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October 1, 2009 for yesterday's ticker entries click here



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October 1, 2009

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Informational
    Forum on Proposed Constitutional Amendments

    What: Informational Meeting

    Start Time: Wednesday, October 14 at 7:00pm

    End Time: Wednesday, October 14 at 8:30pm

    Where: Lanier Middle School

    
To see more details and RSVP

    AHRQ
    Guide to Clinical Preventive Services 2009

    Secretary
    Sebelius Releases New Success Story Report: Health Information
    Technology Strengthens Care in Rural Communities

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0500

    Secretary Sebelius Releases New Success Story Report: Health
    Information Technology Strengthens Care in Rural Communities
 

    Secretary
    Napolitano Announces New Hiring to commence for Cybersecurity
    Experts

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano kicked
    off National Cybersecurity Awareness Month by announcing the
    Department’s new authority to recruit and hire cybersecurity
    professionals across DHS over the next three years—established
    to help fulfill the Department’s broad mission to protect
    the nation’s cyber infrastructure, systems and networks.

    FDA
    Enforcement Report for September 30, 2009 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:44:00 -0500 

    United
    States Department of Defense Image Gallery
 

    Obama Administration Delivers Nearly $72
    Million for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects in 7
    States and Territories

    Funding for Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South
    Dakota and the U.S. Virgin Islands to create jobs, reduce energy
    use



    Washington, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today
    that nearly $72 million in funding from the American Recovery
    and Reinvestment Act is being awarded to 7 states and territories
    to support energy efficiency and conservation activities. 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.”



    States and territories receiving funding today include: Idaho,
    Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Dakota and the
    U.S. Virgin Islands.



    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 American Recovery and Reinvestment
    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 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.
    

    
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
    Announces Administration Wide Effort to Combat Distracted Driving

    
WASHINGTON – At the conclusion of
    a two-day summit on distracted driving in Washington, D.C. today,
    U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a series of
    concrete actions the Obama Administration and the U.S. Department
    of Transportation (USDOT) are taking to help put an end to distracted
    driving.

    
Last night, President Obama signed an Executive
    Order directing federal employees not to engage in text messaging
    while driving government-owned vehicles; when using electronic
    equipment supplied by the government while driving; or while
    driving privately owned vehicles when they’re on official
    government business. The order also encourages federal contractors
    and others doing business with the government to adopt and enforce
    their own policies banning texting while driving on the job.


    “This order sends a very clear signal to the American public
    that distracted driving is dangerous and unacceptable. It shows
    that the federal government is leading by example,” said
    Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “I fully expect that
    all 58,000 DOT employees and contractors will take this order
    seriously. Let’s show our friends and families that we can
    resist the temptation to answer the phone, send a message, or
    allow some other distraction to interfere with our driving.”


    Secretary LaHood pledged to work with Congress to ensure that
    the issue of distracted driving is appropriately addressed. He
    also announced a number of immediate actions the Department is
    taking to combat distracted driving, including the Department’s
    plan to create three separate rulemakings that would consider:


    Making permanent restrictions on the use of cell phones and other
    electronic devices in rail operations. 

    Banning text messaging altogether, and restrict the use of cell
    phones by truck and interstate bus operators. 

    Disqualifying school bus drivers convicted of texting while driving,
    from maintaining their commercial driver’s licenses. 

    The Secretary also called on state and local governments to work
    with USDOT to reduce fatalities and crashes by making distracted
    driving part of their state highway plans, and by continuing
    to pass state and local laws against distracted driving in all
    types of vehicles, especially school buses. He asked states and
    local governments to back up public awareness campaigns with
    high-visibility enforcement actions. And he said the Department
    is establishing an on-line clearinghouse on the risks of distracted
    driving, aimed especially at young people, which will give them
    information to help encourage good decisions. 

    Secretary LaHood also pledged to continue the Department’s
    research on how to best combat distracted driving. As part of
    this pledge, the Department will launch a new demonstration program
    this year to evaluate techniques that states can use to get the
    most out of their efforts to end this destructive behavior. 

    “Keeping Americans safe is without question the federal
    government’s highest priority – and that includes safety
    on the road, as well as on mass transit and rail,” said
    Secretary LaHood. “I’m greatly encouraged by the work
    accomplished at this summit. Working together, we’re going
    to make sure that traveling in America is as safe as it can possibly
    be and I strongly encourage the public to take personal responsibility
    for their behavior and show a healthy respect for the rules of
    the road.”

    
The two-day summit brought together safety
    experts, researchers, industry representatives, elected officials
    and members of the public who shared their expertise, experiences
    and ideas for reducing distracted driving behavior and addressed
    the safety risk posed by this growing problem across all modes
    of transportation. Authoritative speakers from around the nation
    led interactive sessions on a number of key topics including
    the extent and impact of distracted driving, current research,
    regulations and best practices. Individuals from 49 states participated
    in the summit via the web. 

    The summit also featured a discussion with Seventeen Editor-in-Chief
    Ann Shoket and three young adults that explored the dangers of
    texting and driving. High school classrooms across the country
    tuned into the youth geared program and heard insights from Reggie
    Shaw, 22, and Nicole Meredith, 18, both of whom caused car crashes
    because they were texting while behind the wheel. Reggie and
    Nicole were joined by Natalie Hayford, 17, a teen advocate with
    the Anoka, Minnesota chapter of Students Against Destructive
    Decisions (SADD). Natalie works with her school and community
    to try and educate people her age about the dangers of distracted
    driving. 

    Together with the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS)
    and the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF), the group announced
    the Drive for Life PSA contest. The contest challenges kids and
    teens to submit a PSA concept on combating distracted or impaired
    driving and the winner will be sent to New York City to help
    producers actually put their PSA together. Additional information
    on the challenge can be found at www.noys.org or www.nrsf.org.

    
To watch Secretary LaHood’s video
    blog on distracted driving visit www.dot.gov. The full webcast
    of the summit will be available later this week on www.dot.gov.


    # # # 

    Department
    of the Treasury Assistant Secretary Michael S. Barr Remarks to
    the National Economists Club

    October 1, 2009

    TG-306
 

    
A
    New Era for Transatlantic Cooperation

    
Philip H. Gordon

    Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs

    Remarks at Transatlantic Policy Network

    
Brussels, Belgium

    
September 29, 2009

    
Interoperable Mapping for Situation
    Awareness 

    Wednesday October 7, 12:00 Noon Eastern

    
This month’s DMIS SIG program will
    feature a demonstration of interoperable map services that are
    being designed as part of the DM-Framework suite of Web-based
    situational awareness and incident management tools. This program
    will provide a preview of potential standards-based mapping capabilities
    under consideration, and will be an opportunity for participating
    stakeholders to provide feedback. We also plan to present an
    update on the general status of overall DM-Framework development
    efforts.

    
Our guest will be Eric Kant, Director of
    Field Operations and Product Manager for NC4/E Team for the past
    five years. Eric has substantial prior emergency response experience
    and also implemented the first completely Internet-based emergency
    management system in Florida, with weather monitoring, geographical
    information systems, and Internet-based workflow.

    
This program is intended primarily for
    emergency management and allied emergency response disciplines,
    and your questions, comments and feedback are encouraged. Please
    make plans to join us via conference bridge and Live Meeting.

    
IMPORTANT: You must use the Live Meeting
    client in order to view the demonstration. If you have not logged
    into Live Meeting before, please follow the instructions and
    participant guidelines prior to next week’s meeting: 

    http://www.disasterhelp.gov/disastermanagement/library/documents/LiveMtgInstruct.pdf

    
(1) Login to MS Live Meeting for visuals:
    The following login link can only be used 30 minutes prior to
    the scheduled meeting time: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/eiip/join?id=DMprogram&role=attend

    
(2) Call into the Conference Bridge number
    as follows: 1 (800)366-7242 PIN 3647 6736#.

    
If you are unable to attend this month’s
    meeting due to other commitments, a recording will be accessible
    from the DMIS SIG Presentations Archive at 

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

    The
    Office of Inspector General, Management Directive 0810.1, (PDF,
    6 pages – 42.8 KB) 


    Acquisition
    Oversight Program, Management Directive 0784, (PDF, 9 pages –
    133 KB) 

    Acquisition
    Certification Requirements for Program Manager, Management Directive
    0782, (PDF, 27 pages – 338 KB) 

    Contracting
    Officer Warrant Program, Management Directive 0740.2, (PDF, 5
    pages –75.5 KB) 


    Assistance
    Programs Funding Opportunities- Public Notification Process for
    Grants.gov, Management Directive 0772, (PDF, 7 pages –50.8
    KB) 

    Other
    Transaction Authority, Management Directive 0771.1, (PDF, 14
    pages –127 KB) 

    Transitional
    Contracting and Financial Assistance, Management Directive 0770,
    (PDF, 3 pages –31.4 KB)
    


    
adsense

    




    Purchase
    Card Program, Management Directive 0760.1, (PDF, 11 pages –64.9
    KB) 

    Responding
    to Unsolicited Proposals, Management Directive 0750.1, (PDF,
    5 pages –39.2 KB) 


    Contracting
    Officer Warrant Program, Management Directive 0740.2, (PDF, 5
    pages –75.5 KB) 

    Strategically
    Sourced Commodities Policy and Procedures, Management Directive
    0731, (PDF, 7 pages –130 KB)
    

    Strategic
    Sourcing Group Operations, Management Directive 0730.1, (PDF,
    10 pages – 70.4 KB) 


    Use
    of a Universal Identifier by Grant Applicants, Management Directive
    0715, (PDF, 6 pages – 43 KB)
    

    Mail
    Management Program, Management Directive 0590, (PDF, 7 pages
    – 50.8 KB) 

    Assistance
    Programs Funding Opportunities- Public Notification Process for
    Grants.gov, Management Directive 0772, (PDF, 7 pages –50.8
    KB) 


    Acquisition
    of Department of Homeland Security Employee Business Cards, Management
    Directive 0570, (PDF, 3 pages – 32 KB) 

    Personal
    Property Management Directive, Management Directive 0565, (PDF,
    14 pages – 138 KB) 

    Real
    Property Management Program, Management Directive 0560, (PDF,
    4 pages - 57.7 KB) 


    Treasury
    Official to Announce $53 Million in Awards for Community Development
    

    October 1, 2009 

    [CDFI-2009-53] 

    General
    Officer Assignments 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:30:00 -0500 

    GEN
    McChrystal in London 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:10:22 -0500 

    General Stanley McChrystal discusses the Afghanistan insurgency.
    


    Enforcement
    Actions for CFTC.gov

    General
    Officer Announcement 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:38:00 -0500 

    CBP
    Trade Symposium 2009

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:25:45 -0500
 

    ABC-CLIO
    Oct 20th Information

    
DOE Fossil Energy NEWSALERT

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

    
An agreement aimed at improving cooperation

    and collaboration in the areas of oil and

    natural gas supply, delivery, and climate

    change mitigation, has been signed by the

    U.S. Department of Energy and the Interstate

    Oil and Gas Compact Commission. For more details,

    link to the Energy Department's Fossil Energy

    Web site at:

    
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/news/techlines/2009/09068-DOE_and_States_to_Collaborate.html

    U.S.
    Department of State Background Notes : Slovakia (10/09) 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:53:44 -0500 


    
Secretary
    Clinton Appoints Under Secretary Maria Otero as Special Coordinator
    for Tibetan Issues

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
October 1, 2009

    OIG:
    Embassy Warsaw, Poland Consulate General Krakow, Poland (ISP-I-07-01A)
    Nov 06

    OIG:
    Bureau of Diplomatic Security Directorate for Training, Office
    of Training and Performance Support 

    (ISP-I-07-05) Jan 07 


    
START
    Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Arms

    
Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and
    Implementation

    
Fact Sheet

    
October 1, 2009

    
Contract
    Awarded for the Construction of the New Office Annex in Kabul,
    Afghanistan

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
October 1, 2009

    
U.S.-Iraq
    Business and Investment Conference Set for October 20 & 21
    in Washington, D.C.

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
October 1, 2009
 

    
Remarks
    With Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
    Affairs Pham Gia Khiem After Their Meeting

    
Hillary Rodham Clinton

    Secretary of State

    Treaty Room

    
Washington, DC

    
October 1, 2009

    Iraqis
    Arrest Terrorist Financier, Others 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:48:00 -0500 

    Afghanistan
    Address

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:02:19 -0500

    General Stanley McChrystal, Commander International Security
    Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan,
    addressing the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
 

    
Contract
    Awarded for the Construction of the New Embassy Compound in Bujumbura,
    Burundi

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
October 1, 2009

    
Contract
    Awarded for the Construction of the New Office Annex in Sana'a,
    Yemen

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
October 1, 2009

    Contract
    Awarded for the Construction of the New Consular Compound in
    Monterrey, Mexico

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:48:14 -0500
 

    Secretary
    Napolitano to Travel to Denver

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano will travel to Denver
    on Monday, Oct. 5, to deliver remarks to the International Association
    of Chiefs of Police and participate in a media availability.

    Federal Election Commission Advisory Opinion
    2009-24, http://saos.nictusa.com/aodocs/1083595.pdf
    

    Homeland
    Security Acquisition Manual (HSAM) (PDF, 399 pages - 6.33 MB) implements and supplements the Federal Acquisition
    Regulation and the Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation.
    Effective through HSAM Notice 09-03. If you need assistance reviewing
    this document please contact Sheriff Taiwo at 202-447-5663. 


    
Afghan
    Legal Professionals to Study in the U.S.

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
October 1, 2009

    
Congressional
    Appearances for U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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

    Economic,
    Energy, Agricultural and Trade Issues: Announcement of the 2009
    Finalists for the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:44:28 -0500
 

    DoD
    Identifies Army Casualty 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:42:00 -0500 

    U.S.
    Department of State : Daily Press Briefing - October 1

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:54:14 -0500

    
New Rules Protect Patients' Genetic
    Information

    
Individuals' genetic information will have
    greater protections through

    new regulations issued today by the U.S. Departments of Health
    and Human

    Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury.

    
The interim final rule will help ensure
    that genetic information is not

    used adversely in determining health care coverage and will encourage

    more individuals to participate in genetic testing, which can
    help

    better identify and prevent certain illnesses.

    
"Echoing the late Senator Ted Kennedy,
    our efforts to protect Americans

    undergoing genetic testing from having the results of that testing
    used

    against them by their insurance companies is one of the 'first
    major new

    civil rights' of the new century," said HHS Secretary Kathleen
    Sebelius.

    "Consumer confidence in genetic testing can now grow and
    help

    researchers get a better handle on the genetic basis of diseases.

    Genetic testing will encourage the early diagnosis and treatment
    of

    certain diseases while allowing scientists to develop new medicines,

    treatments, and therapies."

    
The interim final rule with request for
    comments and the notice of

    proposed rulemaking implement Title I of the Genetic Information

    Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). Under GINA, and the interim
    final

    rule, group health plans and issuers in the group market cannot:

    increase premiums for the group based on the results of one enrollee's

    genetic information; deny enrollment; impose pre-existing condition

    exclusions; or do other forms of underwriting based on genetic

    information. In the individual health insurance market, GINA
    prohibits

    issuers from using genetic information to deny coverage, raise
    premiums,

    or impose pre-existing condition exclusions.

    
Further, under GINA and the new interim
    final regulations, group health

    plans and health insurance issuers in both the group and individual

    markets cannot request, require or buy genetic information for

    underwriting purposes or prior to and in connection with enrollment.

    Finally, plans and issuers are generally prohibited from asking

    individuals or family members to undergo a genetic test.

