federal Bureau of Investigation's involvement
in and observations of detainee interrogations, and a report
by the MITRE Corporation's JASON Program analyzing the U.S. ability
to anticipate catastrophic terrorist events. Please see the Recently
Added Documents section for the latest on this topic - the newest
updates are in bold.
|
North
Korea: Economic Engagement with North Korea
The North Korea MiPAL has been updated with a transcript of a
Brookings Institution event assessing the implications of typical
living conditions for the people of North Korea, an East-West
Center report examining North Korea's penal system, and reports
from the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation at the
University of California providing recommendations for the pursuit
of economic engagement with North Korea and evaluating the political
economy of denuclearization and proliferation trends in North
Korea. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the
latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
|
China:
The U.S.-China Economic Relationship
The China MiPAL has been updated with the President's address
at a town hall meeting with future Chinese leaders, a Heritage
Foundation article providing recommendations for the President's
agenda in China, an Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
article assessing the state of the People's Liberation Army Air
Force (PLAAF), a series of Brookings Institution publications
analyzing the U.S.-China economic relationship, Taiwan's policy
towards the U.S., Taiwan's economic recovery, and the atmosphere
in China in the days prior to President Obama's visit, a Center
for American Progress trip report presenting findings on the
future of U.S.-China relations, and a report prepared for the
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission evaluating
prospects for the reform of China's defense industry. Please
see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
country - the newest updates are in bold.
|
Near
East and North Africa: Overview of U.S. Policy in the Middle
East
The Near East and North Africa Regional Policy Overview has been
updated with a State Department briefing providing an overview
of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, a Washington Institute
for Near East Policy article examining the conflict on the Yemeni-Saudi
border, a Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies report analyzing
signs of possible radicalization in Palestinian Authority politics,
a series of reports from the Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace profiling Yemen's Islamist Congregation for Reform (Islah)
and evaluating security sector reform efforts in Palestine, Lebanon,
and Yemen, and a United States Institute of Peace report assessing
the prospects for instability in Lebanon despite the recent announcement
of the national unity government. Please see the Recently Added
Documents section for the latest on this region - the newest
updates are in bold.
|
Russia's
Approach to Europe's Security Architecture
The Russia MiPAL has been updated with statements by President
Obama and President Medvedev of Russia concerning nonproliferation
efforts, Iran, and global security, a statement by a State Department
official on Russia's position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia,
a Heritage Foundation report analyzing the Obama Administration's
approach to arms control and the realities of Russia's nuclear
policy, and an EGMONT: Royal Institute for International Relations
report examining Russia's approach to Europe's security architecture.
Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest
on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
|
India:
Potential for Growth in India's Defense Industry
The India MiPAL has been updated with an Institute for Defence
Studies and Analyses article assessing the potential for growth
in India's defense industry, a Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
article evaluating India's perspective on the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty (CTBT), a Henry L. Stimson Center report analyzing
India's approach to climate policy and the climate risks threatening
India's national security, and a Lowy Institute for International
Policy report providing recommendations for the strengthening
of an Australia-India strategic partnership. Please see the Recently
Added Documents section for the latest on this country - the
newest updates are in bold.
|
Iran:
IAEA Report on Iran's Nuclear Program
The Iran MiPAL has been updated with the latest report from the
International Atomic Energy Agency examining Iran's nuclear program,
a Council on Foreign Relations article assessing the need for
a broader U.S. policy on Iran, a Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace report analyzing regional views on Iran and the implications
for U.S. and regional policies on Iran, and a German Institute
of Global and Area Studies report evaluating the impact of oil
wealth on Iran. Please see the Recently Added Documents section
for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
|
Afghanistan:
Narcotics Industry, Military Supply Lines, and Options for U.S.
Strategy
The Afghanistan MiPAL has been updated with reports from the
Center for Strategic and International Studies examining the
Afghan narcotics industry and providing recommendations for the
use of supply lines in the promotion of a regional approach to
Afghanistan, briefings on the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan from
the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Carnegie
Council for Ethics in International Affairs, remarks by the Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom on the British approach to Afghanistan,
an EGMONT: Royal Institute for International Relations report
analyzing recent calls for a European grand strategy for operations
in Afghanistan, a report from the Special Inspector General for
Afghanistan Reconstruction assessing barriers to greater participation
by women in Afghan elections, and a Congressional Research Service
report concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan Reconstruction Opportunity
Zones (ROZs). Please see the Recently Added Documents section
for the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
|
USTDA
Assists Morocco Achieve Its Goals for Aviation Infrastructure
Development
by webmaster@ustda.gov (Webmaster)
|
USTDA
Participates in Successful U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce
and Trade
by webmaster@ustda.gov (Webmaster)
|
Aquaculture
Data
Aquaculture is the production of aquatic animals and plants under
controlled conditions for all or part of their lifecycle. This
data product provides statistics on domestically grown catfish
and trout and U.S. imports and exports of fish and shellfish
that may be products of aquaculture, such as salmon, shrimp,
and oysters.
|
Livestock,
Dairy, and Poultry Outlook - Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Timely livestock, dairy, and poultry information, focusing on
current and forecast production, price, and trade statistics
for each of the sectors.
|
Treasury
International Capital Data For September
|
Secretary
Timothy Geithner Remarks at the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task
Force Event
|
SEC
Charges Former Executives at Silicon Valley Company for Inflating
Financial Results
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged two former
Silicon Valley executives for improperly inflating the reported
financial results at Santa Clara, Calif., semiconductor company
Tvia, Inc.
|
U.S.
labor group unveils plan to tackle joblessness
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the largest U.S. labor federation
urged President Barack Obama on Tuesday to use the $700 billion
Wall Street bailout fund to help cash-starved small businesses
as a way to stem rising joblessness.
|
House
plans jobs bill before year end
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives aims to pass
job-creating legislation before the end of the year to ease double-digit
unemployment levels that threaten the economic recovery, Democratic
leaders said on Tuesday.
|
White
House "dismayed" at Jerusalem settlement expansion
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Tuesday that it
was "dismayed" over Israeli approval to expand the
Gilo settlement in Jerusalem and sharply criticized the ongoing
evictions and demolition of Palestinian homes.
|
House
Dems sharpening "too big to fail" plan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key U.S. congressional panel moved toward
toughening a plan for dealing with "too big to fail"
financial firms on Tuesday, while rejecting a Republican alternative
that is expected to reappear later.
|
Hoyer,
Reid aim for Dec. 18 close for healthcare reform
by Jake Sherman
But neither chamber has figured out the endgame for health care
reform or must-pass appropriations bills.
|
Pelosi:
Job help must be 'right'
by David Rogers
She cautions against rushing in before Democrats have found the
'right initiative' to solve unemployment.
|
New
York Fed issues revised TALF documents
|
New
York Fed announces December 3 TALF Operation
|
Board
and New York Fed comments regarding SIGTARP AIG Audit
|
Ambassador
of Singapore to Deliver Lecture on Dec. 2
The theme of international commerce and cross-border economic
development will be addressed at the inaugural program of the
Asian Ambassadors Lecture Series, which will be held at 4 p.m.
on Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Mumford Room of the Library of Congress,
located on the sixth floor of the James Madison building, 101
Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.
|
World
Digital Library Demonstration
Librarian of Congress James H. Billington provides an overview
of the newly launched World Digital Library website with Rachel
Goslins, Executive Director of the President's Committee on the
Arts and Humanities. High school teachers and their students
explain how they will use the World Digital Library in their
studies.
|
New
Library of Congress Information Bulletin
The new issue contains features on the World Digital Library,
the Federal Writers Project, abstract art, disabled vets and
more.
|
GAO-10-262T,
International Trade: Options for Congressional Consideration
to Improve U.S. Trade Preference Programs, November 17, 2009
|
GAO-10-230T,
Cybersecurity: Continued Efforts Are Needed to Protect Information
Systems from Evolving Threats, November 17, 2009
|
GAO-10-86R,
Higher Education: Factors Lenders Consider in Making Lending
Decisions for Private Education Loans, November 17, 2009
|
GAO-10-252T,
Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Recent Testing Raises Issues About
the Potential Effectiveness of Advanced Radiation Detection Portal
Monitors, November 17, 2009
|
GAO-10-259T,
Federal Land Management: Challenges to Implementing the Federal
Land Transaction Facilitation Act, November 17, 2009
|
Federal
Reserve announces results of auction of $75 billion in 28-day
credit held on November 16, 2009
|
Federal
regulators issue final model privacy notice form
|
Federal
Reserve Board approves reduction in maximum maturity of primary
credit loans effective January 14, 2010
|
FOMC
will release minutes of November 3-4 meeting on November 24,
2009
|
FTC
Releases Agenda for First Privacy Roundtable and Announces Date
of Second Roundtable
The Federal Trade Commission today released the agenda for its
first privacy roundtable, scheduled for December 7, 2009, at
the FTC Conference Center in Washington, DC.
|
H.R.
