Lori Ann Potter's avatarLori Potter

Stressed out about family, your job, your community, or your leadership?  We all experience that stress from time to time,  but prolonged stress is a silent killer that we should not ignore.  We need to have a productive way to deal with the triggers that we react to the most – the things that stress us out and cause problems in our lives.  And sometimes, a slight adjustment in our perspectives does wonders for relieving some of that stress.

Based on my own experiences of trial and error, success, failure, and other hard-knock lessons, I’d like to share five ways to reduce stress.

  1. Don’t worry about what other people worry about.  Do you bristle up and become flustered whenever something controversial is discussed?  Do you get heart-palpitations, shortness of breath, headaches, and other signs of irritability whenever someone brings up something you would rather avoid?  Understand that when people…

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Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate


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The Senate Convened at 10:00amET January 24, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the second 30 minutes.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Following any Leader remarks on Thursday, January 26th, the Republican Leader, or his designee, will be recognized to move to proceed to the consideration of Calendar #294, H.J.Res.98, a joint resolution relating to the disapproval of the President’s exercise of authority to increase the debt limit with the time until noon for debate on the motion to proceed, with the time equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders, or their designees.

At noon on Thursday, January 26th, the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on the adoption of the motion to proceed to H.J.Res.98 (majority threshold). If the motion is successful, then the time for debate with respect to the joint resolution will be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the joint resolution will be read a third time and the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the joint resolution.

WRAP UP …

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.353, congratulating the North Dakota State University football team for winning the 2011 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.

Discharged the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee from further consideration of H.R.1791, to designate the United States courthouse under construction at 101 South United States Route 1 in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the “Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse” and referred the bill to the Committee on Environmental and Public Works.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

———————————————————————————————–

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 24, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

HR3630 expires Feb.29th

-The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on January 25, 2012.10:24:55 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.10:24:50 P.M. -Mr. Cantor moved that the House do now adjourn.10:23:30 P.M. -REFERRAL OF PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE – Mr. Cantor moved that the message of the President the United States be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed as a House Document (H. Doc. 112-76). The motion was agreed to.10:23:00 P.M. -JOINT SESSION DISSOLVED – The Speaker declared the Joint Session of the two Houses dissolved.8:40:05 P.M. -JOINT SESSION – The House convened in Joint Session with the Senate for the purpose of receiving an address from the President of the United States on the subject of the state of the Union.8:40:00 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 24.4:58:00 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 8:35 P.M. today at which time the House will meet in Joint Session with the Senate to receive a communication from the President of the United States.4:56:00 P.M. -Mr. Carter asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Agreed to without objection.4:55:08 P.M. -H.R. 3630Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:55:07 P.M. -H.R. 3630On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 397 – 16 (Roll no. 9).4:48:29 P.M. -H.R. 2070Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:48:29 P.M. -H.R. 2070On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 – 26 (Roll no. 8).4:41:04 P.M. -H.R. 2070Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2070 — “To direct the Secretary of the Interior to install in the area of the World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia a suitable plaque or an inscription with the words that President Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed with the nation on June 6, 1944, the morning of D-Day.”4:40:41 P.M. -H. Res. 516Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:40:39 P.M. -H. Res. 516On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 – 1, 1 Present (Roll no. 7).4:16:59 P.M. -H. Res. 516Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 516 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the passage of a fiscal year 2013 Federal budget is of national importance.”4:16:36 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules, and the Capps Motion to Instruct Conferees to H.R. 3630, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.4:15:59 P.M. -Mr. Sessions filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 522.4:15:53 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 24.3:06:59 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.3:06:13 P.M. -H. Res. 516At 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.2:19:33 P.M. -H. Res. 516DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 516.2:19:32 P.M. -H. Res. 516Considered under suspension of the rules.2:19:18 P.M. -H. Res. 516Mr. Ryan (WI) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 516 — “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the passage of a fiscal year 2013 Federal budget is of national importance.”2:17:03 P.M. -H.R. 3630POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3630, the Chair put the question on the motion and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mrs. Capps demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.1:21:25 P.M. -H.R. 3630DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour debate on the Capps motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Senate amendment to the bill H.R. 3630 be instructed to file a conference report not later than February, 17, 2012.1:20:59 P.M. -H.R. 3630Mrs. Capps moved that the House instruct conferees.1:20:03 P.M. -H.R. 3800Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:19:58 P.M. -H.R. 3800On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.1:05:14 P.M. -H.R. 3800DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3800.1:05:13 P.M. -H.R. 3800Considered under suspension of the rules.1:05:00 P.M. -H.R. 3800Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3800 — “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the funding and expenditure authority of the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, to amend title 49, United States Code, to extend authorizations for the airport improvement program, and for other purposes.”1:03:38 P.M. -H.R. 1022At 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.12:57:56 P.M. -H.R. 1022DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1022.12:57:55 P.M. -H.R. 1022Considered under suspension of the rules.12:57:40 P.M. -H.R. 1022Mr. Johnson (OH) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1022 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, and for other purposes.”12:57:37 P.M. -H.R. 290Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.12:57:34 P.M. -H.R. 290On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.12:46:15 P.M. -H.R. 290DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 290.12:46:13 P.M. -H.R. 290Considered under suspension of the rules.12:46:03 P.M. -H.R. 290Mr. Johnson (OH) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 290 — “To amend title 36, United States Code, to ensure that memorials commemorating the service of the United States Armed Forces may contain religious symbols, and for other purposes.”12:45:48 P.M. -H.R. 2070At 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.12:35:03 P.M. -H.R. 2070DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2070.12:35:01 P.M. -H.R. 2070Considered under suspension of the rules.12:35:00 P.M. -H.R. 2070Mr. Johnson (OH) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2070 — “To direct the Secretary of the Interior to install in the area of the World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia a suitable plaque or an inscription with the words that President Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed with the nation on June 6, 1944, the morning of D-Day.”12:34:34 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until the conclusion of general debate on all suspensions.12:04:59 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.12:04:38 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Hayworth to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:04:36 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.12:01:55 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Kate Braestrup, Maine Warden Service, Lincolnville, Maine12:00:55 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 24.11:36:12 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:02:23 A.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House continued with further Morning-Hour Debate.10:02:05 A.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 1134, and H.R. 3237. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 96.10:01:05 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.10:00:55 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Erik Paulsen to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:28 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Urge congress to support wind power …Union of Concerned Scientists