    
"Today's genetic technologies yield
    data that are vital to helping

    Americans make personal, medical decisions. It is essential that
    we

    protect such information and ensure it is not misused by health
    plans or

    insurers," said Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis. "The
    rules issued today

    protect individuals against the unwarranted use of information
    related

    to their personal health because no one should have to fear that

    disclosure of their medical data will put their job or health
    coverage

    at risk."

    
Additionally, HHS, through its Office for
    Civil Rights (OCR), issued a

    notice of proposed rulemaking with a 60-day comment period, to
    propose

    changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
    Act

    (HIPAA) Privacy Rule to prohibit health plans from using or disclosing

    genetic information for underwriting purposes.

    
The proposed rule published today modifies
    the HIPAA Privacy Rule

    pursuant to GINA Title I to clarify that genetic information
    is health

    information and to prohibit the use and disclosure of genetic

    information by covered health plans for eligibility determinations,

    premium computations, applications of any pre-existing condition

    exclusions, and any other activities related to the creation,
    renewal,

    or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits.
    In

    combination with the new penalties for violations of the HIPAA
    Privacy

    Rule, as provided for by the American Recovery and Reinvestment
    Act of

    2009, a use or disclosure of genetic information in violation
    of the

    HIPAA Privacy Rule could result in a fine of $100 to $50,000
    or more for

    each violation.

    
Please visit

    http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-22504_PI.pdf
    to

    view the new regulations and www.dol.gov/ebsa
    for more information

    about them. For additional information on the OCR notice of proposed

    rulemaking, please visit: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy.

    
###
 

    VACANCY:
    External Affairs Specialist, GS-0301-12

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:26:25 -0500

    WN-09-2C-0210-LDW1 (Closing Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT)

    Norad
    Exercise Flights Planned Over Washington, D.C. 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:08:00 -0500 

    Iraq
    Commander Comments

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:47:54 -0500

    Gen. Ray Odierno, U.S. Commander in Iraq, briefs reporters at
    the Pentagon.
 

    Top
    News

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:53:31 -0500

    Gen. McChrystal comments on Afghanistan. Also, more troops deploy
    to assist American Samoa. And the Army confirms its first death
    due to the H1N1 virus.

    DEPSECDEF
    Remarks

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:08:29 -0500

    CTIMR
    Acquisition Strategy Announcement

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:52:43 -0500

    Read the specifics of the approved CTIMR Acquisition Strategy
 

    DoD
    Schools Prepare Science Students for Tomorrow's World 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:06:00 -0500 

    Lynn
    Calls for Collaboration in Establishing Cyber Security 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:53:00 -0500 

    FDA
    Approves Additional Use for IUD Mirena to Treat Heavy Menstrual
    Bleeding in IUD Users 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:23:00 -0500 

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Mirena (levonorgestrel
    intrauterine system) to treat heavy menstrual bleeding in women
    who use intrauterine contraception as their method of pregnancy
    prevention. This is the first intrauterine device approved by
    the FDA for this additional indication. 


    Drug Safety
    Oversight Board website

    DoD
    Contracts for October 01, 2009 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:00:00 -0500 

    New
    Rules Protect Patients' Genetic Information

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:01:00 -0500

    Individuals’ genetic information will have greater protections
    through new regulations issued today by the U.S. Departments
    of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury.
 

    
Eligible
    Foreign Establishments for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

    
The Eligible Foreign Establishment List
    for Mexico has been revised. This information has recently been
    updated, and is now available. 

    
Export
    Information for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

    
The Eligible Plant List for Russia (Poultry)
    has been revised. 

    You may view a copy of the updated information. 

    
Public
    Health Preparedness for Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
    (AHRQ)

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


    
C-SPAN Daily Alert

    Programming Information for Thurs. 10/1 - Fri. 10/2, 2009

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

    
C-SPAN Highlights

    
Tonight:

    * Senate Finance Cmte. Health Care Markup (8pm) - LIVE

    * Transportation Sec. LaHood Remarks on Texting & Driving
    (12:00am)

    * Sens. Boxer and Kerry Introduce the Clean Energy Jobs Bill
    (12:20pm)

    
Tomorrow:

    * U.S. House: Pro Forma Session (10am) - LIVE

    * Senate Finance Cmte. Health Care Bill Markup (10am) - LIVE
    Tentative

    * College of William & Mary Law School Supreme Court Preview
    Conference (6pm) - LIVE

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

    C-SPAN2 Highlights

    
Tonight:

    * New Jersey Governor's Debate (Courtesy of NJPTV) (8pm) - LIVE
    Tentative

    * House Hearing with Federal Reserve Chair Bernanke (9:30pm)

    * Senate Floor Remarks by Sens. Alexander & Isakson on Health
    Care (12:30am)

    
Tomorrow:

    * U.S. Senate: In Session (Time TBA) - LIVE Tentative

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

    C-SPAN3 Highlights

    
Tonight:

    * Press Briefings on Iran; Reps. Sestak & Thornberry on Afghanistan
    (7pm)

    * Remarks on Health Care; Finance Cmte. on Sen. Crapo's Health
    Care Amendment (8:30pm)

    
Tomorrow:

    * JEC Hearing on the September Unemployment Numbers (9:30am)
    - LIVE

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

    


    
HOUSE FLOOR WRAP-UP FOR OCTOBER 1, 2009



    Considered and Passed:



    Conference Report on H.R.
    3183 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
    Appropriations Act, 2010 (Rep. Pastor – Appropriations)
    (308-114)



    Motion to Go to Conference on H.R.
    2892 - Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act,
    2010 (Rep. Price (NC) – Appropriations)



    Motion to Instruct Conferees – Passed

    · Offered by Mr. Rogers (KY) (258-163)



    Bills Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (5):

    H.Res.
    731 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
    that the employees of the Department of Homeland Security, their
    partners at all levels of government, and the millions of emergency
    response providers and law enforcement agents nationwide should
    be commended for their dedicated service on the Nation's front
    lines in the war against acts of terrorism (Rep. Clarke - Homeland
    Security)

    H.Res.
    517 - Congratulating the University of Washington women's
    softball team for winning the 2009 Women's College World Series
    (Rep. McDermott - Education and Labor)

    H.Res.
    487 - Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the State News
    at Michigan State University (Rep. Rogers (MI) - Education and
    Labor)

    H.Res.
    692 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Tay-Sachs Awareness
    Month (Rep. Arcuri - Energy and Commerce) 

    H.Con.Res.
    151 - Expressing the sense of Congress that China release
    democratic activist Liu Xiaobo from imprisonment (Rep. Minnick
    - Foreign Affairs)

    Former
    Government Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receiving
    Bribes Then Filing False Tax Return
    


    Virginia
    Women's Group Donates Items for Troops 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:24:00 -0500 

    U.S.
    Needs to Redefine Afghan Fight , Top Commander Says 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:29:00 -0500 

    
Background
    Briefing on P5+1 Talks in Geneva

    
Geneva, Switzerland

    
October 1, 2009
 

    
Remarks
    at the Corporate Council on Africa's Seventh Biennial U.S.-Africa
    Business Summit

    
Hillary Rodham Clinton

    Secretary of State

    Washington Convention Center

    
Washington, DC

    
October 1, 2009

    Afghan
    Decision Expected in Matter of Weeks 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:56:00 -0500 

    TOMORROW: Energy Secretary Chu, Governor
    Gregoire, Senator Murray and CEQ Chair Sutley to Host Roundtable
    in Seattle Washington

    

    Secretary Chu will also participate in the U.S. Conference of
    Mayors Summit



    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tomorrow, October 2nd, Energy Secretary
    Steven Chu will join Governor Chris Gregoire, Senator Patty Murray,
    and Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental
    Quality, in a roundtable discussion focusing on green jobs in
    Washington State. The roundtable will highlight the opportunities
    a clean energy sector can provide for the economy and the American
    people. 



    Secretary Chu and Chair Sutley will also be participating in
    the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Summit while
    in Seattle. 



    WHAT: Secretary Steven Chu, Governor Gregoire, Senator Murray
    and Chair Sutley to host Green Jobs Roundtable. 



    WHEN: Friday, October 2, 2009

    1:00 PM PDT

    ***Media Availability to follow***



    WHERE: EOS Alliance

    650 S Orcas St

    Seattle, WA 98108





    -DOE-
 

    U.S.
    Department of State Highlights: Award for Corporate Excellence
    Finalists Selected

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0500

    NASA
    Hosts Long-Distance Tweetup with Astronauts on Space Station

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 -0500

    For the first time, NASA's Twitter followers will have the opportunity
    to directly talk live with astronauts aboard the International
    Space Station.

    National
    Cyber Security Alliance Kick-Off for Cyber Security Awareness
    Month at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center
    

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:22:00 -0500 


    Some
    Troops in Iraq May Face Deployment Extension 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:19:00 -0500 

    Final
    Audit Report - The Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration,
    San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mismanaged Its Capital Fund Financing
    Program and Inappropriately Obligated $32 Million in Recovery
    Act Funds, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2009-AT-1015, dated Se...

    Task
    Force Takes Up Effort to Prevent Suicides 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:41:00 -0500 


    Department
    of Labor Newsletter - October 1, 2009

    
Developing
    Stronger U.S.-Africa Ties

    
Secretary Clinton

    
October 1, 2009

    
Secretary Clinton (Oct. 1): "We are
    eager to move beyond stereotypes that paint Africa as a land
    of poverty, disease, conflict, and not much else. And we will
    continue to lay a strong foundation for a new kind of engagement
    with Africa, one that is built on shared responsibility and shared
    opportunity, and on partnerships that produce measurable, lasting
    results."

    Diplomatic
    Security, Venezuelan Police Return U.S. Fugitive 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:42:35 -0500 


    DoD
    News Briefing with Gen. Odierno from Iraq 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:44:00 -0500 

    HUD
    ’s Oversight of FHA Lenders Underwriting of Home Equity
    Conversion Mortgages Was Generally Adequate (OIG Audit Report
    #2009-CH-0003, Issued September 30, 2009)

    Front
    End Risk Assessments for the American Recovery and Reinvestment
    Act Capital Fund Program for Formula and Competitive Grants,
    2009-NY-0803, issued September 30, 2009
 

    Review
    of Selected Controls within the Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting
    System, 2009-DP-0007, dated September 30, 2009

    USAID Invests in Helping the People of
    Jordan

    September 30, 2009 

    Press Office: 202-712-4320

    Public Information: 202-712-4810 

    www.usaid.gov 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development's
    (USAID) Mission Director in Amman, Jordan, Jay L. Knott, signed
    five agreements Sept. 28, providing $411.4 million in grants
    from the United States to Jordan.

    At the signing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Jordan R. Stephen
    Beecroft emphasized the strong, mutual partnership between the
    United States and Jordan. "This year, the U.S. and Jordan
    celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic and development
    ties. We are impressed by the commitment of the people and Government
    of Jordan to implement a bold reform and development agenda to
    improve the lives of Jordanians - especially the poor, young
    and underprivileged."

    The USAID agreements signed today include:

    $54.9 million to spur trade, increase investment, and create
    job opportunities for Jordanians; 

    $64.2 million to increase water supplies and improve management
    of Jordan's scarce available water; 

    $22.3 million to support King Abdullah's vision for political
    development in Jordan; 

    $71.8 million to support Jordan's education reform initiatives,
    $29.7 million to enhance the public health sector, and $9 million
    to improve skills of youth in underprivileged areas and alleviate
    poverty; 

    A $159.5 million cash transfer to assist the Jordanian Government
    decrease its international debt and advance its reform initiatives.


    The U.S. assistance program to Jordan is amongst the largest
    in the world. The program is founded upon a strong partnership
    linking the Jordanian and American people, and the U.S. commitment
    to Jordanians as they seek to improve their living conditions
    through economic opportunities. Since 1952, U.S. economic assistance
    to Jordan has totaled almost $6 billion.

    For more information about USAID, visit www.usaid.gov. For information
    about the USAID Mission in Jordon, visit http://jordan.usaid.gov/.
    

    Five
    Michigan Residents Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud Charges

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:41:01 -0500

    Detroit residents Dierdre Teagen, Robert Wynn, Ernest Neal, James
    Harris and Steve Sherman pled guilty in U.S. District Court in
    Detroit this week for their roles in various Medicare fraud schemes.
 

    Army
    Finance Technician Sentenced Stealing Identity Information of
    Soldiers

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:12:40 -0500

    Former U.S. Army Finance Technician Reynaldo Jimenez was sentenced
    in Manhattan federal court to 42 months in prison for theft of
    identity information belonging to over 35 active duty U.S. military
    service members he then used to steal pay due to those service
    members.

    Private Sector Tip of the Week 

    Assess which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely
    necessary to stay in operation after an emergency. (www.ready.gov/business/plan/planning.html)
    

    
Today's top Air Force stories include:

    
Chief of staff calls for harmony between
    technology, doctrine

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170771

    
First M-ATVs arrive in Afghanistan

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170701

    
Mobility Airmen poised to support humanitarian
    operations in American Samoahttp://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170630

    
Air Force demilitarizes big backlog of
    nuclear weapons-related components

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170618

    
Web site offers help for military families
    in transition

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170503
 

    DoD
    Identifies Army Casualties 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:11:00 -0500 

    Iraq
    Brief

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:51:16 -0500

    General Ray Odierno, Commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq,
    speaks via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon, providing
    an update on ongoing security operations in Iraq.

    
Israel
    is warming up and drying out, researchers find

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

    Most parts of Israel are becoming increasingly drier, two researchers
    have found. The researchers, Hendrik Bruins and Hemu Kafle of
    Ben-Gurion University's Desert Research Institute, published
    their s...
 

    
Red
    Cross Warns Against Complacency In Iraq: Monthly average death
    toll of 500 deaths must not be considered normal

    
from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty


    Violence may have fallen sharply in Iraq from the worst days
    of sectarian killing, but an average monthly death toll of 500
    people must not be considered "normal," the International
    Committee of the Red Cross said.

    Turkey
    to Re-establish Ties with Armenia

    
IAEA
    Chief: Iran Broke Law by Not Declaring Nuclear Site

    
from VOA News: Politics 

    Mohamed ElBaradei describes Iran's failure to do so as 'setback
    to the principle of transparency'
 

    
US,
    Cuba Hold High-Ranking Discussions

    
from VOA News: Politics 

    Move aimed at improving relations between US and communist-ruled
    island

    
UN
    Secretary-General Fires Top American at Afghan Mission over mishandling
    of election fraud allegations

    
from VOA News: Politics 

    Firing of Peter Galbraith follows reports of a dispute over how
    to handle election fraud allegations

    
Kenyan
    Anti-Corruption Chief Forced to Resign

    
from VOA News: Politics 

    Aaron Ringera resigns amid wave of public, political pressure
 

    
UN
    Security Council Calls for Appointment of Special Representative
    on Sexual Violence

    
from VOA News: Politics 

    US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chaired Wednesday's meeting,
    which came on last day of US's presidency of council

    
Diplomats
    Prepare for Critical Geneva Meeting With Iran on Nuclear Issue

    
from VOA News: Politics 

    On eve of meeting, Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki
    made a rare visit to Washington

    
Zimbabwe
    Security Establishment Taken Aback by Supreme Court Decision

    
from VOA News: Human Rights and Law 

    Human rights and political activists abducted by state security
    agents and later charged by police with an array of crimes including
    terrorism are now seeking damages from the state
 

    
Israel
    Agrees to Palestinian Prisoner Release in Exchange for Soldier
    Videotape

    
from VOA News: Human Rights and Law 

    Twenty women to be released from prison in exchange for videotape
    of Gilad Shalit

    
Italian
    Prosecutor Urges Prison for Americans in CIA Case

    
from VOA News: Human Rights and Law 

    Prosecutor urges Milan court to convict, sentence 26 US intelligence
    operatives to prison for their suspected roles in 2003 kidnapping
    of a Muslim cleric

    
Afghanistan:
    Prospects for Stability Following the Elections

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Afghanistan MiPAL has been updated with a speech by the Secretary
    General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization presenting
    his views on the way forward for NATO's mission in Afghanistan,
    a Council on Foreign Relations article presenting expert opinions
    on resourcing the strategy in Afghanistan, remarks by the Secretary
    of Defense on the current strategy in Afghanistan and in reaction
    to General McChrystal's assessment, a transcript of a Carnegie
    Endowment for International Peace event assessing the prospects
    for stability in Afghanistan following the elections, a Brookings
    Institution report analyzing the Obama Administration's counternarcotics
    strategy in Afghanistan, a Congressional Research Service report
    reviewing Afghanistan's domestic politics, elections, and government
    performance, and a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
    report examining the challenges posed by the inclusion of warlords
    in Afghanistan's new governmental structures. Please see the
    Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country
    - the newest updates are in bold.
 

