Party time for Orangutans


The palm oil branch of Sinar Mas, Golden Agri-Resources (GAR), just unveiled a plan to stop destroying forests and peatlands in Indonesia. For years their plantations fueled rainforest destruction across Indonesia, but this week they promised to change all of that.

A giant palm oil company in Indonesia just unveiled a plan to stop destroying the forests. We need to make sure they keep their word. Help Greenpeace make sure they follow through with their plan by making your most generous contribution right now.

I honestly can’t believe I just wrote that sentence. This is something that a year ago would have been unimaginable. But here we are. If properly implemented, the plan announced by GAR could be an historic step toward full forest and peatland protection in Indonesia and could also mean the survival of endangered wildlife like the orangutan.

For the last three years Greenpeace has been pressuring GAR by convincing large palm oil buyers to cancel their contracts. It worked. Together we got the world’s largest food company (Nestle) and the world’s largest bank (HSBC), a global restaurant brand (Burger King) and one of the largest buyers of palm oil on the planet (Unilever) to take action. Thanks to supporters around the world, we now have a ground-breaking commitment from GAR.

However, this commitment will mean nothing without implementation. Help Greenpeace make sure Sinar Mas follows through with their plan to save the forests by making your most generous contribution right now.

In many ways, our work has just begun. We can’t protect the orangutan and other endangered species and achieve our goal of zero deforestation in Indonesia by 2015 if Sinar Mas doesn’t follow through with their plan. That’s why we have to make sure they do it. This piece of the work is every bit as important as the campaign that got us here.

And while this is a moment to celebrate, we aren’t out of the woods just yet with Sinar Mas. It’s a massive conglomerate and this deal is only with its palm oil branch. Their paper arm — Asia Pulp & Paper — is still destroying the forest unabated. That is unacceptable, and it is something we intend to change with your help.

Without your support to we cannot continue our work in Indonesia and keep the pressure up on Sinar Mas. Please send us your most generous contribution right now. Together we can save these precious forests and the amazing creatures and people who depend on them.

For the forests,

Rolf Skar

Greenpeace Forest Campaigner

Congress: Both Chambers are in Session today …


The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00amET on February 10, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 10, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

9:21 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

9:19 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded further with one minute speeches.

H. Res. 72:

directing certain standing committees to inventory and review existing, pending, and proposed regulations and orders from agencies of the Federal Government, particularly with respect to their effect on jobs and economic growth

3:28 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, the Chair postponed further consideration of H.Res. 72.

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 9 hours and 30 minutes of debate on H. Res. 72.

3:26 P.M. –

Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 72 with 9 hours and 30 minutes of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without installowed. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against the resolution are waived. The resolution provides that the amendment recommended by the Committee on Rules now printed in H. Res. 72 shall be considered as adopted.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 73.

H. Res. 73:

providing for consideration of the resolution (H.Res. 72) directing certain standing committees to inventory and review existing, pending, and proposed regulations and orders from agencies of the Federal Government, particularly with respect to their effect on jobs and economic growth

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 255 – 169 (Roll no. 31).

3:18 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 240 – 180 (Roll no. 30).

3:11 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

3:10 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of ordering the previous question on H.Res. 73 and adoption of the resolution if ordered, all of which had been debated earlier, and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 79:

providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 514) to extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 248 – 176 (Roll no. 29).

2:47 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

1:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 79.

1:38 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 73:

providing for consideration of the resolution (H.Res. 72) directing certain standing committees to inventory and review existing, pending, and proposed regulations and orders from agencies of the Federal Government, particularly with respect to their effect on jobs and economic growth

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 73, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question, and by voice vote, the Chair announced the yeas had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (FL) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

12:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 73.

12:24 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

12:06 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed one minute speeches.

The House received a communication from John V. Sullivan, House Parliamentarian. Mr. Sullivan submitted to the House a facsimile of a letter of resignation submitted by Rep. Christopher J. Lee to the pertinent Executive authority in the State of New York which was received in the Capitol on February 9, 2011. The facsimile previously laid before the House had been addressed to the Governor rather than to the Secretary of State. This document will round out the papers of the House on the matter of Rep. Christopher J. Lee’s resignation.

12:02 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Murphy of PA to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:01 P.M. –

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archdiocese of Washington, Washington, DC.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 10.

10:34 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jason Chaffetz to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

—————————————-

 The Senate Convenes at 4:00pmET February 10, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

We hope to clear the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) legislation on Thursday.

Senators should expect the next votes to begin around 5:30pm on Monday, February 14. Those votes could be on a judicial nomination and amendments to the FAA Authorization bill.

Unanimous Consent:

Adopted S.Res.48, a resolution congratulating the Green Bay Packers on winning Super Bowl XLV.

Bankrate.com


Here are stories published today.

Financial reforms take hold in 2011 | 2011-02-09

New laws mean simplified mortgage disclosures, a consumer finance watchdog and more. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/new-financial-regulations-take-hold-in-2011-1.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110208

When to seek a credit consolidation loan | 2011-02-09

A credit consolidation loan can solve your debt problems faster, if you know how to use one. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/debt/getting-a-credit-consolidation-loan.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110208

Is mortgage payment help taxable? | 2011-02-09

The IRS taxes mortgage payments made by your insurer, but you can still deduct interest. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/is-mortgage-payment-help-taxable.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110208

In the Headlines …BIO.com


Moore’s Film Fight

http://click.email-updates.biography.com/?qs=877321153681367b44e496c6c6e769bb6151664ed220214009b4657af6fb163c

—————–

Invest in US

http://click.email-updates.biography.com/?qs=877321153681367b38dd0166a00fa7c892c05bb28489136d8b015cbdbd42706a

—————–

Brinkley on Broadway

http://click.email-updates.biography.com/?qs=877321153681367bf8b0cceb0ef291759ddbebee3d706796b7dab5a863d86e0e

—————–

Peter Jackson Discharged

http://click.email-updates.biography.com/?qs=877321153681367b39d53309394bddb453cb930653d2be407cbefcb4cb96fe42

Congress: what’s going on 2/9


 The Senate will not be in session on Wednesday, February 9th

*****************************************************************

 The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 9, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 9, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

2:12 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

2:06 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H. Res. 78:

The title of this measure is not available

2:05 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

2:04 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 519:

to secure the return to the United States the $179 million overpaid into the United Nations Tax Equalization Fund as of December 31, 2009, and for other purposes

2:03 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 259 – 169 (Roll no. 28).

1:55 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

S. 188:

to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 98 West First Street, Yuma, Arizona, as the “John M. Roll United States Courthouse”

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 429 – 0 (Roll no. 27).

1:30 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:29 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 519:

to secure the return to the United States the $179 million overpaid into the United Nations Tax Equalization Fund as of December 31, 2009, and for other purposes

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

12:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 519.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 188:

to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 98 West First Street, Yuma, Arizona, as the “John M. Roll United States Courthouse”

12:38 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

12:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 188.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

12:15 P.M. –

United States Capitol Preservation Commission – Pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 2081, the Minority Leader appointed Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, (re-appointment) .

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission – Pursuant to section 4(b) of House Resolution 5, 112th Congress, the Minority Leader appointed James P. McGovern of Massachusetts, Co-Chair, (re-appointment) .

Congressional Award Board – Pursuant to section 803(a) of the Congressional Recognition for Excellence in Arts Education Act (2 U.S.C. 803(a)), the Minority Leader appointed Shelia Jackson Lee of Texas .

12:01 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:00 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Jackson to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 9.

10:29 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.