August 30, 2010

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.

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