3818, Private Fund Investment Advisers Registration Act of 2009
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee
on Financial Services on October 27, 2009
|
S.
1340, Crime Victims Fund Preservation Act of 2009
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate
Committee on the Judiciary on October 22, 2009
|
S.
313, White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification
Act of 2009
Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the Senate
Committee on Indian Affairs on September 10, 2009
|
|
VIDEO:
Pres. Obama Joint Press Conference with Chinese Pres. Hu Jintao
President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao conducted a joint
press conference to discuss U.S.-China relations. Topics included
North Korea, Iran, Tibet and the global economy. (Courtesy CCTV)
Length: 36 min.
Published: Tuesday at 12am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Linda Douglass, White House Office of Health Reform, Director
of Communications
Linda Douglass talked about the health care debate from the Obama
administration’s point of view.
Length: 20 min.
Published: Tuesday at 8am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Defense Dept. Briefing on Army Suicide Prevention
Army Vice Chief of Staff General Peter Chiarelli said the Army
is having a hard time determining the causes of suicides. He
and other Army officials briefed reporters on suicide prevention
efforts. The speakers were barred from commenting on the investigation
into the Fort Hood shooting.
Length: 47 min.
Published: Tuesday at 11am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Atty. Gen. Eric Holder on Financial Fraud Prevention Efforts
President Obama has signed an executive order establishing a
financial fraud enforcement task force. Attorney General Eric
Holder was joined by Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner, HUD Sec. Shaun
Donovan and the Dir. of SEC's Enforcement Division Rob Khuzami
at a press conference to discuss the task force.
Length: 31 min.
Published: Tuesday at 12pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
House Oversight Cmte. Hearing on Bank of America & Merrill
Lynch Merger
Three Bank of America (BofA) executives testified before the
House Oversight & Govt. Reform Cmte. The hearing examined
events surrounding BofA’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch and
the receipt of Federal financial assistance. Questions included
a discussion of BofA documents allegedly showing that executives
had knowledge of the losses at Merrill Lynch before shareholders
voted to approve the deal.
Length: 2 hr. 42 min.
Published: Tuesday at 10am (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
State Department Press Briefing Tues Nov 17
Spokesman Ian Kelly conducts a daily briefing at the State Department.
Length: 30 min.
Published: Tuesday at 1pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Senate Homeland Security Hearing on H1N1 Vaccine Availability
As the H1N1 influenza affects all fifty states, the Center for
Disease Control announced recently that some 41.6 million doses
of vaccine have been made available to the public. The Senate
Homeland Security Cmte. questioned administration officials about
production delays slowing down the delivery of even more doses
and reports of possible vaccine-related side effects.
Length: 1 hr. 50 min.
Published: Tuesday at 2:30pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Senate Banking Cmte. Hearing on Abusive Overdraft Fees
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) chaired a Senate Banking Committee hearing
on abusive overdraft fees. The committee heard from executives
from the banking industry along with consumer advocacy groups.
Length: 1 hr. 31 min.
Published: Tuesday at 3pm (ET)
|
|
VIDEO:
Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. Hearing on U.S. and the G20
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner testified before the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee to follow up on proposed reforms
discussed at the Pittsburgh G20. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) chairs
the committee.
Length: 1 hr. 25 min.
Published: Tuesday at 3pm (ET)
|
Obama,
Chinese premier tout deepening ties
BEIJING (AP) -- President Barack Obama says the U.S. relationship
with China is deepening beyond trade and economics to cover climate,
security and other matters of international concern....
|
Here’s
What the World Labor Movement Is Saying to President Obama and
Asian Leaders
by James Parks
The global labor movement and the AFL-CIO are urging President
Obama and other world leaders meeting in Singapore at the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) to take strong stands on issues of
jobs, trade imbalances, currency policy, workers’ rights
and climate change.
|
Stop
Senate Republican Obstructionists, Obama Nominees Deserve Votes
by admin
William Lurye, AFL-CIO associate general counsel, says Senate
Republicans’ obstructionist tactics blocking President Obama’s
nominees must stop.
|
Executive
Order - Establishment of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task
Force
|
White
House Announces December Date for Forum on Jobs and Economic
Growth
|
U.S.-China
Joint Statement
|
U.S.-China
Clean Energy Announcements
|
Joint
Press Statement by President Obama and President Hu of China
|
Statement
by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Jerusalem
|
Presidential
Nominations Sent to the Senate, 11/17/09
|
President
Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 11/17/09
|
Press
Briefing by Robert Gibbs, Jon Huntsman, Jeff Bader, Mike Froman,
and Ben Rhodes
|
Remarks
by President Obama and President Hu of China Before Expanded
Bilateral Meeting
|
|
The
Big News from the Retail Sales Report
Posted by Austan Goolsbee on November 16, 2009 at 6:44 PM EST
The big news from the retail sales report
was that sales rose again and even more than expected--1.4%,
which was a full half point more than the consensus forecast.
|
|
Looking
at the Big Picture on the Recovery Act
Posted by G. Edward DeSeve on November 17, 2009 at 9:37 AM EST
Last month, in a first-ever effort by the
federal government recipients that received Recovery Act funds
had to file a report saying how much they had received, what
they had done with it, and how many jobs these funds had saved
or created. The reports were due just 10 days after the end of
the federal fiscal year on September 30th, and were posted on
Recovery.gov just 20 days later.
|
Word
from the White House: Hospitals Reaffirm Commitment to America's
Seniors
Posted by Jesse Lee on November 17, 2009 at 11:36 AM EST
|
|
Empowering
U.S. Companies to Compete Abroad
Posted by Secretary Gary Locke and Ambassador Ronald Kirk on
November 17, 2009 at 12:24 PM EST
It's been over a week since we first arrived
in Asia. First, we traveled to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) Summit in Singapore, and now we have joined President
Obama in Beijing, China. We have come to this important region
to engage our counterparts to strengthen our economic relationships,
further open Asian markets to American exports and create well-paid
jobs at home.
|
China
through the Lens of the White House Photographer
Posted by Arun Chaudhary on November 17, 2009 at 1:51 PM EST
|
|
The
US and China: Towards a Clean Energy Economy
Posted by Jesse Lee on November 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM EST
After a warm welcome in Beijing's historic
Great Hall of the People, President Obama and President Hu sat
down to discuss the many overlapping issues facing both nations,
including China's growing economy and its effect on the US and
the rest of the world and the exciting education reforms happening
in each country:
|
|
Voting
for Department of Education Video Contest Begins
Posted by Eddie Lee on November 17, 2009 at 4:52 PM EST
Since September 21st, hundreds of students
across the country responded to the President’s call to
take greater responsibility for their education by creating videos
explaining why education is important. In less than two months,
students submitted more than 600 video entries.
|
Reality
Check: Beware What “Critics Say” on Reform and Mammograms
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on November 17, 2009 at 11:52 PM EST
|
|
Hoyer:
Dems plan vote on jobs bill before Christmas
Posted: November 17th, 2009 04:00 PM ET
From CNN Congressional Producer Deirdre
Walsh
|
White
House critical of Israeli construction plan
Posted: November 17th, 2009 04:01 PM ET
JERUSALEM (CNN) – The Obama administration moved quickly
Tuesday to criticize Israel's approval of a construction plan
for hundreds of houses in a disputed neighborhood on Jerusalem's
southern outskirts.
|
Senate
Democrats break GOP judicial filibuster
Posted: November 17th, 2009 05:10 PM ET
Washington (CNN) - Senate Democrats broke a GOP filibuster Tuesday
against a district judge first nominated eight months ago by
President Barack Obama for a seat on the federal appeals court.
|
Durbin:
Health care debate could start in Senate this week
Posted: November 17th, 2009 07:05 PM ET
Sen. Dick Durbin said the health care bill has to pass the Senate
this year.
