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November 25, 2009

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Israel's
Announcement Regarding Settlements

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

November 25, 2009

NASA'S
WISE Spacecraft Ready for Launch Dec. 9 from California

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600

The launch of NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or
WISE, aboard a Delta II rocket is scheduled to occur between
9:09 a.m. and 9:23 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from Vandenberg
Air Force Base in California.

Majority Leader Hoyer Statement in Recognition
of Thanksgiving

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in
honor of Thanksgiving, which is observed tomorrow:

“Tomorrow, we gather with our friends
and families to give thanks for our blessings as citizens of
this great nation. In joining with our loved ones in a tradition
as old as America, we also remember that blessings are greater
when they are shared. So in this holiday season, let us keep
room in our thoughts for those Americans who are struggling in
these hard times, as well as those who cannot be with their families
today: the troops who are serving far from home at great personal
sacrifice and great risk. We give thanks for their dedication,
as well.”

###

Obama
Weighs the Cost of an Afghan Surge

By Mark Thompson / Washington Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009

First Vote of the Week… Last Vote Predicted…

Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Friday p.m.

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

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

On Monday, the House will not be in session.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009

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

Suspensions (7 Bills)

H.R.
3634 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 109 Main Street in Swifton, Arkansas, as the
"George Kell Post Office" (Rep. Berry - Oversight and
Government Reform)

H.R.
3667 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal
Service located at 16555 Springs Street in White Springs, Florida,
as the "Clyde L. Hillhouse Post Office Building" (Rep.
Crenshaw - Oversight and Government Reform)

H.Res.
727 – Expressing support for greater awareness of ovarian
cancer (Rep. Israel - Oversight and Government Reform)

H.Res.
742 - Congratulating the Warner Robins Little League softball
team from Warner Robins, Georgia, on winning the 2009 Little
League Softball World Series (Rep. Marshall - Oversight and Government
Reform)

H.Res.
743 - Honoring the life of Frank McCourt for his many contributions
to American literature, education, and culture (Rep. Murphy (CT)
- Oversight and Government Reform)

H.R.
3029 - To establish a research, development, and technology
demonstration program to improve the efficiency of gas turbines
used in combined cycle power generation systems (Rep. Tonko –
Science and technology)

H.R.
3598 - Energy and Water Research Integration Act (Rep. Gordon
- Science and Technology)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2009 AND THE BALANCE OF THE WEEK

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m.
for legislative business. On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00
a.m. for legislative business.

Suspensions (10 Bills)

H.R.
1242 - To amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
of 2008 to provide for additional monitoring and accountability
of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (Rep. Maloney - Financial
Services)

H.R.
2873 - Enhanced S.E .C. Enforcement Authority Act (Rep. Campbell
- Financial Services)

H.R.
320 - CJ's Home Protection Act of 2009 (Rep. Ellsworth -
Financial Services)

H.Con.Res.
197 - Encouraging banks and mortgage servicers to work with
families affected by contaminated drywall to allow temporary
forbearance without penalty on payments on their home mortgages
(Rep. Nye - Financial Services)

H.Res.
494 - Recognizing the exemplary service of the soldiers of
the 30th Infantry Division (Old Hickory) of the United States
Army during World War II (Rep. Kissell – Armed Services)

H.Con.Res.
129 - Congratulating the Sailors of the United States Submarine
Force upon the completion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile
submarine (SSBN) deterrent patrols (Rep. Dicks – Armed Services)

H.Res.
861 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Military
Family Month (Rep. Rooney – Armed Services)

H.R.
3980 - Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for
Preparedness Grants Act (Rep. Cuellar - Homeland Security)

H.Res.
28 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that the Transportation Security Administration should, in accordance
with the congressional mandate provided for in the Implementing
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, enhance security
against terrorist attack and other security threats to our Nation's
rail and mass transit lines (Rep. Jackson-Lee - Homeland Security)

H.R.
3963 - Criminal Investigative Training Restoration Act (Rep.
Lungren - Homeland Security)

H.R.
4154 - Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers,
and Small Businesses Act of 2009 (Rep. Pomeroy – Ways and
Means) (Subject to a Rule)

* Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.

