August 2010

The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that obligations for federal domestic spending increased 16.0 percent in fiscal year 2009 to $3.2 trillion. The 2009 spending total is equivalent to $10,548 per person living in the United States. The annual percentage change (16.0 percent) is the largest since the Census Bureau began compiling these data in 1983. The increase is in part from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Entitlement programs Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security comprised 45.7 percent of all funding, or $1.5 trillion. Social Security alone accounted for $709.7 billion of that total. The one-year increase ($136.0 billion) in spending for these three programs was approximately $401 for every person in the United States. Full release.

The DASH eating plan, known to reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol, also reduces the 10-year risk of heart attack, especially among African-Americans, according to research reported in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal. The DASH eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products as well as whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts. The plan also calls for a reduction in fats, red meat, sweets, and sugar-containing beverages. It is recommended by the U.S. government and American Heart Association. Full release.

Today, people tend to live in two worlds-a digital and a physical universe-but in the near future, these two universes will merge. This concept was one of many explored last week at Sacred Heart Hospital's "Inventing the Future" summit. Healthcare, industry and academic leaders discussed the role of technology and innovation in the future of healthcare. "The digital universe continues to become more of our everyday culture within the healthcare industry," said Kamal Thapar, MD, PhD, FRCS(C), Marshfield Clinic neurosurgeon and director of the Brain & Spine Institute at Sacred Heart Hospital. "I recently diagnosed a patient's condition through comments she posted on her Facebook page. At the time, she was unable to tell me her previous hospital treatments, but after reading her entries on Facebook, I was able to treat her properly." Full release.

Since the flooding in Pakistan began one month ago, more than 20 million people throughout the country have been affected. In an effort to help raise funds for relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts, the U.S. Government-through the Department of State-created the Pakistan Relief Fund (the Fund). In television and radio PSAs released by the Ad Council today, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton encourages all Americans to donate to the Fund, which will help those who are in need. Full release.

Disasters can strike quickly and without warning. As part of National Preparedness Month, the nation's emergency physicians once again urge the public to have a plan in place and know when to execute it if and when the time comes. "Even though a tornado differs from hurricanes, floods, earthquakes or terrorist attacks, many of the ways to prepare are the same," said Dr. Angela Gardner, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. "Preparing your family in advance is the best protection in an emergency." National Preparedness Month (NPM) is held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. Full release.

A national small business advocate agrees with President Barack Obama when he said a "magic bullet" doesn't exist for solving our current economic woes. However, she is urging the president to understand why businesses are not hiring and holding back on investments. According to Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President & CEO Karen Kerrigan, perhaps if the President and his economic team get a true grasp of what's holding businesses back, the Administration would depart from its enthusiastic support of legislative and regulatory measures that are working to restrain our free enterprise system and prolong the recession. "Small business owners feel they are under siege from Washington, and at a moment in time when they are facing the most difficult period in the history of their businesses," said Kerrigan. "Unfortunately, the small business lending bill is not an ample policy solution to leverage the potential of America's small business sector." Full release.

The American Jewish Committee welcomed the decision this week to indict the man who brutally stabbed a Muslim cab driver in New York City on hate crimes charges, following a hearing at the Manhattan Criminal Court. The court heard how Michael Enright attacked Ahmad Sharif as he rode in Sharif's taxi on August 24. The attack followed a brief conversation in which Enright asked Sharif, an immigrant from Bangladesh, if he was a Muslim. Sharif was wounded in the face and neck. Full release.

As Haiti marks nearly eight months since its devastating earthquake and Chile sees the six-month mark since its own destructive quake, international aid agency World Vision has seen a notable increase in both corporate donations and level of involvement and interest in disaster relief from companies in a broad range of industries. "Haiti was a catalyst for American companies to look at broader and deeper ways they could partner with aid groups that are on the front lines. Now, with companies like P&G and Verizon contributing to the Pakistan flood response, we're continuing to see this trend," explained David Owens, vice president of corporate development for World Vision. Full release.