(CNN) – The Senate's second-ranking Democrat told CNN Tuesday
that he hopes to have a version of the health care bill done
and available to the public by Thanksgiving.
|
Most
See Afghanistan War as Not Worth the Costs
According to a new Washington Post/ABC News poll, President Obama
has "a formidable sales job ahead" to sell his strategy
for Afghanistan: 52% see the war in Afghanistan as not worth
its costs and nearly as many trust the Republicans in Congress
to deal with the war as trust Obama.
|
Recap
of our Midterm Election Preview
Here's some coverage of our Midterm Election Preview this morning:
|
CANADA
POLITICAL TICKER has been updated
|
Oak Ridge ‘Jaguar’ Supercomputer
is World’s Fastest
Six-core upgrade has 70 percent more computational muscle than
last year’s quad-core
Washington, DC —An upgrade to a Cray XT5 high-performance
computing system deployed by the Department of Energy has made
the “Jaguar” supercomputer the world’s fastest.
Located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Jaguar is the scientific
research community’s most powerful computational tool for
exploring solutions to some of today’s most difficult problems.
The upgrade, funded with $19.9 million under the Recovery Act,
will enable scientific simulations for exploring solutions to
climate change and the development of new energy technologies.
“Supercomputer modeling and simulation is changing the face
of science and sharpening America’s competitive edge,”
said Secretary Chu. “Oak Ridge and other DOE national laboratories
are helping address major energy and climate challenges and lead
America toward a clean energy future.”
To net the number-one spot on the TOP500 list of the world’s
fastest supercomputers, Jaguar’s Cray XT5 component was
upgraded this fall from four-core to six-core processors and
ran a benchmark program called High-Performance Linpack (HPL)
at a speed of 1.759 petaflop/s. The rankings were posted early
today on www.top500.org, a supercomputing tracking website.
Jaguar began service in 2005 with a peak speed of 26-teraflop/s.
The upgrade of Jaguar XT5 to 37,376 six-core AMD Istanbul processors
in 2009 increased performance 70 percent over that of its quad-core
predecessor. Researchers anticipate that this unprecedented growth
in computing capacity may help facilitate improved climate predictions,
fuel-efficient engine designs, and the creation of advanced materials
for energy production, transmission, and storage.
About “Jaguar”:
· Cray XT computer system
· Top500 rank: 1st for XT5 component and 16th for XT4
component
· 2.595 petaflop/s peak theoretical performance for the
combined system (2.332 petaflop/s from XT5 and 0.263 petaflops
from XT4)
· Superlative speed: 1.759 petaflop/s actual performance
for the XT5 and 0.205 petaflop/s for the XT4 on HPL benchmark
program
· 255,584 processing cores
· XT5: 37,376 AMD six-core Istanbul OpteronTM 2.6 gigahertz
processors (224,256 compute cores)
· XT4: 7,832 AMD four-core Budapest OpteronTM 2.1 gigahertz
processors (31,328 compute cores)
· InfiniBand network connects XT5 and XT4 components
· Cray SeaStar network interface and router
· System memory: 362 terabytes (almost three times that
of the second largest system)
· Unmatched input/output bandwidth to read and write files:
284 gigabytes per second
· Sizable storage: Spider, a 10-petabyte Lustre-based
shared file system
· Speedy Internet connections enable users to access Jaguar
from around the world.
· High-end visualization helps users make sense of the
data flood Jaguar generates.
-DOE-
|
|
AFFTC Technical Library Excess List
#10-07
Excess List #10-07
Books
Algebraic Methods in Statistical Mechanics
& Quantum Field Theory, 1972
Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer of the World,1952
Economic Analysis Procedures for ADP, 1980
Engineering Dielectrics, vol. 1, Corona Measurement & Interpretation,
1979
Finite Orthogonal Series in the Design of Digital Devices, 1976
Gasohol for Energy Production, 1979
Handbook For Electronic Circuit Design, 1978
Information Systems Planning Handbook, 1986
Information Systems Planning Handbook Phase II, 1988
International Conference on Thermoelectric Energy Conversion,
1976
International Journal of Satellite Communications, Apr-Jun 1988
Laboratory Notes on Electrical & Galvanomagnetic Measurements,
1978
Linear circuits for Electronics Technology, 1974
Multiconductor Transmission Line Analysis, 19787
NBS Handbook 44, 1987
NIST Pressure Calibration Service, 1990
Noise Fluctuations in Electronic Devices & Circuits, 1974
Proceedings of the 13th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering
Conference, Vol. 1-3, 1978
Telemetering Proceedings Index, 1956-1979
Towers’ International FET Selector, 1978
Using Space – Today & Tomorrow, Vol. 2, Communications
Satellite Symposium,
1977
Using Space – Today & Tomorrow, Vol. 1, Space Based
Industry Symposium, 1977
Carol Lahoski
AFFTC Technical Library
812 TSS/ENTL
307 E. Popson Ave
Bldg 1400, Rm 110
Edwards AFB, CA 93524-6630
661 277-3606
Email: carol.lahoski@edwards.af.mil
|
|
U.S.-China Clean Energy Announcements
Beijing, China - Today, President Barack Obama and President
Hu Jintao announced a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen
cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy.
Please see the attached fact sheets for additional details on
each of the U.S-China clean energy announcements.
1. U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center. The two Presidents
announced the establishment of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research
Center. The Center will facilitate joint research and development
of clean energy technologies by teams of scientists and engineers
from the United States and China, as well as serve as a clearinghouse
to help researchers in each country. The Center will be supported
by public and private funding of at least $150 million over five
years, split evenly between the two countries. Initial research
priorities will be building energy efficiency, clean coal including
carbon capture and storage, and clean vehicles. The Protocol
formally establishing the Center was signed in Beijing by U.S.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Chinese Minister of Science and
Technology Wan Gang, and Chinese National Energy Agency Acting
Administrator Zhang Guobao.
2. U.S.-China Electric Vehicles Initiative. The two Presidents
announced the launch of the U.S.-China Electric Vehicles Initiative.
Building on the first-ever US-China Electric Vehicle Forum in
September 2009, the initiative will include joint standards development,
demonstration projects in more than a dozen cities, technical
roadmapping and public education projects. The two leaders emphasized
their countries’ strong shared interest in accelerating
the deployment of electric vehicles in order to reduce oil dependence,
cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic growth.
3. U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The two Presidents
announced the launch of a new U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Action
Plan. Under the new plan, the two countries will work together
to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, industrial facilities,
and consumer appliances. U.S. and Chinese officials will work
together and with the private sector to develop energy efficient
building codes and rating systems, benchmark industrial energy
efficiency, train building inspectors and energy efficiency auditors
for industrial facilities, harmonize test procedures and performance
metrics for energy efficient consumer products, exchange best
practices in energy efficient labeling systems, and convene a
new U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum to be held annually, rotating
between the two countries.
4. U.S.-China Renewable Energy Partnership. The two Presidents
announced the launch of a new U.S.-China Renewable Energy Partnership.
Under the Partnership, the two countries will develop roadmaps
for wide-spread renewable energy deployment in both countries.
The Partnership will also provide technical and analytical resources
to states and regions in both countries to support renewable
energy deployment and will facilitate state-to-state and region-to-region
partnerships to share experience and best practices. A new Advanced
Grid Working Group will bring together U.S. and Chinese policymakers,
regulators, industry leaders, and civil society to develop strategies
for grid modernization in both countries. A new U.S.-China Renewable
Energy Forum will be held annually, rotating between the two
countries.
5. 21st Century Coal. The two Presidents pledged to promote cooperation
on cleaner uses of coal, including large-scale carbon capture
and storage (CCS) demonstration projects. Through the new U.S.-China
Clean Energy Research Center, the two countries are launching
a program of technical cooperation to bring teams of U.S. and
Chinese scientists and engineers together in developing clean
coal and CCS technologies. The two governments are also actively
engaging industry, academia, and civil society in advancing clean
coal and CCS solutions. The Presidents welcomed: (i) a grant
from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to the China Power
Engineering and Consulting Group Corporation to support a feasibility
study for an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power
plant in China using American technology, (ii) an agreement by
Missouri-based Peabody Energy to participate in GreenGen, a project
of several major Chinese energy companies to develop a near-zero
emissions coal-fired power plant, (iii) an agreement between
GE and Shenhua Corporation to collaborate on the development
and deployment of IGCC and other clean coal technologies; and
(iv) an agreement between AES and Songzao Coal and Electric Company
to use methane captured from a coal mine in Chongqing, China,
to generate electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Shale Gas Initiative. The two Presidents announced the launch
of a new U.S.-China Shale Gas Resource Initiative. Under the
Initiative, the U.S. and China will use experience gained in
the United States to assess China’s shale gas potential,
promote environmentally-sustainable development of shale gas
resources, conduct joint technical studies to accelerate development
of shale gas resources in China, and promote shale gas investment
in China through the U.S.-China Oil and Gas Industry Forum, study
tours, and workshops.