* Motions to go to Conference should they become available.

* Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.

OCC Community Developments Newsletter Focuses
on Bank Stabilization Activities

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
(OCC) today released the fall 2009 edition of Community Developments
focusing on bank strategies to mitigate the impacts of foreclosed
properties on communities across the country.

“Thanks in large part to new community partnerships, neighborhoods
hard hit by foreclosures are being rebuilt and renewed,”
said Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan. “These initiatives
provide the critical leadership, creativity and financing needed
to help revitalize neighborhoods across the nation. Their efforts
come at a critical time for financial institutions and the communities
they serve.”

This issue of Community Developments highlights the emerging
work of innovative community partnerships and the tools and resources
available to help them return foreclosed properties to the productive
housing stock. It describes multiple strategies for managing
and renewing real estate owned properties held by national banks
and other lenders, including donations, discounted sales, and
property rehabilitation. It also describes how federal funds
are being used to stabilize neighborhoods nationwide. In some
cases, the community stabilization efforts of national banks
can also receive positive CRA consideration.

In the Minnesota’s twin cities, nonprofit housing organizations
are enabling low-and moderate-income households to buy foreclosed
homes with support from national foundations and the recently
created National Community Stabilization Trust.

In Essex County, New Jersey, neighborhoods are being helped by
a community development corporation using the bulk purchase of
defaulted mortgage notes from a bank to speed the transfer of
vacant properties.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, homebuyers have a chance to rent
a home until they can qualify to buy it through a lease-purchase
program. A nonprofit will manage these properties until they
are resold.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, a nonprofit is providing first-time
home buyers with prepurchase education and counseling. The nonprofit
organization repairs foreclosed properties for resale to these
buyers when they complete their training and qualify for affordable
financing.

“The goal of all of these programs is to ensure that neighborhoods
affected by foreclosures continue to be desirable and sustainable
places to live. We hope that these examples and the other successes
described in this newsletter will inspire the launch of new stabilization
partnerships to serve other neighborhoods in need across the
country,” stated Comptroller Dugan.

Community Developments can be accessed on the OCC’s Web
site at: http://www.occ.gov/cdd/CD_News_fall_2009.pdf.

###

FCC
Chairman to Visit Arkansas to Speak about Equal Access to Broadband

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The head of the Federal Communications Commission
plans to address students at the University of Arkansas Clinton
School of Public Service on efforts to increase broadband Internet
access across the country.

Julius Genachowski will be joined by Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor
at an event Tuesday afternoon at the school in downtown Little
Rock.

Afghanistan
Announcement Expected Next Week

Posted: 23 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

By ANNE GEARAN and JENNIFER LOVEN

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama held a "rigorous final
meeting" with his Afghanistan war council and is expected
to announce his revised strategy for the eight-year-old conflict
just after his Thanksgiving break.

Pres.
Obama Expects Support for More Afghanistan Troops

Posted: 24 Nov 2009 04:00 PM PST

By ANNE GEARAN

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama expects Americans to support
sending tens of thousands more U.S. troops to Afghanistan once
they understand the perils of losing, and he is preparing to
make his case to the nation next week.

The
Future of Trains

As the United States gears up for Thanksgiving and its busiest
travel week of the year, might high-speed trains get people where
they're going faster in the near future?

> Related: Will
Federal Stimulus Money Spark a High-Speed Rail Renaissance in
the U.S.?

Darwin's
Influence on Modern Thought

On the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's
Origin of Species, we review Darwin's influence on the the modern
world, as analyzed by Ernst Mayr, one of the 20th century's most
prolific evolutionary theorists. We review Mayr's July 2000 Scientific
American article, "Darwin's Influence on Modern Thought".

> Related Article: Darwin's Influence on Modern Thought

Background
Notes : Eritrea (11/09)

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:25:22 -0600

DoD
Announces Military Commissions Actions

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:10:00 -0600

DoD
Senior Executive Service Reassignment

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:24:00 -0600

U.S.
Fire Administration Coffee Break Training Update 2009-47

CBP
Fiscal Year 2009 in Review Fact Sheet

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:07:41 -0600

During fiscal year 2009, U.S. Customs and Border Protection made
significant progress through targeted operations, increases in
staffing and training, additional infrastructure and better technology,
along with the support of the President and Congress, to meet
its border security mission, while facilitating legitimate travel
and trade. (more)

Remarks
at Official Arrival Ceremony for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Ben Franklin Room

Washington, DC

November 24, 2009

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.