The "A Charity Record" compilation is the first annual benefit album by Damitow Records. The inaugural "A Charity Record" is for RAINN, where all profits will be donated. Featured are new and rare tracks donated by Be Black, Sammy Paul, Laurie McClain, Undiscovered Country, Vanessa Pellon, Morgen La Civita & more amazing artists. The compilation showcases up & coming, global, distinctive stars of the future. Artists who in their own right are also Activists. From Rock to Country to R&B, this is music and a cause for everyone. Artists will tour from September through December to support "A Charity Record" & RAINN. Featured is the cover art from American Fine Artist John Frazee. Full release.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has raised added concern about a study released by The Urban Institute that shows more than one-half of babies in poverty are being raised by mothers living with depression-creating parenting and child development challenges. At least 70 percent of low-income mothers go with out treatment, according to the study, with only 30 percent even speaking to a mental health professional over the course of a year. "During a time of national economic distress and severe budget cuts in mental health services, the Urban Institute study raises concern about the urgency of the needs of women and children," said NAMI Executive Director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. Full release.

The American Civil Liberties Union today released a new video condemning the U.S. government practice of issuing death sentences without due process as part of its targeted killing policy. Targeted Killing is being released to coincide with the filing today of an unprecedented lawsuit by the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) challenging the government's asserted authority to use lethal force against U.S. citizens located far from any battlefield without judicial process, and without disclosing the standards it uses to target individuals for death. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the Department of Health and Human Services announced that more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have received one-time, tax-free checks of $250 to help pay for prescription drug costs. These checks will continue to be mailed out as seniors enter the 'donut hole' prescription drug coverage gap, with an estimated 4 million seniors and people with disabilities receiving this assistance over the next several months: "More than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have now received a rebate check to help begin closing the prescription drug 'donut hole' coverage gap and make their prescription drugs more affordable. Starting in January, those who fall into the donut hole will begin receiving a 50-percent discount on brand name drugs while in the donut hole. They are receiving these benefits because of the health care law Congress passed to strengthen Medicare, lower costs for our seniors, and give seniors more control over their medical care." Full release.

The American Red Cross is keeping a close watch on Hurricane Earl as the storm gains strength in the Atlantic Ocean, threatening the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with possible effects along the East Coast later this week. Earl is a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds hitting 125 mph, and is expected to gain strength over the next few days. The Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are in the storm's direct path and could see storm surges as high as five feet with four to eight inches of rain. These rains could cause life-threatening floods and mudslides. Full release.

With tens of thousands of hurricane survivors still prevented from returning or rebuilding five years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita-and the Gulf Coast now reeling from the disastrous oil spill-actor Nicolas Cage is speaking up on behalf of victims in a video produced by Amnesty International USA. In the film http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=305hghTajTw Cage talks with local community leaders in New Orleans as he tours the storms' devastation in the Lower Ninth Ward. "People in the Gulf Coast have the right to return to affordable safe housing," says Cage, who participated in Amnesty International's Annual General Meeting in New Orleans last spring. Full release.

More than eight of ten workers-85 percent-rank workplace safety first in importance among labor standards, even ahead of family and maternity leave, minimum wage, paid sick days, overtime pay and the right to join a union, according to a new study from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. The study, "Public Attitudes Towards and Experiences with Workplace Safety," draws on dozens of surveys and polls conducted by NORC, one of the nation's leading academic survey operations, think tanks and public opinion firms. NORC's analysis sought to gain a picture of Americans' experiences with workplace safety issues. The study was done for the Public Welfare Foundation, based in Washington, DC, which supports efforts to improve workers' rights. Full release.

See the Bigger Picture originated in 2009, when Airbus, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and National Geographic launched an international photo competition for young people to submit their photographic interpretations of biodiversity. The exhibit, which has obtained worldwide acclaim, has already visited cities such as Paris, Madrid, Hamburg and Whistler (during the Winter Olympics), and will go on to Japan later in the fall. Airbus, which has an engineering base in Mobile, Ala., felt it was imperative to bring the exhibit to the Gulf Coast. "Airbus is committed to the Gulf Coast community as this is one of our many homes around the world," said David Trent, Site Director of Mobile's Airbus Engineering Center. "With the oil spill, it's now more important than ever to draw attention to the stunning variety and importance of nature and to encourage everyone to get involved in preserving it." Full release.

Consumer demand for safe eggs has driven retail sales of pasteurized shell eggs up by more than 50% since Aug. 16 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended their use to prevent illness from egg-related Salmonella Enteritidis, announced National Pasteurized Eggs (NPE). New retailers now adding NPE's Davidson's Safest Choice brand of pasteurized shell eggs include Wakefern Food Corp., with ShopRite stores along the East Coast, SaveMart with stores in California and Nevada under the names of Save Mart, S-Mart Foods, Lucky, and FoodMaxx and Hy-Vee stores throughout the Midwest. For a full list of retailers carrying Davidson's Safest Choice eggs, visit www.safeeggs.com. Full release.