7. U.S.-China Energy Cooperation Program. The two Presidents
announced the establishment of the U.S.-China Energy Cooperation
Program. The program will leverage private sector resources for
project development work in China across a broad array of clean
energy projects, to the benefit of both nations. More than 22
companies are founding members of the program. The ECP will include
collaborative projects on renewable energy, smart grid, clean
transportation, green building, clean coal, combined heat and
power, and energy efficiency.
###
6 attachments — Scanning for viruses...
US-China
Fact Sheet on Coal.pdf
74K
US-China
Fact Sheet on Efficiency Action Plan.pdf
69K
US-China
Fact Sheet on Electric Vehicles.pdf
87K
US-China
Fact Sheet on Renewable Energy.pdf
69K
U.S.-China
Fact Sheet on CERC.pdf
63K
US-China
Fact Sheet on Shale Gas.pdf
65K
|
Team
Combines Civilian, Military Expertise
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:34:00 -0600
|
IRS
TD 9471 contains the final
regulations relating to options granted under an employee stock
purchase plan as defined in section 423 of the Internal Revenue
Code (Code). These final regulations affect certain taxpayers
who participate in the transfer of stock pursuant to the exercise
of options granted under an employee stock purchase plan. These
final regulations provide guidance to assist taxpayers in complying
with section 423 in addition to clarifying certain rules regarding
options granted under an employee stock purchase plan. This document
also contains final regulations under sections 421, 422 and 424
of the Code.
|
IRS
TD 9470 contains the final
regulations relating to the return and information statement
requirements under section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code
(Code). These regulations reflect changes to section 6039 made
by section 403 of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006.
These regulations affect corporations that issue statutory stock
options and provide guidance to assist corporations in complying
with the return and information statement requirements under
section 6039.
|
|
Ohio
Young Democrats November Newsletter
Run2009's success, historic House action
on health care reform, the Summit County Young Dems' JFK Reception
and ODP's "Knockout" events are all featured in this
month's OYD newsletter.
|
Marine
Corps Tests F-35
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:10:05 -0600
|
Forum
Aids Legal System in Iraqi Province
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:55:00 -0600
|
Jury-Selection
Method to Be Tested in Pennsylvania County
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST
By Bill Vidonic, Beaver County Times, Pa.
Nov. 16--BEAVER -- A defense attorney is challenging the way
jury pools are assembled in Beaver County.
|
Post
Office Was $3.8 Billion in the Red Last Year
Posted: 15 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
WASHINGTON - The Postal Service reported a loss of $3.8 billion
last year, despite a reduction of 40,000 full-time positions
and other cost-cutting measures.
|
White
House to Seek Seatbelts in Motorcoaches
Posted: 16 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST
By JOAN LOWY
|
|
Alabama Stonewall Democrats: Kyle Whitmire
our guest this Thursday! Officer elections too!
Join us Thursday as Stonewall welcomes
Birmingham Weekly's political writer Kyle Whitmire. Expect a
lively discussion about the coming mayoral election, Langford's
trial and the 2010 elections. Don't miss this!
We will also elect officers for 2010 all
offices are open: President, Vice President, Treasurer. Nominations
will start at 6 PM voting to follow. Nominate your friend or
yourself!
Alabama Stonewall Democrats
Thursday, November 19th
Logan's Roadhouse
7724 Ludington Ln
Birmingham, AL 35210
(205) 957-9775
just off Crestwood Blvd
5:30 Cocktails
6:00 Discussion
meal follows
|
Medicare's annual open enrollment period began
on November 15, 2009 and runs through December 31, 2009. During
this time, people with Medicare can add, drop or change their
prescription drug coverage. They can also select a health plan
for their 2010 coverage. Go to the link below for additional
information about help paying for prescription drugs and Medicare
costs.
|
DEA Honored By Anti-Defamation League
NOV 17 -- (NEW YORK) – In recognition of their efforts to
bring a notorious terrorist to justice, the Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) honored the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the
U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
Each received the ADL Leon and Marilyn Klinghoffer Memorial Foundation
Award during the League's Annual Meeting in New York City. The
award is named for Leon Klinghoffer, a wheelchair bound American
tourist murdered while aboard the Achille Lauro cruise ship in
1985, when it was hijacked by Palestinian terrorists.
As part of a successful undercover operation began in 2005 known
as "Operation Legacy," a group of DEA agents infiltrated
the inner ring of Monzer al-Kassar, a notorious arms dealer and
the terrorist who supplied weapons to the hijackers of the Achille
Lauro. After his arrest and extradition to the United States
for attempting to sell weapons to a Colombian terrorist organization,
al-Kassar and his associate were convicted on multiple terrorism
charges in November 2008. Al-Kassar received a 30-year prison
sentence.
|
Recently
Published Rulemaking Documents for U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
|
|
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DISCUSSES IMPORTANCE
OF ADDRESSING CHILD HUNGER, HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Testifies at Senate Agriculture Committee
on the Opportunities to Address Critical Issues During Reauthorization
of Child Nutrition Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 17 - Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack today testified in front of the Senate
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Environment
on the opportunities to combat child hunger and improve the health
and nutrition of children across the country during the upcoming
reauthorization of USDA's Child Nutrition Programs.
Below are excerpts from Vilsack's prepared
testimony:
"The reauthorization of the Child
Nutrition Programs presents us with an important opportunity
to combat child hunger, improve the health and nutrition of children
across the nation, and enhance program performance.
"The scale of these programs means
that reforms can have a major impact on tens of millions of school
children. For instance, the National School Lunch Program serves
31 million school children in more than 100,000 schools across
the country. The School Breakfast Program is available in over
88,000 schools and about 11 million children participate on an
average day.
"The Obama Administration takes this
opportunity very seriously. In the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget, the
Administration proposed a historic investment of $10 billion
in additional funding over ten years for the Reauthorization.
"The problems that we are challenged
to address through this reauthorization process are significant,
and critical to the future of our country.
"At the same time, we face a continuing
problem for some families being unable to provide their children
enough to eat. Yesterday, the Department released a report, 'Household
Food Security in the United States, 2008' showing that in over
500,000 families with children in 2008, one or more children
simply do not get enough to eat--they had to cut the size of
their meals, skip meals, or even go whole days without food at
some time during the year. This is simply unacceptable in a nation
as wealthy and developed as the United States.
"This legislation is an opportunity
to in one stroke confront both the challenges of obesity and
hunger - with the prospect of better health and well-being in
the years to come. Investing in meal quality and access to these
critical programs will help support the capacity of our young
people to learn and acquire the tools necessary to become the
leaders of tomorrow.
"We can improve access to meals and
explore new means of empowering communities to reduce food insecurity
and hunger, especially among our children. We can make every
school a place where nutrition and learning shape the food offered
by improving meal standards, eliminating foods that do not support
healthful choices, and expanding physical activity opportunities.
"Beyond these food security, nutrition,
health and learning objectives, the reauthorization is an important
opportunity to promote economic development and a robust farm
and food economy. The Child Nutrition and WIC Programs are significant
outlets for the bounty of American farmers and ranchers. Each
year, USDA purchases approximately $1.5 billion of healthy foods
through its commodity distribution programs. These purchases
help support for the entire agriculture value chain - from growers
to packers, shippers, manufacturers, to retailers.
"This legislation is critical not
only for the nutrition, but for health promotion, educational
opportunity, and economic development. For these reasons, I want
to share the Obama Administration's top priorities for this legislation
and to express my commitment to work with you to pursue a robust
reauthorization that advances these key priorities.
"For many children in our programs,
School Lunch and Breakfast represents the only healthy food that
they eat all day. We must work to ensure access to nutrition
assistance for children, when and where they need it, particularly
during the 'gap periods,' when we know children struggle to receive
the nutrition they need- summer months, during breakfast, and
in after-school environments.
"We also need to expand the School
Breakfast Program. Healthy days begin with healthy breakfasts.
Many teachers report that they can tell which of their children
had healthy breakfasts and which did not. While 100,000 schools
offer lunch, only 88,000 offer breakfast. And only about 11 million
children receive school breakfasts on an average school day,
compared to 31 million for lunch.
