September 2010

comScore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data from the comScore Video Metrix service showing that 178 million U.S. Internet users watched online video content in August for an average of 14.3 hours per viewer. The total U.S. Internet audience engaged in more than 5.2 billion viewing sessions during the course of the month.

Google Sites, driven primarily by video viewing at YouTube.com, ranked as the top online video content property with 146.3 million unique viewers. Facebook.com jumped one position to capture the #2 spot with 58.6 million viewers, for a total of 243 million viewing sessions. Full release

The AMA, along with medical societies representing 50 states and the District of Columbia and 65 national physician organizations, united to send a strong message to Congress - immediate action is needed to stop the drastic 30 percent Medicare payment cuts looming at the end of this year to protect seniors' access to health care.

Congress has repeatedly failed to fix the flawed Medicare physician payment formula, relying instead on temporary reprieves from scheduled cuts. The latest of these temporary delays stabilized Medicare physician payments only through the end of November. If action is not taken quickly by Congress, on December 1 Medicare payments for physician services will be slashed by more than 23 percent. An additional cut of 6.5 percent will follow on January 1. Full release

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's 21-year legacy of successful community building has earned him the prestigious Urban Land Institute (ULI) J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development. Daley, the 2010 laureate, is only the second mayor to receive the prize in its 11-year history. The announcement is being made today at a celebratory luncheon in Chicago.

Daley, who recently announced he will not seek reelection in 2011, is widely credited with transforming Chicago into a revitalized international metropolis, bringing together the built and natural environments to make the city more sustainable, livable, and dynamic. Unlike other Rustbelt cities in the past 20 years, Chicago has grown – in population, diversity, jobs and income. Full release

Thousands of walkers - including individuals with autism, their families and friends - will join together to raise much-needed funds for critical scientific research and to increase awareness about autism that now affects 1 in every 110 individuals. All proceeds from the event benefit Autism Speaks, the nation's leading autism advocacy organization. The 2010 Long Island Walk is expected to raise over $1,400,000.

WHEN: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2010
Press Check In: 9 a.m.
9:30 a.m. Stage Program

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Now that craigslist's "Adult Services" section has closed, advocates are closely monitoring the flow of demand to other popular outlets. Pressure is now being applied to Village Voice Media, which operates 14 publications throughout the U.S. in addition to Backpage.com, craigslist's closest competitor in terms of adult services. Village Voice Media is urged to take decisive action to effectively stop ads sex trafficking young girls on Backpage, according to Deborah Richardson, chief program officer for Women's Funding Network, a global movement for social justice.

"This is not an issue of censorship," Richardson says. "Unfortunately, Village Voice and its outlets -- like Backpage -- are using arguments about free speech as a distraction from the main issue, which is the illegal act of buying and selling adolescent girls for sex. Backpage and other Internet classified sites should invest their vast resources in as many efforts as possible to stop traffickers and buyers from using their pages to domestically traffick girls." Full release

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement tonight after the House passed two veterans' bills: the Veterans' Benefits Act, which will improve job opportunities, benefits, and programs for homeless veterans; and the Securing America's Veterans Insurance Needs and Goals (SAVINGS) Act, which requires that insurance companies in the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program be more forthright and transparent about their policies and requirements.

"Today, with the Veterans Benefits Act, Congress has made bipartisan progress for our nation's veterans on some of their most pressing issues, including job creation, benefits for those facing grievous injuries, and homelessness. It builds on our record of accomplishments: including advanced appropriations that provide the VA with timely and reliable funding, and the Post 9/11 GI Bill that restores the promise of a full, four-year scholarship for our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. I'm proud that the last four years have resulted in more progress for our veterans and military families than has been made since the passage of the original GI Bill in 1944. Full release

This year, six million older Americans will go hungry. Between 2006 and 2008, the percentage of poor and near-poor elderly who were hungry more than doubled-from 4.7 percent to 10.1 percent, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute. Today at Orlando@50+, AARP's national event and expo, AARP and its affiliated charity, AARP Foundation, announced a multi-million dollar effort to help end hunger among older Americans.

"AARP believes no one of any age should go hungry," said Jo Ann Jenkins, AARP Foundation president. "Hunger among older Americans is a huge problem, but one that, if we all work together, is solvable. AARP and AARP Foundation are making a long-term commitment to helping older people get nutritious food on the table so that no one has to make the devastating choice between basic needs, like food, housing or utilities." Full release

The Immigration Equality Action Fund today hailed the introduction of a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate, by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), which includes the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a measure to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender immigrant families.