Move over, Thomas Friedman. The next generation of thought leaders is gearing up to lead America's energy efforts. And biodiesel, our nation's only commercially available advanced biofuel, is front and center. Student scientists from Dartmouth College to Oregon State University are leading a new Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel initiative. The group has formed to demonstrate and grow support for biodiesel among tomorrow's scientific leaders. Lucas Ellis of Dartmouth, pursuing his Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering, is one of four co-chairs of the effort. "In college there is an eagerness to become an advocate or have a cause, and mine was the environment, science and educating others about sustainability," Ellis said. "Biodiesel combined all of those and became my passion." Full release.

The Honorable Jim Webb, (D-VA), the chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Armed Services and a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, will join Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., USA and Mrs. Sheila Casey, and DVA Assistant Secretary L. Tammy Duckworth as featured speakers at the Sept. 10 Defense Forum Washington (DFW)-"A New Normal: How is the War Within Transforming Our Force & Families?" hosted by The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Full release.

An unprecedented alliance of U.S. truck drivers and environmental, labor, community, faith, civil rights and public health groups jubilantly cheered the news that a U.S. District judge yesterday lifted an injunction and upheld the Los Angeles Clean Truck Program in entirety. The coast-to-coast coalition of over 125 organizations has advocated for LA's EPA award-winning model, and has led the fight to protect and replicate it nationwide for several years. "This victory bolsters the standing of burgeoning clean port programs across the nation," said Melissa Lin Perrella, senior attorney with NRDC's Southern California Air Program, which intervened and argued alongside the Port at trial. Full release. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Congressman George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today issued the following joint statement announcing that the U.S. Department of Education approved California's application to receive $1.2 billion as part of the recently passed Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which will fund an estimated 16,500 teacher jobs in California. "As soon as today, California will have access to more than $1.2 billion dollars in emergency aid to help save education jobs-keeping our teachers in their classrooms and our students learning. This is great news for California's struggling economy, and it's a critical win for California's families, teachers and students. This investment ensures California's students do not become victims of this economy." Full release.

In a transfer ceremony at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens today, Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero accepted on behalf of the U.S. Government the original Nuremberg Laws presented by Steven S. Koblik, Huntington president. Gen. George S. Patton Jr. deposited the documents at the Library for safekeeping at the end of World War II. He died in December of 1945 in an automobile crash before he could discuss their final disposition. Full release.

Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) issues the following statement on the controversy surrounding plans for an Islamic cultural center in lower Manhattan: "I applaud the leadership of President Obama, Mayor Bloomberg and New Yorkers of every faith in their support of religious freedom and their affirmation of the Constitutionally protected rights of those who seek to construct an Islamic cultural center on private property." Full release.

Less-educated, younger, and minority American workers face the worst job market in decades, far worse than their more educated counterparts. However, the situation for these workers was very difficult even before the current recession. A report from the Center for Immigration Studies examines their employment situation in the second quarters of both 2007 (before the recession) and 2010. Younger and less-educated workers are the most likely to be in competition with immigrants-legal and illegal. The report, "From Bad to Worse: Unemployment and Underemployment Among Less-Educated U.S.-Born Workers, 2007 to 2010," is at http://cis.org/bad-to-worse. Full release.

When asked how much additional money they are willing to pay each year to achieve truly universal healthcare coverage for all United States citizens, Americans are becoming less willing to provide their own personal funds. According to LightSource Poll, conducted by KJT Group, the average amount that an adult is willing to spend has decreased dramatically over the past year. For each wave, there were no statistical differences between Democrats, Republicans and Independents in the average amount they are willing to spend on a yearly basis. Democrats and Independents are more likely than Republicans to contribute any amount toward achieving universal healthcare coverage. Full release.

As the fifth anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita approaches, Gulf Coast residents are still trying to rebuild their lives after years of broken promises and government neglect. The Gulf Coast Civic Works Act, the bill intended to fund reconstruction efforts that would have provided hundreds of thousands of jobs for displaced residents, languishes in Congress. Affordable housing eludes both survivors in New Orleans and those displaced by the storm. After the devastating oil spill that has wreaked havoc on the local economy, the Obama administration has failed to take substantive action against British Petroleum on behalf of Gulf Coast residents and small businesses. British Petroleum's real liability goes far beyond the $75 million cap imposed by the cowardly Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Why shouldn't they be held fully responsible for their criminal negligence? It's not for Congress and the administration to negotiate a number that works for BP, erasing the real cost of this disaster in the process. Full release.