"To increase the number of schools
offering breakfast and the participation of eligible children
in the program and look for ways to support improvements in the
nutritional quality of school breakfasts as well.
"To expand participation in school
meals more generally, we must find and test innovative approaches
and determine their effectiveness in addressing hunger among
children, including modifications to counting and claiming processes
in very low-income areas.
"Support should be provided to communities
and States committed to ending the scourge of hunger. And support
should be provided to direct certification efforts that automatically
enroll eligible children in these programs. The Department will
use the $22 million in the Direct Certification grants recently
approved in the agriculture appropriations bill to encourage
States to enhance their existing direct certification systems
with new technologies or with ideas borrowed from States with
demonstrated direct certification success.
"We must do everything we can to improve
the nutritional quality of school meals and the health of the
school environment. A recent Institute of Medicine report showed
that the average American child between the ages of 5 and 8 consumes
about 720 empty, discretionary calories per day - nearly half
their total diet of about 1,600 calories per day. Our young people
are eating far less dark green and dark orange vegetables than
they need, far fewer fruits than they need, far more refined
grains and far too few whole grains, and far too much high-fat
dairy products and too few low fat or non-fat dairy products.
We must do better.
Additional support should be provided to
train school food service professionals so that they have the
skills to serve top-quality meals that are both healthful and
appealing to their student customers.
Expand the current requirements of the food safety program to
all facilities where food is stored, prepared and served.
Every parent knows that encouraging children to try new foods
can be challenging. But because children are developing preferences
and practices that will last a lifetime, it is especially important
that we recognize and support the role that school food service
professionals play in serving foods that demonstrate that a healthful
diet can be tasty and fun.
But our approach should also reflect the critical role that the
whole school environment - not just the lunch room - can play
in the effort to promote healthful lifestyles and combat obesity.
"Not only should USDA establish improved nutrition standards
for school meals, but we should set national standards for all
food sold in schools, including in the á la carte lines
and in vending machines, to ensure that they too contribute to
a healthy diet. This step is long overdue and critically important
to enhancing the health of the school environment. And we need
to strengthen school wellness policy implementation and promote
physical activity in schools.
"But to be truly successful in making
our schools a healthier environment - we will need input and
help from parents and communities. More information must be provided
to American parents on the performance of schools so that they
can make choices for their children, and take action to help
schools improve. We recommend that schools be required to share
information about the content of their meals with the families
that rely upon them. And we should work with stakeholders to
develop and communicate common nutrition messages and provide
materials in support of those messages.
"Lastly, we must continue to advance
the public trust by investing in school meal performance. Through
technology and training, we can reduce error rates and resolve
management challenges in ways that serve our school children
and the general public.
"Several weeks ago, through passage
of the Agriculture Appropriations bill, Congress made an important
first step toward accomplishing these goals. Thanks to the leadership
of Chairman Lincoln and Senators Chambliss and Harkin, and Chairman
George Miller, we will be able to improve children's access to
meals during the summer, help enroll more children in the School
Lunch Program and improve health and nutrition in child care
settings. I view this as an important down payment on the priorities
mentioned above."
#
|
|
Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton to Speak by Video Message at the 24th
Annual Meeting of the Overseas Security Advisory Council
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 16, 2009
|
|
Democrats Take Steps to Restore Fiscal Responsibility
Republican Irresponsibility Resulted in Record Deficits and Debt
Statutory “pay-as-you-go” (PAYGO)
is a primary focus of the Democratic Congress and a priority
of President Obama’s. Enacting PAYGO into law will help
restore fiscal discipline, allowing us to invest in America’s
most important priorities while making the tough choices necessary
to cut wasteful spending and reduce our deficits and debt. Restoring
our nation’s fiscal health will not be quick or easy and
the enactment of PAYGO will not erase our nation's deficits on
its own, but reinstating this common sense principle is a key
first step.
Click here to read
more.
###
|
Army
Morale
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:30:51 -0600
Psychological problems reported by soldiers in Iraq are at their
lowest level since 2004 according to a new Army report.
|
Federal Regulators Issue Final Model Privacy
Notice Form
WASHINGTON — Eight federal regulatory agencies today released
a final model privacy notice form that will make it easier for
consumers to understand how financial institutions collect and
share information about consumers. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act (GLB Act), institutions must notify consumers of their information-sharing
practices and inform consumers of their right to opt out of certain
sharing practices. The model form issued today can be used by
financial institutions to comply with these requirements.
The Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006 amended
the GLB Act to require the agencies to propose a succinct and
comprehensible model form that allows consumers to easily compare
the privacy practices of different financial institutions, and
has an easy-to-read font.
The agencies conducted extensive consumer research and testing
in developing the model form issued today. Then they solicited
public comments and considered those comments in developing a
model form that is easier for consumers to understand and use.
The final rule provides that a financial institution that chooses
to use the model form obtains a “safe harbor” and will
satisfy the disclosure requirements for notices. The rule also
removes, after a transition period, the sample clauses now included
in the appendices of the agencies’ privacy rules.
The final model privacy form was developed jointly by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Commodity Futures
Trading Commission, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal
Trade Commission, National Credit Union Administration, Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision,
and Securities and Exchange Commission.
A copy of the form and rule are attached.
Attachments
###
|
Norad
Flight Exercise Planned for Washington, D.C.
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:24:00 -0600
|
|
Obama Administration Announces Nearly
$40 Million for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects in
Florida and Maine
Washington, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today
that DOE is awarding nearly $40 million in funding from the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Florida and Maine to support
clean energy projects. Under DOE’s Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program, these states will implement
programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and
create green jobs locally.
“This funding will allow states across the country to make
major investments in energy solutions that will strengthen America's
economy and create jobs at the local level,” said Secretary
Chu. “It will also promote some of the cheapest, cleanest
and most reliable energy technologies we have - energy efficiency
and conservation - which can be deployed immediately. Local communities
can now make strategic investments to help meet the nation's
long term clean energy and climate goals.”
Today’s awards to the State Energy Offices will be used
to support state-level energy efficiency priorities, along with
funding local conservation projects in smaller cities and counties.
At least 60 percent of each state’s award will be passed
through to local cities and counties not eligible for direct
EECBG awards from the Department of Energy. The EECBG Program
was funded for the first time by the Recovery Act and provides
formula grants to states, cities, counties, territories and federally-recognized
Indian tribes nationwide to implement energy efficiency projects
locally.
Projects eligible for support include the development of an energy
efficiency and conservation strategy, energy efficiency audits
and retrofits, transportation programs, the creation of financial
incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements, the development
and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections,
and the installation of renewable energy technologies on municipal
buildings.
Transparency and accountability are important priorities for
the EECBG program and all Recovery Act projects. All grantees
have specific measures they must take before spending the full
amount of awarded funding, such as ensuring oversight and transparency,
submitting a conservation strategy to the Department of Energy,
and complying with environmental regulations.
Throughout the program’s implementation, DOE will provide
strong oversight at the local, state, and tribal level, while
emphasizing the need to quickly award funds to help create new
jobs and stimulate local economies. Communities will be required
to report regularly to DOE on the progress they have made toward
successfully completing projects and reaching program goals.
For a full list of awards to date, visit www.eecbg.energy.gov.
DOE announced today that the following states are receiving their
state-level EECBG awards:
FLORIDA - $30,401,600 awarded today
Florida will use its EECBG funding to promote energy efficiency
across the state, including competitive grants to local cities
and counties, energy retrofits for existing state buildings,
rebates for plug-in electric vehicles, and education and training
initiatives that will help reduce energy use and save money statewide.
In addition to awards to smaller cities and counties, Recovery
Act funding will help support the Sunshine State Building Initiative,
which will fund the installation of a variety of energy conservation
measures at existing state buildings. This will reduce energy
bills for tax payers, while helping the state meet its goal of
reducing greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent by 2012.
The state will also establish a program to provide rebates for
the purchase of hybrid plug-in electric conversion kits for residential
vehicles and commercial fleets. Converted vehicles will be six
times more fuel efficient than standard gasoline cars, achieving
roughly 100 miles per gallon and reducing oil consumption by
up to 70 percent compared to conventional gasoline vehicles.
Additional EECBG funds will be used for a variety of education
and outreach initiatives, including energy code training, programs
to improve energy code compliance and effectiveness measurement,
and education efforts. These programs will create hundreds of
green jobs across the Sunshine State.
