In this week's address, the President celebrated the 50th anniversary of
the Voting Rights Act by underscoring the importance of one of the most
fundamental rights of our democracy – that all of us are created equal
and that each of us deserves a voice.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Team of "New York's Bravest" Headed to West Coast to Help Battle Wildfires
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced
that a crew of 20 employees and volunteers from the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation are traveling to the West Coast
to assist in the containment of fires burning in Northern California
and throughout the West. DEC has an additional four state forest
rangers working out west that left earlier this month.
“New Yorkers help their neighbors in their time of need and today these emergency responders continue this tradition by deploying to the West Coast to help battle these devastating wildfires,” Governor Cuomo said. “I commend these men and women for their bravery and look forward to their safe return.”
The DEC employees and volunteers deployed will join crews from other states in flying to California, Washington and Oregon, where they will then be transported to a fire base camp. The wildfires are burning tens of thousands of acres with most started from lightning in late July. Many homes are threatened by the spread of any of these fires.
“The work of DEC’s firefighting team serves as a great example of how states can work together and share resources during times of adversity,” said Acting DEC Commissioner Marc Gerstman. “We wish them a safe and successful trip out west and will welcome the team home with much gratitude for their courageous work.”
The New York team is expected to be active in fighting fires for two weeks. All personnel travel and administrative costs for the crew will be paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to the state.
New York first sent a firefighting crew to assist western states in fighting large wildfires in 1979, and, on average, one or two crews have been sent to assist each year. In addition, to helping contain the western wildfires and minimize damage, these crews also gain valuable experience that can be utilized in fighting wildfires in New York.
“New Yorkers help their neighbors in their time of need and today these emergency responders continue this tradition by deploying to the West Coast to help battle these devastating wildfires,” Governor Cuomo said. “I commend these men and women for their bravery and look forward to their safe return.”
The DEC employees and volunteers deployed will join crews from other states in flying to California, Washington and Oregon, where they will then be transported to a fire base camp. The wildfires are burning tens of thousands of acres with most started from lightning in late July. Many homes are threatened by the spread of any of these fires.
“The work of DEC’s firefighting team serves as a great example of how states can work together and share resources during times of adversity,” said Acting DEC Commissioner Marc Gerstman. “We wish them a safe and successful trip out west and will welcome the team home with much gratitude for their courageous work.”
The New York team is expected to be active in fighting fires for two weeks. All personnel travel and administrative costs for the crew will be paid directly by the U.S. Forest Service or reimbursed to the state.
New York first sent a firefighting crew to assist western states in fighting large wildfires in 1979, and, on average, one or two crews have been sent to assist each year. In addition, to helping contain the western wildfires and minimize damage, these crews also gain valuable experience that can be utilized in fighting wildfires in New York.
Source: Press Office, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Bill Carey, Journalist, Dead at 61
Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo
"I am very saddened to learn of the passing
of Bill Carey. Bill was a tremendous reporter who served as a leader and
role model for so many people over his career. He was truly one of the
best in the business, and his impact will live on for years to come. My
thoughts and prayers are with the Carey family and all of his friends
and colleagues at Time Warner Cable News during this difficult time."
More information on the legacy and life of Bill Carey is available through the following link: Bill Carey Dead at 61
Friday, August 7, 2015
The Power of the Pen: New Bills Signed into Law
Statement by the Press Secretary on
H.R. 212, H.R. 1531, H.R. 2131, H.R. 2559
H.R. 212, H.R. 1531, H.R. 2131, H.R. 2559
On Friday, August 7, 2015, the President signed into law:
H.R.
212, the “Drinking Water Protection Act,” which amends the Safe
Drinking Water Act to provide for the assessment and management of the
risk of algal toxins in drinking water;
H.R.
1531, the “The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act,” which allows
temporary seasonal employees in Federal land management agencies to
compete for vacant permanent positions under internal
merit promotion procedures;
H.R.
2131, which designates the Federal building and United States
courthouse located at 83 Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina,
as the J. Waties Waring Judicial Center; and
H.R.
2559, which designates a 10-mile segment of Interstate Route 10 near
San Antonio, Texas, as the PFC Milton A. Lee Medal of Honor Memorial
Highway.
Source: The White House Press Office
Governor Cuomo Discusses Legionnaire's Disease Outbreak on NY1 (Full Audio)
This afternoon, Governor Andrew Cuomo
called into NY1 and spoke with Roma Torre about Legionnaires’ Disease,
among other topics.
