In this week’s address, President Obama says that Congress should act to keep our nation moving forward by keeping taxes low for 98 percent of Americans, cutting red tape so responsible homeowners can save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage by refinancing at lower rates, and creating a veterans jobs corps to help our returning heroes find work.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Gang Prevention: A Day of Dialogue
Published on YouTube on Jun 10, 2012 by Taskmediavideo
From The G-Man has posted this YouTube video in effort to reach young people and inform them of the dangers associated with gangs and the gang lifestyle. You are encouraged to share it with as many people, especially young people, as possible. Thank you!
"The G-Man"
Attorney General Holder and Secretary Sebelius on Medicare Fraud
Air date: October 4, 2012
Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Medicare Fraud Strike Force law enforcement actions.
Attorney General Holder and Secretary Sebelius were joined by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, FBI Associate Deputy Director Kevin Perkins, HHS Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson and Deputy Administrator for Program Integrity of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Dr. Peter Budetti.
The Power of the Pen: New Bills Signed Into Law
Statement by the Press Secretary
On Friday, October 5, 2012, the President signed into law:
H.R. 1272, the "Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Judgment Fund Distribution Act of 2012," which provides for the use and distribution of the funds awarded to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe by the United States Court of Federal Claims;
H.R. 1791, which designates the United States courthouse under construction in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse;
H.R. 2139, the "Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act," which requires the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Lions Clubs International;
H.R. 2240, the "Lowell National Historical Park Land Exchange Act of 2012," which authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to exchange any land or interest in land within the boundaries of the Lowell National Historical Park in Lowell, Massachusetts, for any land or interest in land owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the city of Lowell, or the University of Massachusetts Building Authority;
H.R. 2706, the "Billfish Conservation Act of 2012," which establishes prohibitions on the sale of billfish, except for certain billfish landed in Hawaii and the Pacific Insular Areas;
H.R. 3556, which designates the new United States courthouse in Buffalo, New York, as the Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse;
H.R. 4158, which confirms full ownership for U.S. astronauts who participated in the Mercury, Gemini, or Apollo programs of artifacts from their space missions;
H.R. 4223, the "Strengthening and Focusing Enforcement to Deter Organized Stealing and Enhance Safety Act of 2012" or the "SAFE DOSES Act," which makes theft of medical products that have not yet been made available for retail purchase a Federal crime;
H.R. 4347, which designates the United States courthouse in Juneau, Alaska, as the Robert Boochever United States Courthouse;
H.R. 5512, the "Divisional Realignment Act of 2012," which realigns counties among divisions in Federal judicial districts in Missouri and Mississippi;
H.R. 6189, the "Reporting Efficiency Improvement Act," which eliminates statutory reporting requirements for certain Justice Department grant programs for which funds have not been appropriated for several years;
H.R. 6215, which ensures that Federal registration of a trademark does not constitute a defense that bars a Federal claim of dilution asserted against that trademark;
H.R. 6375, the "VA Major Construction Authorization and Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2012," which authorizes, within specified amounts, appropriations for various major medical facility construction projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Fiscal Year 2013 and extends certain expiring authorities;
H.R. 6431, which provides the United States with flexibility to support assistance provided by international financial institutions to Burma;
H.R. 6433, the "FDA User Fee Corrections Act of 2012," which amends the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (Public Law 112-144) to make technical changes to both the generic drug user fee program and the medical device user fee program;
S. 300, the "Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012," which codifies a number of management controls to prevent abuse of agency purchase cards, convenience checks, and travel charge cards; and
S. 710, the "Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act," which directs the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an electronic hazardous waste manifest tracking system.
Photo courtesy of http://4.bp.blogspot.com.
Hispanic Heritage Exhibit Unveiled in New York
“El Futuro es Ahora” Exhibit Presents Accomplishments of 25 Hispanic New Yorkers
On October 5th, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the opening of a new exhibit in the State Capital, "El Futuro es Ahora," that honors prominent Hispanic New Yorkers in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.