    
Colombia:
    Countering Threats to Security and Stability in Failing States:
    Lessons from Colombia

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Colombia MiPAL has been updated with a Congressional Research
    Service report analyzing terrorism issues in Latin America and
    Colombia and a Center for Strategic and International Studies
    report examining Colombia's experiences as a failing state attempting
    to counter threats to security and stability. Please see the
    Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this country
    - the newest updates are in bold.

    
India:
    Electoral and Party Finance Reform in India

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The India MiPAL has been updated with articles from the Institute
    for Defence Studies and Analyses analyzing the U.S.-India strategic
    partnership and assessing India's diplomatic relations with Tajikistan,
    a Center for the Advanced Study of India article evaluating the
    current state of electoral and party finance reform in India,
    and a State Department readout of the Indian and Tajik bilateral
    meetings. Please see the Recently Added Documents section for
    the latest on this country - the newest updates are in bold.

    
North
    Korea: Implications of the North Korea Nuclear Threat for the
    Security of North Asia

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The North Korea MiPAL has been updated with a series of Washington
    Quarterly articles analyzing international approaches to cooperative
    denuclearization with North Korea, assessing the motivations
    behind North Korea's behavior and long-term nuclear development
    policies, and examining North Korea's development of a negotiation
    agenda and efforts to coerce the U.S. to reconcile, a Lowy Institute
    for International Policy report evaluating the implications of
    the North Korean nuclear threat for the security of North Asia,
    and an East Asia Institute article providing an analysis of North
    Korea's efforts to defend its nuclear program and military strategy
    while building stronger diplomatic relations and economic security.
    Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest
    on this country - the newest updates are in bold.
 

    
Weapons
    of Mass Destruction: Obama Administration's Policy on Nuclear
    Policy and Disarmament

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Weapons of Mass Destruction MiPAL has been updated with the
    President's remarks on the threat of nuclear proliferation in
    his weekly address, a statement by the representatives of non-governmental
    organizations to the Article XIV Conference on Facilitating the
    Entry into Force of the CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
    Treaty), a White House fact sheet providing an overview of the
    United Nations Security Council Summit on Nuclear Nonproliferation
    and Nuclear Disarmament and UNSC Resolution 1887, remarks by
    the Secretary of State at the CTBT Article XIV Conference, remarks
    by the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations detailing
    the Obama Administration's policy on nuclear nonproliferation
    and disarmament, the text of the United Nations Security Council's
    Resolution 1887 on eliminating nuclear weapons proliferation,
    a Hudson Institute report analyzing the Obama Administration's
    draft UNSC Resolution on Nonproliferation and Disarmament, and
    a U.S. Department of Justice report examining the Federal Bureau
    of Investigation's Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordination Program.
    Please see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest
    on this topic - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Africa:
    Return to Civilian Rule in Guinea

    
from MERLN - Military Education Research
    Library Network 

    The Africa Regional Policy Overview has been updated with a State
    Department statement demanding a return to civilian rule in Guinea
    and condemning the Guinean military's use of force against civilians,
    a White House briefing providing an overview of the President's
    meeting with Sub-Saharan African heads of state, a South African
    Institute of International Affairs report examining China's growing
    engagement in Africa's natural resource sectors and assessing
    the implications for local governance in Africa, a German Institute
    of Global and Area Studies report analyzing electoral irregularities
    along ethnic lines during Ghana's 2008 elections, and the latest
    issue of the Institute for Security Studies' African Security
    Review, featuring a focus on African maritime security. Please
    see the Recently Added Documents section for the latest on this
    region - the newest updates are in bold.

    
Pirate
    attacks on rise off Somalia coast

    
from CENTCOM Press Releases by Brent Walker

    MANAMA, Bahrain — Pirate activity has increased recently
    off the coast of Somalia with four attempted attacks occurring
    on motor vessels in the Gulf of Aden since Sept. 19.
 

    
US
    CENTRAL COMMAND appoints investigating officer to review 2008
    Afghanistan combat action

    
from CENTCOM Press Releases by Brent Walker

    MACDILL AFB, Fla. (Sept. 30, 2009) – Gen. David H. Petraeus,
    Commander, U.S. Central Command, has appointed Lt. Gen Richard
    F. Natonski, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, to
    investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the combat
    action that occurred on July 13, 2008, at Wanat Village, Wygal
    District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.

    Obama
    Administration Names Daniel Robinson to Serve as State Executive
    Director for the Farm Service Agency in Alabama

    Obama
    Administration Names Robert Piceno to Serve as State Executive
    Director for the Farm Service Agency in Arizona
 

    
USDA
    Marketing U.S. Organic Foods: Recent Trends From Farms to Consumers

    
from USDA Economic Research Service - What's
    New 

    Organic foods now occupy prominent shelf space in the produce
    and dairy aisles of most mainstream U.S. food retailers. The
    marketing boom has pushed retail sales of organic foods up to
    $21.1 billion in 2008 from $3.6 billion in 1997. U.S. organic-industry
    growth is evident in an expanding number of retailers selling
    a wider variety of foods, the development of private-label product
    lines by many supermarkets, and the widespread introduction of
    new products. A broader range of consumers has been buying more
    varieties of organic food. Organic handlers, who purchase products
    from farmers and often supply them to retailers, sell more organic
    products to conventional retailers and club stores than ever
    before. Only one segment has not kept pace—organic farms
    have struggled at times to produce sufficient supply to keep
    up with the rapid growth in demand, leading to periodic shortages
    of organic products.

    RIDGE
    Project Summaries, 2008: Food Assistance and Nutrition Research
    Innovation and Development Grants in Economics Program

    
Space
    Command boss talks of space, cyber connection

    
from United States Strategic Command News


    Addressing the Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance
    and Reconnaissance Symposium here Sept. 29, the leader of the
    Air Force Space community said space and cyberspace are integrally
    connected.
 

    UN
    Secretary-General Recalls Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan

    New
    Optional Protocol on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and
    "Rotterdam Rules" Signed by Nearly 50 States during
    2009 Treaty Event

    UN
    Review Opens of Implementation of Security Council Resolution
    1540, Compelling States to Criminalize Spread of Mass Destruction
    Weapons to Non-State Actors
 

    UN
    Secretary-General Welcomes Adoption of Security Council Resolution
    1888 (2009)

    Acting
    Assistant Secretary Baukol Before the Senate Foreign Relations
    Committee

    Treasury
    Department Announces Initial Closings of Legacy Securities Public-Private
    Investment Funds
 

    
SEC
    and CFTC Chairmen Issue Update on Harmonization Report

    
from SEC.gov Updates: Press Releases 

    The chairmen of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the
    Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced today that they
    anticipate, in two weeks, the two agencies will issue a report
    that will address key areas in which their regulatory schemes
    are different. The chairmen also expect the report will recommend
    legislative and regulatory actions to address those differences
    where appropriate.

    
Obama
    announces $5 billion for new medical research

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama announced a plan
    on Wednesday to spend $5 billion on medical and scientific research,
    medical supplies and upgrading laboratory capacity, which he
    said would create tens of thousands of new jobs.

    
Iran
    foreign minister in U.S. but no talks planned

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki
    made a rare visit to Washington to inspect Iran's unofficial
    diplomatic office but there were no plans for him to meet U.S.
    officials, the State Department said on Wednesday.
 

    
Obama
    hears opinions on new strategy in Afghanistan

    
from Reuters: Politics 

    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama heard opinions
    from top advisers on how to reverse the deteriorating Afghanistan
    war on Wednesday as part of a sweeping strategy review that could
    lead to more U.S. troops.

    
Democratic
    National Committee TV Ad Knocks GOP 'Scare Tactics'

    
from Real Clear Politics - TIME.com by
    Kyle Trygstad

    The Democratic National Committee has launched a TV ad calling
    out the GOP for its "scare tactics" and "scare
    mongering." "Republicans are trying to scare seniors
    about health reform," the announcer states. "Tell Republicans:
    Stop the lies on health reform." "It takes some nerve
    on the part of the Republican Party - the same party who [...]

    
Odierno:
    Accelerate Iraq withdrawal to bring home 4000 soldiers by end
    of Oct

    
from Politico.com: Politics by Jen DiMascio

    Ray Odierno tells lawmakers that he expects bring home 4,000
    soldiers from Iraq by end of October.
 

    
Dodd
    thinks financial system reform could reach floor by Nov

    
from Politico.com: congress by Victoria
    McGrane

    Dodd is planning votes on a major financial reform package the
    first week in November.

    
Grayson
    likens healthcare crisis to holocaust; says he "would like
    to apologize," not to the GOP, but "to the dead."

    
from Politico.com: congress by Jonathan
    Allen

    Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) says he "would like to apologize,"
    not to the GOP, but "to the dead."

    
OSM
    Celebrates 32nd Anniversary of Surface Mining Law

    
from Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
    and Enforcement News and Stories 

    OSM 32nd Anniversary posted:08-03-09
 

    
Joint
    Forum Final Release of Report on Special Purpose Entities

    
from OCC News Releases by Office of the
    Comptroller of the Currency

    The Joint Forum today released the final version of its paper
    entitled Report on Special Purpose Entities.

    
OCC
    and OTS Release Mortgage Metrics Report for Second Quarter 2009

    
from OCC News Releases by Office of the
    Comptroller of the Currency

    Actions to keep Americans in their homes grew by almost 22 percent
    during the second quarter of 2009, according to a report released
    today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the
    Office of Thrift Supervision.

    
NTIA
    and ICANN Sign Accord on Internet DNS

    
from NTIA 

    NTIA announced today that it has reached an agreement with the
    Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) that
    establishes a long-lasting framework for the technical coordination
    of the Internet’s domain name and addressing system (DNS).
 

    
2009
    Designees of the National Centers for Academic Excellence

    
from NSA News 

    Twenty-nine additional institutions receive highly coveted designation
    as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance
    (IA) to help meet the critical need for IA research and cyber
    security experts

    
DoD
    Suicide Prevention

    
from Marines.mil by feedsupport@feedroom.com
    (Feed Support)

    Suicides among active-duty Marines have become a major issue
    of concern for senior leadership in the Marine Corps. There are
    many organizations with programs aimed at its prevention. Lance
    Cpl. A.J. Lugo sat down with the Sergeant Major of the Marine
    Corps to gather his thoughts on the issue.

    
Marines
    Use Recon Bots

    
from Marines.mil by feedsupport@feedroom.com
    (Feed Support)

    This edition of "Photos from the Field" features a
    story about Marines using robots to search caverns for insurgents.
 

    
Kellogg
    Lecture on Jurisprudence

    
from Law Library of Congress: News and
    Events 

    Professor Ronald Dworkin, professor of jurisprudence at University
    College London and the New York University School of Law, will
    deliver the inaugural Frederic R. and Molly S. Kellogg Biennial
    Lecture on Jurisprudence at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009,
    in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress.

    GAO-09-987,
    International Trade: U.S. Agencies Have Taken Some Steps, but
    Serious Impediments Remain to Restricting Trade in Burmese Rubies
    and Jadeite, September 30, 2009

    GAO-09-957,
    Medicaid: Fraud and Abuse Related to Controlled Substances Identified
    in Selected States, September 9, 2009
 

    GAO-09-796,
    Disaster Housing: FEMA Needs More Detailed Guidance and Performance
    Measures to Help Ensure Effective Assistance after Major Disasters,
    August 28, 2009

    GAO-09-1020,
    Ryan White CARE Act: Health Resources and Services Administration's
    Implementation of Certain Provisions Hampered by Lack of Timely
    and Accurate Information, September 29, 2009

    GAO-09-798,
    Vocational Rehabilitation Funding Formula: Options for Improving
    Equity in State Grants and Considerations for Performance Incentives,
    September 30, 2009
 

    GAO-09-913,
    Nuclear Waste: Uncertainties and Questions about Costs and Risks
    Persist with DOE's Tank Waste Cleanup Strategy at Hanford, September
    30, 2009

    GAO-09-625,
    Military Airlift: DOD Should Take Steps to Strengthen Management
    of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet Program, September 30, 2009

    GAO-09-977SP,
    International Food Assistance: Key Issues for Congressional Oversight,
    September 30, 2009
 

    GAO-09-863,
    Intellectual Property: Enhanced Planning by U.S. Personnel Overseas
    Could Strengthen Efforts, September 30, 2009

    GAO-09-834,
    Emergency Preparedness: Improved Planning and Coordination Necessary
    for Modernization and Integration of Public Alert and Warning
    System, September 9, 2009

    GAO-09-1044T,
    Emergency Preparedness: Improved Planning and Coordination Necessary
    for Development of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System,
    September 30, 2009
 

    GAO-09-1004T,
    Medicaid: Fraud and Abuse Related to Controlled Substances Identified
    in Selected States, September 30, 2009

    
B-401530,
    TMI Management Systems, Inc., September 28, 2009

    
from GAO Legal Products 

    In Process

    

    
Federal
    Reserve Board Testimony #Kohn, Central Bank Exit Policies

    
from FRB: Speeches and Testimony 

    Speech at the Cato Institute's Shadow Open Market Committee Meeting,
    Washington, D.C.
 

    
Federal
    Reserve Board Testimony #Tarullo, International cooperation to
    modernize financial regulation

    
from FRB: Speeches and Testimony 

    Testimony before the Subcommittee on Security and International
    Trade and Finance, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs,
    Washington, D.C.

    Overview
    Agency Question I have an upcoming cancellation that will need
    to be recorded

    from FMS Publications 

    Updated 9/30/2009: Overview Agency Question I have an upcoming
    cancellation that will need to be recorded on the books. What
    is the proper USSGL accounting treatment? USSGL Response It is
    dependent upon many factors, including the following: To what
    type of Treasury Appropriation Fund Symbol (TAFS) does this apply
    (Ge

    
USSGL
    Guide to Cancellations, Partial Adjustments

    
from FMS Publications 

    Updated 9/30/2009: USSGL Guide to Cancellations, Partial Adjustments,
    and Specific Permanent Reductions (Cheat Sheet) 1 September 2009
    Overview Agency Question I have an upcoming cancellation that
    will need to be recorded on the books. What is the proper USSGL
    accounting treatment? USSGL Response It is dependent upon
 

    
Cash
    Management Improvement Act (CMIA): Contacts

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 9/30/2009: Cash Management Improvement Act (CMIA) Contacts.
    Director: Kerry Lanham (202) 874-9592 CMIA Program Manager: Victor
    Poore (202) 874-6751 CMIA Fax Number: (202) 874-6965 STATE and
    FEDERAL PROGRAM AGENCY (FPA) COORDINATORSName:. Alexander Ip.
    Telephone:. 202) 874-0428. E-mail:. alexander.ip@fms.treas.gov.