Thin
Blue Line

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:00:00 -0600

The thin line of Earth's atmosphere and the setting sun are featured
in this image photographed by the crew of the International Space
Station while space shuttle Atlantis on the STS-129 mission was
docked with the station. Image Credit: NASA

Santa
Clara County Democratic Central Committee Meeting

What: Business Meeting

Start Time: Thursday, December 3 at 7:00pm

End Time: Thursday, December 3 at 9:00pm

Where: The job of electing progressive candidate continues.

To see more details and RSVP

Officer Nominations Open!

Good afternoon to all of you!

The day is finally upon us. Nominations
for officer positions for the 2010 year are now open! This is
your chance to really play a part in the Democratic process and
to learn so much valuable knowledge that will improve our community
and our country.

If you are interested in running for an
officer position for the 2010 year, please send an e-mail to
georgiastateyds@gmail with a paragraph of intent and which position
you are running for. The deadline for these submissions will
be Dec. 7th, 2009. We will then distribute all paragraphs via
e-mail for the group to read. After the Winter holidays, we will
hold elections.

For a full list of positions open (they
all are), please go to the Group page and look for the discussion
board on elections. For any additional questions, please contact
me at mward8@student.gsu.edu

Democratically yours,

Molly Ward

YDGSU President

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

Obama
Provides Glimpse of Afghanistan Strategy

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:37:00 -0600

Audit
of Superfund Activities in the Environment and Natural Resources
Division for Fiscal Years 2006 through 2008, Audit Report 10-04,
November 2009

Former
Department of Justice Official Sentenced for Conflict of Interest
Regarding Lobbying Matters

Dallas
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation. This information has recently been updated, and
is now available.

Rewards
for Justice - Husayn Muhammed al-Umari Reward Offer

Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

November 24, 2009

Milwaukee
Press Releases for Federal Bureau of Investigation. This information has recently been updated, and
is now available.

Miami
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.

Cote
d'Ivoire: Delayed Presidential Elections

Ian Kelly

Department Spokesman, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of the
Spokesman

Washington, DC

November 24, 2009

The United States is disappointed at the
recent announcement that presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire,
scheduled for November 29, will again be delayed. In the past
year Cote d’Ivoire has made significant progress on voter
registration/identification, and it is imperative that all parties
take every measure to ensure that elections are held without
further delay. We call upon all political party leaders in Cote
d’Ivoire to commit to a credible, transparent, fair, and
non-violent electoral process. The United States remains convinced
that credible elections are key to resolving Cote d’Ivoire’s
seven-year-old crisis and central to political reconciliation.

# # #

Fort
Sam Medical Education and Training Campus

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:00:00 -0600

Fort Sam Houston, Texas, will soon become the largest medical
training campus in the U.S.

FDA
Warning Letters for U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). This information has recently been updated, and
is now available.

Be Thankful... Then Come "Party
Like It’s 2010"

Fellow Young Democrats,

2009 has been a successful year for us
so far. Thank you so much for being part of that. I hope that
you and your family have a great Thanksgiving and that everyone
is safe over the holiday weekend.

I wanted to remind you that we are hosting
"Party Like It’s 2010", our kickoff fundraiser
for the 2010 elections, next Tuesday, December 1 from 6:30 to
8 PM at Patronella’s Café at 813 Jackson Hill. Contribution
levels are Sponsor $500, Host $250, Supporter $100, Friend $50,
and Birthday Contribution (In honor of my 22nd birthday!) $22.

You can make a contribution at http://www.actblue.com/page/hcyd2010

Thanks again for making this a great year
for HCYD!

Democratically yours,

Travis Sheive

President of Harris County Young Democrats

P.S. A big thanks to the following generous
Democrats who have already given to Party Like It’s 2010.
Add your name to the list today by contributing on ActBlue –
click http://www.tinyurl.com/hcyd2010