This exhibit on the Second Floor of the State Capitol is part of the Governor's ongoing efforts to highlight New York's history, which has included the restoration of the Hall of Governors, the Black History Month and Women’s History Month exhibits, as well as displays honoring Independence Day and Memorial Day.
"Learning about the members of New York’s Hispanic community is important to understanding our state’s past as well as its future," Governor Cuomo said.
"This exhibit highlights both the historic contributions Hispanics have made over the last two centuries, as well as features Hispanic men and women who today are leaders in their respective fields. Every day, members of the Hispanic community, through their hard work and dedication, are helping to shape New York’s future and I am honored to help share their stories with the all those who visit the State Capitol."
The El Futuro es Ahora exhibit features twenty-five Hispanic New Yorkers who have had a significant impact on the state’s history.
The contributions of these New Yorkers are grouped into five different categories: government and public service; the arts; business and innovation; social justice; and sports.
Each person in the category has a photograph and brief biography displayed. Each of the biographies, category introductions and a timeline of significant dates in the Hispanic community are displayed in both English and Spanish.
In addition to the individuals featured, the exhibit contains several artifacts that will help visitors interpret and understand the history of the Hispanic community in New York.
The artifacts reflect the categories that are highlighted in the exhibit. Pictures of the exhibit are available here.
Prominent Hispanic New Yorkers featured in the exhibit include:
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice; Judge Carmen Ciparick, first Hispanic Judge on the Court of Appeals; Herman Badillo, New York’s first Hispanic Congressman; Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, New York’s first Hispanic Congresswoman; Oscar Garcia Rivera, first Hispanic elected to the State Legislature; Olga Mendez, first Hispanic woman elected to the State Legislature; Angelo Del Toro, important State Legislator and first Hispanic chair of Black and Puerto Rican Caucus; Oscar Hijuelos, first Hispanic author to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction; Tito Puente, musician; Rita Moreno, actress and singer; Joan Baez, musician and activist; Oscar de la Renta, fashion designer; Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias, community health advocate; Ben Fernandez, prominent business leader and politician; Nina Tassler, entertainment industry leader; Elsa Salazar Cade, award-winning teacher; Joseph Unanue, founder of Goya Foods; Luisa Moreno, labor leader; Raphael Montañez Ortiz, founder of El Museo del Barrio; Dr. Antonia Pantoja, civil rights advocate; Luis Ubiñas, President of the Ford Foundation; Esteban Bellán, first Hispanic professional baseball player in the United States; Ignacio Molinet, first Hispanic professional football player; Lisa Fernandez, Olympic Gold Medalist; and Rebecca Lobo, Former WNBA player
Examples of artifacts featured in the exhibit include:
One of Tito Puente’s timbales and an autographed drumstick; the first edition copy of Oscar Hijuelos’s, “The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love”; Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order Number 26, which required the state’s public formation be available in the seven most commonly spoken languages in New York State; photographs of Raul Julia performing for the public theater; Spanish language newspapers; and 18th and 19th century travel journals.
The exhibit will remain open throughout the fall.
Click here for more information.
To read this report in Spanish, click here.
Image courtesy of http://www.educationworld.com.
Today in History: October 6th
Highlights of this day in history: Egypt's President Anwar Sadat assassinated; Yom Kippur War breaks out in Mideast; Top U.S. arms inspector reports on Iraq's WMD; Actress Bette Davis dies; 'The Jazz Singer' heralds talking pictures. (Oct. 6)
Bin Laden Film Airing Politically Motivated?
Sources:InquisitrFox NewsThe Hollywood Reporter
New York TimesSony PicturesCNN
By Danny Matteson
Anchor: Lauren Gores
Video courtesy of Newsy.com
Market Responds to Lower Unemployment Numbers
Sources:The Wall Street JournalWikimedia Commons
Daily FinanceCNN Money
By Christian Bryant
Anchor: Christian Bryant
Video courtesy of Newsy.com
Britain to Extradite Radical Cleric to U.S.