    
Overview:
    Payment Application Modernization (PAM): Programs and Systems:
    Financial Management Service

    
from FMS Programs and Services 

    Updated 9/30/2009: The Payment Application Modernization (PAM)
    Project is an effort to modernize the current mainframe-based
    software applications that are used to disburse approximately
    1 billion federal payments annually. The existing payment system
    is a configuration of numerous software applications that generate
    check, wire transfer

    FTC
    Roundtable on Protecting Consumers in Debt Collection Arbitration
    and Litigation

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

    Today the Federal Trade Commission is hosting a public event
    on consumer protection issues in debt collection proceedings.
 

    
FTC
    Seeks Public Comments on the Future of the News Media in the
    Internet Age

    
from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Competition
    Press Releases 

    The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments in advance
    of upcoming workshops that will explore the Internet’s impact
    on the news media, including the new avenues for innovation and
    the financial challenges that it has created for the industry.

    
World
    Leaders - CIA Updates for 18 - 29 September 2009

    
from CIA Library 

    September 30, 2009 - Posted updated Chiefs of State and Cabinet
    Members of Foreign Governments with updated entries for Afghanistan,
    Argentina, Burma, Costa Rica, Congo, Republic of the, Korea,
    North--NDE, Korea, South, Liberia, Monaco, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan.
    Changes reflect updates in leadership, positions, or the spelling
    of officials' names in the country listings during the period
    18 - 29 September 2009.

    
VIDEO:
    Alex Vatanka, IHS Jane’s Senior Middle East Analyst

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Alex Vatanka goes over the latest developments in Iran’s
    previously unacknowledged uranium enrichment facility, as well
    as the demands that Tehran immediately fulfill its obligations
    under international law or risk the imposition of harsh new sanctions.
    He also discusses how the issue is affecting Iran's domestic
    politics, especially in light of the protests that have followed
    the presidential election in June, 2009

    Length: 37 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 12am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    Americans United for Change Health Care Ad

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Americans United for Change released an ad on health care reform.
    The organization is a "progressive" organization that
    advocates for a wide range of progressive initiatives

    Length:

    
Published: Tuesday at 12am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Pres. Obama Remarks on Stimulus Funds Used for Scientific Research

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    President Obama announced five billion dollars for new scientific
    research as part of the economic stimulus package. This event
    took place at the National Institutes of Health just outside
    Washington.

    Length: 16 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 11am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Senate Democrats Introduce Clean Energy Jobs Bill

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Senate Environment Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) held
    a rally to talk about climate change and energy legislation.
    The bill is co-authored by Senator John Kerry (D-MA). Later,
    Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and other Senate Republicans spoke
    to reporters to give their reaction to the Democrats' bill.

    Length: 57 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 11:30am (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) Remarks on Republican Health Care Plan

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) made remarks from the House Floor about
    the Republicans' health care plan which drew criticism from the
    GOP. Rep. Grayson stated that the Republican plan tells Americans
    to not get sick, and to "die quickly."

    Length: 2 min.

    
Published: Tuesday at 7pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Senate Finance Cmte. Health Care Markup - Day 6

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    The Sen. Finance Cmte. moves forward after voting down two public
    option amendments. Currently, lawmakers are working on admendments
    that take up financing for health care. Earlier, Sen. Baucus
    (D-MT) announced that today's mark up will go "late into
    the night."

    Length:

    
Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    State Department Press Briefing Wed Sept 30

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

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

    Length: 39 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 12:30pm (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Wed Sept
    30

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Press Secretary Robert Gibbs spoke with reporters at this daily
    White House briefing about President Obama’s strategy meeting
    on Afghanistan and health care legislation.

    Length: 47 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 1pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Defense Department Press Briefing

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Pentagon Spokesman Geoff Morrell conducts a daily briefing at
    the Defense Department.

    Length: 36 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 1pm (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Locally Elected Officials Remarks on Renewable Energy

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    A group of locally elected officials from various regions in
    the U.S. spoke to reporters about renewable energy development
    after a meeting in the White House.

    Length: 9 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 2:45pm (ET)
 

    
VIDEO:
    House Armed Services Cmte. Hearing on Iraq

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    Because Iraqi forces are effectively taking on security for their
    country, some 4,000 American forces may withdraw by the end of
    October, Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. Commander in Iraq, told
    the House Armed Services Cmte. The general gave the Cmte. an
    assessment of the security transition from American troops to
    Iraqi forces.

    Length: 2 hr. 53 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)

    
VIDEO:
    Senate Homeland Security Cmte. Hearing on Terror Threat Detection

    
from C-SPAN Recent Video 

    In July, Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano called for an
    integrated, networked approach to track homegrown terrorist plots
    like the one recently uncovered in Denver and New York City.
    Sec. Napolitano explained this "holistic" approach
    to the Senate Gov't. Affairs Cmte. FBI Dir. Robert Mueller and
    Michael E. Leiter, Dir., National Counterterrorism Center also
    testified. 

    Length: 2 hr. 6 min.

    
Published: Wednesday at 10am (ET)

    
Send
    a Letter Today Urging Congress to Pass Quality Health Care Reform

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Mike Hall
 

    
Poll:
    Creating New Jobs Trumps Fixing Deficit caused by past Republican
    administration

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by James Parks

    
Chamber
    of Commerce: Out of Touch with the Public

    
from AFL-CIO NOW BLOG by Seth Michaels

    
Here’s a proposal that makes sense:
    The Obama administration wants to set up a consumer financial
    protection agency to oversee the financial markets and make sure
    working families aren’t the victims of predatory lending,
    abusive credit card practices and the kind of irresponsibility
    and greed that have caused our economic crisis.

    
But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is putting
    its big bucks into preventing creation of any agency that would
    hold financial institutions accountable. 

    

    
Greece
    Insurance firm chief charged

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

    The president of the Aspis Pronia life insurance firm, Pavlos
    Psomiadis, was yesterday charged with supplying the company's
    Greek creditors with a false 550-million-euro letter of guarantee
    from Briti...
 

    Presidential
    Nominations sent to the Senate, 9/30/09

    The following nominations were sent to the Senate for approval.

    

    President
    Obama Nominates John Kammerzell, Mark Martinez and Stephen James
    Smith to be U.S. Marshals

    Today, President Obama nominated John Kammerzell, Mark Martinez
    and Stephen James Smith to be U.S. Marshals. Kammerzell is a
    nominee for the District of Colorado, Martinez for the District
    of Nebraska and Smith for the Southern District of Georgia.

    

    President
    Obama Nominates Sanford Coats, Beth Phillips and Stephanie Villafuerte
    to be U.S. Attorneys

    Today, President Obama nominated Sanford Coats, Beth Phillips
    and Stephanie Villafuerte to be U.S. Attorneys. Coats is a nominee
    for the Western District of Oklahoma, Phillips for the Western
    District of Missouri and Villafuerte for the District of Colorado.

    


    President
    Obama Signs Kansas Disaster Declaration

    The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
    of Kansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local
    recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding
    during the period of July 8-14, 2009.

    

    President
    Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Rod Hunter to Export-Import
    Bank

    Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
    Roszell (Rod) Hunter as a Member of the Board of Directors of
    the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

    

    President
    Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts 09/30/09

    Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
    the following individuals to key administration posts.

    


    Statement
    by the President on UN Security Council Resolution 1888

    Today, the United States joins with the international community
    in sending a simple and unequivocal message: violence against
    women and children will not be tolerated and must be stopped.

    

    Statement
    from the President on the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power
    Act

    I applaud Chairmen Kerry and Boxer for their leadership on comprehensive
    energy reform. With the draft legislation they are announcing
    today, we are one step closer to putting America in control of
    our energy future and making America more energy independent

    President
    Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts 9/30/09

    Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate
    individuals to key administration posts. 

    


    Fact
    Sheet Recovery to Discovery $5 Billion Recovery Act Investment
    in Scientific Research and Jobs

    A $5 billion investment through the Recovery Act is the largest
    infusion of capital into biomedical research ever and is expected
    to support tens of thousands of jobs over the next two years,
    ranging from support staff and lab technicians to database managers
    and scientists.

    

    President
    Obama Announces Recovery Act Funding For Grounding Breaking Medical
    Research

    n a visit to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus,
    President Barack Obama announced $5 billion in grant awards under
    the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery
    Act) to fund cutting-edge medical research in every state across
    America.

    

    Statement
    From President Obama on the Disaster in American Samoa

    Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the families and
    loved ones of those who lost their lives in the earthquake and
    tsunami in American Samoa and the region. 

    


    Remarks
    by the First Lady at Mayor Daley's welcome reception in Copenhagen,
    Denmark

    Remarks
    by the President on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
    at the National Institutes of Health

    PERAB
    Meeting on Tax Reform

    Posted by Austan Goolsbee
 

    Creating
    Jobs and Finding Cures

    Posted by Macon Phillips

    Flu.gov:
    H1N1 & Seniors

    Posted by Erin Edgerton

    A
    Night to Celebrate VAWA, But the Work is Not Done

    Posted by Lynn Rosenthal
 

    Word
    from the White House: The Cost of Inaction & Patient Centered
    Health Research

    "We
    Need All of Our Children to be Exposed to the Olympic Ideals"

    Posted by Molly Fedick

    
Schumer
    Upbeat on Public Option: says, "Every time we debate it
    back home or here, we pick up more and more support"

    "Shrugging off twin defeats Tuesday in the Senate Finance
    Committee, key Democrats said they were exactly where they wanted
    to be in pressing for a public insurance option in the final
    version of a health care reform bill," Roll Call reports.

    
As expected, Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT), Kent
    Conrad (D-ND) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) opposed both amendments.
    "But pointing to centrist Democratic Sen. Tom Carper's (D-DE)
    decision to vote in favor of the amendment by Sen. Charles Schumer
    (D-NY) -- after Carper opposed a similar proposal by Sen. Jay
    Rockefeller (D-WV) -- public insurance option proponents insisted
    they are making headway with the skeptical moderate Democrats
    they'll need to win over on the Senate floor."

    
Said Schumer: "Today was a very good
    day for the public option. It was given up for dead a few weeks
    ago. But, what we find is, every time we debate it, whether it's
    back home or here in the Senate Finance Committee, we pick up
    more support." 


    
Senate
    Majority Leader Cancels October Recess for Senate to focus on
    passing health care reform legislation

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) "has canceled the
    Senate's Columbus Day recess so that lawmakers can focus on passing
    health care reform legislation during the week of Oct. 12,"
    The Hill reports.

    
"Reid said the Senate would likely
    take up health care legislation on the chamber floor that week."

    Republican
    Olympic Snowe's Constituents in Maine Back Obama Plan

    A new Democracy Corps poll in Maine finds that Sen. Olympia Snowe
    (R-ME) "enjoys broad support in her home state, but she
    faces significant political problems if she opposes President
    Obama's health insurance reform." 

    

    Demcorat
    Congressman Alan Grayson stands firm on stating Republican health
    care plan calls for ill to ‘die quickly’

    Posted: 10:23 PM ET

    WASHINGTON (CNN) — Freshman Congressman Alan Grayson refused
    to back down Wednesday from controversial remarks he made on
    the House floor the night before saying the Republican health
    care plan calls for sick people to “die quickly.”

    


    Obama,
    national security team discuss Afghanistan

    Posted: 10:49 PM ET

    WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Barack Obama concluded a meeting
    with top officials regarding U.S. policy toward Afghanistan,
    but any changes to the military strategy is weeks away, White
    House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday.

    

    
U.S.
    progressing nuclear monitors to inspect Iran’s new uranium
    facility

    Posted: 01:57 AM ET

    (CNN) — The United States wants a United Nations nuclear
    watchdog to have unfettered access to Iran’s recently revealed
    uranium enrichment site, three senior U.S. administration officials
    said.

    
The nuclear facility will be the centerpiece
    of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday between representatives
    of the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany,
    the officials said.

    
“These will not be easy talks”
    warned one official.

    
At the meeting, officials from the United
    States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and Germany
    will also be looking for ways to get Iran to freeze its uranium
    enrichment program, the officials said.

    

    Department
    of State Financial and Activity Report Weekly Update: September
    28, 2009

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:25:31 -0500
 

    Statement
    From FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:45:20 -0500

    Indiana
    and Alabama Hospitals To Pay U.S. Over $8 Million To Settle False
    Claims Act 

    
Export
    Requirements for Meat & Poultry Products for USDA Food Safety
    and Inspection Service

    
The export requirements for Singapore have
    been revised. This information has recently been updated. 

    You may view a copy of the updated information. 


    ATF
    Response to the OIG Audit of ATF’s Tobacco Diversion Efforts
    (9/29/09) 

    Samoa
    Tsunami Aid

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:25:16 -0500

    National and Coast Guard assets are headed to American Samoa
    after an earthquake launched a powerful tsunami on Tuesday.

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

    Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services
    produced by labor and property located in the United States --
    decreased at an annual rate of 0.7 percent in the second quarter
    of 2009, (that is, from the first quarter to the second quarter),
    according to the "third" estimate released by the Bureau
    of Economic Analysis. 

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


    
Reporting Dates for Federal Election
    Commission

    
The Special General Election will be held
    on November 3, 2009, to fill the vacant seat in New York's 23rd
    Congressional District. Filing deadlines to be announced soon.


    Click here
    to access the updated page

    DEA
    Official Testifies to U.S. Senate on Steroids and Health Supplements
    

    DHS ARRA Weekly Updates 

    September 29 

    Weekly
    Update (XLS - 35 KB) 

    Weekly
    Update, 1 of 2 (CSV - 4 KB) 

    Weekly
    Update, 2 of 2 (CSV - 8 KB) 


    CBP
    Trade Symposium 2009

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:01:36 -0500

    Follow-up
    Audit of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Handling of Cash
    Seizures, Audit Report 09-37, September 2009 

    
The latest Metropolitan Area Employment
    and Unemployment news release

    (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/metro.pdf)

    was issued today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Highlights
    are below.

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

    
Unemployment rates were higher in August
    than a year earlier

    in all 372 metropolitan areas. Among the 369 metropolitan

    areas for which nonfarm payroll employment data were

    available, 356 areas reported over-the-year decreases in

    employment, 11 reported increases, and 2 had no change.
 

    NORAD
    Flight Exercise Planned For Washington, D.C. Thursday, Oct. 1
    in the National Capital Region (NCR) between midnight and 2 a.m.
    EDT

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:08:00 -0500 

    
FDA
    Warning Letters for U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

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

    
United
    Nations Security Council to Adopt Resolution to Protect Women
    in Conflict Situations

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
September 30, 2009
 

    U.S.
    Department of State Background Notes : Japan (09/09) 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:10:07 -0500 

    


    
Friend --

    
The cavalry is here -- and they're in white
    coats and scrubs: More than a half a million doctors and millions
    of nurses are joining forces to help pass real health reform.

    
Americans listen to their nurses and doctors
    when it comes to health reform -- and for good reason. If we
    can help them amplify their voices, it'll be a huge boost to
    our campaign for change.

    
So we're working on a new television ad
    featuring their voices explaining why doctors and nurses so strongly
    support President Obama's plan -- and asking Congress to pass
    it. We'll run the ad in key states and districts all around the
    country to show folks where health professionals stand, cut through
    the spin, and build even greater support for reform.

    
But to produce and air the new ad before
    the Senate starts debating a final bill, we'll need to raise
    $300,000 by Thursday. Please
    donate $5 right away.

    
The American Medical Association, Doctors
    for America, and a dozen other physicians groups representing
    500,000 doctors are endorsing reform. So are the American Nurses
    Association and other organizations representing millions of
    nurses.