The audio is available here: Cuomo Discusses Outbreak
Source: Press Office, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
West Wing Week: 08/07/15
This week, the President announced a new historic action to cut harmful
carbon pollution, advocated for the Iran deal, celebrated his 54th
birthday, and inaugurated a new class of Mandela fellows.
The President Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
President Obama delivered remarks to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of
the Voting Rights Act in the South Court Auditorium at the White House.
Congressman John Lewis and Melissa Harris-Perry Talk About Voting Rights
Congressman John Lewis and MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry have a
conversation on the Voting Rights Act, in the South Court Auditorium of
the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
White House Press Briefing
Spokesman Josh Earnest briefs reporters and responds to their
questions on a variety of topics, including the Fox News presidential
debate and Senator Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) announcement he will not
support the Iran nuclear agreement.
Video link: White House Press Briefing
Source: C-Span
POTUS Signs H.R.1138 Sawtooth Nat'l Recreation Area & Jerry Peak Wilderness Act
President Obama signs H.R. 1138, the Sawtooth National Recreation
Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act, which creates 275,665
acres of protected wilderness area.
Video link: POTUS Signs H.R.1138
Source: C-Span
Roundtable on Voter Turnout and Demographics
Thom File, a sociologist with the U.S. Census Bureau, and Philip Bump of the Washington Post talked about demographics and voter turnout in
congressional and presidential elections since 1978. Viewers were also
asked to respond to the question, “Do you vote? Why or why not?”
Telephone lines were divided by age demographics.
This program was part of Washington Journal’s regular Friday “America by the Numbers” series.
Video link: Voter Turnout & Demographics
Source: C-Span
Discussion on Healthcare and the Homeless
Policy experts and government agency officials discuss the
relationship between stable housing and health. The Alliance for Health
Reform hosts this event.
Video link: Healthcare and the Homeless
Source: C-Span
"Flashback Friday": ABC News Anchor Peter Jennings' Final TV Sign-Off
Uploaded to YouTube on Mar 20, 2007
This
clip aired on the final day that the honored ABC World News Tonight
anchor Peter Jennings ever appeared again on television (5th April
2005). This is the day Jennings went public that he had been diagnosed
with lung cancer; sadly, he passed away that upcoming August, he never
again was well enough to anchor the broadcast. Jennings was the best
anchor in the history of American television news, and certainly one of
the best journalists of all time; he shall be greatly missed.
From The G-Man proudly salutes the legacy and life of the late, great Peter Jennings. May he never be forgotten, and may he forever.....rest in peace.
Statement on the Employment Situation in July
WASHINGTON, DC – Jason
Furman, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, issued the
following statement today on the employment situation in July.
The
economy added 215,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate held
steady at 5.3 percent—its lowest level since 2008. Over the past two
years, our economy created 5.7 million jobs, the strongest two-year job
growth since 2000. And our businesses have created 13.0 million jobs
over the past 65 straight months, extending the longest streak on
record. But despite the rapid pace of recent growth, some slack left
over from the financial crisis remains in our labor market, and there is
more work to do to ensure that we continue to make progress. That’s why
the President is committed to pushing Congress to increase investments in infrastructure as part of a long-term transportation reauthorization, opening new markets for U.S. goods and services through expanded trade, providing relief from the sequester, and raising the minimum wage.
1. The private sector has added 13.0 million jobs over 65 straight months of job growth, extending the longest streak on record. Today
we learned that private-sector employment rose by 210,000 in July. Our
businesses created more than 200,000 jobs in fifteen of the past
seventeen months. In fact, we have created over 5.5 million
private-sector jobs over the past two years—more than in any two-year
period since 1997-1999.
(Click on the graphs to increase their size.)
2. The
unemployment rate has fully recovered from the Great Recession, and
broader measures of the labor market show substantial progress but still
point to some remaining slack. With
today’s report, the headline unemployment rate (on an unrounded basis)
moved below its pre-recession average for the first time in the
recovery. While this milestone is a testament to the strength of the
labor market recovery so far, several alternative measures of labor
market strength have not fully recovered, and some level of slack
remains. For example, the long-term unemployment rate is 34 percent
above its pre-recession average. The slower recovery in the long-term
unemployment rate is offset by the short-term unemployment rate, which
is now below its pre-recession average. More noticeably, the U-6
“underemployment rate”—a broader measure than headline unemployment that
includes discouraged workers and those employed part time while
preferring to work full time—remains 14 percent above its pre-recession
average. The female and Hispanic populations’ unemployment rates are not
yet fully recovered, but unemployment rates for male, black, white, and
Asian American workers are now below their pre-recession averages.
