March 2009

The U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) -- a diverse coalition of 25 leading businesses and 5 environmental NGOs -- today issued the following statement in response to the release of a discussion draft of energy and climate legislation from House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA). Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the discussion draft of comprehensive energy legislation released this morning by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Chairman Ed Markey. Full release.

The Violence Policy Center (VPC) today released Iron River: Gun Violence and Illegal Firearms Trafficking on the U.S.-Mexico Border, a comprehensive study of how the U.S. civilian firearms market contributes to the ongoing drug-related violence in Mexico. The report (see http://www.vpc.org/studies/ironriver.pdf) urges the Obama administration to take immediate action under the federal 1968 Gun Control Act to cut off imports into the U.S. of military-style semiautomatic assault weapons and "cop-killer" handguns capable of piercing police body armor. Such weapons are imported into the U.S. and then illegally trafficked into Mexico. Full release.

On January 22, 2009, President Obama issued an Executive Order revoking the actions of the Bush Administration with respect to the torture of detainees. The Order makes clear that it extends to ensuring "safe, lawful, and humane treatment of . . . United States personnel who are detained in armed conflict" and "compliance with the . . . Geneva Conventions." Full release.

The following is a statement by Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Full release.

Ruth Messinger, President of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), said it was evident in her meeting yesterday with President Barack Obama and the administration's new special envoy to Sudan, General J. Scott Gration, that the administration understands the need to ensure the reinstatement of international aid groups into Darfur. Messinger also said that President Obama clearly indicated that finding a political solution to end the conflict and restore peace to all of Sudan is a top priority of his administration. Full release.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed disappointment over Governor Kaine's decision to sign into law Senate Bill 817, an act that would permit Choose Life license plates and require Virginia to contribute funds to a pervasively religious organization whenever a Choose Life license plate is issued. Full release.

AJC is gravely distressed by the lavish welcome afforded to Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir, whose arrest on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes is sought by the International Criminal Court, at the Arab League summit in Qatar. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today after President Obama announced the Administration's plan for a viable domestic automotive industry: "I share President Obama's goal of a viable and competitive domestic automotive industry, which is an essential part of America's manufacturing base and our national security, and a critical source of green jobs for the future. We need a forward-looking and healthy automobile industry that prizes innovation and competitiveness." Full release.

Less than half of charities raised more money in 2008 than in 2007 and fundraising gains dropped significantly across the board, according to figures released by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) at its 46th International Conference on Fundraising in New Orleans, La. Full release.

A two-day summit on climate change that is bringing together top scientists, members of Congress, Obama administration officials, business leaders, state government officials, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations kicked off today at the National Academy of Sciences. The summit -- which launches America's Climate Choices, an NAS project that will generate a series of congressionally-requested reports -- will lay the groundwork for how the nation can limit the magnitude of climate change, adapt to its impacts, and provide paths to action. A live webcast can be viewed at http://national-academies.org. Full release.

n celebration of Women's History Month, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today: "From Seneca Falls in 1848 to Afghanistan a few years ago, the struggle for women's suffrage is a long one. The Republican Party stands for liberty everywhere and has been a critical force in both establishing and protecting women's rights in the United States," Chairman Steele said. "The Republican National Committee honors women such as Margaret Chase Smith, who was the first woman elected to both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. We admire the strength of women such as Clara Cressingham, Carrie Holly, and Frances Klock of Colorado who were the first women to serve in any state legislature. And we look up to women such as Representative Kay Granger, who led a delegation to help train and prepare Iraqi women candidates for their first exercise in democracy." Full release.

Carbonfund.org's Tensas National Wildlife Refuge Reforestation Project in Louisiana has become the first reforestation carbon offset project in North America to achieve dual validation by the Rainforest Alliance to the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) as well as the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards with Gold Distinction. Full release.

Eagle Forum, a leading conservative grassroots organization founded by Phyllis Schlafly, applauds Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN-6th) for introducing a resolution which would bar the U.S. dollar from being replaced by any foreign currency. Bachmann's legislation was prompted by a series of contradictory public remarks made by U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner last week. Full release.

Howard L. Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today voiced strong support for President Obama's plan to boost civilian assistance efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and for the President's overall international affairs budget request, which proposes long-overdue investments in diplomacy and development. Full release.

Agents with the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Wyoming Department of Criminal Justice arrested Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Franklin Joseph Ryle late yesterday in Douglas, Wyo., on criminal civil rights charges. Full release.