Sources:CNNBBCAl JazeeraGuardian
By Steven Sparkman
Anchor: Candice Aviles
Video courtesy of Newsy.com
Walmart Workers Demand Right to Unionize
Walmart workers from around the world have gathered in front of Los Angeles City Hall, demanding better working conditions and the right to unionize the world's biggest retail store chain. The US retail giant has 10,000 stores in 27 countries, employing 2.2 million people. Workers in several of these countries have won union representation, but not in the US. The protest came after 70 Walmart workers staged a one-day walkout this week from stores in Los Angeles, calling it the first strike against the company in the US. Al Jazeera's Rob Reynolds reports from Los Angeles.
Thousands of South African Miners Sacked
Anglo American Platinum - the world's largest platinum producer, has sacked up to 12,000 miners in South Africa for staging what the company said unlawful strike. The industrial action has also spread to other mining industries with over 75,000 miners striking across the country. South Africa, which produces an estimated 75 per cent of the world's platinum supply, has been facing labor unrest in recent weeks over the issue of pay rise. Al Jazeera's Tania Page reports from Rustenburg.
Turks Worried About Intervention in Syria
Tensions with have been growing since Wednesday, when five Turks were killed by a mortar fired from Syria. The Turkish parliament responded by backing military action against its neighbor should it become necessary. But many Turks think this is a bad idea. Al Jazeera's Barnaby Phillips reports from Ankara.
Jordanians Hold Protest Against King Abdullah
Thousands of Jordanians have taken part in one of the largest street protests yet against King Abdullah. Crowds of people, including Muslim Brotherhood supporters, were displaying their anger on Friday at the pace of political reform. This peaceful protest is the closest Jordan has come to the Arab Spring. And though the country has mostly been spared calls for revolution, protesters there are demanding change. On Thursday, the king dissolved parliament in an apparent bid to take the sting out of the protests. Al Jazeera's Jane Arraf reports from Amman.
Venezuela's Henrique Capriles Talks to Al Jazeera
Venezuela is preparing for its presidential election on Sunday, where Hugo Chavez has a comfortable lead in the polls. But challenger Henrique Capriles poses the toughest challenge yet to the president's bid for re-election. Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman caught up with Capriles on the campaign trail, and asked him about the triumphs and obstacles of his candidacy.
Venezuela Set to Decide Chavez's Fate
Many Venezuelans who once supported Hugo Chavez's Socialist revolution, are now disillusioned with the Venezuelan leader. According to the United Nations, the Caracas has done more than any other government to bridge the gap between rich and poor in recent years. However, crime, inflation and corruption are sources of worries for many in Venezuela. Others fear that like Cuba, Venezuela will become a single-party government. Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman reports from Caracas.
Friday, October 5, 2012
West Wing Week: 10/05/12
This week, the White House and the Treasury Department hosted events highlighting innovative apps, Dr. Biden traveled to Washington, D.C. and to Virginia, and the White House Blue Room Christmas tree was selected in North Carolina.
Flashback Report: American Streets Gangs In The U.S. Military
Editor's note: Although this news investigation was conducted and broadcast several years ago, it is being posted because sources have informed From The G-Man that this issue is still a major concern for many in the military.
Krueger: 'Private Sector Establishments Added 104,000 Jobs Last Month...'
Alan B. Krueger
Statement on the Employment Situation in September
Statement on the Employment Situation in September
WASHINGTON, DC – Alan B. Krueger, Chairman of
the Council of Economic Advisers, issued the following statement today on the
employment situation in September.
While there is more work that remains to be
done, today’s employment report provides further evidence that the U.S. economy
is continuing to heal from the wounds inflicted by the worst downturn since the
Great Depression. It is critical that we continue the policies that are
building an economy that works for the middle class as we dig our way out of
the deep hole that was caused by the severe recession that began in December
2007.