3. When measuring the labor market recovery, it is critical to control for the effects of demographic and structural changes. The
age distribution of the U.S. population has become markedly older in
recent years, and increasing numbers of baby boomers are entering
retirement. Accordingly, employment as a share of population (the
“e-pop” ratio) is much lower today than it was a decade ago, since such a
large fraction of the population has moved beyond working age. While
these demographic shifts are important for understanding the economy’s
structure and long-term trajectory, they provide little information
about its cyclical recovery. Cyclical patterns in employment should be
measured against a baseline that in some way reflects these structural
trends. Measuring employment as a share of the labor force helps
accomplish this goal. This is the approach taken by the headline
unemployment rate, which has now fully recovered to its pre-recession
average.
Some
commentators have asserted that the unemployment rate is a misleading
measure because the post-crisis decline in the labor force reflects more
than demographic factors. CEA has also found that other factors beyond demographics have reduced the labor force,
although demographics appear to be the largest factor. One broader
baseline than size of the labor force is the set of all people who
report that they “currently want to work,” since 2-3 percent of the
population reports wanting a job but are not considered part of the
labor force. Even when considering employment as a share of all those
who report “currently wanting to work”—a broader group than the labor
force—employment has nearly returned to its pre-recession average. This
comparison suggests that the difference between the unemployment rate,
which is back to previous levels, and e-pop, which is not, is mostly
explained by those who report that they “do not currently want to
work”—mostly because they are above working age.
4. Job
losses during the Great Recession were broad-based across industries,
and job gains during the recovery have been similarly widespread. The
payroll employment “diffusion index” is a measure of the share of
industries that have added jobs over the trailing twelve months. During
the recession, employment loss was especially widespread across
industries, as the diffusion index bottomed at 12.5 percent in August
2009. Over the past 12 months, the index has averaged 78.9 percent—the
highest 12-month average since 1998. This fact suggests that employment
growth over the past year has been more broad-based than in recent
decades. The same pattern is true when considering only manufacturing
industries, as the rebound in U.S. manufacturing employment since the
financial crisis has followed a secular decline over the prior two
decades.
5. The
distribution of job growth across industries generally followed recent
trends in July, but some industries saw especially strong or weak
months. July was
an especially strong month for utilities (+3,000), retail trade
(+36,000), financial activities (+17,000), and private educational
services (+7,000). July was a weaker than usual month in temporary help
services (-9,000), construction (+6,000), health care and social
assistance (+30,000), and information services (+2,000). Across the 17
industries shown below, the correlation between the most recent
one-month percent change and the average percent change over the last
twelve months declined to 0.58 from 0.86 last month, roughly in line
with the average correlation over the past two years.
As
the Administration stresses every month, the monthly employment and
unemployment figures can be volatile, and payroll 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 as they become
available.
Source: The White House Press Office
NYS Health Department Sending Teams to the Bronx to Test for Legionella Bacteria
Announcement Follows Briefing in Governor’s New York City Office with Officials from CDC and Local Health Departments Across New York State
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that, beginning tomorrow;
teams led by the State Department of Health will be deployed to the
Bronx to expedite the collection and testing of cooling tower water
samples for Legionella Bacteria. This follows yesterday’s announcement
that the state is providing free testing for building owners and
operators with cooling towers or evaporative condenser units that can be
sources of the bacteria, as well as two free hotlines (888-769-7243 or 518-485-1159)
to support sample collection. At the Governor’s direction, State Health
Commissioner Dr. Zucker will also be reviewing current Health
regulations and examining possible improvements to help prevent similar
outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease in the future.
Today’s announcement was preceded by a briefing in the Governor’s New York City office between representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, State Department of Health and local health departments from across the state.
“As officials work to contain and combat this outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease, today, we are taking the next proactive step forward to protect New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are working to treat victims and stop the spread of the outbreak, while also taking precautions to maintain the public health in the future. I wish to thank CDC Director Dr. Frieden for his quick support, as well as all of our partners in the CDC, New York City and other local health departments for their coordination and cooperation. Finally, my thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been impacted by Legionnaires’, and my heart goes out to those have lost loved ones to this terrible disease.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “This is an all hands on deck situation and we need all of our partners at every level of government to help address the situation. We just had a very productive briefing with some of the county health commissioners from around the state, and I’d like to thank both them and our partners at the CDC for coming together to help us combat the current outbreak. I believe that the steps we are taking are crucial and will safeguard the public health.”