    
They're speaking out because they see the
    shortcomings of our health care system firsthand, every day:
    patients denied the care they prescribe, families losing access
    to their doctors, and a system that forces them to spend more
    time with paperwork and less time with patients.

    
These voices need to be heard -- with so
    much deception out there clouding the debate, it's critical that
    medical professionals are able to focus the country on the simple
    fact that health reform is good medicine.

    
But the final congressional committee could
    vote on their reform bill as early as Wednesday -- and debate
    on final legislation could start by the end of the week. So if
    we're going to help make these doctors and nurses' voices heard,
    we'll need to do it right now. Can you chip in $5 or more to
    help get our ad on the air?

    
https://donate.barackobama.com/HealthAd

    
Thanks,

    
Mitch

    
Mitch Stewart

    Director

    Organizing for America

    VACANCY:
    Emergency Management Program Specialist, GS-0301-11/12

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:15:01 -0500

    AN244992 (Closing Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT)
 

    Africa
    Challenges

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:02:28 -0500

    AfriCom commander, General William Ward, laid out the challenges
    facing the African continent in the years ahead.

    Office
    of the Director of National Intelligence Statement for the Record
    by Mr. Michael E. Leiter, Director of the National Counterterrorism
    Center (NCTC)

    
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
    Kicks Off Historic Summit to Tackle Dangers of Distracted Driving
    

    New Research Finds Increase in Use of Hand-Held Devices Among
    All Drivers 

    WASHINGTON - Leading the call for a cultural shift in how Americans
    view safe driving, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today
    challenged over 250 safety experts, industry representatives,
    elected officials and members of the public to help put an end
    to distracted driving. The Secretary's call to action kicked
    off a two-day Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, DC that
    will highlight the under-recognized dangers of distracted behavior
    behind the wheel.

    
“Every single time someone takes their
    eyes or their focus off the road - even for just a few seconds
    - they put their lives and the lives of others in danger,”
    said Secretary LaHood. “Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible
    and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating.”

    
Secretary LaHood today announced new research
    findings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    (NHTSA) that show nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes
    involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half
    a million were injured. On any given day in 2008, more than 800,000
    vehicles were driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.

    
Across the board, federal researchers who
    have directly observed drivers of all ages found that more and
    more people are using a variety of hand-held devices while driving
    – not just cell phones, but also iPods, video games, Blackberrys
    and GPS systems. In particular, cell phone use for talking and
    texting is now more prevalent on our nation's roads, rail systems
    and waterways, carrying a dangerous potential for accidents.

    
Cell phones and texting are now the primary
    means of communication for many people, especially young adults.
    NHTSA’s research shows that the worst offenders are the
    youngest drivers: men and women under 20 years of age.

    
“We now know that the worst offenders
    are the youngest, least experienced drivers,” said Secretary
    LaHood. “Unfortunately though, the problem doesn't end there.
    Distracted driving occurs across all age groups and all modes
    of transportation, from cars to buses and trucks to trains. We
    must work together to find solutions that will prevent crashes
    caused by driver distraction.”

    
To further study how cell phone distraction
    affects commercial truck and motor coach drivers, Secretary LaHood
    also announced a new study the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
    (FMCSA) is undertaking this month through June 2010. The study
    will help FMCSA better understand the prevalence of cell phone
    distraction in conjunction with crashes and near-crashes.

    
The two-day Summit has brought together
    safety experts, researchers, industry representatives, elected
    officials and members of the public to share their expertise,
    experiences and ideas for reducing distracted driving behavior
    and addressing the safety risk posed by the growing problem across
    all modes of transportation.

    
Authoritative speakers from around the
    nation have been invited to lead interactive sessions on a number
    of key topics including the extent and impact of distracted driving,
    current research, regulations and best practices. At the summit’s
    conclusion, Secretary LaHood will announce concrete steps the
    Department is taking to combat this problem.

    
To watch Secretary LaHood’s video
    blog on distracted driving or the Distracted Driving Summit live
    via webcast go to www.dot.gov. 



    # # # 


    AUDIT:
    HUD Lacked Adequate Controls to Ensure the Timely Commitment
    and Expenditure of HOME funds, 2009-AT-0001, dated September
    28, 2009

    Acting
    Assistant Secretary Baukol Before the Senate Foreign Relations
    Committee

    September 30, 2009

    TG-301

    Acting Assistant Secretary Andy Baukol

    As Prepared for Delivery 

    Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs

    “Exploring U.S. Policy Options during Zimbabwe's Transition”

    NATO
    Alliance

    Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:46:33 -0500

    The President and NATO's Secretary General meet to discuss the
    situation in Afghanistan and missile defense. 


    As an NFIP stakeholder, it is important that
    you are kept abreast of current NFIP training updates. Access
    to the NFIP workshop schedule and online training can now be
    gained by visiting our new training page website at http://www.nfipiservice.com/training/index.html.
    Upon accessing the training page, please take special note of
    the announcement regarding online training access. Thank you.
    

    Attached is an PDF version of NRC RIS
    2009-13, Emergency Response Data System Upgrade From Modem To
    Virtual Private Network Appliance, dated September 28, 2009,
    (ML092670124), that has been posted to the NRR GCC Web, along
    with the URL for Web access to generic communications files on
    the NRC Homepage: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm/reg-issues/2009/.

    Official
    Reception and Representation Funds, Management Directive 0540, (PDF, 9 pages – 93 KB) 


    Forms
    Management, Management Directive 0555.2,
    (PDF, 6 pages – 73.9 KB)

    Records
    Management, Management Directive 0550.1,
    (PDF, 2 pages – 43.7 KB) 

    Motor
    Vehicle Fleet Management, Management Directive 0510, (PDF, 3 pages – 42.3 KB) 


    Motor
    Pool Operation, Management Directive 0520.1, (PDF, 4 pages – 41.7 KB) 

    Federal
    Register Notices and Rules, Management Directive 0490.1 , (PDF, 40 pages – 331 KB) 

    Use
    of the Department of Homeland Security Seal, Management Directive
    0030, (PDF, 4 pages –
    39.8 KB) 


    Use
    of the Department of Homeland Security Letterhead, Management
    Directive 0035, PDF, 8 pages
    – 53.3 KB) 

    DHS
    Ethics-Standards of Conduct, Management Directive 0480.1, (PDF,
    5 pages - 66.5 KB) 

    Iraqi
    Air Force Assumes Control of C-130 Operations 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:36:00 -0500 


    U.S.
    Speeding Up Military Withdrawal from Iraq 

    Posted: 29 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    By LARA JAKES 

    WASHINGTON - The United States is speeding up its military withdrawal
    from Iraq, sending 4,000 more troops home next month, the top
    American commander there says. 

    Congress
    Fashions $350 Million Dairy Aid Package 

    Posted: 29 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    By ANDREW TAYLOR 

    WASHINGTON - Amid a crisis of low milk prices and mounting losses
    in dairy country, lawmakers in Congress are fashioning a $350
    million emergency aid package aimed at helping struggling milk
    farmers. 

    Diplomat
    Says U.S. Open to Dialogue with North Korea 

    Posted: 29 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    By HYUNG-JIN KIM 

    SEOUL, South Korea - Washington's No. 2 diplomat said the U.S.
    is open to dialogue with North Korea if it helps get international
    nuclear disarmament talks started again, and urged the regime
    Wednesday to take advantage of the opportunity. 


    Senate
    Panel Votes to Restore Abstinence Education Money 

    Posted: 29 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    WASHINGTON - A Senate committee voted Tuesday night to restore
    $50 million a year in federal funding for abstinence-only education
    that President Barack Obama has pushed to eliminate. 

    Obama
    Plan Would Tighten Rules on Toxic Chemicals 

    Posted: 29 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT

    By Tom Avril, The Philadelphia Inquirer 

    Sep. 30--The Obama administration last night unveiled the broad
    outlines of a proposal to overhaul the regulation of thousands
    of chemicals used in consumer products and the workplace, calling
    for more testing and greater authority to restrict toxic products.
    

    BTS Releases North American Surface Trade
    Numbers for July: 

    July 2009 Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Fell 28 Percent
    from 

    July 2008 

    Trade using surface transportation between the United States
    and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners
    Canada and Mexico was 28 percent lower in July 2009 than in July
    2008, dropping to $51.5 billion in the seventh consecutive month
    with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27 percent, according
    to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S.
    Department of Transportation. 

    BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration,
    reported that the value of U.S. surface transportation trade
    with Canada and Mexico rose 1.6 percent in July 2009 from June
    2009. Month-to-month changes can be affected by seasonal variations
    and other factors. 

    Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements
    by truck, rail and pipeline. About 88 percent of U.S. trade by
    value with Canada and Mexico moves on land. 

    See BTS
    Transborder Data Release for summary tables and additional
    data. See North
    American Transborder Freight Data for historic data. 

    ### 


    FDA
    Issues Strategic Plan for Risk Communication 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:46:00 -0500 

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued its Strategic
    Plan for Risk Communication, which outlines the agency’s
    efforts to disseminate more meaningful public health information.
    The plan also lays out a framework for the FDA to provide information
    about FDA-regulated products to health care professionals, patients
    and consumers in the form they need it and when they need it,
    and for how the agency oversees industry communications. 

    Questions
    & Answers: Interim Recommendations for Clinical Use of Influenza
    Diagnostic Testing During the 2009-2010 Influenza Season - For
    Health Care Providers

    Questions
    & Answers: Influenza Diagnostic Testing During the 2009-2010
    Flu Season - For the Public 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:30:00 -0500 

    You may have the flu if you have one or more of these symptoms:
    fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches,
    headache, chills, fatigue and sometimes, diarrhea and vomiting.
    


    Interim
    Recommendations for Clinical Use of Influenza Diagnostic Tests
    During the 2009-10 Influenza Season 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:30:00 -0500 

    To provide updated interim recommendations on influenza diagnostic
    testing for clinicians treating patients with suspected 2009
    H1N1 influenza virus infection and to assist clinicians with
    testing decisions for the 2009-10 influenza season. 

    The
    City of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Needs to Strengthen Its Capacity
    and Controls to Adequately Administer American Recovery and Reinvestment
    Act of 2009 Funding, Audit Memorandum Number 2009-PH-1802, Dated
    September 23, 2009

    Secretary
    Napolitano's Testimony on "Eight Years after 9/11: Confronting
    the Terrorist Threat to the Homeland"

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0500

    Testimony of Secretary Napolitano before the Senate Committee
    on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, "Eight Years
    after 9/11: Confronting the Terrorist Threat to the Homeland"
    (Written Testimony) given September 30, 2009 at the Dirksen Senate
    Office Building.
 

    DoD
    Identifies Marine Casualty 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:35:00 -0500 

    OCC and OTS Release Mortgage Metrics Report
    for Second Quarter 2009 

    WASHINGTON -- Actions to keep Americans in their homes grew by
    almost 22 percent during the second quarter of 2009, according
    to a report released today by the Office of the Comptroller of
    the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision. 

    The latest OCC
    and OTS Mortgage Metrics Report showed that difficult economic
    conditions resulted in higher rates of mortgage delinquencies
    and foreclosures in process, which increased to 8.5 percent and
    2.9 percent of all serviced mortgages, respectively, but as the
    Administration’s “Making Home Affordable” program
    got underway during the quarter, efforts to assist homeowners
    and avoid loss were also on the rise.

    Since the first quarter of 2008, these home retention actions
    have increased by nearly 75 percent.

    The “Making Home Affordable” program requires borrowers
    to successfully complete a three-month trial period before loan
    terms can be permanently modified. The Mortgage Metrics Report
    classified actions under this program as payment plans. As a
    result, payment plans increased by 73.9 percent for the second
    quarter of 2009, while loan modifications declined by 25.2 percent.
    Successfully completed trial period payment plans will be reported
    as loan modifications in future reports.

    The percentage of modifications that reduced borrowers’
    monthly principal and interest payments continued to increase
    to more than 78 percent of all new modifications, up from about
    54 percent in the previous quarter. Also, the percentage of modifications
    that reduced principal more than tripled to 10 percent, from
    3.1 percent in the first quarter. This trend represents a significant
    shift from earlier quarters, when the vast majority of loan modifications
    either did not change monthly payments or increased them. As
    noted in prior reports, modifications that reduce borrowers’
    monthly payments continued to produce lower levels of re-defaults
    and longer term sustainability than modifications that either
    increased payments or did not change them.

    Other key findings of the report include: 

    The percentage of current and performing mortgages fell by 1.4
    percent to 88.6 percent of the 34 million loans in the portfolios
    of reporting servicers. 

    Economic factors continued to adversely affect credit quality,
    with delinquencies up across all risk categories—prime,
    Alt-A, and subprime. The percentage of serious delinquencies
    increased to 5.3 percent of all loans in the portfolio. 

    Servicers implemented almost 440,000 new home retention actions
    in the quarter; these actions continued to increase more quickly
    than new foreclosures. 

    Although delinquencies rose, the number of new foreclosure actions
    remained about the same as in the previous quarter. Total foreclosures
    in process continued to grow and reached 993,000 mortgages, or
    about 2.9 percent of the portfolio. 

    Servicers changed more than one feature of mortgages in more
    than 75 percent of modifications they made. The most common changes
    were reducing interest rates, capitalizing missed fees and payments,
    and extending the length of the loans. 

    New to this report are performance data on Payment Option Adjustable
    Rate Mortgages (ARMs), which allow borrowers to choose from a
    variety of payment options each month, including payments that
    reduce principal, cover interest only, or result in unpaid interest
    being added to the balance of the loan, resulting in an increased
    amount owed. The risks of these loans and geographical concentration
    caused them to perform significantly worse than the overall portfolio.
    In the second quarter, 15.2 percent of the more than 900,000
    Payment Option ARMs in the portfolio were seriously delinquent,
    compared with 5.3 percent of all mortgages, and 10 percent were
    in the process of foreclosure, more than triple the 2.9 percent
    rate for all mortgages. 

    The report, produced quarterly, covers 34 million loans totaling
    about $6 trillion in principal balances and representing about
    64 percent of all first lien mortgages in the country. The full
    series of reports provides information from the beginning of
    2008 through the second quarter of 2009.

    Attachments:

    OCC and OTS
    Mortgage Metrics Report, Second Quarter 2009 

    OCC/OTS Mortgage
    Metrics – Loan Level Data Collection: Field Definitions
    



    ###

    Final
    Audit Report of the Housing Authority of the City of Eloy Lacked
    Capacity to Administer Its Recovery Act Capital Fund Grant Without
    Outside Assistance, (Audit Report No. 2009-LA-1021, dated September
    25, 2009)
 

    
ETA
    - Advisories - Training and Employment Guidance Letters (TEGL)
    for United States Department of Labor

    
This information has recently been updated.


    TEGL 7-09 -- Updated Table of Weights for Use in Calculating
    State-Level American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Scores
    for the Participant and Employer Customer Satisfaction Surveys
    has been added to the ETA Advisory database and is now available
    at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2807.
    

    The
    Housing Authority of the City of Terre Haute, Indiana, Failed
    to Follow Federal Requirements Regarding Its Turnkey III Homeownership
    Program Units ’ Sales Proceeds (OIG Audit Report #2009-CH-1017,
    Issued September 29, 2009)

    United States and Italy Sign Agreements
    to Advance Developments in Nuclear Energy 



    Washington, D.C. - U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Italian
    Minister for Economic Development Claudio Scajola today signed
    two important nuclear energy agreements that may lead to construction
    of new nuclear power plants and improved cooperation on advanced
    nuclear energy systems and fuel cycle technologies in both countries.