Most pressing, Congress should pass an extension
of middle class tax cuts that President Obama proposed, and the Senate
passed. This extension would prevent the typical middle class family from
facing a $2,200 tax increase at the beginning of next year. In addition,
the President has proposed a plan that will enable responsible homeowners to
refinance their mortgage and take advantage of today’s historically low
interest rates. To create more jobs in particularly hard-hit sectors, President
Obama continues to urge Congress to pass elements of the American Jobs Act,
including further investment in infrastructure to rebuild our Nation’s ports,
roads and highways, and assistance to State and local governments to prevent
layoffs and to enable them to rehire hundreds of thousands of teachers and
first responders.
Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) shows that private sector establishments added 104,000 jobs
last month, and overall non-farm payroll employment rose by 114,000. Revisions
to the previous two months added another 86,000 jobs. The economy has now
added private sector jobs for 31 straight months. Taking account of the
preliminary benchmark revision (+453,000) released last week, the economy has
added a total of 5.2 million private sector jobs during that period.
The household survey showed that the unemployment
rate fell from 8.1 percent in August to 7.8 percent in
September, the lowest rate since January 2009. Labor force participation
rose by 418,000 people in September, and the labor force participation rate
rose by 0.1 percentage point. Over the last 12 months, the unemployment
rate has decreased by 1.2 percentage points, the largest drop since February
1995.
Employment rose notably in health care and
social assistance (+44,500), transportation and warehousing (+17,100),
restaurants and bars (+15,700) financial activities (+13,000), and professional
and business services (+13,000). Manufacturing lost 16,000 jobs, primarily in
durable goods (-13,000).
As the Administration stresses every month, the
monthly employment and unemployment figures can be volatile, and employment
estimates can be subject to substantial revision. Therefore, it is important
not to read too much into any one monthly report and it is informative to
consider each report in the context of other data that are becoming available.
Laura Flanders and Rashad Robinson on Fighting ALEC
Moyers and Company
Posted on the show's website on October 4, 2012.
Laura Flanders talks with ColorofChange's Rashad Robinson about his efforts to convince corporations to quit ALEC.
Secretary Napolitano on Cybersecurity Threats
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano talked about U.S. cybersecurity threats. In her remarks she said that cyber attacks had increased during the preceding decade, and even during her tenure as secretary, and stressed that Congress should act soon to address cyber threats. She discussed President Obama's executive order that was being drafted to address cybersecurity but added that comprehensive legislation would still be needed. When about her own cybersecurity practices, she said that she did not use email.
Air date: September 28, 2012
Today in History: October 5th
Highlights of this day in history: First victim dies in post-Sept. 11th anthrax scare; VP candidates spar over JFK; The Beatles release 'Love Me Do'; 'Monty Python' premieres; Baseball's Barry Bonds tops single-season runs record. (Oct. 5)
Romney: '47 Percent' Comments 'Completely Wrong'
Sources:CNNFox NewsPoliticoWashington Examiner
By John O'Connor
Anchor: Logan Tittle
Video courtesy of Newsy.com
Debate Day After: Obama, Romney Back to Campaign Grind
Sources:Los Angeles TimesBBC NewsNBC News
By Kyle Luke
Anchor: Christina Hartman
Video courtesy of Newsy.com
'Bleach Balloons' Reportedly Thrown at Minority UT Students
Sources:HLNThe Huffington PostWCBD
By Christina Hartman
Anchor: Logan Tittle
Video courtesy of Newsy.com
Chavez vs Capriles: Venezuela's Closest Election in 14 Years
Sources:Center for Economic and Policy Research
BBC NewsBuenos Aires HeraldThe Guardian
By Kyle Luke
Anchor: Christina Hartman
Video courtesy of Newsy.com
South Sudan Battles Low Literacy Rate
South Sudan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, as only about a quarter of its people can read and write. Decades of civil war meant few people had the chance to go to school. The re-opening of South Sudan's main university means this young nation will benefit from a new generation of graduates. With one of the lowest adult literacy rates in the world, it will need them. Al Jazeera's Anna Cavell reports from the South Sudanese capital Juba.