Clifford J. Harris Jr., a.k.a. "T.I.," 27, of College Park, Ga., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. on charges of unlawfully possessing machine guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced David Nahmias, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in support of President Obama's new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan: "I support President Obama's comprehensive strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President's plan is the result of a detailed study and is wisely centered on dismantling al Qaeda and denying safe havens in both Afghanistan and Pakistan to those who would attack the United States. This strategy recognizes a point that I have emphasized for years, and one that I shared with the President following my visit last month to Afghanistan, which is that we must have a regional approach to countering terrorism." Full release.

he president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald S. Lauder, has called for an explicit revocation at the forthcoming United Nations Durban Review Conference of those sections in the controversial 2001 Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA) which stigmatize Israel as a racist state. In a letter addressed to UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay, Lauder warned of the dangers of a repeat of the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa (nicknamed "Durban I") at next month's Review Conference in Geneva, which is organized by the UN Human Rights Council and Pillay. Full release.

The following is a statement of Ralph Nader on the 30th anniversary of Three Mile Island. Full release.

AARP today applauded the Senate for passing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act -- a bill that will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Designated as a "key vote" by AARP on behalf of its 40 million members, each senator's final vote is posted on AARP's Government Watch site (www.aarp.org/governmentwatch) so individuals across the nation can see how their legislators voted on this important bill. Full release.

The National President of the largest and oldest Greek heritage grass roots association sent a letter today to President Barack Obama expressing displeasure over the management of the Greek Independence Day celebration at the White House held March 25, 2009. Full release.

The atmosphere was electric as veterans, high-stakes poker players, politicians and celebrities gathered last night in our nation's capital to Go All In for Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans). At the end of the evening, the two players left at the table were U.S. Senator Mark Begich and Poker Players Alliance intern R.J. Van Auken, battling for the grand prize, a place at the World Poker Tournament. The intern won and the senator was gracious in defeat. Full release.

Pajamas TV, an Internet TV media company, is launching a number of initiatives that will report on the growing concern over how the U.S. economic direction could impact the financial prospects of its citizens. These initiatives will examine what the real "dollar" impact could be on current and future generations. Full release.

As many as three million registered voters did not cast a ballot in the 2008 General Election due to voter registration problems, suggests a survey cited today by Doug Chapin, director of Election Initiatives for the Pew Center on the States in testimony before the Subcommittee on Elections of the Committee on House Administration. The problem was most acute for younger voters and registered voters who moved less than a year ago, one in four of whom said that a problem with their registration was a major reason why they did not cast a ballot. Full release.

In the face of reports on AIG bonuses it is surprising to learn that business is fairly restrictive of the gifts employees can give and receive and how they can entertain, according to the results of a survey the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) and Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) released today. The SCCE-HCCA jointly conducted this survey during February and March 2009. Full release.

A report released today by international relief and development agency Oxfam America found that U.S. foreign aid in Afghanistan is failing to reach its full potential because it is short-term and security goals are being emphasized over a coordinated and effective strategy to reduce poverty. Full release.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and EngenderHealth announced today that 10,000 women have received surgery for fistula with U.S. support since 2005. Fistula, a devastating vaginal injury affecting millions of women in developing countries, can be surgically repaired, but most of those with the condition lack access to a skilled surgeon or health center, making treatment out of reach. Full release.

While the United States Environmental Protection Agency is looking for ways to save the environment, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) is encouraging Torch Club members to speak up about what environmental issues concern them most. Recently, BGCA and Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc., conducted a national survey to determine the level of awareness and interest young adults have when it comes to issues related to the environment -- both on a global scale and within their communities. Full release.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has stated that the Obama administration would like to resurrect the Clinton ban on semi-automatic firearms, as well as other gun control laws. Full release.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) labeled a syndicated cartoon by Pat Oliphant appearing today in newspapers across the country and on the Internet as "hideously anti-Semitic" because of its use of Nazi-like imagery and hateful evocation of the Jewish Star of David. Full release.

The following release was issued today by the Federation for American Immigration Reform: Amidst a backdrop of rising unemployment and increased costs of illegal immigration, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) has been on a five week tour visiting 16 American cities -- including Detroit, MI this Friday -- promoting amnesty for millions of illegal aliens and the dismantling of immigration law enforcement programs. Rep. Gutierrez describes the Family Unity Immigration Outreach Tour as an effort to "document the harm caused to citizens across our nation in the absence of comprehensive immigration reform." Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a photo opportunity with Vice President Joe Biden this afternoon before their lunch in the Capitol. Below are their remarks: Speaker Pelosi. Good afternoon. It is a great honor to welcome Vice President Biden to the Capitol. For over 30 years he has served the people of Delaware with such distinction -- he is no stranger to this building. Full release

Last Night President Obama Was Asked If He Would Sign A Budget If It Did Not Contain The Middle Class Tax Cuts That He Has Been Pushing. ABC's Jake Tapper: "Thank you, Mr. President. Right now on Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats are writing a budget, and according to press accounts and their own statements, they're not including the middle-class tax cut that you include in the stimulus. They're talking about phasing that out. They're not including the cap-and-trade that you have in your budget, and they're not including other measures. I know when you outlined your four priorities over the weekend, a number of these things were not in there. Will you sign a budget if it does not contain a middle-class tax cut, does not contain cap-and- trade?" (President Barack Obama, Press Conference, Washington, D.C., 3/24/09) Full release

As the Obama administration begins to engage countries isolated diplomatically by the Bush administration, Hudson Institute will hold a timely conference on Thursday, March 26th entitled "Syria: Challenges and Opportunities." Full release.