Following a conversation between the Governor and CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden, the CDC has deployed a team to New York City to assist in the effort to combat the current outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease. That team is led by Dr. Claressa Lucas of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) and Dr. Jasen Kunz of the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH).
Today’s announcement was preceded by a briefing in the Governor’s New York City office between representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, State Department of Health and local health departments from across the state.
“As officials work to contain and combat this outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease, today, we are taking the next proactive step forward to protect New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are working to treat victims and stop the spread of the outbreak, while also taking precautions to maintain the public health in the future. I wish to thank CDC Director Dr. Frieden for his quick support, as well as all of our partners in the CDC, New York City and other local health departments for their coordination and cooperation. Finally, my thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been impacted by Legionnaires’, and my heart goes out to those have lost loved ones to this terrible disease.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “This is an all hands on deck situation and we need all of our partners at every level of government to help address the situation. We just had a very productive briefing with some of the county health commissioners from around the state, and I’d like to thank both them and our partners at the CDC for coming together to help us combat the current outbreak. I believe that the steps we are taking are crucial and will safeguard the public health.”
Following a conversation between the Governor and CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden, the CDC has deployed a team to New York City to assist in the effort to combat the current outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease. That team is led by Dr. Claressa Lucas of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) and Dr. Jasen Kunz of the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH).
Local officials that participated in the briefing with Dr. Lucas, Dr. Kunz and Dr. Zucker included:
- · Westchester County Commissioner of Health Dr. Sherlita Amler
· New York City Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary Bassett
· Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein
· Nassau County Commissioner of Health Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein
· Cortland County Director of Health Dr. Catherine Feuerherm
· Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. James Tomarken
· Albany County Commissioner of Health Dr. Elizabeth Whalen
Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced that the State Health Department is providing Legionella testing for building owners, operators, managers and landlords of buildings with cooling towers or evaporative condenser units that can be sources of the bacteria.
The Governor has also made State phone lines available in order to further facilitate Legionella testing by State Health officials. Those numbers are 888-769-7243 and 518-485-1159, and are available to building owners and operators free of charge. Trained operators are available Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. These lines are designed to support sample collection, which will facilitate testing by the Department of Health. If you require medical attention, call your health care provider or 9-1-1 immediately.
Building owners, operators, managers, and landlords who wish to have DOH test for Legionella should send the name and address to which the kit should be mailed, and a working phone number to: Legionella@health.ny.gov. DOH will send an appropriate sampling kit with simple instructions for sample collection.
Legionnaires’ Disease is not spread person-to-person. Legionella exists naturally in water and moist soil and is found in creeks and ponds, hot water tanks, water in air conditioning cooling towers and evaporative condensers, as well as soil at excavation sites – but high concentrations of the bacteria can be dangerous. Proper maintenance and routine disinfection of cooling towers can help minimize the presence of Legionella and reduce the risk for exposure to the public. Although some smaller buildings may have units of this type, water-based cooling towers are typically found in larger, industrial, commercial and high-rise residential sites.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Cooling Engineers (ASHRAE) recently released new guidelines that landlords are encouraged to follow. Additional information on Legionnaires’ disease from DOH can be found here.
Source: Press Office, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Legionnaire's Outbreak on the Rise
100 people infected and 10 dead now, NYC Mayor De Blasio's urgent demand to disinfect cooling towers.
Sen. Chuck Schumer Opposes Iran Deal, Splits With Obama
The New York Democrat is the first senator of the president's party to oppose the deal.
Federal Court Strikes Down Tough Texas Voter ID Law
A federal appeals court has struck down one of
the nation's strictest voter ID laws, siding with the Obama
administration's argument that it would keep hundreds of thousands of
eligible voters from casting ballots.
The Wednesday decision was a victory for the
president, who has directed the Justice Department to try to beat back a
movement in several Republican-led state governments to implement
ballot-box restrictions.
Democrats and civil rights advocates have been
fighting the Texas law since it was passed in 2011. After early success,
opponents of the law had to change tactics when the U.S. Supreme Court
in 2013 struck down a key provision of the landmark Voting Rights Act.
Full article available here: Federal Court Strikes Down....