    The U.S.-Italy Joint Declaration Concerning Industrial and Commercial
    Cooperation in the Nuclear Energy Sector, which was signed on
    behalf of the United States by Secretary Chu and Deputy Secretary
    of Commerce Dennis F. Hightower, affirms the strong interest
    of the United States and Italy to encourage their respective
    nuclear industries to seek opportunities for the construction
    of new nuclear power plants. The Joint Declaration in English
    is available HERE.
    The version in Italian is available HERE.



    “The agreements reached today reflect our vision for strong
    partnerships with nations around the world to help address our
    shared climate and energy challenges,” said Secretary Chu.
    “Nuclear power will play a key role in the production of
    low-carbon energy in the years and decades to come, and we look
    forward to working with Italy and the U.S. private sector to
    advance these important technologies.”



    “Clean and efficient energy technologies, including nuclear
    power, will be a cornerstone of a vibrant and prosperous 21st
    century economy,” Deputy Secretary Hightower said. “American
    companies can offer Italy world-class nuclear energy solutions
    while strengthening our own domestic industry.”



    Secretary of Energy Chu and Minister Scajola also signed a bilateral
    Agreement on Cooperation in Civilian Nuclear Energy Research
    and Development, which will facilitate cooperation between DOE
    and Italy’s Ministry for Economic Development in the areas
    of advanced nuclear energy systems and associated fuel cycle
    technologies. Both parties will collaborate in research and development
    of advanced technologies for improving the cost, safety, and
    proliferation-resistance of nuclear power systems. The agreement
    will also expand efforts to promote and maintain nuclear science
    and engineering infrastructure and expertise in each country.
    The R&D Cooperation Agreement is available HERE.



    Italy will be an important partner in building international
    consensus and momentum on our shared nuclear energy and nonproliferation
    agenda. The United States looks forward to working with Italy
    at the Nuclear Security Summit in April 2010.



    ###
 

    Final
    Audit Report - The Housing Authority of the City of Winston-Salem,
    North Carolina, Needs to Improve Financial Controls, Winston-Salem,
    North Carolina, 2009-AT-1014, dated September 29, 2009

    Final
    Audit Report - The City of Atlanta Entered Incorrect Commitments
    into HUD ’s Integrated Disbursement and Information System
    for its HOME Program, Atlanta, Georgia, 2009-AT-1013, dated September
    28, 2009

    
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK BRINGS
    OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S 'RURAL TOUR' TO NEW MEXICO

    
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Discusses
    Administration Efforts, Collects Ideas on Revitalizing and Rebuilding
    Rural America

    
LAS CRUCES, N.M., September 30, 2009 -
    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Southern New Mexico
    State Fairgrounds today and held a 'Rural Tour' community forum
    to discuss efforts by the Obama Administration to rebuild and
    revitalize rural America, listen to local residents talk about
    how the federal government can assist them, and discuss solutions
    to challenges facing their communities.

    
"To overcome challenges and be successful
    in a new, 21st century economy, President Obama has asked that
    we reach out to people in rural communities across the country
    to listen, learn and facilitate problem-solving," said Secretary
    Vilsack. "It is critically important to hear the thoughts,
    concerns and stories about New Mexico's vision for its future
    and to collect ideas about how USDA can better serve these communities.
    The thoughts, ideas and concerns for the future I heard in Las
    Cruces were a reminder of the strength and optimism I have seen
    in communities throughout rural America."

    
At today's rural community forum, Vilsack
    discussed how the USDA is working to promote a sustainable, safe,
    sufficient and nutritious food supply, ensure that America leads
    the global fight against climate change, and revitalize rural
    communities by expanding economic opportunities.

    
Secretary Vilsack also highlighted the
    USDA's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act efforts that are
    underway in New Mexico and across the country, including the
    following:

    
USDA Rural Development has helped guarantee
    148 loans worth more than $20.5 million in the state of New Mexico
    through the Single Family Housing Loan program. These loans help
    residents and producers to have access to the capital they need
    to keep rural communities strong.

    
USDA's Forest Service is providing $43
    million for 48 projects through the Forest Service Capital Improvement
    and Maintenance program. This work will reduce sedimentation
    in streams, restore water quality and fish habitat and provide
    safe public transportation.

    
USDA's Farm Service Agency is providing
    $643,000 through six Direct Operating Farm Loans. These loans
    help farms purchase items such as livestock, farm equipment,
    feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance, and other operating
    expenses.

    
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service
    announced $1.4 million for two watershed rehabilitation projects.

    
Through USDA Rural Development, $36 million
    will be made available for four community facilities projects.
    Community Facility Grants will allow towns across New Mexico
    to purchase critical emergency service vehicles and equipment,
    build Emergency Operations Centers and community centers.

    
USDA Rural Development has issued two Rural
    Business and Enterprise Grants for a total of $977,700.

    
Through USDA, the Recovery Act provided
    for an estimated increase of more than $150 million in Supplemental
    Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Ne w Mexico.
    Most four-person households will receive an $80 increase in their
    monthly SNAP benefit. Eligibility limits on jobless adults will
    be suspended in most areas.

    
USDA is also helping low-income New Mexico
    residents to receive healthy, nutritious meals through $864,000
    in funding from The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Kids in
    New Mexico also will benefit from $924,000 through the National
    School Lunch Program.

    
USDA Rural Development is providing over
    $28.5 million to help make improvements at six water and waste
    treatment projects.

    
In June, President Obama announced that
    Secretary Vilsack will lead the Administration's Rural Tour to
    visit rural communities in states throughout the country. Secretary
    Vilsack is scheduled to lead Rural Tour events with other top
    administration officials over the coming weeks with the next
    event in South Dakota. Wednesday's event is the twenty-first
    similar forum Secretary Vilsack has led since being sworn in,
    and follows rural listening sessions held in Scottsbluff, Neb.;
    El Reno, Okla.; Zanesville, Ohio; Modesto, Calif.; Sedalia, Mo.;
    Des Moines, Iowa; Hamlet, N.C.; Bethel, Alaska; St. John Parish,
    La.; Blairs, Va.; West Salem, Wis.; Charlotte, Mich.; Concord,
    N.H.; Wattsburg, Pa.; Danville, Ind.; Geneseo, Ill.; Harrodsburg,
    Ky.; Ludowici, Ga.; Portageville, Mo. and Brush, Colo.

    
USDA recently launched a new website and
    social media tools designed to enhance discussions and facilitate
    innovation for challenges facing rural America. All Americans
    can follow the Rural Tour's progress online at www.RuralTour.gov,
    on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RuralTour, or on USDA's Facebook
    fan page available at www.facebook.com/usda.

    
#
 

    
OIP
    FOIA Post for U.S. Department of Justice

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

    U.S.
    Department of State Background Notes : Guyana (09/09) 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:47:45 -0500 

    
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Highlights
    Healthcare Disparities in Rural America

    
Announces Rural Health and Education Grants
    to Help Elderly Living in Rural Areas

    
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2009 - Agriculture
    Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced more than $1.5 million
    in grants to support the Rural Health and Safety Education Program,
    which helps rural families cope with aging, eldercare and caregiving,
    and rural healthcare. Vilsack also today noted the healthcare
    disparity that exists for those who live in rural America.

    
"Almost one in four Americans living
    in towns with less than 2,500 people have no health insurance
    coverage, and it's this disparity that demonstrates the need
    for health reform in our country," Vilsack said. "President
    Obama and I are committed to helping revitalize rural America
    and building strong, robust communities and reforming our healthcare
    system will help further that goal."

    
In rural America and across the country,
    the high costs or lack of insurance deters many people from seeking
    needed health care, and as a consequence, many illnesses go undiagnosed
    and long term costs increase. Recent studies show that rural
    Americans pay 39% of their total health care costs, out of pocket
    - the highest percentage for all Americans. Meanwhile, rural
    Americans are more likely than their urban counterparts to postpone
    or forego medical care because of the cost - 9% say they delayed
    care and 7% skipped treatment. At the same time, rural residents
    are more likely to report fair to poor health status than urban
    residents, have a higher mortality rate and are more likely to
    have a chronic condition such as arthritis, diabetes and heart
    disease.

    
USDA's Rural Health and Safety Education
    Program focuses on aging in rural areas, eldercare or caregiving
    and its impact on rural and farm families, health promotion and
    educational activities for older individuals and their families,
    and the training of volunteers and allied health professionals
    committed to rural health and care of aging populations.

    
Grant recipients will develop effective
    programs and services that will provide timely and adequate information
    to a diverse aging population; increase the responsibility of
    the elderly and their families to live healthier lives and plan
    for successful aging; increase access to health services and
    educational activities in rural communities; and, where appropriate,
    work with Cooperative Extension educators in rural communities
    to successfully enhance the quality of life of older adults.

    
The Fiscal Year 2009 grants were awarded
    to:

    
University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam, $114,229

    University of Hawaii, Hilo, Hawaii, $329,985

    University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., $320,538

    Candeska Cikana Community College, Fort Totten, N.D., $305,842

    Clemson University, Clemson, S.C., $273,081

    Texas AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, Texas, $231,648

    University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., $108,107

    Through federal funding and leadership for research, education
    and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science
    and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and
    the nation's future. For more information, visit www.csrees.usda.gov.

    
#
 

    Expedition
    21 Lifts Off

    Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:00:00 -0500

    The Soyuz TMA-16 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
    on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009, carrying Expedition 21 Flight Engineer
    Jeffrey N. Williams, Flight Engineer Maxim Suraev and Spaceflight
    Participant Guy Laliberté to the International Space Station.
    Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

    U.S.
    Department of State Highlights: Resolution Passed To Protect
    Women in Conflict Situations

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0500

    FDA
    Issues Draft Guidance on Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies
    

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:31:00 -0500 

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the availability
    of the first draft guidance for industry on Risk Evaluation and
    Mitigation Strategies or REMS, which are required for certain
    drugs or biologics. 


    Fighters
    Respond to Intercept Aircraft 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:40:00 -0500 

    
New US-CERT PGP Key

    
US-CERT has generated a new US-CERT Publications
    PGP key. We use this

    key to sign all publications, including documents sent to this
    list.

    Effective immediately, this new key (key ID 0xD2BE1D59) is available

    and will be valid until Friday, October 1, 2010. This key replaces
    the

    current PGP key (key ID 0x3E1F88AB) which expires on Thursday,
    October

    1, 2009.

    
To obtain further information or to download
    the new

    US-CERT publications PGP key, please visit

    
<http://www.us-cert.gov/pgp/encryptmail.html>
    or

    <https://www.us-cert.gov/pgp/encryptmail.html>

    Enforcement
    Actions for CFTC.gov. 


    


    
Contact: Stephanie Lundberg

    202-225-3130For Immediate Release

    September 30, 2009

    
Hoyer Statement on Introduction of Kerry-Boxer
    Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

    
WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader
    Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the Kerry-Boxer
    Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, introduced in the Senate
    today:



    “Building a new, clean energy economy that creates jobs
    and increases American competitiveness and energy independence
    is a key priority for this Congress. The American Clean Energy
    and Security Act that passed the House in June lays the groundwork
    to achieve these goals through policies that invest in clean
    energy technologies and infrastructure, and curb the carbon pollution
    that threatens our economy, security and health. I look forward
    to the Senate’s consideration of the Kerry-Boxer proposal
    as another step forward in investing in our clean energy future
    and asserting our leadership in new energy technologies.”

    

    
###

    Secretary Chu Announces up to $12.5 Million
    in Recovery Act Funding for New Graduate Fellowships in Science,
    Mathematics and Engineering



    New Funding Highlights the Administration’s Commitment to
    Empowering Students to Choose Careers in Science



    Washington, DC – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced
    today that up to $12.5 million in funding from the American Recovery
    and Reinvestment Act will be awarded in early 2010 to support
    at least 80 graduate fellowships to U.S. students pursuing advanced
    degrees in science, mathematics, and engineering through the
    newly created Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate
    Fellowship program. The goal of the fellowship program is to
    encourage outstanding students to pursue graduate degrees in
    physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, engineering, and environmental
    and computer sciences – fields that will prepare students
    for careers that can make significant contributions in discovery
    driven science and science for national needs in energy and the
    environment.



    “Training the next generation of U.S. scientists and engineers
    is critical to our future energy security and economic competitiveness,”
    said Secretary Chu. “This Fellowship is part of the Administration’s
    effort to encourage students to direct their talents towards
    careers in science and our nation’s next technology revolution.”




    To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must be U.S. citizens
    and currently a first or second year graduate student enrolled
    at a U.S. academic institution, or an undergraduate senior who
    will be enrolled as a first year graduate student by the fall
    of 2010. Applicants must be pursuing graduate study and research
    in the physical, biological, engineering and computational sciences.
    Interested students can apply online at: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/SCGF.html



    Each fellowship award will be $50,500 per year for three years
    to provide support for tuition, living expenses, research materials
    and travel to research conferences. Fellowships will be awarded
    on the basis of peer review. Applicants may begin submitting
    applications on September 30, 2009. Completed applications are
    due November 30, 2009. 



    -DOE-

    
New US-CERT PGP Key

    
US-CERT has generated a new US-CERT Publications
    PGP key. We use this

    key to sign all publications, including documents sent to this
    list.

    Effective immediately, this new key (key ID 0xD2BE1D59) is available

    and will be valid until Friday, October 1, 2010. This key replaces
    the

    current PGP key (key ID 0x3E1F88AB) which expires on Thursday,
    October

    1, 2009.

    
To obtain further information or to download
    the new

    US-CERT publications PGP key, please visit

    
<http://www.us-cert.gov/pgp/encryptmail.html>
    or

    <https://www.us-cert.gov/pgp/encryptmail.html>
 

    VACANCY:
    Chief, Oversight Section , U.S. Department of Justice's National
    Security Division 

    VACANCY:
    Deputy Chief, Operations Section , U.S. Department of Justice's
    National Security Division

    VACANCY:
    Chief, Operations Section , U.S. Department of Justice's National
    Security Division
 

    
New US-CERT PGP Key

    
US-CERT has generated a new US-CERT Publications
    PGP key. We use this

    key to sign all publications, including documents sent to this
    list.

    Effective immediately, this new key (key ID 0xD2BE1D59) is available

    and will be valid until Friday, October 1, 2010. This key replaces
    the

    current PGP key (key ID 0x3E1F88AB) which expires on Thursday,
    October

    1, 2009.

    
To obtain further information or to download
    the new

    US-CERT publications PGP key, please visit

    
<http://www.us-cert.gov/pgp/encryptmail.html>
    or

    <https://www.us-cert.gov/pgp/encryptmail.html>

    Message
    from the CDFI Fund Director , US Department of the Treasury

    September 30, 2009 

    Acting
    Assistant Treasury Secretary Sobel Testimony Before Senate Committee
    on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
 

    
New US-CERT PGP Key

    
US-CERT has generated a new US-CERT Publications
    PGP key. We use this

    key to sign all publications, including documents sent to this
    list.

    Effective immediately, this new key (key ID 0xD2BE1D59) is available

    and will be valid until Friday, October 1, 2010. This key replaces
    the

    current PGP key (key ID 0x3E1F88AB) which expires on Thursday,
    October

    1, 2009.