"The Immigration Equality Action Fund welcomes Senator Menendez's inclusive legislation, and calls on Congress to pass comprehensive reform, and fix our broken immigration system, immediately," said Rachel B. Tiven, the group's executive director. "This new bill includes numerous, positive developments for LGBT immigrants, including UAFA, the DREAM Act and a pathway to citizenship." Full release

Jersey Shore University Medical Center's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) was recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. It is the first hospital in New Jersey and the largest on the east coast to receive the honor. LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

"While we are very proud to be the first New Jersey hospital to receive this recognition, we did not make our design decisions for the sake of obtaining LEED Gold," said Steven G. Littleson, FACHE, president of Jersey Shore University Medical Center. "We made sound, conscientious decisions for the wellness and experience of our patients and team, the environment, and our operations. That we are the largest East Coast LEED Gold hospital is the result of those choices." Full release

With 72 percent of businesses concerned about their country's level of public debt and 43 percent very or extremely concerned, a new survey from KPMG International shows that cutting public spending is the most popular method of managing the public debt.

According to research released today from KPMG International titled Paying the Bill, of the 538 business leaders surveyed from around the world seven out of 10 said that debt should be reduced primarily through cuts in public spending, rising to 77 percent among Europeans. Cutting public spending was also the top choice for the Americas (69 percent) and 54 percent for Asia- Pacific respondents. A copy of Paying the Bill is available at: http://www.kpmg.com/Global/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/Pages/paying-the-bill.aspx

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American Jewish World Service president Ruth W. Messinger today issued the following statement commending President Obama for his recent leadership in addressing the serious and complicated situation in Sudan:

"President Obama has demonstrated true statesmanship in attending the recent ministerial-level meeting at the United Nations where he articulated the international community's expectations for the Sudanese government. The next several months will be critical in shaping a future for the region that is free of violence and where fundamental human rights are respected." Full release

Despite the ravages of a global recession, free trade policies are more popular around the world today than ever before, according to a new study from The Heritage Foundation.

The Washington-based think tank today released its 2011 report rating the state of trade freedom in 179 nations. The study pegs the average score for trade freedom at 74.8 (out of a possible 100). Though only marginally higher than last year's average of 74.2, it's the highest global score registered since the foundation began tracking the numbers in 1995. Full release

Today, Avatar Director James Cameron called for an end to plans to expand Canada's tar sands oil development, also known as the most destructive project on Earth. Cameron spent several days this week touring tar sands developments in Alberta and meeting with both tar sands advocates from the oil industry and opponents of the project, including indigenous communities who say their health is under threat as a result of the toxic oil.

In comments earlier today, Cameron stated:

"It is clear that a healthy future for all of us hinges on moving off oil as quickly as possible. Given the significant negative impact of the Alberta tar sands on the environment and First Nations communities, the last thing President Obama should be approving is yet another pipeline to pump this muck into the United States." Full release

Lumina Foundation for Education announced today a grant of $250,000 to Goodwill Industries International for the purpose of supporting The Community College/Career Collaboration, better known as the C4 project. The collaboration was launched in 2009, and includes Goodwill Industries International, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Aspen Institute, Jobs for the Future, and three pilot local community college/Goodwill partnerships with successful, replicable models in northern Virginia, San Antonio, TX, and Winston-Salem, NC.

With 37 million adults ages 25-64 -more than 20 percent of the working age population - having attended a college but never earned a degree or credential, these efforts to provide a second chance for these adults could be a big boost to the nation's goal to dramatically increase college degree attainment and advance the nation's workforce productivity. Full release

The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, which requires that smart phones, television programs and modern communications technologies are accessible to people with vision and hearing loss, has now passed both chambers of Congress and is headed to the President's desk. President Obama is expected to sign the bill.

"Today marks a huge step forward for people with disabilities," said Paul Schroeder, VP, Programs & Policy for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). "Once enacted, this legislation will ensure that the 25 million Americans with vision loss, and the millions more with other disabilities, can fully take part in the digital era. It will improve job opportunities, education opportunities, and more." Full release

The American Legion delivered its annual System Worth Saving Task Force Report to Congress September 28, compiled from field reports by a Legion task force that evaluated VA medical centers (VAMCs) across the country.