Source: NBC News
Laughs and Some Tears as Jon Stewart Hosts Last 'Daily Show'
There were plenty of jokes and a few tears Thursday as "The Daily
Show" host Jon Stewart appeared on his last show, ending a 16-year run
that established him as one of America's foremost satirists of
politicians and the media.
"Guess what?" Stewart said. "I've got big news. This is it."
Stewart's final show began as what was billed as
a report on the first Republican presidential debate, but which quickly
turned into a reunion of correspondents who have appeared on the
program over the years — including Lewis Black, Steve Carell, Ed Helms,
Aasif Mandvi, John Oliver, and Stephen Colbert.
Dr. Dre to Donate All New Album Royalties to Fund Compton Arts Center
A day before the official release of his
long-waited new album, Dr. Dre announced that he will donate his
royalties earned from the sale of "Compton" to help fund a new
performance arts center in the city the record is named after.
"I've been working on something to make this album really special," the American record producer told Beats 1 Radio DJ Zane Lowe on
Thursday. Dre revealed that he had reached out to Compton Mayor Aja
Brown in recent months to ask how he could give back to his hometown.
Details available here: Dr. Dre Donation
Source: NBC News
Retirees Face Double Social Security-Medicare Whammy Next Year
CHICAGO - Retirees are facing a double whammy
next year: no inflation adjustment in their Social Security benefits and
a whopping 52 percent jump in certain Medicare premiums.
The Medicare premium hikes will hit only 30
percent of beneficiaries: those who are not protected from a
"hold-harmless" provision in federal law that prohibits any premium hike
that produces a net reduction in Social Security benefits.
But the increases suggest strongly that the recent trend of moderate healthcare inflation is ending.
Full article and accompanying video available here: Double Whammy
Source: NBC News
Chattanooga Shooting: Navy Plans Armed Guards for Reserve Centers
After a gunman killed four Marines and a sailor at a Navy Reserve Center in Chattanooga last month, the Navy plans to station armed guards at all of its reserve centers across the country, NBC News has learned.
An email sent to Naval Reservists nine days
after the attack, and obtained by NBC News, says "VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
IMMEDIATELY!" to provide 45 days of "armed sentry watchstander duty" at
53 "NOSCs," or Navy Reserve Centers, beginning Aug. 17, and also asks
for volunteers to provide a full year of armed sentry duty at 70 reserve
centers starting Oct. 17.
The Navy confirmed to NBC News that it plans to
station armed personnel at all 70 reserve centers that are not located
on military bases. The guards would be reservists called to active duty
on an all-volunteer basis.
Full article article available here: Navy Plans Armed Guards...
Greece Says Cannot Handle Migrants; UNHCR Calls Crisis ‘Shameful’
By Michele Kambas and Stephanie Nebehay
LESBOS, Greece/GENEVA
(Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras asked Europe to help in
handling tens of thousands of refugees coming in from Syria,
Afghanistan and other war zones, saying on Friday his cash-strapped
country could not deal with them alone.
The influx has piled pressure on Greece’s services at a
time when its own citizens are struggling with harsh cuts and its
government is negotiating with the EU and the IMF for fresh loans to stave off economic collapse.
Boatloads of migrants arriving every day had triggered a
“humanitarian crisis within the economic crisis,” Tsipras said after a
meeting with ministers.
“The EU is being tested on the issue of Greece. It has
responded negatively on the economic front – that’s my view. I hope it
will respond positively on the humanitarian front,” he said.
Full article available here: Greece Says Cannot Handle Migrants
Source: Euronews
EU Officials to Review Progress in Greek Bailout Talks
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Reuters, 07/08 18:21 CET
By Robert-Jan Bartunek and Lefteris Papadimas
BRUSSELS/ATHENS (Reuters) –
Senior EU officials will confer by telephone late on Friday on progress
in negotiations between Greece and its international creditors on a
third bailout for the near-bankrupt euro zone country with Germany
reported to be warning against haste.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is trying to force
the pace of the talks, keen to wrap up agreement on sensitive economic
reforms by mid-August, while many Greeks are on holiday, and receive an
initial aid disbursement by Aug. 20 in time to make a bond payment to
the European Central Bank.
Athens is negotiating with European Union institutions
and the International Monetary Fund for up to 86 billion euros (£60.5
billion) in fresh loans to stave off economic collapse and stay in the
euro zone.