Union of Concerned Scientists

 
 
Show Your Support for Wind Energy!
Let Congress know that a strong production tax creditfor wind power is good for America and good for our economy.

Urge Congress to Support Wind Power!

Dear Carmen,

Using more clean, renewable electricity from sources such as the sun and wind will increase our energy independence, save consumers money, and reduce our global warming emissions. One of the primary drivers of the growth in wind energy in the United States is the federal production tax credit (PTC), which gives developers tax incentives for generating energy from renewable sources.

Despite the PTC being a driving force of wind development, the federal government has allowed it to expire on three separate occasions since 1999. These lapses in the PTC led to a boom-bust cycle that drastically slowed the wind power industry for many months at a time, costing jobs and economic development opportunities.

The current PTC for wind power is set to expire at the end of 2012. The expiration of the PTC threatens one of the country’s fastest growing clean energy industries and could put tens of thousands of Americans out of work.

Please ask Congress to extend the PTC today.
   WWW.UCSUSA.ORG
Extending the production tax credit will help maintain the wind industry’s access to financing, allow developers to begin planning installations for 2013, and ensure that the best and most cost-effective projects are built. Wind power is a clean, homegrown energy source that improves public health and poses little threat to the environment while creating jobs and boosting local economies.

Urge Congress to extend the PTC. The continued growth of the industry can support 54,000 American wind jobs through 2016.

Take Action Today!     WWW.UCSUSA.ORG

Thank you for your continued work to promote the transition to a clean energy economy.

Sincerely,
Megan Rising
Megan Rising
National Field Organizer
UCS Climate & Energy Program

Big news in our fight against hunger … MercyCorps


 
 
 
 
 
 
There’s a hero in all of us. Give now.
We can be heroes
 
 
 

At Mercy Corps, we believe there’s a hero in all of us.

That’s why we’ve joined forces with the Justice League and DC Entertainment to bring lifesaving aid and long-term solutions to hungry families in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.

Your gift today to the Horn of Africa Hunger Crisis Fund will be matched dollar for dollar as part of DC Entertainment’s commitment to match 100 percent of the first $1 million in donations to the “We Can Be Heroes” campaign.

We’re partnering with the team behind Batman, Superman and the rest of the Justice League to raise awareness and money for a crisis that’s fallen out of the spotlight.

Our first priority is to support our mobile medical clinics in Ethiopia, which offer lifesaving aid to mothers and children under 5. These clinics visit the most remote, drought-stricken communities and provide malnourished infants with immunizations, antibiotics, vitamins, medicine and therapeutic food to help them gain weight.

Your generous gift today — doubled by DC Entertainment — will support the lifesaving work of these mobile medical clinics in Ethiopia.

Life remains grim throughout the Horn of Africa. Every night, 13 million people in the region go hungry. Last year’s worst drought in generations dried up drinking water sources, decimated crops and livestock and left families destitute and unable to make enough to even feed themselves.

Scattered rains brought some relief but also flooding and disease. Conflict and lasting effects of drought has left millions of families struggling to escape hunger’s grip.

One small act can make you a hero. Please join our fight against hunger in the Horn of Africa today.

Victory … by Robin Averbeck, Rainforest Action Network


Rainforest Action Network
 
Levi Strauss & Co. Takes a Stand for Rainforests and Excludes Asia Pulp & Paper
rainforest unzipped

Today, we have an exciting victory to announce. And we didn’t even have to climb a building to get it.

Rainforest Action Network is known by most for our flashy banner drops and other creative ways of confronting corporations through non-violent direct action. What few people know is that RAN also spends countless hours behind the scenes in delicate negotiations with Fortune 500 companies.

And sometimes, these comparatively mundane boardroom tactics lead to forest protections by some of the most influential companies in the world—like denim giant Levi Strauss & Co.

In the fall of 2009, Levi’s received a letter from RAN asking it to cut any ties with notorious Indonesian rainforest destroyer Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) and its affiliates. This was one of a hundred letters in RAN’s campaign to convince global fashion companies to stop buying from APP and choose responsible alternatives like recycled paper instead.

The Levi’s team called us and immediately began working with us to create a comprehensive paper policy that maximized recycled fiber and barred paper suppliers connected to rainforest destruction, like Asia Pulp & Paper.

We are pleased to announce today that Levi Strauss & Co. has implemented its new paper policy in its operations around the globe. This makes Levi’s the latest company in an ever-growing list of major corporate customers to exclude Asia Pulp & Paper for its human rights abuses and blatant rainforest destruction, and to take a stand to protect forests and the rights of communities that depend on them.

Kudos to Levi Strauss & Co. for adding its powerful voice to the growing chorus of companies telling Asia Pulp and Paper, and logging companies like it, that rainforest destruction will not be tolerated. And thanks to all of you who support all of our work—from the thrilling direct actions to the tedious negotiations—we can’t do any of it without you.

Robin

For the forests,

Robin Averbeck
Rainforest Free Paper Campaigner
Twitter: @therightpaper