The task force conducted two-day visits at 32 VA facilities this year, focusing on health care for women veterans, mental health care and timely budget appropriations. American Legion national staff members interviewed senior leadership and staff, inpatients in hospitals, outpatients at clinics, and family members of those receiving VA health care. Full release

Teachers and tax payers are surrounded by media buzz on the education debate. From President Obama's Back to School address, to Mark Zuckerman's $100 million donation to Newark public schools, to the NBC News "Education Nation" summit, to the recent release of the film documentary on charter schools, "Waiting for Superman," the national conversation over education is heating up. Some would argue boiling over.

However, through all of the hype and hyperbole, little has been gleaned about the student perspective on the education crisis. In an effort to capture the voice of teens on this issue, StageofLife.com, a non-partisan blogging resource, asked a simple question in its recent writing contest for high school students: "What suggestion(s) do you have to make a positive change at your school or with the educational system as a whole?"

Over 1,500 visited the student writing contest page and scores of teen leaders submitted a response. Full release

The American Islamic Congress (AIC) announces the publication of its latest report, "A Modern Narrative for Muslim Women in the Middle East." The study will be formally launched today on Capitol Hill by visiting women's rights advocates Rana Husseini, a Jordanian campaigning against "honor" killing, and Fawziah al-Hani, a leading Saudi social education activist.

"The narrative marks the culmination of two years of fieldwork in countries across the Middle East challenging the growing Islamist movement limiting women's right in the region," said AIC Executive Director Zainab Al-Suwaij, who will chair the Capitol Hall panel. "The narrative outlines a positive way forward to empowering women as equals in all sectors of society."

The report will be formally unveiled at a Capitol Hill luncheon today from 12-2 pm (Rayburn B-338) and on AIC's website at http://www.aicongress.org. Full release

The 2010 report on universal access to HIV prevention, care and treatment released today by WHO, UNAIDS, and UNICEF shows continuing progress in scaling up global HIV/AIDS interventions. We are particularly encouraged by increased access to treatment for both pregnant women and children living with the virus, as well as ongoing expansion of programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), which accounts for more than 90% of new infections in children.

In the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, the global health community is together reaching more than half of pregnant women (53%) in need of PMTCT services with antiretroviral drugs. The fact that only 15% of women had access to PMTCT drugs just five years ago shows the clear results of global commitments to scale-up this prevention method, which has been proven to dramatically reduce new infant HIV infections. Full release

"Playing politics with Gulf Coast restoration is a losing proposition.

"This poll of Gulf voters is a wake-up call for anyone who would put political bickering ahead of the restoration that can safeguard the people, the ecosystems and the future of the Gulf.

"Senators seeking to block restoration plans and funding had better pay attention: Three of five Gulf Coast voters say they'd be less likely to cast ballots for federal legislators who vote against restoration funding. Nearly eight out of ten want to see a separate restoration fund created from the billions that BP will pay in fines. And nearly nine out of ten see the health of the Gulf as important to their states' economies. These are not concerns to be trifled with. Full release

Praising a new government report [PDF] detailing a long-term environmental restoration plan for the Gulf Coast, five environmental groups today called on the President and Congress to implement the report's recommendations by using the fines BP will have to pay for the blowout of the company's Macondo well. The report was presented today in New Orleans by Navy Secretary and former Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus, who was appointed by President Obama to lead the team developing the plan. The report urges Congress to create a Gulf Coast Recovery Fund—managed by a council including federal, state, local and tribal representatives—and funded with a "significant amount" of BP fine money. Full release

The U.S. Census Bureau released new local information on income, poverty rates, and health insurance coverage from the American Community Survey on Tuesday, September 28. The Social IMPACT Research Center has done the analysis for you, creating a series of fact sheets that include a 2009 snapshot and trend over time analysis. Tuesday, September 28 and Wednesday, September 29 experts on poverty issues will be available to provide analysis of the data and discuss their context and implications.

The new data cover state and local income and poverty estimates for the year 2009 as well as state and local health insurance coverage data. The Social IMPACT Research Center is creating customized fact sheets with local data for the geographies below available at http://www.heartlandalliance.org/povertyreport. Full release

Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) has launched a new website where those wishing to honor active duty military and veterans, from all branches, can post written and/or photo tributes honoring their individual hero's service.

The Wall of Heroes website, located at http://heroes.supportvets.org/, encourages visitors to tell the story of their hero and document the memories of that person's time in the service. Visitors are encouraged to write about, and post a picture of their hero, as well as read other's stories of heroism and bravery. Full release

Following last year's pioneering gathering of 300 women leaders from around the world - from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Liberian powerhouse Leymah Gbowee -Tina Brown, editor in chief of The Daily Beast and HP Chief Marketing Officer Michael Mendenhall today announced the second annual Women in the World Summit. The event will take place in New York City from March 10th -12th, 2011.