At a meeting on Thursday, Tsipras and French President
Francois Hollande agreed that a new deal should be concluded soon after
Aug. 15.
“The objective is for the negotiations on the programme …
to be concluded at the end of August. We know it’s difficult but we
must make sure that the conditions are met, in a good spirit,” Hollande
told reporters.
Talks were going “in the best of directions”, he added.
Full article available here: EU Officials to Review Progress...
Source: Euronews
Iran Quds Chief Visited Russia Despite U.N. Travel Ban – Iran Official
Qassem Soleimani, Head of Iran’s elite
military Quds Force
Reuters, 07/08 18:44 CET
LONDON (Reuters) – The head of Iran’s elite
military Quds Force, who is subject to a United Nations travel ban, has
met senior Russian officials in Moscow, an Iranian official said on
Friday.
Qassem Soleimani, chief of the force which is an overseas
arm of the Revolutionary Guards, has been subject to an international
travel ban and asset freeze by the U.N. Security Council since 2007.
But the Iranian official, who declined to be identified,
said Soleimani had made the trip in the second half of July, where he
had held talks covering regional and bilateral issues and the delivery
to Iran of S-300 surface-to-air missiles and other weapons.
Soleimani had arrived in Moscow on July 24 and met
President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu before
departing three days later, Fox News reported on Thursday.
A Kremlin spokesman denied any meeting between Soleimani and Putin had taken place, RIA news agency reported.
Full article available here: Visited Russia Despite U.N. Travel Ban
Source: Euronews
Norway’s Young Labour Return to Utoya Island
For the first time in four years the Norwegian Labour party’s youth wing is gathering for summer camp on Utoya island.
In 2011 it was the scene of a terrible massacre when a right-wing
extremist shot 69 mostly young people dead, and it is only now that the
Labour party has returned.
Full article and video available here: Return to Utoya Island
Source: Euronews
Terrorists Attack UN Hotel in Central Mali
At least one person has been killed in a terrorist attack on a hotel in central Mali frequented by UN workers.
Full details and video available here: Terrorist Attack in Central Mali
Source: Euronews
Thursday, August 6, 2015
The Power of the Pen: New Bills Signed into Law
Statement by the Press Secretary
on H.R. 876, H.R. 1626, S. 1482
on H.R. 876, H.R. 1626, S. 1482
On Thursday, August 6, 2015, the
President signed into law:
H.R.
876,
the “Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility
(NOTICE) Act,” which requires hospitals to notify Medicare beneficiaries who
are in the hospital for observation that they are classified as outpatients,
and the effects of that classification on Medicare coverage;
H.R.
1626,
the “DHS IT Duplication Reduction Act of 2015,” which requires the Chief
Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify
duplicative or fragmented information technology (IT) systems within DHS and
develop a strategy to reduce such duplication or fragmentation; and
S.
1482,
the “Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2015,” which extends until September 30,
2022, current exemptions to Federal antitrust law that permit two or more
colleges or universities that admit all students on a need-blind basis to agree
to award financial aid to students only on the basis of demonstrated financial
need.
Source: The White House Press Office
Biden: 'It’s the Right from Which All Other Rights Flow'
Statement by the Vice President on the 50th
Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
Our
task to protect the fundamental right to vote is as critical today as it was
fifty years ago when Dr. King stood in the White House as President Johnson
signed the Voting Rights Act into law.
Dr.
King wrote, "Voting is the foundation stone for political action.” Voting
is the engine that drives all civil rights, all human rights, and all economic
rights in this country. It’s the right from which all other rights flow.
That’s
why Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Bob Moses, and young people like James
Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner risked everything in the hot
summer of 1964 to register voters in the state of Mississippi—and countless
other heroes marched in communities across the country to ensure every eligible
person could exercise his or her most basic right of citizenship.
The
desire for that voice is what inspired 600 courageous young people, including
my friend John Lewis, to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, straight into
the belly of hell. It inspired a nationwide movement that brought the Voting
Rights Act to President Johnson’s desk 50 years ago today.
And
it’s why we remain committed to using every tool at our disposal and every
fiber of our being to protect this fundamental right, as we did in Texas when a
federal court struck down one of the most pernicious anti-voting laws in the
country.
The
legacy of the Voting Rights Act is not fulfilled until we break down the
barriers designed to silence our fellow citizens.
And
so on this day and every day, I salute generations of marchers for justice who
continue this fight to ensure that most fundamental American act: to
vote.
Source:
The White House Press Office