Concern Over Sri Lanka Kidney Disease
Thousands of Sri Lankans suffer from an incurable kidney disease that researchers have linked to chemicals used in modern agriculture. Unlike other kidney conditions, Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology or CKDu has baffled the medical community. Now the World Health Organization is calling for better controls on the use of pesticides and fertilizers in Sri Lanka. Al Jazeera's Minelle Fernandez reports from Anuradhapura.
Hong Kong Mourns Victims of Ferry Collision
Hong Kong has been remembering the victims of the recent ferry disaster. Up to 38 people were killed when a passenger ferry collided with a cruise boat on Monday. Authorities are now investigating the territory's worst maritime accident in forty years. Al Jazeera's Divya Gopalan reports.
Film Hopes to Revive Afghan Cinema
A new short film shot and produced in Afghanistan hopes to rekindle the nation's cinema after it was a Taliban-era ban and a three-decade-long conflict. Buzkashi Boys, a story of two Afghan boys coming-of-age in the Central Asian nation, was shot entirely on location in the Afghan capital. Featuring icons of Afghan culture like the national sport of buzkashi and prominent visual placement of the now destroyed Darul Aman palace, the film hopes to inspire a new generation of young Afghan filmmakers who will once again make original features in the nation. Al Jazeera's Jennifer Glasse reports from Kabul.
Jordan's King Abdullah Dissolves Parliament
King Abdullah of Jordan has dissolved parliament, paving way for elections expected early next year. It comes a day before planned protests by opposition groups. The tiny kingdom has seen unprecedented calls for political and economic reform. Al Jazeera's Jane Arraf reports.
African Migrants Look for Better Life in Yemen
Thousands of African migrants have arrived in Yemen this year, looking for a better life. But many find they are no better off now than they were at home. Al Jazeera's Jane Ferguson reports from the capital Sanaa.
Kenyans Seek UK Compensation for Colonial Abuses
The British high court in London will decide on Friday, whether a case brought by a group of elderly Kenyans will continue. The court has access to more than eight thousand secret files, and is considering if too much time has passed to hold a fair trial. They are seeking compensation for abuses committed by British colonial forces in the 1950s. Charlie Angela reports.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Perils of Debating 'Etch A Sketch' Romney
A Special Guest Commentary by Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Les Payne
Perils of Debating 'Etch A Sketch' Romney
Was Barack Obama caught off guard at the first debate when his opponent made a shift toward the center?
President Barack Obama got the switch from Mitt Romney, who, until their encounter at last night's debate, had baited his hook as a conservative during 23 primary debates with GOP opponents campaigning to his right and under the swoon of the Tea Party.
Working mightily during the primary to obscure his moderate record as the 70th governor of Massachusetts, Romney several times touted the line, "I've spent my entire career in the private sector."
Debating the moderate president he seeks to replace, however, Gov. Romney boldly discussed his lone public-sector job. And while GOP opponents had driven him into defilade by bringing up his "mandated health care" in Massachusetts, President Obama found him aggressive on the subject -- expansive, even.
"The best course for health care is to do what we did in my state," Romney volunteered. "Craft a plan at the state level that fits the needs of the state ... then focus on getting the costs down for people." Hesitant all night in engaging his opponent, Obama reminded us that his Affordable Care Act -- which, if elected, Romney promises to dismantle -- is essentially the one Romney had just bragged about.
"The irony is that we've seen ['Obamacare'] work really well in Massachusetts, because Governor Romney did a good thing, working with Democrats in the state to set up what is essentially the identical model, and as a consequence people are covered there. It hasn't destroyed jobs. And as a consequence, we now have a system in which we have the opportunity to start bringing down costs, as opposed to just leaving millions of people out in the cold," the president said.