Joining Tina Brown as co-hosts are Diane von Furstenberg, Meryl Streep, and Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, along with partners Women for Women International, Vital Voices Global Partnership and founding event co-sponsor HP. Full release

Facebook, and other social networks, have increasingly become an integral part of life for many people. Now, with interest in the highly anticipated new film, "The Social Network," reaching a peak, and with Facebook making headlines on a daily basis for everything from privacy issues to historic outages, the site (and others like it) is poised to reach staggering new heights of popularity.

With the movie's release likely driving legions of "newbies" to try Facebook for the first time, the need for consumers to learn to keep their personal information out of the hands of cyberthieves is greater than ever. Norton today released a comprehensive report outlining the proliferation of scams specifically targeted towards users of the real "Social Network". Full release

The prices of wheat and other agricultural commodities have risen yet again, following the already significant price increases of 2007 and 2008. According to the Humboldt Forum for Food and Agriculture, these are the early indicators of a latent food crisis, which will hit the world within the next ten years.

"If no decisive action is taken, the prices of key food commodities are likely to be 50 to 100 per cent higher by 2020 than they were at the turn of the millennium. This would dramatically increase the level of hunger and malnutrition, around the world," says Harald von Witzke, president of the Humboldt Forum for Food and Agriculture, an international think tank, headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Full release

The primaries are over and the sprint is on for the final six weeks of campaigning before Election Day 2010. If the election for the House of Representatives were held today, two in five registered voters (40%) would vote for the Democratic candidate and 36% would vote for the Republican candidate with one in five (19%) not at all sure. These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,620 adults surveyed online between September 14 and 20, 2010 by Harris Interactive. Full release

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) unveiled its second generation Exoskeleton (XOS 2) at its research facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, during a demonstration with Paramount Home Entertainment. The new robotic suit is lighter, faster and stronger than its predecessor, yet it uses 50 percent less power. Its enhanced design also means that it is more resistant to the environment.

Raytheon is developing the robotic suit to help with the many logistics challenges faced by the military both in and out of theater. Repetitive heavy lifting can lead to injuries, orthopedic injuries in particular. The XOS 2 does the lifting for its operator, reducing both strain and exertion. It also does the work faster. One operator in an exoskeleton suit can do the work of two to three soldiers. Deploying exoskeletons would allow military personnel to be reassigned to more strategic tasks. Full release

While attention in Congress is focused on contentious economic stimulus programs, investors reminded legislators today that reforming obsolete federal policy governing toxic chemicals is necessary for American companies to be able to compete better internationally, lower health care costs, enhance productivity, and drive innovation.

An investor letter, sent today, signed by 51 organizations managing more than $35 billion in assets, endorses S.3209, the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010, and H.R. 5820, the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010. Both bills comprehensively overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). The letter, coordinated by the Investor Environmental Health Network (IEHN) and the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), is directed to pertinent members of Congressional committees and subcommittees. Full release

In recognition of the six month anniversary of the health reform law, a new report from the National Senior Citizens Law Center, with support from The SCAN Foundation, calls on states to use the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to end Medicaid's long-standing bias toward funding long-term care in institutional settings such as nursing homes.

The report, "10 Plus Years Since the Olmstead Ruling: Progress, Problems and Opportunities," describes steps forward and problems encountered since the landmark Supreme Court Olmstead ruling in 1999. In that ruling, the Court held that the unjustified isolation of people with disabilities in institutions is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Full release

As a kickoff to Animal Action Week (October 4-11), educational publisher Weekly Reader has partnered with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to create an innovative, inspiring educational program about protecting the world's endangered tiger population.

The multimedia classroom package, Born to Be Wild: Saving the Majestic Tiger, is designed to teach students in grades 3-9 about animals and the environment, the effects humans have on the natural world, and how people-including children-can work to protect endangered wildlife. The program, galvanized by this year's convergence of the Chinese Year of the Tiger and the United Nation's International Year for Youth, presents a rich store of resources, including a Video and Teaching Guide DVD with a 15-minute live-action film and multiple standards-based lesson plans. Born to Be Wild - offered free to teachers - also includes posters, a mini-magazine, and a unique, exciting website that gathers and displays multimedia messages from students around the world. Full release