MAINE - $9,593,500 awarded today
Maine will use its Recovery Act EECBG funds to promote the development
of clean and sustainable energy infrastructure, laying the groundwork
for a more prosperous economy while saving or creating more than
100 green jobs in the state. Approximately sixty percent of the
state’s funds will be competitively awarded to local cities
and counties for energy saving projects, such as financial incentive
programs, energy efficiency retrofits, transportation programs,
energy distribution measures, and the installation of renewable
energy technologies on government buildings.
The remaining EECBG funds will be combined with Recovery Act
funding from the State Energy Program to support the Large Project
Impact Fund that will provide grants for large-scale commercial
projects. Eligible activities for these awards will include improved
insulation, air sealing, efficiency improvements in heating sources
and distribution, efficiency controls and automation, efficiency
upgrades in glazing, and other proven cost-effective measures.
###
|
Attorney
General Eric Holder Speaks at the Financial Fraud Enforcement
Task Force Press Conference
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:20:39 -0600
|
Immune
System of Healthy Adults May Be Better Prepared Than Expected
to Fight 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0600
|
FDA
and Everyday Health Collaborate to Expand Reach of Consumer Health
Information
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:17:00 -0600
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Everyday Health
today announced a collaboration that will expand the delivery
of the agency’s vital consumer health information to the
30 million unique users who visit Everyday Health each month.
This joint effort reflects FDA's emphasis on using innovative,
technology-based strategies to carry out its mission of protecting
and promoting the public health.
|
FDA
Approves Additional Vaccine for 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:30:00 -0600
|
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
announces the following:
You can now access the November 2009 Survey of Current Business
at http://www.bea.gov/scb/index.htm
|
|
Texas
Democrats: The Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Forum
"Kicking Off Decision 2010 Texas"
What: Club/Group Meeting
Start Time: Tomorrow, November 18 at 7:00pm
End Time: Tomorrow, November 18 at 8:30pm
Where: Texas Christian University Brown-Lupton University Union,
The Ballroom, 3rd Floor, North.
To see more details and RSVP
|
|
Kootenai
County Democrats: Come party with the party as we look toward
2010
What: Holiday Party
Start Time: Wednesday, December 9 at 6:00pm
End Time: Wednesday, December 9 at 8:00pm
Where: Crickets Restaurant, 424 Sherman Avenue, Coeur d'Alene,
ID 83814
To see more details and RSVP
|
2009
H1N1 Flu
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0600
|
Federal
Election Commission November Reporting Reminder
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:52:56 -0600
|
A FEC new tip for treasurers has been posted
at http://www.fec.gov/info/TipsforTreasurers.shtml#tip20091116.
|
Senior
Executive Service Appointments and Reassignments
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:35:00 -0600
|
NRC
Request for Withholding Information From Public Disclosure for
Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit No. 1 (TAC No. ME2374)
|
ARMY
VICE CHIEF CONCERNED ABOUT SUICIDES, SHORTAGE OF SPECIALISTS - 11/17/2009
|
Former
City of Dearborn Employee Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes
|
Preventing
Terrorist Attacks and Protecting Privacy Rights in Cyberspace
|
Alex
Garza's Testimony on Getting the H1N1 Flu Vaccine to Where it
is Most Needed
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0600
|
USO
Celebration
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:35:41 -0600
|
Statements
by DHS Secretary Napolitano and HUD Secretary Donovan on Disaster
Recovery Stakeholder Forum in Los Angeles
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0600
|
COL
Mark Stammer
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:33:46 -0600
Commander of the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Multi-National
Division-West) provides an update on ongoing security operations
in Iraq.
|
|
Charlotte
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
El
Paso Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Geithner
before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
November 17, 2009
TG-410
|
|
Philadelphia
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
DOT
Secretary's Blog - Welcome to the Fast Lane for Department of
Transportation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Christine
Bader to Head Defense Health Board
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:00 -0600
|
Background
Notes : Aruba (11/09)
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:47:31 -0600
|
Troops
in Anbar Prepare for Iraqi Election
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:25:00 -0600
|
Justice
Department & IRS Announce Results of UBS Settlement &
Unprecedented Response in Voluntary Tax Disclosure Program
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:14:03 -0600
|
OIG-10-06
- Review of the U.S. Coast Guard's Expenditure Plans for the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Redacted) (PDF,
21 pages - 448 KB)
|
OIG-10-08
- Process Used by the Department of Homeland Security to Monitor
Reporting by Recipients of American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 Funds (PDF, 21
pages - 923 KB)
|
The
Army's Suicide Prevention Measures
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:01:00 -0600
|
Army
Suicide Prevention Roundtable
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:24:33 -0600
|
|
The
United States Responds to Natural Disaster in El Salvador
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 17, 2009
|
USO
Celebration
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:08:44 -0600
The Nation's largest USO facility celebrates 10 years of service.
|
|
C-SPAN Daily Alert
Programming Information for Tues. 11/17 - Weds. 11/18, 2009
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN Highlights
Tonight:
* Senate Homeland Security Hearing on H1N1 Vaccine Availability
(8pm)
* House Intelligence Cmte. GOP Members Press Conference on Ft.
Hood Shooting (10pm)
* Atty. Gen. Eric Holder on Financial Fraud Prevention Efforts
(10:30pm)
Tomorrow:
* U.S. House: In Session (10am) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN2 Highlights
Tonight:
* House Oversight Cmte. Hearing on Bank of America & Merrill
Lynch Merger (8pm)
* Senate Hearing with Sec. Geithner on U.S. & the G20 (10:40pm)
* Economic Policy Institute Panel on “Spotlight on the Jobs
Crisis” (12:40am)
Tomorrow:
* State Opening of British Parliament (5:30am) - LIVE
* U.S. Senate: In Session (Time TBA) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
C-SPAN3 Highlights
Tonight:
* House Hearing on Bank of America/Merrill Lynch; AG Holder on
Fraud Prevention (7pm)
* Senate Hearings on Overdraft Fees and U.S.-G20 Relations (7:45pm)
* Sens. Durbin & Inhofe on Guantanamo Detainees; GOP Members
on Ft. Hood (8:30pm)
Tomorrow:
* Senate Judiciary Cmte. Hearing on DOJ Oversight with A.G. Holder
(9:30am) - LIVE
**********************************************************************
|
|
EPA Proposes Stronger Air Quality Standards
for Sulfur Dioxide
New standard to protect millions of the
nation’s most vulnerable citizens
WASHINGTON – For the first time in
nearly 40 years, EPA is proposing to strengthen the nation’s
sulfur dioxide (SO2) air quality standard to protect public health.
Power plants and other industrial facilities emit SO2 directly
into the air. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory
difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization.
People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially
vulnerable to SO2’s effects.
“Short-term exposures to peak SO2
levels can have significant health effects – especially
for children and the elderly – and leave our families and
taxpayers saddled with high health care costs,” said EPA
Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We’re strengthening
clean air standards, stepping up monitoring and reporting in
communities most in need, and providing the American people with
protections they rightly deserve.”
EPA is taking comment on a proposal to
establish a new national one-hour SO2 standard, between 50 and
100 parts per billion (ppb). This standard is designed to protect
against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24
hours. Because the revised standards would be more protective,
EPA is proposing to revoke the current 24-hour and annual SO2
health standards.
EPA also is proposing changes to monitoring
and reporting requirements for SO2. Monitors would be placed
in areas with high SO2 emission levels as well as in urban areas.
The proposal also would change the Air Quality Index to reflect
the revised SO2 standards. This change would improve states’
ability to alert the public when short-term SO2 levels may affect
their health.
The proposal addresses only the SO2 primary
standards, which are designed to protect public health. EPA will
address the secondary standard – designed to protect the
public welfare, including the environment – as part of a
separate proposal in 2011.
EPA first set National Ambient Air Quality
Standards for SO2 in 1971, establishing both a primary standard
to protect health and a secondary standard to protect the public
welfare. Annual average SO2 concentrations have decreased by
more than 71 percent since 1980.
The public comment period will be open
for 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register.
The agency will hold a public hearing on Jan. 5, 2010 in Atlanta.
EPA must issue final standards by June 2, 2010.
More information about the proposal: http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide
R341
|
|
Connecticut Young Democrats: There's
still time to make a difference this year - Avon is having a
Special Election!
Hello All!