"I like the way we did it in Massachusetts," Romney boasted, in a manner that he didn't dare risk in the presence, say, of Newt Gingrich during the GOP primaries.
After quibbling about a federal health care board and the president's inability to get Republicans' support, Romney then cherry-picked two non-conservative aspects of "Obamacare" that he would preserve: retention of adult offspring on their parents' insurance policies and coverage for pre-existing conditions -- both key aspects of Obama's plan.
What unfolded before our very eyes onstage at Denver's Magness Arena last night was a retrofitted Mitt Romney freed of all but the carry-on baggage of the hard-eyed, Tea Party-dominated Republican Party. He held to shuttering PBS and giving Big Bird a pink slip: "I'm gonna stop the subsidy to PBS," he told moderator Jim Lehrer -- of PBS. "I like Big Bird. I actually like you, too," he added, offering a glimpse of the Bain Capital executive who "likes being able to fire people."
However, unlike the Republican he portrayed in the primaries, Romney swung uncharacteristically straight at Wall Street. "Regulation is essential," he said in terms that might rattle his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (D-Wis.), and the Tea Party. "You can't have a free market work if you don't have regulations."
This bait and switch performance was signaled in March by Romney's key strategist Eric Fehrnstrom when CNN asked whether his candidate's hard-core conservative positions taken during the primary would hurt him with moderates in the campaign against Obama.
"Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign," Fehrnstrom said. "Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and we start all over again." That shaking you heard from the University of Denver campus last night was the sound of the Romney Etch A Sketch.
This scheme had been the initial GOP plan of those who considered the moderate Romney to be the best matchup with Obama. Poleaxing Romney into submission during the primary, however, his GOP opponents virtually silenced him on his record as Massachusetts governor. And in a brilliant campaign of summer attack ads, Team Obama took away his "vulture" years at Bain Capital as a viable campaign issue.
Consequently, naked as a cock robin after winning the GOP nomination, Romney made the desperate Hail Mary move once considered unthinkable: he named tea-bagger Paul Ryan as his running mate. Such virtuosity comes naturally to a missionary like Romney, who spent all those years of field service grappling with recalcitrant, heathen opposition.
The big question before the first of three presidential debates last night was whether Romney would stick with the hard-right, Paul Ryan-conservative posture or reach for the Etch A Sketch. Seemingly caught off guard initially, President Obama recovered upon perceiving Romney moonwalking away from his previously vaunted plan for the rich: "I'm not looking for a $5 trillion tax cut," Romney said last night.
"Now," a frustrated Obama uttered, "he is saying that his big, bold idea is 'never mind.' "
This zinger came during a sluggish, though substantive, night for the president, as a reading of the script, as opposed to a TV viewing, will indicate. After a few deft wobbles by Romney, Obama caught on to the bait and switch. The key question now, and for the remaining 33 days of the campaign, is whether the American voters will accept the Etch A Sketch image of 65-year-old Willard Mitt Romney.
Stay tuned.
Romney photo source: Own work
Author: Gage Skidmore
Permission: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
Author: Pete Souza
Permission: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
In Memoriam....Sgt. 1st Class Daniel T. Metcalfe
Died of Injuries Sustained When Unit Came Under Attack
Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 in honor of a Liverpool soldier who died in Sayyid Abad, Afghanistan on September 29, 2012.
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel T. Metcalfe, died of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team based at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy.
"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my sympathy and condolences to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Sgt. 1st Class Metcalfe," Governor Cuomo said.
"We will honor this soldier's service and be grateful for his dedication to our country."
From The G-Man would like to take this opportunity to honor Sgt. 1st Class Daniel T. Metcalfe, his love of country, and his service with the following video tribute. May he forever rest in peace.