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) issued a new report today calling for action to be taken to transform how the country deals with viral hepatitis - to help identify millions of Americans who know they are living with chronic forms of hepatitis B and C and to assure access to treatment for all who need it, to prevent even more Americans from becoming infected. Full release

A bipartisan, ten-state poll of likely voters found concern over government spending second only to anxiety about the nation's economic situation. The series of surveys, sponsored by Public Notice and conducted by the Tarrance Group and Hart Research, found that a striking majority believes government spending is too high, and will make the issue a key consideration in their vote on November 2nd. The poll also revealed that an overwhelming majority believes government spending affects their own financial situation. Full release

Understanding begins with just one word. That's the premise of the Understanding Campaign, whose website (http://www.UnderstandingCampaign.org) and Kickstarter.com fundraising page officially launched last week. The Understanding Campaign is a cultural outreach organization that strives to teach everyone in the world the Arabic word for understanding, Fhm (pronounced fuh-hem'). By joining the campaign, people are taking an active stance to promote empathy over conflict.

"All conversations really begin with one word. We are giving people the opportunity, the tools to begin a meaningful conversation," noted Haneen Alshujairy, an Iraqi refugee now living in Egypt who cofounded the Campaign with American writer Justin Sirois. Full release

Although President Obama continues to focus on the economy, especially jobs, it may prove to be a little too late for many of his constituents. More than three in five Americans (62%) give the president negative ratings on the overall job he is doing while fewer (38%) give him positive ratings. This is slightly lower than August, when 40% of U.S. adults gave him positive ratings and 60% gave him negative ones, now marking the lowest ratings of his presidency. Full release

A solar-powered autoclave for sterilizing surgical instruments in the field, a portable irrigation system that instantly converts saltwater to fresh water, and a bicycle converted to a corn sheller or cell-phone charger were among the innovative and inexpensive technologies introduced by 18 teams of inventors at a science fair and development forum yesterday.

The Science, Technology & Innovation Forum, hosted by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the New York Academy of Sciences during UN Week festivities, highlighted the work of teams of inventors from laboratories at world-class public, private, and academic organizations that have made the integration and application of science, technology, and innovation for development their primary goal. The event also featured several talks about the importance of innovative science and technology and global collaboration to solve problems with and for communities in need. Full release

At the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting held this week in New York City, Durabilis announced its US$ 10 million commitment to support the development of sustainable and integrated agro-business supply chains in West Africa.

Agriculture has been identified by the World Bank, the FAO and other international organisations as having the highest leverage on both sustainability and development. Integration in the chain is key to ensure that each link provides products or services that could fit the market needs of the end consumers. Sustainable development therefore demands integrated agro-business supply chain models. Durabilis is convinced of the need for larger scale agro-businesses in West Africa, as the numerous smaller scale projects can not satisfy the market needs or the high interest from numerous international donors looking to address this issue. Full release

Today IBM (NYSE: IBM) researchers published a breakthrough technique in the peer-reviewed journal Science that measures how long a single atom can hold information, and giving scientists the ability to record, study and "visualize" extremely fast phenomena inside these atoms.

"This technique developed by the IBM Research team is a very important new capability for characterizing small structures and understanding what is happening at fast time scales," said Michael Crommie, University of California, Berkeley. "I am particularly excited by the possibility of generalizing it to other systems, such as photovoltaics, where a combination of high spatial and time resolution will help us to better understand various nanoscale processes important for solar energy, including light absorption and separation of charge." Full release

The National Press Club called on the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan to clearly explain the detention this week of two Afghan cameramen covering events in that country for global news organizations. The two detainees, Mohamed Nader and Rahmatullah Nekzad, took photos and videos on a freelance basis for Al Jazeera. Nekzad also has worked for the Associated Press.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, the NATO command described the men as "suspected Taliban media and propaganda facilitator[s]" and added: "The insurgents use propaganda, often delivered through news organizations as a way to influence and in many cases intimidate the Afghan population." Full release

On today's Oprah Winfrey Show, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker launched the Partnership for Education in Newark, an unprecedented commitment to improve public education, with the support of Facebook Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Governor Christie and Mayor Booker have committed to a bipartisan initiative to ensure every school-aged child in Newark has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for a successful future and a better quality of life. Full release

In the past year, Ruchira Gupta, President of Apne Aap Women Worldwide and recipient of the 2009 Clinton Global Citizen Award, has made significant strides in the battle to end sex trafficking in India and around the world. Apne Aap has used the increased visibility brought by the Clinton Global Initiative's honor to dramatically expand its programmatic reach on the ground, while spearheading cutting-edge, survivor-led strategies in the global movement to end sex trafficking.