As we all know, 2009 was a tough year for
our local candidates. However, there is one race in the state
that remains undecided - two candidates for Town Council in Avon
came up tied after a recount and a special election is being
held on Tuesday, November 24th. The race will determine whether
the Republicans have a 4-1 or 3-2 majority on the council.
The Democrat, David Pena, is looking for
volunteers to make GOTV phone calls this Saturday and Sunday.
Many people in Avon (Democrats included!) do not even know about
the special election and it's very important that we help him
spread the word and get people to the polls.
If you're interested in helping out, please
contact Sean Scanlon at 203-214-9250 or scanlon68@gmail.com
Thank You for your Help!!
______________________
|
Secretary
Napolitano Meets With Private Sector Critical Infrastructure
Leaders, Launches New Web Site
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0600
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano hosted the first
in a series of roundtable meetings with private sector leaders
to discuss critical infrastructure security and unveiled a new
Web site designed to inform the public about the Department’s
critical infrastructure protection, readiness and resiliency
efforts.
|
U.S.
Department of State : Daily Press Briefing - November 17
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:29:30 -0600
|
Highlights:
President Obama and Secretary Clinton to Meet With Senior Indian
Leaders
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0600
|
|
Headline: Secretary Sebelius Announces
New HHS Regional Directors
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced
the appointment of new
Regional Directors of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
"HHS welcomes Cristal, Marjorie, Judy
and Susan and we look forward to
working with them to achieve HHS' mission to protect the health
of all
Americans and provide essential human services," Secretary
Sebelius
said. "Their individual experience and knowledge of our
department's
most important issues, as well as local understanding of the
people and
institutions in their respective Regions make them a welcome
addition to
HHS."
* Cristal Thomas, Regional Director Region
V (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH,
WI)
* Marjorie McColl Petty, Regional Director Region VI, (AR, LA,
NM,
OK, TX)
* Judy Baker, Regional Director Region VII (IA, KS, MO, NE)
* Susan M.R. Johnson, Regional Director Region X (AK, ID, OR,
WA)
As HHS regional directors, they will serve
as key representatives of
Secretary Sebelius in working with federal, state, local and
tribal
officials on a wide range of health and social service issues.
Biographies:
Cristal Thomas, MPP, has served as executive
director of the Ohio
Executive Medicaid Management Administration (EMMA) since January
2008.
In 2007, she was appointed Ohio Medicaid Director. In this role,
she was
responsible for administration of the Medicaid program and the
State
Children's Health Insurance Program in Ohio, as well as implementing
many of the Governor's health care initiatives.
Previously, she served as director of strategic
planning at the Illinois
Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the state
agency
responsible for the Illinois Medicaid and child support enforcement
programs, and was later appointed assistant director of that
agency.
Prior to that, Ms. Thomas served as a policy
and regulatory analyst in
the White House Office of Management and Budget, where she focused
on
federal health care policy. Ms. Thomas is a graduate of Ohio
State
University in Columbus, Ohio, and received a Masters in Public
Policy
from the University of Chicago.
Marjorie McColl Petty, J.D., M.S., has
served as director of public
affairs and consumer protection for the Kansas Corporation Commission
since 2003. She also serves as chair of the board of directors
of the
Delta Dental of Kansas, a position she has held since August
2008. She
has served on the company's board of directors since 2001.
From 2006-2008, she was president of the
board of directors of the Delta
Dental Foundation, where she reviewed and granted $2.9 million
for oral
health projects for Kansans. Previously, she served as a subcontractor
for two regional offices of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human
Services as a public policy manager.
Mrs. Petty has also served as a State Senator
in Kansas, and a member of
the Topeka City Council. She received a JD from Washburn University
School of Law and a Masters in Education/Counseling from the
University
of Kansas.
Judy Baker is a former member of the Missouri
House of Representatives,
representing the 25th District. In the legislature, she was a
lead
sponsor of several health care reform initiatives and related
legislation, and also founded the "Healthy Missourians"
Caucus, a
bi-partisan caucus that promoted prevention and responsible approaches
to health care delivery in the state.
Her health care experience and service
spans both the public and private
sectors. Currently, she is a managing partner of Cura Advantage,
a
consulting firm she founded focused on health care systems design
and
improvement. In 1998, she joined the University of Missouri's
University Physicians practice plan, first serving as director
of
operations at Capital Region Medical Group in Jefferson City,
and then
as interim executive director of the entire practice plan until
2002.
The Hon. Baker earned a BES and a Masters
in Healthcare Administration
at the University of Missouri. She also received a Master of
Divinity
degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Susan M.R. Johnson, has served as the director
of the King County Health
Action Plan for the Public Health Department in Seattle and King
County
since 1997. In that capacity, she has developed and implemented
innovative programs addressing health care needs for children,
teenagers
and persons with chronic diseases.
Previously, Ms. Johnson was appointed by
Governor Lowry to the
Washington State Health Care Policy Board, where she represented
the
concerns of consumers and workers in the development of health
policy
recommendations for state officials.
From 1984-1995, she served as director
of governmental relations for the
Washington State Council of the Service Employees International
Union.
She received a B.A. from Middlebury College.
###
|
NRC
Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko's Remarks About Briefing on Agency
EEO, Diversity and Small Business Programs
|
FDA
Approves New Drug Treatment for Long-Term Pain Relief after Shingles
Attacks
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:43:00 -0600
|
|
U.S.
Department of State Launches Second Annual ExchangesConnect Video
Contest to Amplify U.S. Public Diplomacy: "Change Your Climate,
Change Our World"
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
November 17, 2009
|
|
Minneapolis
Top Stories for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
COL
Stammer Briefing
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:32:12 -0600
Security preparations in western Iraq's Al Anbar province are
already underway for January's national elections.
|
|
Louisville
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Dallas
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Las
Vegas Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
FDA
and Everyday Health Collaborate to Expand Reach of Consumer Health
Information
|
|
Albany
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Seattle
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
“Party Of No” Votes Against
Creating Jobs and Strengthening the Economy
House Democrats recognize the hardship
facing millions of Americans during this recession, and have
worked with President Obama to help create jobs and address the
economic downturn. On the other side of the aisle, Republicans
have offered little more than empty rhetoric, distractions, and
misrepresentations – playing politics with important issues
– and have overwhelmingly opposed legislation that would
spur economic growth and create jobs. Today, Minority Whip Eric
Cantor said that “Republicans have been working for months
now trying to forge solutions as to how to get Americans back
to work.” Unfortunately for America, the majority of Republicans
actually opposed “solutions as to how to get Americans back
to work.” Votes don’t lie: Republicans have consistently
said “no” to creating jobs and helping Americans during
this recession.
Click here to read
more.
###
|
DoD
Contracts for November 17, 2009
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:19:00 -0600
|
|
Indianapolis
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Today
in the Department of Defense, 11/18/2009
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:44:00 -0600
|
|
San
Francisco Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Milwaukee
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Philadelphia
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Customs-Trade
Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT): 2010 Supply Chain Security
Training
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:15:46 -0600
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is pleased to announce the
2010 Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Supply
Chain Security Training Seminar. The seminar will be held March
17th through March 19th, 2010 in Anaheim, California. The Seminar
is open to all C-TPAT certified partners, however space will
be limited. (more)
|
|
Los
Angeles Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
Houston
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
|
New
York Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Secretary
Sebelius Announces New HHS Regional Directors
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:01:00 -0600
|
|
Tax
Division Injunctions for U.S. Department of Justice
This information has recently been updated,
and is now available.
|
Obama
Offers Tough Talk on North Korea, Iran
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:26:00 -0600
|
NATO
Chief Predicts 'Substantially More Troops' in Afghanistan
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:26:00 -0600
|
Air
Force Warfare Center Improves Warfighter Support
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:17:00 -0600
|
|
Alaks
Democrats "State House Candidates Fun-Draising Reception"
tomorrow
Event: State House Candidates Fun-Draising
Reception
What: Club/Group Meeting
Start Time: Tomorrow, November 18 at 5:30pm
End Time: Tomorrow, November 18 at 7:30pm
Where: Well Street Art Gallery
To see more details and RSVP
|
|
Alaska
Democrats Social Mixer
"Drinking Liberally... but responsibly"
tomorrow.