Video uploaded to YouTube by moderatepopulist
Image courtesy of http://www.ussmtmckinley.com.
Image courtesy of http://www.ussmtmckinley.com.
Bill Aims to Boost Organ Donation in New York State
Governor Cuomo: "New York State Must Work Harder to Enroll Our Residents in This Important Life-Saving Program"
Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed a bill to boost the number
of New Yorkers who register for organ and tissue donation.
New York State has one of the lowest organ donor rates in the nation, with only 18 percent of adults enrolled donors, far less than the national average of 43 percent.
The legislation, known as
"Lauren's Law," adds new language to Department of Motor Vehicle
application documents that is designed to encourage additional individuals to
enroll with the Donate Life Registry for organ and tissue donation.
"With thousands of New Yorkers on the waiting list for organ and tissue donations, New York State must work harder to enroll our residents in this important life-saving program," Governor Cuomo said.
"By adding this new
language to DMV application forms, it is our hope that many more New Yorkers
sign up to be on the list of those willing to donate an organ or tissue. I
commend Senator Carlucci and Assemblyman Ortiz for their hard work on this
legislation, and I thank Lauren Shields for her advocacy on this important
issue."
Approximately 113,000 people – 9,700 of them New Yorkers – are on the national waiting list for organ transplants. On average, 18 people die every day in the United States from causes that could have been treated with a donated organ.
In addition, tissue donated by
one person can positively impact the lives of more than 50 other people.
To further encourage people to join the Registry and increase the state's pool of prospective organ and tissue donors, the new law adds the following language to DMV applications for driver licenses and non-driver identification cards: "You must fill out the following section: Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question.'"
The bill was inspired by Lauren Shields, a 12 year-old girl from Stony Point in Rockland County who received a heart in a transplant operation in 2009.
"I want to thank Governor Cuomo for signing Lauren's Law. It will save thousands of lives in New York. I vow to continue to share my story in hopes of inspiring people so they choose 'yes' to saving lives," said Lauren Shields.
Senator David Carlucci noted, "Lauren's Law will save lives. Right now in New York State, over 10,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, yet New York ranks near the bottom of eligible people enrolled in the organ donor program. By making a simple change to the law we have a greater opportunity to increase the number of organ donors and save lives. I applaud Governor Cuomo for signing Lauren's Law and making this truly an extraordinary day."
"In enacting this law, our state will lead the way in increasing awareness for organ donations and make it an easy process to become a donor. My hope is that in a short time, people will understand how their generosity during an unimaginable time of crisis can be turned into joy and hope for another suffering family,” stated Assembly Member Felix W. Ortiz.
“I thank the Governor, Senator
Carlucci and my colleague and friend Assemblyman James Conte whose own struggle
kept the light shining on this serious issue."
Ted Lawson, Executive Director of Save Lives Now New York, said, "Save Lives Now New York is so very pleased to see that Lauren's Law has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo today. This is a great first step in changing New York State organ donation policy so that more organs will be made available for life-saving transplants. The officers of Save Lives Now New York, with the support of our board of directors, are proud to have been a part of this process and look forward to working with Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature in the future on developing additional policy changes in New York that will shift New York State's present status as third-to-last place in organ donor registrations, and second-longest organ transplant waiting list, to being a leader in both of these areas. Hopefully, the passage of Lauren's Law will be a significant first step in that direction."
The new law takes effect in one year.
Image courtesy of http://clipart.edigg.com.
Will Turkish Response Spark Wider Conflict?
CBS News' Clarissa Ward has been reporting on the uprising in Syria for more than a year. She talks to Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell about the ramifications of the latest violence.
CBS News Instant Poll: Romney Wins First Presidential Debate
October 3, 2012 8:10 PM
CBS News and GFK's knowledge panel recruited 523 uncommitted voters to determine the winner of the first presidential debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney. Forty six percent thought Governor Romney won the debate and 22 percent thought Mr. Obama did.