Dear Charter Members and Friends,As director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I am proud to announce that we will officially break ground for the Museum on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. While we could not invite all our Charter Members and friends to join us at this ceremony, I welcome you to join us virtually through a simulcast of this historic event via this link nmaahc.si.edu/Events/Groundbreaking. Pre-program activities begin at 9 a.m., and the ceremony gets underway at 10 a.m.This day represents a major milestone in our development, keeping us on track to meet our projected opening in 2015!

Circled — Future home of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The ceremonial groundbreaking represents just one of a number of activities planned throughout this year. In addition to our ongoing exhibitions and programs, later this year we will host a public celebration of the Groundbreaking on the National Mall. It will be a prelude to the Smithsonian’s FolkLife Festival that begins on June 27th. And those of you who are Charter Members will be invited to a special “members-only” reception and program as well (details to follow).

Six years ago, we began the journey to create the 19th museum of the Smithsonian family. Now, we have arrived at a singular moment in history — a time that realizes the hopes and dreams of so many who have struggled before us. We could not have reached this moment without the commitment of our Charter Members and friends like you.

Thank you again for your continued support and for joining us in this journey to bring the National Museum of African American History and Culture to the nation and the world.

	In gratitude and celebration,

	Lonnie Bunch Founding Director

P.S. I know you are as excited and proud as all of us are of this Museum as it begins to take its place among the other great Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. Thank you again for your vision and support.

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Support Jay Inslee for Governor of Washington State …

02/22/2012 Nativegrl77


	Since I announced my jobs plan last week, people from across the state have been expressing their support for our commonsense approach to job creation — an approach that will create good-paying, middle-class jobs for all kinds of workers in every corner of our state. They know, like I do, that building a working Washington requires us to identify industries where we can or do out-compete the rest of the world. And by focusing on building up those industries, we CAN out-compete the world. No place is better suited to pursue a bold, innovative, and forward-thinking approach than Washington state. We’ve put together a short video with some of our favorite moments from last week’s events, and I wanted to share it with you. Do you have couple minutes to watch it? Click here to see highlights from our jobs plan announcement, read the plan, and share Jay’s ideas for creating jobs throughout Washington! This is the first of several proposals we’ll be releasing over the coming months. It means a lot to know that you’re with us as we start the discussion about the key policies we will enact during my administration. I hope you’ll take a minute to watch our video and read my plan now, and then share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you so much for your continued support. Very truly yours, Jay Inslee

Black History

Congress: the Repubican led House worked for 2minutes back on 2/24 -the Senate is in pro forma session until 2/27

02/21/2012 Nativegrl77

The Senate will meet on the following date and times for pro forma sessions only with no business conducted:

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:00pm and

Friday, February 24, 2012 at 11:00am.

The next meeting in the Senat is SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2012

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, February 27, 2012. Following any Leader remarks, Senator Shaheen will be recognized to deliver Washington’s Farewell Address. Upon conclusion of the reading, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #409, the nomination of Margo Kitsy Brodie, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York with up to one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between the Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Brodie nomination.

———————————————————————————————

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 21, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 24, 2012.12:02:31 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:23 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 Alisa Lasater Wailoo, Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, Washington, DC.12:01:04 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:08 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Help Greenpeace protect Sumatran tigers …Philip Radford, Greenpeace

02/21/2012 Nativegrl77

Help Greenpeace protect Sumatran tigers and the rainforest they call home by making your first gift to Greenpeace today.
Renew Today!

www.greenpeaceusa.org

Last year was an amazing one for our campaign to protect the world’s 400 remaining Sumatran tigers and the Indonesian rainforest they call home.
There seemed to be a new victory to celebrate every month. And while I couldn’t be prouder of the work we did together in 2011, I know that if we want to continue to protect Sumatran tigers and achieve our global target of zero deforestation by 2020 that this year has to be even better. That can only happen with your support.
Now is the time. Make your first gift and join Greenpeace and help us protect Sumatran tigers and the Indonesian rainforest. www.GreenPeaceUsa.org

Our goal is to get 2,012 people to make their first gift to Greenpeace by the end of February. We’re already over half way there, but we still need 17 people from Washington to make it happen!
Greenpeace is completely independent. The work we do is supported entirely by the generosity and convictions of people like you. We don’t take money from corporations or governments, which means our campaigns are only concerned about what is necessary to protect the planet.
We have big plans for this year. Calling out forest criminals, exposing the corporate greed that is driving deforestation and continuing our work on the ground in Indonesia. Your support will make this work possible.
Help make 2012 the best year yet for our forests campaign and all of the work we do to protect the planet by making your first gift and joining Greenpeace today.

Thank you,
Philip Radford Greenpeace USA Executive Director
P.S. We need just 17 people from Washington to reach our goal of 2,012 first time gifts by February 29th. Donate online or at 1-800-722-6995 today.

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You helped to extend the payroll tax cut

02/20/2012 Nativegrl77

Good afternoon–This week, thousands of folks have shared how $40 less in every paycheck would affect them if Congress didn’t extend the payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans.And it worked.This afternoon, lawmakers got this done. The President will sign that bill into law next week, and we’ve already invited some of the folks who shared their stories to come to the White Housewhen he does.The past few days have been a constant reminder of how incredible it can be when people from all walks of life join together to speak out. On Tuesday, we sat down with another group of Americans who added their voices to the debate, and they recorded a message just for you. It’s a powerful thing to watch.

There will be other fights in the weeks and the months ahead when the kind of engagement they’re talking about in this video could make all the difference. So check it out, then pass it along to anyone who is skeptical that real people can’t have an impact:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/40dollars/stories

Thanks, David

David Plouffe Senior Advisor to the President