    
To obtain further information or to download
    the new

    US-CERT publications PGP key, please visit

    
<http://www.us-cert.gov/pgp/encryptmail.html>
    or

    <https://www.us-cert.gov/pgp/encryptmail.html>

    Odierno:
    Continued Progress in Iraq Could Speed Withdrawal 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:40:00 -0500 

    
Consolidated Bank Reports of Condition
    and Income for Third Quarter 2009 

    The attached materials pertain to the Consolidated Reports of
    Condition and Income (Call Report) for the September 30, 2009,
    report date. Please plan to complete the preparation, editing,
    and review of your bank’s Call Report data and the submission
    of these data to the agencies’ Central Data Repository (CDR)
    as early as possible. Starting your preparation early will aid
    you in identifying and resolving any edit exceptions prior to
    the submission deadline. If you later find that certain information
    needs to be revised, please make the appropriate changes to your
    Call Report data and promptly submit the revised data file to
    the CDR. 

    Except for certain banks with foreign offices, your completed
    Call Report must be received by Friday, October 30, 2009, in
    accordance with the filing requirements discussed below. No extensions
    of time for submitting Call Report data are granted. 

    

    
As the agencies previously advised you,
    certain Schedule RC-O Memorandum items have been revised this
    quarter to incorporate the recently extended temporary increase
    in the standard maximum deposit insurance amount from $100,000
    to $250,000 per depositor (see FIL-38-2009,
    dated June 30, 2009). Accordingly, beginning this quarter, banks
    should report the amount and number of deposit accounts (other
    than retirement deposit accounts) of (i) $250,000 or less and
    (ii) more than $250,000 in Schedule RC O, Memorandum items 1.a
    and 1.b. Similarly, banks with $1 billion or more in total assets
    should begin to report the estimated amount of uninsured deposits
    as of the quarter-end report date based on an insurance limit
    of $250,000 in Schedule RC-O, Memorandum item 2. Revised instructions
    for these Schedule RC-O Memorandum items are included in the
    Call Report instruction book update for September 2009. However,
    banks should continue to complete the brokered deposit and time
    deposit items in Schedule RC-E, Deposit Liabilities, in accordance
    with the existing instructions for these items until any revisions
    are implemented at a future report date. In this regard, the
    agencies have proposed to revise these Schedule RC E items in
    March 2010 (see FIL-47-2009,
    dated August 19, 2009). 

    

    
The Call Report forms for September 2009
    are available on the Web sites of the FFIEC (http://www.ffiec.gov/ffiec_report_forms.htm)
    and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) (http://www.fdic.gov/regulations/resources/call/index.html).
    An instruction book update for September 2009 is expected to
    be available on these Web sites by October 1, 2009. Banks should
    also refer to this quarter’s attached 

    

    
Supplemental Instructions for additional
    guidance on certain reporting issues. Report forms and instructional
    materials can be both printed and downloaded from the FFIEC’s
    and the FDIC’s Web sites. Please notify the person responsible
    for preparing Call Reports at your bank about the electronic
    availability of the report forms, instruction book update, and
    Supplemental Instructions for September 2009. 

    

    
Each bank must file its September 30, 2009,
    Call Report data in one of the following two ways: 

    • A bank may use computer software to prepare and edit its
    report data and then electronically submit the data directly
    to the CDR (https://cdr.ffiec.gov/cdr/).


    • A bank may complete its report in paper form and arrange
    with a software vendor or another party to convert its paper
    report into the electronic format that can be processed by the
    CDR. The software vendor or other party then must electronically
    submit the bank’s Call Report data file to the CDR 

    Furthermore, please advise the person responsible for electronically
    submitting your bank’s September Call Report data file to
    test his or her current password access to the CDR as soon as
    possible in order to determine whether his or her annual security
    training must be updated to gain access to the CDR. 

    Electronic submission of Call Report data will be considered
    timely if the data are received by the CDR no later than Friday,
    October 30, 2009, and pass FFIEC-published validation criteria
    (validity edits and quality edits) or, where necessary, contain
    explanations for any quality edits that are not passed. Explanatory
    comments should be prepared consistent with the “Guidelines
    for Resolving Edits” that are published on the FFIEC’s
    Web site at http://www.ffiec.gov/find/documents/resolvingedits.pdf.
    (PDF Help) 

    A bank that has more than one foreign office, other than a "shell"
    branch or an International Banking Facility, is permitted an
    additional five calendar days to submit its Call Report data.
    Such a bank must electronically transmit its data to the CDR
    no later than Wednesday, November 4, 2009. In addition, on or
    about each April 30 and October 30, the FDIC conducts a telephone
    survey of some banks with more than one foreign office to obtain
    certain deposit data needed to estimate insured deposits. 

    To continue improving the timeliness with which Call Report data
    become available to the public, the agencies plan to post some
    individual bank Call Report data on the Internet earlier than
    at present beginning with the reports for the fourth quarter
    of 2009. The agencies currently post individual bank data on
    the FFIEC’s CDR Public Data Distribution (PDD) Web site
    every day beginning 15 calendar days after the report date (e.g.,
    October 15, 2009). However, no individual bank data are posted
    until at least 24 hours after the data have been accepted by
    the agencies and incorporated within the CDR. Beginning with
    the Call Report for December 31, 2009, individual bank data will
    be posted on the CDR PDD Web site as soon as the data have been
    submitted, placed in an accepted status, and prepared for publication
    in the CDR. 

    For technical assistance with the CDR, banks should contact the
    CDR Help Desk by telephone at (888) CDR 3111, by fax at (703)
    774-3946, or by e-mail at CDR.Help@ffiec.gov.
    For further information concerning the Call Report itself, state
    member banks should contact their Federal Reserve District Bank.
    National and FDIC-supervised banks should contact the FDIC’s
    Data Collection and Analysis Section in Washington, D.C., by
    telephone at (800) 688 FDIC (3342) or by e-mail at insurance-research@fdic.gov.


    Timothy W. Long 

    Senior Deputy Comptroller and 

    Chief National Bank Examiner 

    Office of the 

    Comptroller of the Currency Norah M. Barger 

    Acting Director 

    Division of Banking 

    Supervision and Regulation 

    Board of Governors of the 

    Federal Reserve System Sandra L. Thompson 

    Director 

    Division of Supervision and 

    Consumer Protection 

    Federal Deposit 

    Insurance Corporation

    
Attachment 

    FIL-59-2009
    - PDF 

    Supplemental
    Instructions - PDF
 

    American
    Samoa Aid

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:40:25 -0500

    American military members are rushing to the South Pacific to
    provide assistance after a massive tsunami struck the area.

    Odierno
    Testimony

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:58:50 -0500

    The top U.S. commander in Iraq told a House committee Wednesday
    the U.S. will withdraw about 4000 more troops from Iraq by the
    end of next month.

    
U.S.
    Policy Toward Burma

    
Kurt M. Campbell

    Assistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    Statement Before the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
    Senate Foreign Relations Committee

    
Washington, DC

    
September 30, 2009
 

    SEVERAL DOZEN NEW GOV JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS
    have been posted at www.usdemocrats.com/ticker/jobs/

    VACANCY:
    ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY (Two-Year Term) UNITED STATES
    ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS DALLAS, TEXAS SEPTEMBER
    30, 2009 - OCTOBER 14, 2009 VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT #09-NDTX-AUSA-D02
    

    Hand-Delivered applications must be received by 5:00pm October
    14, 2009. Mailed applications must be postmarked by October 14,
    2009. 

    
Stonewall
    Democrats of the Rio Grande Valley New Website Unveiling

    What: Informational Meeting

    Start Time: Friday, October 2 at 6:00am

    End Time: Friday, October 2 at 10:00am

    Where: Artwalk at the Law Office of Leo Montalvo Parking Lot

    
To see more details and RSVP
 

    PENTAGON
    SPOKESMAN DETAILS AID TO SAMOA, AFGHAN MEETING - 09/30/2009 

    
Youth
    Services for United States Department of Labor

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

    Commander
    Reports on Africa Command Progress 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:01:00 -0500 


    DOE and Chinese Ministry of Science and
    Technology Co-Host First Ever Electric Vehicle Forum



    Beijing, DC – Yesterday, the first-ever U.S.-China Electric
    Vehicle Forum concluded in Beijing, China, bringing together
    more than 140 U.S. and Chinese officials from government, industry,
    academia and advocacy groups to discuss progress made in the
    electric vehicle industry to date and opportunities for collaboration
    and progress moving forward. DOE Assistant Secretary for Policy
    and International Affairs David Sandalow joined with Minister
    Wan Gang of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology to
    co-host the event and highlight the rapidly growing electric
    vehicle industry in both countries.



    “The U.S. and China share a strong common interest in putting
    millions of electric vehicles on the road soon, which will lessen
    our dependence on foreign oil and help address the global climate
    challenge,” said Sandalow. “Working together, we can
    accomplish more than acting alone.”



    The U.S. and China are the two largest auto markets and energy
    consumers, and together emit more than 40 percent of the world's
    greenhouse gases. The Electric Vehicle Forum provided a venue
    for experts to exchange recent developments and identify promising
    opportunities for technical and policy collaboration. 



    The Electric Vehicle Forum builds upon growing U.S.-China collaboration
    on clean energy technologies. In July, the United States and
    China announced plans to develop a U.S.-China Clean Energy Research
    Center (CERC) that will facilitate joint research and development
    on clean energy by bringing together teams of scientists and
    engineers and providing an information clearing house to help
    researchers in both countries. CERC has identified clean vehicles
    as a priority for joint projects and it’s expected that
    the Research Center will help advance cooperative projects identified
    during the Electric Vehicle Forum.



    Collaboration on science and technology has long been a cornerstone
    of U.S-China bilateral cooperation. This year marks the 30th
    anniversary of the U.S.-China Science & Technology Agreement,
    which represented the first agreement between the two countries
    following the normalization of relations in the 1970s. Today,
    opportunities abound for U.S.-China cooperation on clean energy
    technologies. 



    Jody Freeman, Counselor for Energy and Climate Change at the
    White House and luncheon speaker at the Electric Vehicles Forum,
    said, “By working together the U.S. and China can leverage
    technological breakthroughs, increase consumer acceptance and
    grow market penetration of clean vehicles.”



    ###

    CNO
    ADM Gary Roughead

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:39:13 -0500

    Chief of Naval Operations ADM Gary Roughead speaks at the Foreign
    Press Center.

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


    Officials
    Announce Homeowners Assistance Program Details 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:58:00 -0500 

    Web
    Site Offers Help for Military Families in Transition 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:12:00 -0500 

    VACANCY:
    Information Technology Specialist (Network), GS-2210-11/12

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:21:48 -0500

    KAT-09-MS-RO-4196-KAS (Closing Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00
    EDT)
 

    VACANCY:
    Emergency Management Program Specialist, GS-0301-11/12

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:15:01 -0500

    AN244992 (Closing Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT)

    New
    Judgeships Needed, Judiciary Tells Congress 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:41:00 -0500 

    A representative of the policy-making Judicial Conference of
    the United States told a Senate subcommittee that new judgeships
    are needed, stating, "To enable the Judiciary to continue
    serving litigants efficiently and effectively, the judicial workforce
    must be expanded." 

    
Research
    - Current International Public Transit Tenders from the Federal
    Transit Administration (FTA) website

    
New tenders are now available. 


    National
    Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of September
    29, 2009 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:59:00 -0500 

    Afghanistan
    Talks Focus on Means, Not Ends, Spokesman Says 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:30:00 -0500 

    
Remarks
    After Meeting on the Adoption of a UNSC Resolution to Combat
    Sexual Assaults in Armed Conflict

    
Hillary Rodham Clinton

    Secretary of State

    Susan E. Rice

    U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations , U.S. Mission
    to the United Nations

    United Nations Headquarters

    
New York City

    
September 30, 2009
 

    


    
Dear Friend,

    
Last year, Congress made a grave mistake
    when it passed a bill granting immunity to telecommunications
    companies that allegedly aided the Bush administration's warrantless
    wiretapping program.

    
It's up to you and me to fix that mistake.

    
Many of you worked with me as we fought
    hard against telecom immunity in 2008. Now I need your help again
    as I work to repeal the provision that Congress passed and George
    Bush signed into law.

    
This week, I introduced a bill repealing
    telecom immunity. Will you sign on as a citizen co-sponsor today
    to declare your support of my bill?

    
Help me repeal telecom immunity. Sign on as a citizen
    co-sponsor of the Retroactive Immunity Repeal Act today.

    
I believe we best defend America when we
    also defend its founding principles. We make our nation safer
    when we eliminate the false choice between liberty and security.

    
But by granting retroactive immunity to
    the telecommunications companies who may have participated in
    warrantless wiretapping of American citizens, the Congress violated
    the protection of our citizens' privacy and due process rights
    -- and we must not allow that to stand.

    
We have just begun the work to repeal telecom
    immunity. The first thing we need is a strong demonstration of
    grassroots support for our bill -- and that means I need you
    to sign on as a citizen co-sponsor today.

    
Click here to sign on as a citizen co-sponsor of
    the Retroactive Immunity Repeal Act today.

    
I said in 2008 that we weren't done with
    this fight, and I meant it. We must hold those accountable who
    sacrifice our liberty in the name of security. I'm glad to have
    you fighting with me.

    
Sincerely,

    
Chris

    
Background
    Briefing by Senior U.S. Officials on P5+1 Talks

    
Geneva, Switzerland

    
September 30, 2009

    
Advisory
    Committee on International Economic Policy Submits Report on
    Review of U.S. Model Bilateral Investment Treaty

    
Office of the Spokesman

    Washington, DC

    
September 30, 2009
 

    IAFIS
    Recognition for 10 Years of Service 

    
C-SPAN Daily Alert

    Programming Information for Wed. 9/30 - Thurs. 10/1, 2009

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

    
C-SPAN Highlights

    
Tonight:

    * Senate Finance Cmte. Health Care Markup (8pm) - LIVE

    * Transportation Sec. LaHood Remarks on Texting & Driving
    (12:00am)

    * Sens. Boxer and Kerry Introduce the Clean Energy Jobs Bill
    (12:20pm)

    
Tomorrow:

    * U.S. House: In Session (10am) - LIVE

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

    C-SPAN2 Highlights

    
Tonight:

    * Senate Government Affairs Cmte. Hearing on Terror Threat Detection
    (8pm)

    * House Armed Services Cmte. Hearing on Iraq (10:05pm)

    * Washington Journal: Taylor Branch on the Clinton Presidency
    (12:15am)

    
Tomorrow:

    * U.S. Senate: In Session (Time TBA) - LIVE

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

    C-SPAN3 Highlights

    
Tonight:

    * Pres. Obama on Health Care Reform; Senate Health Care Markup
    Excerpts (7pm)

    * Remarks on Climate Change, Hearings on Terror Threats &
    Iraq Excerpts (8:25pm)

    
Tomorrow:

    * Senate Finance Cmte. Health Care Bill Markup (9:30am) - LIVE

    * New Jersey Gubernatorial Debate (8pm) - LIVE Tentative

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

    FEC
    TAKES FINAL ACTION ON SIX CASES 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:49:56 -0500 

    WASHINGTON - The Federal Election Commission recently made public
    its final action on six matters under review (MURs). In one matter,
    the respondents agreed to pay a civil penalty of $24,000. In
    


    
Compliance
    Releases for Federal Election Commission

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

    
Headline: Secretary Sebelius to Participate
    in Online Chat on Health

    Insurance Reform with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

    
As the first in an innovative new series
    reaching out to states and

    regions across the country, the White House and HHS Secretary
    Kathleen

    Sebelius will welcome Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for a live video
    chat

    at 5:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, October 1st. The Secretary and
    the

    Senator will sit down for a half hour at the White House in a
    session

    streamed live at WhiteHouse.gov to answer the questions that
    the Senator

    hears most frequently from Rhode Islanders. The Secretary and
    the

    Senator and will also take questions live through the White House's

    video chat Facebook application, where constituents can discuss
    the

    session as it is happening.