Last Night Obama Backed Off His Tax Cuts And Reiterated Support For Tax Increases, Proving His Budget Taxes Too Much. Full release.

A new report released today by The Justice Project analyzes the cases of thirty-nine innocent Texans who collectively spent more than five hundred years in prison for crimes they did not commit. Convicting the Innocent: Texas Justice Derailed also presents reforms Texas must implement in order to improve the quality of evidence used in criminal cases and reduce the risk of wrongful convictions. Full release.

Letter Carriers union President William H. Young told a House hearing today that the survival of the U.S. Postal Service, endangered by the greed and recklessness of financial firms and Wall Street, could depend on whether Congress enacts bipartisan legislation that would save the Postal Service billions of dollars in how it funds health benefits for retirees. Full release.

Dr. Barry Popkin, the University of North Carolina nutrition professor who repeatedly blamed meat producers yesterday for contributing more to climate change than transportation, is ignoring Environmental Protection Agency data that directly contradict his claims, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) claimed today. Full release.

Tens of thousands of people languish in U.S. immigration detention facilities every year -- including a number of U.S. citizens -- without receiving a hearing to determine whether their detention is warranted, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) said in a report released today. The report, Jailed Without Justice: Immigration Detention in the USA, shows that, in just over a decade, the number of immigrants in detention each day has tripled from 10,000 in 1996 to more than 30,000 in 2008. Numbers are likely to increase in 2009. A majority of the detainees have extreme difficulty retaining a lawyer or help navigating the complex legal process. In some cases, individuals become so desperate that they agree to deportation even if their circumstances don't warrant it. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a photo opportunity this afternoon before meeting in her office with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Below are their remarks. Full release.

Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) says every vote counts, even if it's for an election that is out of this world. "NASA decided to hold an election to name its new room at the international space station and the clear winner is Stephen Colbert," said Fattah. "The people have spoken, and Stephen Colbert won it fair and square - even if his campaign was a bit over the top." Full release.

An Irish trading company and three of its officers have been charged with purchasing helicopter engines and other aircraft components from U.S. firms and illegally exporting them to Iran using companies in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Among the alleged recipients of these U.S. goods was an Iranian military firm that has since been designated by the United States for being owned or controlled by entities involved in Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program. Full release.

Democratic strategist and national columnist Robert Weiner is asking -- and giving some parameters to judge -- whether the Obama agenda on Afghanistan/Pakistan, the economy, Social Security and health care, and Mexican drug gangs is "too much, too little, or just right to succeed. The Obama news conference tonight must be evaluated on the potential for real success of specific actions." Full release.

American Issues Project launched a major television advertising campaign today, highlighting how the Obama administration and Congressional leadership protected the American International Group (AIG) bonuses and faked shock after the fact. The ad also reveals that Sen. Chris Dodd and President Obama each received more than $100,000 from AIG in 2008. It will air on FOX News, CNN, CNN Headline News, CNBC and FOX Business Network. Full release.

Wednesday, March 25, at 11:00 a.m., Family Research Council will present a lecture by Joe S. McIlhaney, MD and Freda McKissic Bush, MD, authors of the book, Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children. The authors will explore new breakthroughs in the field of neuroscientific research that shows the complex emotional dangers present in adolescent sexual behavior. The research shows that negative health outcomes of casual adolescent sex include not only unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and infections, but also emotional and psychological harm. Full release.

Break the Cycle (www.breakthecycle.org), the nation's leading non-profit teen dating violence prevention organization, today announces the results of their "2009 State-by-State Teen Dating Violence Report Card" that grades each state's laws on their ability to protect victims of teen dating violence seeking protection orders against their abusers. Full release.

Green Seal Inc. and EnviroMedia Social Marketing, with over 32 years experience in the environmental field, presented research today at the National Press Club on global warming and green buying. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on today's announcement by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to dispose of toxic "legacy assets" to restore the flow of credit. Full release.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele today continued to deliver on his commitment of reinvigorating the Republican Party's use of technology by naming Todd Herman as the RNC's New Media Director, effective April 6. Full release.

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