Today, MoveOn and ColorOfChange.org appealed to their members to contribute to 18 local organizations leading long-term recovery efforts in New Orleans. The Open Society Foundations will match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000. "The challenge is not just to rebuild New Orleans–but to build a city that is stronger and fairer than the one that was devastated five years ago," said Ann Beeson, executive director of U.S. Programs at the Open Society Foundations. "There are amazing success stories from New Orleans over the last five years, and there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done. This fundraising campaign invests in a number of inspiring, locally-led organizations that are determined to transform New Orleans." Full release.

Amnesty International is appalled by the latest report of mass rapes and other sexual violence in the Walikale region of the Democratic Republic of Congo and called on the government and the United Nations to urgently investigate the failure to protect civilians and to provide immediate medical and psychological relief to survivors. Amnesty International said the DRC government and the United Nations must urgently review the failures to protect civilians to prevent such horrors from being inflicted again. According to the United Nations, more than 150 civilians in 13 villages were raped between July 30 and Aug. 2 by members of armed groups, including the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR). Reports indicate that the rape was organized and systematic. Full release.

Marketers who have been struggling to quantify the value of their social media marketing efforts may not be grappling much longer. Today, Boston digital marketing agency Overdrive Interactive launched SocialEye, a robust tracking and measurement dashboard designed to reveal the true ROI of social media marketing. In addition to tracking newer social media metrics such as connections (friends, fans and followers) and buzz, the comprehensive SocialEye dashboard helps marketers report on the actual ROI (return on investment) of their social media efforts, reporting on metrics such as site traffic, leads and revenue generated by social media marketing efforts. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today to mark Women's Equality Day and to celebrate the 90th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote: "On Women's Equality day, we honor the brave suffragettes who altered the course of history and ushered in a new age of progress for all Americans. These pioneers marched and organized, struggled and sacrificed, for the cause of equality-and in the name of a better life for generations of women and girls yet to come. On this day 90 years ago, their dream was realized. And it is up to us today to use the right to vote-the right so many fought to secure-for the advancement of all Americans, to ensure a better future for our families, and to guarantee that the voices of America's women echo from polling places to the chambers of government." Full release.

An estimated 88,500 inmates-64,500 in prison and 24,000 in jails-reported experiencing one or more incidents of sexual victimization by another inmate or facility staff during 2008-09, the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in the Office of Justice Programs announced today. The findings are based on a survey of prison and jail inmates about incidents occurring in the last 12 months or since their admission to the facility, if less than 12 months. To meet requirements of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, BJS surveyed more than 81,500 inmates held in 167 state and federal prisons, 286 jails, and 10 special confinement facilities between October 2008 and December 2009. About 4.4 percent of prison inmates and 3.1 percent of jail inmates reported sexual victimization by another inmate or facility staff. Full release.

Following is a statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: The 2009 National Youth Tobacco Survey released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides further evidence that the United States has made dramatic progress in reducing youth smoking, but the rate of decline has slowed significantly in recent years. Like other recent surveys, this survey sends an unmistakable message to elected officials at all levels: We know how to win the fight against tobacco-the nation's number one cause of preventable death-but our progress is at risk unless we resist complacency and step up efforts to implement proven strategies. These include well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs, higher tobacco taxes, smoke-free air laws, and effective regulation of tobacco products and marketing. Our nation is at a crossroads in the fight against tobacco. Full release.

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it has obtained documents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detailing statistics related to human smuggling in Arizona's "Tucson Sector." The Tucson Sector is the Border Patrol's busiest sector on the Southwest Border and covers 262 miles of linear border. Among the data uncovered by Judicial Watch: The total number of persons smuggled and apprehended: FY2008: 81,860, FY2009: 70,328. The total number of smugglers identified: FY2008: 1,437, FY2009: 963. The documents also include data related to the number of "Other than Mexicans" smuggled and apprehended by Border Patrol. According to the documents uncovered by Judicial Watch, the number of individuals from the People's Republic of China smuggled across the border and apprehended increased from 15 in FY2008 to 79 in FY2009, nearly a five-fold increase. Full release.

Free HIV/AIDS tests, other significant tests and medical exams (including physicals) will be available to uninsured residents of the area when the National Association of Free Clinics holds a massive free clinic in New Orleans on Aug. 31 and Sept 1. Patients should call 1-877-236-7617 to make appointments. "Louisiana has a much higher rate of AIDS cases than the rest of the nation, so we are pleased to be able to provide tests for this and other conditions to local residents at no cost to themselves," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. The rate of AIDS cases per capita in Louisiana was 24.0 cases per 100,000 people, according to Kaiser Family Foundation data from 2008. That is almost twice the national rate of 12.3 AIDS cases per 100,000. Full release.