Apne Aap's work is based around organizing the victims and survivors of sex trafficking into "self-help groups" and transforming those groups into small business collectives. Full release

Honda held the first-ever takeover of Times Square in 3-D technology today to support the launch of the all-new CR-Z sport hybrid coupe. Spanning five blocks of Times Square, the event marked the first time 3-D footage was broadcast to the public space. As a part of the takeover, Honda ran 3-D CR-Z commercial footage on the Times Square HD Spectacolor screen (located on Broadway between 46th and 47th Street), displayed several CR-Z's and sponsored a special performance from chart-topping hip-hop trio, N.E.R.D. An estimated 250,000 people attended the CR-Z event in Times Square today. Full release

While so many important charities are focused on finding a cure, FCancer decided to take a different approach. FCancer is the first "Generation Y" initiated and social media-powered movement that aims to educate people on crucial early warning signs of cancer and inspire them to spread the word to loved ones who may be at risk. "The first step is really getting our generation to talk to our parents about cancer," says FCancer founder Yael Cohen. "Our research has shown that parents are much more likely to get that diagnostic test or stay on top of their risk profile if it comes from a child." Frull release

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the new consumer protections in the "Patient's Bill of Rights," (http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=2874) that go into effect today, the sixth month anniversary of the Affordable Care Act:

"The Patient's Bill of Rights breaks the stranglehold insurance companies have had over our health care decisions and puts power into the hands of the American people, where it belongs.

"For children, for young people, for seniors, for those with serious conditions now or in the future, and for those who seek to maintain health through preventive care, we are moving forward. These new consumer protections end some of the worst insurance company abuses and - combined with tax cuts for millions of small businesses if they voluntarily choose to offer coverage - represent six months of progress toward the goal of health insurance reform: affordability, accessibility, and accountability. Full release

Women's Funding Network announced during the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative its commitment to fund $3 million in "shovel ready" projects for job creation, placement, and retention to improve the lives of thousands of women and girls and their families, especially single female heads of households with vulnerable children, while also contributing to the recovery of the U.S. economy.

The program, Women Moving Jobs, is being carried out in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and five women's foundations that are members of Women's Funding Network, which connects and strengthens more than 165 women's and girls' foundations around the world. Full release

TrustAfrica's commitment to strengthening private enterprise and fostering pro-poor growth throughout Africa was featured on stage today at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting. Over the next three years, TrustAfrica will provide $2.7 million for pioneering research on ways to stimulate the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and ensure that prosperity is broadly shared.

"Africa has achieved remarkable economic growth over the last two decades, outpacing most other regions in the world," said Dr. Akwasi Aidoo, TrustAfrica's executive director. "But the benefits of greater investment and higher returns have not been reaching large segments of the population." Full release

Paramount Pictures, Participant Media and Walden Media jointly announced today NewSchools Venture Fund has joined the WaitingforSuperman.com "Pledge Progress Meter" for the award-winning documentary film WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" at the 150,000 pledge level. The Fund has committed to investing $5 million in entrepreneurial organizations to create high quality public education opportunities for more of America's children. Full release

Reading is essential to the development of a child's personality, imagination, and communication skills. Children must learn to love and enjoy reading to reap its benefits. Children of the Arab world and Jordan in particular are not readers. A survey conducted by Arabia News estimated that the average number of pages read in the Middle East is only half a page a year, while in the United States it is 11 books a year. We Love Reading has developed an innovative model to solve this problem in a sustainable and cost efficient way. Full release

AJC praised President Obama's commitment to achieve a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, set forth in this morning's important address to the UN General Assembly. "We appreciate President Obama's efforts to revive direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and his steadfastness in seeking to sustain the current talks until they are successfully completed," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "The history of Arab-Israeli peacemaking demonstrates that only direct talks can achieve durable agreements, as witnessed between Israel and both Egypt and Jordan." Full release

Just as individuals set goals for themselves so that they may reach their full potential, so too must companies. Food service provider Bon Appetit Management Company has set an ambitious goal of partnering with 1,000 Farm to Fork vendors by next year. By 2011, the sustainably minded onsite restaurant company will have 1,000 local farmers or suppliers that provide fruits, vegetables, meat and more to over 400 Bon Appetit cafes around the country, all from within 150 miles of the kitchen.

In an effort to meet this aggressive timeline, Bon Appetit has created a "forager" position within the company, the first job of its kind for a national food service operation. Full release

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