    
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009

    5:30 p.m. EDT

    
WHERE: You can view the Facebook application
    at any time at:

    http://apps.facebook.com/whitehouselive/

    
The session can also be viewed live at
    WhiteHouse.gov:

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

    
CONTACT: HHS Press Office

    (202) 690-6343

    
###

    Geoff
    Morrell Brief

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:29:57 -0500

    An update on the upcoming delivery of M-ATVs to Afghanistan.
 

    DoD
    Contracts for September 30, 2009 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:10:00 -0500 

    Multi-National
    Force-Iraq Commanding General to Brief Live at the Pentagon 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:10:00 -0500 

    Treasury
    Department Announces Initial Closings of Legacy Securities Public-Private
    Investment Funds
 

    Pennsylvania
    Lawyer Sentenced in Public Corruption Case

    Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:03:30 -0500

    Lawyer Andrew Teitelman, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced
    to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine for his role in a corruption
    case involving a former aide to a Philadelphia city councilman.

    New
    Jersey Hospital to Pay $8.3 Million for Kickbacks, Medicare Fraud
    Scheme

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:58:57 -0500

    The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey has agreed
    to pay the government $8.3 million to settle allegations that
    it illegally paid kickbacks to cardiologists and caused the submission
    of false claims to Medicare.

    Florida
    Doctor Indicted in Alleged Fraudulent Lobbying and Fundraising
    Scheme

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:02:06 -0500

    Dr. Alan D. Mendelsohn, of Hollywood, Florida, was charged with
    allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent political fundraising and
    lobbying scheme through which he secretly diverted to himself
    more than $350,000 from contributions to political organizations
    he controlled.
 

    
Young
    Democrats of America 2009 Autumn Conference

    "Back to Work... oooooh ya!!!"

    What: Convention

    Start Time: Friday, November 20 at 11:00am

    End Time: Sunday, November 22 at 2:00pm

    Where: Orlando Doubletree Hotel

    
To see more details and RSVP

    
Democrats of West Georgia Meeting Today
    @ 1800h in University of West Georgia Campus Center 302

    
The best party on campus is back!

    
Join us for our first general meeting this
    Thursday at 6.00 p.m. in the Campus Center room 302. We will
    discussing plenty of items, such as events for the upcoming school
    year, fundraisers, various opportunities for campaign experience,
    and much much more.

    
We also will be looking to fill our executive
    board,so be sure to be there if you are looking to be in a leadership
    position. It's such an exciting time to be a democrat,so don't
    lose your enthusiasm! See you all tomorrow!!!

    
Democratically yours,

    
Fred Curtis

    fcurtis2@gmail.com

    
ETA - Advisories - Training and Employment
    Guidance Letters (TEGL) for United States Department of Labor

    
This information has recently been updated.


    TEGL 1-09, Change 2 -- Reporting Requirements under Section 1512
    of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has been
    added to the ETA Advisory Database and is now available at http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2808.
    


    DoD
    News Briefing with Geoff Morrell from the Pentagon 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:40:00 -0500 

    
Today's top Air Force stories include:

    
Charleston Airmen supply CENTCOM first
    M-ATV shipment 

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170522

    
Iraqi air force assumes control of their
    C-130 operations 

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170360

    
Hawaii Guard deploys after tsunami hits
    American Samoa 

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170416

    
Tricare inpatient costs increase for fiscal
    2010 

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170421

    
Predator passes 600,000 flight hours 

    http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123170356

    USA.GOV new link to National
    Parks: America's Best Idea Today
 

    Department
    of Defense Media Schedule 10/1/2009 

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:04:00 -0500 

    U.S.
    Department of State: Daily Press Briefing - September 30

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:53:14 -0500

    DoD
    Identifies Army Casualty 

    Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:06:00 -0500 


    
Attention Public Housing Agencies!



    Attached is the New EIV Access Authorization form, which should
    be used by any person requesting access to the PIH EIV system.
    Note that the form is one document and the instructions are in
    a separate document. Please read over the form and instructions.
    If you have questions about this form, after reading the form
    and instructions, send your questions to PIH.RHIIP.TA@HUD.GOV.
    Also, at the back of the instructions is a list of the designated
    EIV Coordinators and Directors/Coordinators for each local HUD
    office and their contact information. 



    If you already have access to EIV and do not require access modifications,
    you do not need to complete this new form. Only PHAs requesting
    initial EIV access ( 1st time system users) or those staff that
    are requesting modified access (i.e. to add the new Program Administrator
    role for entering, updating and deleting debt/termination information)
    are required to complete this form and submit to the designated
    EIV Coordinator in your local HUD office. Do not send your completed
    EIV Access Authorization form to PIH.RHIIP.TA@HUD.GOV.



    I am working on a tip guide for the new Debts Owed to PHAs &
    Termination module and hope to finalize tomorrow evening and
    distribute. Once I distribute the guide, I will then flip the
    switch for the new feature in EIV. I will send out a message
    once the switch is flipped. At this time, no one can see the
    Debts Owed to PHAs & Termination module. October 2, 2009,
    is the targeted date I expect to turn this feature on.

    
EIV USER ACCESS AUTHORIZATION FORM-INSTRUCTIONS-093009C.pdf
    268K 

    

    
EIV USER ACCESS AUTHORIZATION FORM-093009.pdf 108K

    

    
USAID Launches New Public-Private Partnership
    to Facilitate Impact Investing that Addresses Social and Environmental
    Challenges

    

    
September 30, 2009 

    Press Office: 202-712-4320

    Public Information: 202-712-4810 

    www.usaid.gov

    
NEW YORK – At the Clinton Global Initiative
    annual meeting on Friday, the U.S. Agency for International Development
    (USAID), Rockefeller Foundation, the Global Impact Investing
    Network (GIIN), and JP Morgan Chase announced a joint commitment
    to develop a set of standards that will rate the social and environmental
    return on financial investments. The Impact Reporting Investment
    Standards (IRIS) initiative will provide a common framework for
    defining, tracking, and reporting the performance of impact investments.

    IRIS addresses a major barrier to the growth of the impact investing
    industry – the lack of transparency and credibility in how
    funds define, track, and report on the social and environmental
    performance of their capital.

    “By creating a common framework to evaluate the impact that
    private sector investments have in developing countries, the
    IRIS initiative will help mobilize capital to fuel smart development,”
    said Alonzo Fulgham, USAID Acting Administrator. “This project
    helps USAID meet its long-term objective to more effectively
    engage with non-traditional development partners to leverage
    greater resources for sutainable social and economic growth.”

    The GIIN, a non-profit organization deducated to promoting impact
    investing, will spearhead the development of the standards that
    will enable more effective impact investments.

    “This network is a response to growing appetites from investors
    across the world for a platform that allows them to work together
    to capture the powerful potential of impact investing,”
    said Amit Bouri, Director of Strategy and Development for the
    GIIN. “Now is the moment to transform disparate efforts
    into a coherent industry so greater capital will flow to solutions
    to social and environmental problems.”

    The GIIN is supported by a $2.5 million commitment from the Rockefeller
    Foundation to mobilize investors to help develop the industry
    as well as to support the launch of an impact investing reporting
    and standards initiative. USAID expects to make a $1 million
    commitment toward the development of the IRIS standards. JP Morgan
    provided $750,000 to encourage investors to build the impact
    investment industry.

    The IRIS system will be rolled out among impact investing firms
    PricewaterhouseCoopers and B Lab, E+Co, Pacific Community Ventures,
    Root Capital, Small Enterprise Assistance Fund, and Acumen Fund.
    GIIN will also perform an annual update of standards based on
    the input from its investment community.

    About the Global Impact Investing Network: The Global Impact
    Investing Network (GIIN) is a nonprofit dedicated to the effective
    use of investment capital to address the world's pressing social
    and environmental challenges. Making its formal launch at CGI,
    the GIIN is a platform for promoting the infrastructure, activities,
    education and research that will enable more effective impact
    investing. Through this work, the GIIN will ultimately increase
    the volume and effectiveness of capital deployed to solve previously
    intractable social and environmental problems.

    About USAID: USAID is the lead U.S. Government Agency providing
    foreign development and humanitarian assistance. The agency's
    Global Development Alliance (GDA) links U.S. foreign assistance
    with the resources, expertise and creativity of the private sector
    as well as nongovernmental organizations. Since its launch in
    2001, the Global Development Alliance has changed the way many
    U.S. international development projects are financed and implemented.
    USAID has cultivated more than 900 public-private alliances with
    over 1,700 individual partners to benefit development programming.
    For more information about USAID and its programs around the
    world visit www.usaid.gov.
    For more information about the USAID’s programs around the
    world, please visit www.usaid.gov.
    For more information on Global Development Alliances visit www.usaid.gov/gda/index.html.
    

    Justice
    Department Settles Lawsuit Alleging Retaliation by Franklin County,
    North Carolina 


    Third
    Americas Competitiveness Forum

    Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:01:38 -0500

    
Texas Democrats Social Movie Night:
    Capitalism: A Love Story the Film by Michael Moore

    
We have all decided that this Sunday 8/4/09
    will work best for the social event Capitalism: A Love Story
    the Film by Michael Moore. Which time works best for you 4:50
    or 7:40? Let me know and i will get back you as to the final
    time let me know by Friday. I hope you all can make it, if rides
    are needed please let me or someone know and we will help. We
    will be watching the movie at The Alamo DraftHouse 1200 South
    Lamar in Austin

    
Here is my number 281 415 1346 if anyone
    wants to we can meet up at my house on Sunday and then roll out
    together my address is 1004 Earle St in San Marcos

    
http://movies.yahoo.com/showtimes-tickets/movies/1810045454-capitalism--a-love-story/

    
 

    
Thanks

    
Jamey Juhan

    Recruitment Chair

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

    
Ohio
    Young Democrats Autumn Mixer

    What: Mixer

    Start Time: Wednesday, October 7 at 5:30pm

    End Time: Wednesday, October 7 at 9:00pm

    Where: Brownstone, Columbus OH

    
To see more details and RSVP
 

    
University
    of Florida College Democrats Meeting

    "Because she'll only turn 21 once..."

    What: Club/Group Meeting

    Start Time: Tomorrow, October 1 at 7:00pm

    End Time: Tomorrow, October 1 at 8:00pm

    Where: University of Florida Fine Arts Building C, Room 120 Gainesville
    FL

    
To see more details and RSVP

    
North
    Texas Democrats: Don't Forget about Dinner with the Dems @ Fuzzy's
    on Friday 7:30pm!

    
We'll also be having our weekly meeting
    on Thursday at 5:15pm in PHY 115.

    
Bowling is Friday night after Fuzzy's.

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

    

    HOUSE FLOOR WRAP-UP FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2009



    Bills Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (14):



    H.R.
    1771 - Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement
    Act of 2009 (Rep. Sarbanes - Natural Resources)

    H.R.
    1053 - Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of
    2009 (Rep. Wittman - Natural Resources)

    H.Res.
    769 - Recognizing the benefits of service-learning as a teaching
    strategy to effectively engage youth in the community and classroom,
    and expressing support for the goals of the National Learn and
    Serve Challenge (Rep. Platts - Education and Labor)

    H.Res.
    90 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Campus Safety
    Awareness Month (Rep. Sestak - Education and Labor)

    S.Con.Res.
    41 - A concurrent resolution providing for the acceptance
    of a statue of Helen Keller, presented by the people of Alabama
    (Sen. Sessions - House Administration)

    H.Res.
    314 - Honoring and saluting Hillerich & Bradsby Co. on
    the 125th anniversary of the Louisville Slugger (Rep. Yarmuth
    - Energy and Commerce)

    H.R.
    3663 - Delays the date on which the accreditation requirement
    under the Medicare program applies to suppliers of durable medical
    equipment that are pharmacies (Rep. Space – Energy and Commerce)

    S.
    1289 - Foreign Evidence Request Efficiency Act of 2009 (Sen.
    Whitehouse - Judiciary)

    H.R.
    1727 - Managing Arson Through Criminal History Act of 2009
    (Rep. Bono Mack - Judiciary)

    H.Res.
    757 - Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of
    Remembrance for Homicide Victims (Rep. Edwards (MD) - Judiciary)

    H.R.
    1333 - Exempts the transportation, shipment, receipt, or
    importation of explosive materials for delivery to a federally
    recognized Indian tribe or an agency of such a tribe from various
    Federal criminal prohibitions relating to explosives (Rep. Grijalva
    - Judiciary)

    H.Res.
    739 - Honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Norman E.
    Borlaug for his many contributions to alleviating world hunger
    (Rep. Boswell - Foreign Affairs)

    H.Con.Res.
    51 - Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the signing of the
    Antarctic Treaty (Rep. Tiberi - Foreign Affairs)

    S.
    1707 - Authorizing appropriations for fiscal years 2010 through
    2014 to promote an enhanced strategic partnership with Pakistan
    and its people (Sen. Kerry/Rep. Berman – Foreign Affairs)




    Bills Not Adopted Under Suspension of the Rules (1):



    H.R.
    2442 - Bay Area Regional Water Recycling Program Expansion
    Act of 2009 (Rep. George Miller - Natural Resources)



    Postponed Suspension Votes (5): 



    H.Res.
    731 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
    that the employees of the Department of Homeland Security, their
    partners at all levels of government, and the millions of emergency
    response providers and law enforcement agents nationwide should
    be commended for their dedicated service on the Nation's front
    lines in the war against acts of terrorism (Rep. Clarke - Homeland
    Security)

    H.Res.
    517 - Congratulating the University of Washington women's
    softball team for winning the 2009 Women's College World Series
    (Rep. McDermott - Education and Labor)

    H.Res.
    487 - Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the State News
    at Michigan State University (Rep. Rogers (MI) - Education and
    Labor)

    H.Res.
    692 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Tay-Sachs Awareness
    Month (Rep. Arcuri - Energy and Commerce) 

    H.Con.Res.
    151 - Expressing the sense of Congress that China release
    democratic activist Liu Xiaobo from imprisonment (Rep. Minnick
    - Foreign Affairs)
 

    

      

        

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        your Representative about Health Care Reform
 
      
      

        

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FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER
    1, 2009 

    House Meets At… First Vote Predicted… Last Vote Predicted…

    
10:00 a.m.: Legislative Business

    10:30 – 11:30 a.m. 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

    
“One Minutes” (5 per side)



    Motion to Go to Conference on H.R.
    2892 - Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act,
    2010 (Rep. Price (NC) – Appropriations) Motion to Instruct
    Conferees.



    Conference Report on H.R.
    3183 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies
    Appropriations Act, 2010 (Rep. Pastor – Appropriations)
    (Subject to a Rule)



    Postponed Suspension Votes (5 Bills): 

    H.Res.
    731 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
    that the employees of the Department of Homeland Security, their
    partners at all levels of government, and the millions of emergency
    response providers and law enforcement agents nationwide should
    be commended for their dedicated service on the Nation's front
    lines in the war against acts of terrorism (Rep. Clarke - Homeland
    Security)

    H.Res.
    517 - Congratulating the University of Washington women's
    softball team for winning the 2009 Women's College World Series
    (Rep. McDermott - Education and Labor)

    H.Res.
    487 - Recognizing the 100th anniversary of the State News
    at Michigan State University (Rep. Rogers (MI) - Education and
    Labor)

    H.Res.
    692 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Tay-Sachs Awareness
    Month (Rep. Arcuri - Energy and Commerce) 

    H.Con.Res.
    151 - Expressing the sense of Congress that China release
    democratic activist Liu Xiaobo from imprisonment (Rep. Minnick
    - Foreign Affairs)

    * Conference Reports may be brought up at any time.

    * Motions to go to Conference should they become available. 

    * Possible Motions to Instruct Conferees.

    



    
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