Days before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) kicks off a series of regional hearings across the United States on whether and how to regulate toxic coal ash waste from coal-fired power plants, a major new study identifies 39 additional coal ash dump sites in 21 states that are contaminating drinking water or surface water with arsenic and other heavy metals. The report by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), Earthjustice and the Sierra Club documents the fact that state governments are not adequately monitoring the coal combustion waste (CCW) disposal sites and that the USEPA needs to enact strong new regulations to protect the public. Full release.

On the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has responded to Kaiser Family Foundation's survey of New Orleans residents as they continue to rebuild from the storm-and a study on the impact on children reported this week in USA Today. In the Kaiser survey, New Orleans residents are sharply split on whether the city has seen improvements in medical care and affordable housing, which are especially critical for people living with mental illness. USA Today also reports that a study published in the journal Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness has found that children displaced by Hurricane Katrina are five times more likely to have severe emotional disturbances. The problem is compounded by lack of stable housing. Full release.

A grassroots coalition of American Muslims announced today it will release a public service announcement (PSA) in response to the controversy over plans to build a Muslim-led community center and prayer facility in New York City, and the rising tide of fear-mongering it has engendered, on Monday, August 30, at a press conference in Washington, D.C. The PSA will showcase American Muslims of diverse ages and backgrounds responding to the fears and concerns many Americans may have about Islam and Muslims. Once the PSA is publicly released, American Muslims from around the country will be encouraged to support the campaign by creating their own version of the same PSA and uploading it to www.myfaithmyvoice.com. They will also ask others to contact local PSA directors and request the airing of the PSA in their respective markets. Full release.

Today, three leading civil rights groups launched a campaign to promote their collaborative redistricting guide for the upcoming local, state and congressional redistricting processes. MALDEF, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), and the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, have joined forces to produce "The Impact of Redistricting In Your Community: A Guide to Redistricting." The coalition designed the manual for a broad set of audiences that include community members, activists and policy makers. The manual provides the legal and policy framework for redistricting, and outlines how communities can participate in the redistricting process, keep the line drawers accountable and help ensure that the voting strength of minority communities is not unjustly weakened. Full release.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on religious and political leaders to repudiate Islamophobia following an attack on a New York taxi driver who was allegedly stabbed by a passenger who had asked him if he was Muslim. According to media reports, a 21-year-old man hailed a cab in Manhattan on Monday night. He reportedly asked the driver "Are you Muslim?" and when the driver said yes, the man slashed him with a knife on the throat, arm and face. The driver stopped the cab and approached a police officer, who arrested the attacker. The attacker has since been charged with attempted murder as a hate crime, assault, aggravated harassment and criminal possession of a weapon. Full release.

In this ailing housing market borrowers throughout the nation are losing their homes every day. The quick fix was thought to be the Obama administration's mortgage relief program. Unfortunately this program has not been conducive for homeowners who are trying to hold onto their properties. We are seeing an increasing number of homeowners fall out of the program faster than they had ever imagined. The Treasury Department states, "approximately 630,000 people who had tried to get their monthly mortgage payments lowered through the effort have been cut loose through July." This is nearly 50% of homeowners who had enrolled in the program. A copious amount of borrowers have complained about the many faults that this program presents. MSNBC reports, "Borrowers complain that banks often lose their documents and then claim borrowers did not send back the necessary paperwork." This plan was initially intended to lower the monthly mortgage payments of the people in financial trouble. Full release.

The first detailed and objective consumer's guide on the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has just been released by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), titled "What Does Health Care Reform Mean To You? A Detailed Analysis." "The guide does not ignore the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, but it also does not deny the costs," said NCPA President, CEO and Kellye Wright Fellow John C. Goodman. "This is the first unbiased summary of health care reform costs and benefits, and it's a unique resource." "The consumer's guide answers questions about the coming changes and costs in Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, employer coverage, and income tax returns," added Goodman. Full release.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on a new report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, which estimated that the Recovery Act has raised gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 4.5 percent, cut the unemployment rate by up to 1.8 percentage points, and created or saved up to 3.3 million American jobs: "The new CBO report confirms other independent reviews that the tough decisions made by Democrats have started the difficult job of economic recovery. Inaction-the course proposed by House Republican Leader John Boehner and his party-would have meant 3.3 million more unemployed, on top of the 8 million who lost their jobs due to the failed Bush economic policies supported by Republicans in Congress. We will not go back to that 'exact same' failed agenda, as Mr. Boehner and Republican leaders have promised." Full release.