Event: Drinking Liberally... but responsibly
What: Club/Group Meeting
Start Time: Tomorrow, November 18 at 7:45pm
End Time: Tomorrow, November 18 at 11:15pm
Where: Big Daddy's BBQ
To see more details and RSVP
|
Missouri
State Senator, State Representative, Another Individual Sentenced
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:06:16 -0600
Former Missouri State Senator Jeff Smith, former Missouri State
Representative Mark Brown, and Nicholas Adams were sentenced
on federal obstruction charges involving their conspiracy and
attempt to obstruct a Federal Election Commission proceeding
from July 2004 through December 2007.
|
Connecticut
Man Sentenced for Obstructing Grand Jury Investigation
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:28:30 -0600
Gregory Laugeni, of Woodbridge, Connecticut, was sentenced to
five months in prison on a charge of obstruction of justice in
connection with providing altered and falsified documents to
federal agents working with a federal grand jury in Hartford.
|
Texas
Corrections Officer Indicted on Civil Rights Charges
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:22:15 -0600
Daniel Melgoza, a Bexar County, Texas Corrections Officer, was
charged with violating the civil rights of two detainees and
obstructing justice in connection with allegedly kicking and
striking inmates at the Bexar County Detention Center and providing
false statements about the assaults.
|
Secretary
for Former Pennsylvania Senator Sentenced for Fraud
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:42:34 -0600
Susan Skotnicki, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, the secretary of
former Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent J. Fumo, was sentenced
to four years of probation for engaging in a scheme to defraud
the Senate of Pennsylvania by submitting fraudulent invoices
and reimbursement requests on behalf of Fumo.
|
Michigan
City Employee Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:48:08 -0600
Wanda J. Smith, a former employee of the City of Dearborn, Michigan
Building and Safety Department, pled guilty to accepting bribes
in return for issuing permits without charging the required permit
fees.
|
FBI
Exec Testifies on Preventing Attacks and Protecting Privacy in
Cyberspace
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:16:52 -0600
FBI Deputy Assistant Director Steven R. Chabinsky, Cyber Division,
testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee
on Terrorism and Homeland Security on the FBI's role in reducing
our nation's risk from acts of cyber terrorism, cyber espionage,
and cyber crime.
|
President
Obama Establishes Interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task
Force
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:18:10 -0600
President Barack Obama has established by Executive Order an
interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to strengthen
efforts to combat financial crime. The Department of Justice
will lead the task force and the Department of Treasury, HUD,
and the SEC will serve on the steering committee.
|
Highlights:
U.S Responds to Natural Disaster in El Salvador
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0600
|
|
Hello Everyone!
Just wanted to send a friendly reminder
for the tomorrow's inaugural America's Future Foundation event
in Pittsburgh.
Stopping the Spending-A Roundtable Discussion
Wednesday, November 18
Rivers Club
301 Grant Circle
Pittsburgh, PA
Reception at 6:00 pm & Roundtable begins 7:00 pm
Drinks & Hors D' Oeuvres
Looking forward to getting lots of Pittsburgh's
libertarians and conservatives together for a great event!
Denise
|
|
Visa
Waiver Program for Greek Citizens (Taken Question)
Washington, DC
November 17, 2009
|
|
University of Northern Colorado College
Democrats Sign-Hanging Wednesday Night
Hey Everyone... if you want to come to
the UC at 7.30 Wedensday night, we could use your help hanging
up signs for the discussion.
We'll be in the Fireside area of the UC...
see you then
Will
|
|
WA
4th Legislative District Democrats Quarterly Meeting and Holiday
Potluck
What: Dorm/House Meeting
Start Time: Sunday, December 13 at 2:00pm
End Time: Sunday, December 13 at 4:00pm
Where: 304 S Conklin Rd, Veradale, 99037 Birch Tree Clubhouse
To see more details and RSVP
|
STS-129
MCC Status Report #02
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
With a picture-perfect launch day under their belts, Atlantis’
crew members will spend their first full day in space taking
pictures of what they hope will be a perfect heat shield.
|
NASA
and Microsoft Allow Earthlings to Become Martians
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
NASA and Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., have collaborated
to create a Web site where Internet users can have fun while
advancing their knowledge of Mars.
|
|
NASA's
Wise Gets Ready to Survey the Whole Sky
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
|
STS-129
MCC Status Report #03
Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600
Atlantis astronauts Tuesday inspected the space shuttle’s
thermal protection system, checked out spacesuits and prepared
to dock with the International Space Station.
|
Celestial
Treasure Hunt
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0600
|
|
Friend --
After nearly 1,000 submissions, 20 amazing
finalists, and more than 3 million views, we have the winner
of the Organizing for America Health Reform Video Challenge.
The winning video shows that our supporters'
creativity and passion is more than a match for the slick ads
and partisan spin doctors on the other side. In the next few
days, we'll be using this video as the basis for a new television
ad that will air across the country -- and you can help, by ensuring
we have the resources to make the biggest impact.
Check out the winning
video now.
With Congress wrapping up its last round
of negotiations and closely gauging the public's mood in these
crucial final weeks, now is the exact time to get this grassroots
message out far and wide.
Your passion has brought our country closer
to health reform than we've ever been before -- and it's what
will keep our momentum strong so that we finish the job before
the end of the year.
So please watch the winning video, pass
it on to everyone you know, and give what you can to spread the
message on national television:
http://my.barackobama.com/WinningVideo
Thanks,
David Plouffe
|
|
HOUSE FLOOR WRAP-UP FOR NOVEMBER 17,
2009
Bills Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (6):
1. H.R.
3618 - Clean Hull Act of 2009 (Rep. Oberstar - Transportation
and Infrastructure)
2. H.Res.
841 - Expressing support for designation of November 29,
2009, as "Drive Safer Sunday" (Rep. Gerlach - Transportation
and Infrastructure)
3. H.R.
3360 - Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 (Rep.
Matsui - Transportation and Infrastructure)
4. H.Res.
891 - Expressing the gratitude of the House of Representatives
for the service to our Nation of the Coast Guard and Marine Corps
aircraft pilots and crewmembers lost off the coast of California
on October 29, 2009 (Rep. Loretta Sanchez - Transportation and
Infrastructure)
5. H.R.
3305 - To designate the Federal building and United States
courthouse located at 224 South Boulder Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
as the "H. Dale Cook Federal Building and United States
Courthouse" (Rep. Sullivan - Transportation and Infrastructure)
6. H.Res.
851 - Recognizing and honoring the 40th anniversary of SEARCH,
The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics,
headquartered in Sacramento, California (Rep. Matsui - Judiciary)
Postponed Suspension Vote (1):
1. S.
1599 - A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to include
in the Federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association leadership
positions newly added in its constitution and bylaws (Sen. Leahy
- Judiciary)
|
|
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER
18, 2009
House Meets At… First Vote Predicted… Last Vote Predicted…
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business 12:00
– 1:00 p.m. 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
“One Minutes” (15 per side)
Suspensions (7 Bills)
1. H.R.
1839 - To amend the Small Business Act to improve SCORE (Rep.
Buchanan - Small Business)
2. H.R.
1834 - Native American Business Development Enhancement Act
of 2009 (Rep. Kirkpatrick - Small Business)
3. H.R.
1842 - Expanding Entrepreneurship Act of 2009 (Rep. Luetkemeyer
- Small Business)
4. H.R.
3738 - Small Business Early-Stage Investment Act of 2009
(Rep. Nye - Small Business)
5. H.R.
3014 - Small Business Health Information Technology Financing
Act (Rep. Dahlkemper - Small Business)
6. H.Res.
890 - Welcoming the Prime Minister of the Republic of India,
His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, to the United States (Rep.
McDermott - Foreign Affairs)
7. H.Con.Res.
212 - Expressing the sense of Congress on the occasion of
the 20th anniversary of historic events in Central and Eastern
Europe, particularly the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia,
and reaffirming the bonds of friendship and cooperation between
the United States and the Slovak and Czech Republics (Rep. Mica
- Foreign Affairs)
H.R.
3791 - Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Rep. Mitchell
– Science and Technology) (Subject to a Rule)
Postponed Suspension Vote (1 Bill):
1. S.
1599 - A bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to include
in the Federal charter of the Reserve Officers Association leadership
positions newly added in its constitution and bylaws (Sen. Leahy
- Judiciary)
* Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.
* Motions to go to Conference should they become available.
* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.
|
 
|
|
a new ticker page has started for Wednesday
November 18.
Yesterday's ticker items are archived here
|
ticker timeline 02:51 Eastern Time November
18, 2009
|
|
click to support
adsense
|
|
new ticker page started 00:01 Eastern
Time November 18, 2009
today's ticker page 1
for previous
yesterday's ticker page click here
|
 
|
|
view
previous page:::::page one |