March 15, 2010

All Kinds of Minds, a national nonprofit dedicated to translating the latest research on how students learn into training and tools that equip educators to better reach all learners, today announced the forthcoming release of their new book supporting that mission, Schools for All Kinds of Minds. "There is a renewed sense of urgency to bring innovative solutions to meet the challenges in today's schools," said Mary-Dean Barringer, All Kinds of Minds CEO and co-author of Schools for All Kinds of Minds. "By building expertise around learning, school leaders can transform schools into places that prepare all kinds of learners for success in school and life." Full release.

Global Pulse 2010, a three-day virtual event aimed at bringing together thousands of people from around the globe to discuss the world's most pressing challenges and envision solutions, will launch March 29, 2010. Created to enable listening, learning and sharing of ideas, this initiative marks the commitment of the U.S. to meeting the challenges of the 21st century by working towards universal goals in partnership with a wide variety of stakeholders. Full release.

Further demonstrating his commitment towards environmental conservation, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) today introduced legislation aimed at protecting whales. The International Whale Conservation and Protection Act of 2010 addresses major threats to whales including commercial whaling, ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, ocean noise, and climate change and reasserts the U.S. as a leader in whale conservation. "Whales are in a sea of trouble, and we must do all we can to mitigate threats to the species and its habitat," said Jeff Flocken, IFAW DC Office Director. "We applaud Senator Kerry's leadership in championing this legislation and hope his colleagues follow suit." Full release.

Dozens of chief executives from America's leading innovation companies today urged quick action on the recommendations to come this week on the National Broadband Plan from the Federal Communications Commission. In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski organized by TechNet, Technology CEO Council and the Information Technology Industry Council, the executives wrote: "Broadband is critical to America's long-term economic and social well-being. As you have said, a safe and secure broadband is the infrastructure that will ensure America's continued global leadership, keep the best jobs in the United States and tackle our most pressing national challenges. Yet, as your recent survey shows, almost 100 million Americans do not have broadband at home." Full release.

Former presidential candidate Gary Bauer on Monday condemned the Obama administration's continuous mishandling of the U.S.-Israeli relationship and for its "outrageous hostility toward the only reliable democratic friend we have in the Middle East." Bauer, an influential Christian conservative known for his work on behalf of Israel, had an itinerary very similar to Vice President Biden's last week. Bauer's itinerary included meeting with Israel's leadership, as he has many times before. He was in Israel as the current escalation in flawed U.S.-Israeli relations began with the announcement of a new building project in Jerusalem, Israel's capital. Full release.

In an address to members, National League of Cities' (NLC) President, Ronald O. Loveridge, mayor of Riverside, Calif., called for Congress to quickly take action on the Local Jobs for America Act. The legislation will save jobs and avoid layoffs by providing targeted and flexible fiscal assistance to local governments. The resources made available will counter the recession's impacts on cities which include declining sales, income and property tax revenues and lost state transfers. The Local Jobs for America Act will be the focal point for NLC's outreach efforts to Capitol Hill during this week's annual Washington conference, the Congressional City Conference. In cities, it is becoming increasingly difficult to fund and maintain basic services such as safety, police and fire services. Full release.

The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA): Law-abiding African Americans and Hispanics would take it on the chin under a bill now moving through the Illinois General Assembly. Sponsored by Rep. Harry Osterman (D-14), HB6123 would prohibit any person or entity from selling a firearm to a so-called "street gang member." This prohibition applies even if the individual has passed a Brady Law FBI background check. Making a prohibited sale would result in Class 1 felony charges and possible jail time for the seller. Full release.

Twelve renowned economists, academics and leading thinkers -- including John Bogle, and Nobel Laureates George Akerlof and Daniel Kahneman -- today called for the fiduciary standard, as established under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and affirmed by the Supreme Court, to be included in financial reform legislation, and apply to all who provide investment or financial advice. Senators Tim Johnson and Christopher Dodd are expected to drop the fiduciary standard in legislation scheduled to be introduced today and, instead, add a study. A study could delay implementation of the fiduciary standard indefinitely. Full release.

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