In 2005, a footwear executive named Wayne Elsey called hundreds of his friends and colleagues in the shoe industry to gather new shoes for victims of Hurricane Katrina. He set up a website called KatrinaShoes.org to help publicize the effort, and over one million pairs of brand new shoes were donated by almost every shoe company in existence. Soon after, Elsey's effort for people reeling from Hurricane Katrina became a full-time job under the name of Soles4Souls. It now counts famous actors, athletes and musicians as its ambassadors. The charity recently crossed the 10 million pair mark in donated footwear (into 126 countries) and is rapidly growing to become one of the most recognized charities in North America. Full release.

Leaders from more than 100 religious organizations are urging Congress against tampering with the freedom of religion, contending that pending legislation would deny religious charities receiving federal grants their fundamental right to hire people who share their faith. In a letter delivered today to every member of the House and Senate, the leaders of World Vision, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (UOJCA), the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and others argue that, "such actions would be catastrophic to our efforts to serve those in need, and to all who value the protection for religious liberty." Richard Stearns, the president and CEO of World Vision, U.S., says the letter and other efforts are targeting not just pending legislation, but also calls for Congress to ban religious hiring exemptions in an expected continuing budget resolution later this fall. Full release.

Demonstrating the potential power of Internet search trends in measuring the impact of health policies, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston report a strong correlation between Google searches for "abortion" and local abortion policies and rates. The researchers analyzed one year's worth of summary search statistics for the 50 U.S. states and 37 countries, representing millions of anonymous searches. They found that states and countries with lower abortion rates and less permissive abortion policies had higher search volumes for the single word "abortion." Conversely, states and countries with higher abortion rates and more permissive abortion policies had lower "abortion" search volumes. Full release.

On Wednesday, August 25, more than 40 prominent organizations, civic groups, leaders and religious and interfaith groups will join together to announce the creation of a coalition in support of religious freedom and diversity and to rebuff the increasingly strident opposition to a proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero. New York Neighbors for American Values embraces the American constitutional values of religious freedom, diversity and equality. We stand together today to reject the crude stereotypes meant to frighten and divide us. Full release.

One Gulf, resilient Gulf, a new report released today by Oxfam America, the Gulf Coast Fund for Ecological Health and Community Renewal, the Gulf Restoration Network, and more than 100 endorsing Gulf Coast and national organizations working on the response to the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, represents the broadest effort yet to create a detailed plan to restore the region devastated by the BP oil spill. The full report can be found at www.OxfamAmerica.org/publications/one-gulf-resilient-gulf-a-plan-for-coastal-community-recovery. On the eve of the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the expected release of Sec. Ray Mabus' Gulf Coast Recovery Plan, residents and advocates who have been responding to the disaster are calling for a recovery plan that addresses the core needs of those who have lived through both disasters and ensures that the status quo of degradation, inaction, and vulnerability will no longer be accepted. Full release.

A powerful coalition representing the 9/11 community, the federal government, and the nonprofit sector today announced a comprehensive program to promote widespread participation this year on the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance was formally established under federal law in 2009 with strong bi-partisan support from the U.S. Congress, the endorsement of the 9/11 community, and the backing of President Barack Obama. Full release.

Under pressure from the United States and others to confront threats from al-Qaeda, along with Zaidi Shi'a rebels in the north and growing demands for secession in the South, the Yemini government is using national security as a pretext to stifle criticism and reject human rights in a campaign of unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and unfair trials, Amnesty International charged in a new report today. The human rights organization said the downward spiral in respect for human rights documented in the report, Yemen: Cracking Down Under Pressure, includes unlawful killings of those accused of links to al-Qaeda and Southern Movement activists, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture and unfair trials. Full release.

The nation's largest coalition of first responders and catastrophe experts said today that America remains unprepared for and unprotected from a financial calamity if a Katrina-like natural catastrophe strikes the United States. The solution, according to ProtectingAmerica.org, lies in the enactment of a comprehensive catastrophe protection plan like that envisioned in the Homeowners Defense Act of 2010. "When it comes to shoring up the financial system that stands behind homeowners, communities and insurers, we are no better off than we were when Katrina struck. Indeed, given the global economic conditions, we may even be worse off than we were five years ago," according to James Lee Witt, former Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the current co-chair of ProtectingAmerica.org. Full release.

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