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National Geographic : Emerging Explorers | New Trips | Great Nature Project

06/17/2013 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

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At National Geographic Headquarters in Washington, D.C., we just wrapped up one of our most exciting events of the year: our Explorers Symposium. This annual event brings together our Emerging Explorers, Grantees, and Explorers-in-Residence to share their exhilarating, boundary-pushing work and foster a spirit of learning and collaboration.
Meet our 2013 class of Emerging Explorers.This amazingly diverse group includes a roboticist, an astrobiologist, a glaciologist, an entrepreneur, and a data artist, all of whom are at the forefront of the new age of exploration. Discover all the things our explorers are up to, read updates on their projects, and see our gallery of amazing tales from the field.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

We want this to be a conversation, so we made this video

06/17/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Hi, all —

In the past few weeks, people from all over the country have written in to the White House to share the stories of how their families came to America. Each one we read is a reminder that many of us share a similar experience. That’s certainly true for my own family — my parents came as newlyweds from Bolivia. These are narratives that Washington needs to hear as this town debates the right way to reform our broken immigration system.

At the White House, we’re no different from any other office anywhere else in America. As a team, we have a lot of stories that began outside the United States.

To help make this an actual dialogue about who we are as a country, we thought we’d share some of those stories with you.

That’s why we put together this video. Watch it, then pass it along to help get a conversation going in your community about your American immigration stories.

President Obama wants the result of this debate to be legislation that reflects who we are as a country — as much a nation of laws as we are a nation of immigrants. And he wants his White House to reflect who we are as a people — individuals from different circumstances united by a shared set of values and a common set of goals.

This issue is personal, as much for my colleagues here as for people anywhere else. And the thing I love about this video is that these folks help to make it clear why it’s important to fix this broken system. All of them are fulfilling huge dreams, and if others get the chance to have that same opportunity, we’ll all benefit as a nation.

And if more people understand that the motivation for this reform is about living up to our values as Americans, it will be easier to get this done.

So will you take a minute to watch?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/wh-immigration-stories

Thank you so much!

Cecilia

Cecilia Muñoz Director, Domestic Policy Council The White House

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

TAKE ACTION: Protect Arctic Marine Mammals From Oil Exploration

06/17/2013 Nativegrl77

We’ve almost reached our goal of 50,000 public comments but we need your help to get there before the June 27 deadline!

After taking action, please share this with your friends:

Thank you again for taking action to protect northwest orcas from being delisted from the Endangered Species Act. The National Marine Fisheries Service is still reviewing public comments, including yours. We promise to keep you updated on the fate of southern resident orcas, but in the meantime, we wanted to let you know about an action that you can take to protect Arctic marine mammals, including beluga and bowhead whales, from oil exploration:
The Arctic’s marine mammals use sound for survival, but planned oil exploration activities could strip them of that ability.
Take action: Tell the National Marine Fisheries Service to say no to Arctic oil exploration that would harm marine wildlife!
Marine mammals—such as bearded and ringed seals, beluga whales, and the endangered bowhead whale—depend on sound to communicate, find food, and avoid prey. Oil exploration activities fill the ocean with loud noise that can interfere with these basic functions. Seismic surveying, for example, uses air-guns to detect oil beneath the sea-floor. The blasts—loud enough to cause deafness—occur day and night for months, and cover vast areas of the ocean.
The federal government is proposing moving forward with loud and risky oil exploration methods even though it has not completed an assessment of the cumulative impacts on Arctic marine mammals. Tell your government to take responsibility for protecting the marine mammals of the Arctic.
The remote Arctic Ocean and its wildlife are already under great stress from climate change. Why add the stress of oil exploration?
Tell the government not to permit any Arctic Ocean oil exploration until it completes a full analysis of the effects and understands how to mitigate the damage to marine mammals.
Sincerely,

Erik Grafe Staff Attorney, Alaska Office Earthjustice
P.S. We’ve almost reached our goal of 50,000 public comments but we need your help to get there before the June 27 deadline! After taking action, please share this with your friends:

Black History

the Senate considers(PA,NM dist) Judges &S.744 ~ CONGRES ~ the House

06/17/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 2:00pm on Monday, June 17, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following items:
- Executive Calendar # #48 Luis Felipe Restrepo– to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and
- Executive Calendar #62 Kenneth John Gonzales – to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico.
There will be 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be up to 2 roll call votes on confirmation of the nominations.
Following the votes, the Senate will resume consideration of S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.
Executive Calendar #48, the nomination of Luis Felipe Restrepo, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, was confirmed by voice vote.
5:32pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #62, the nomination of Kenneth John Gonzales, of New Mexico, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico; Confirmed: 89-0

The Senate has reached an agreement that results in a series of up to 4 roll call votes at 3:00pm tomorrow.

When the Senate resumes consideration of S.744 on Tuesday, June 18^th, the time until 12:30pm and the time from 2:15-3pm will be equally divided, between the two Leaders, or their designees, for debate on the pending amendments. At 3pm, the Senate proceed to votes on the amendments listed below in the following order:

– Thune #1197; (permanent resident status after border completion);

– Landrieu #1222; (citizenship for internationally adopted children);

– Vitter #1228 (US-VISIT system); and

– Tester #1198 (modify Border Oversight Task Force to include tribal government officials).

No second degree amendments are in order prior to the votes. All the amendments are subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. There will be two minutes equally divided in between the votes. All after the first vote will be ten minute votes.

WRAP UP
ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #62 Kenneth John Gonzales to be United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico; Confirmed: 89-0

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.330, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish safeguards and standards of quality for research and transplantation of organs infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with a Grassley amendment and a committee-reported substitute amendment.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed Executive Calendar # #48 Luis Felipe Restrepo to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by voice vote.

—————————————————————————————————————

Last Floor Action:6/14/13
3:44:24 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 17, 2013.

12:00:38 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:46 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Kerry L. Bentivolio to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:54 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:07:18 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:05 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 17.
2:01:10 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

2:02:21 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:24 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wenstrup to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:40 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:09:16 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 5:00 P.M. today.

5:00:42 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 17.
5:00:55 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
5:01:13 P.M.	H.R. 876	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 876 — “To authorize the continued use of certain water diversions located on National Forest System land in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in the State of Idaho, and for other purposes.”
5:01:23 P.M.	H.R. 876	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:01:26 P.M.	H.R. 876	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 876.

5:06:41 P.M.	H.R. 876	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.
5:06:46 P.M.	H. Res. 264	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Res. 264 — “Providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 588, with an amendment.”
5:07:59 P.M.	H. Res. 264	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:08:01 P.M.	H. Res. 264	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 264.
5:17:12 P.M.	H. Res. 264	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
5:17:15 P.M.	H. Res. 264	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:17:26 P.M.	H.R. 253	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 253 — “To provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah to Brigham Young University, and for other purposes.”
5:17:38 P.M.	H.R. 253	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:17:40 P.M.	H.R. 253	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 253.
5:24:16 P.M.	H.R. 253	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.
5:24:44 P.M.	H.R. 674	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 674 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating prehistoric, historic, and limestone forest sites on Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as a unit of the National Park System.”
5:24:58 P.M.	H.R. 674	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:25:00 P.M.	H.R. 674	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 674.
5:32:04 P.M.	H.R. 674	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:32:11 P.M.	H.R. 674	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:32:23 P.M.	H.R. 862	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 862 — “To authorize the conveyance of two small parcels of land within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest containing private improvements that were developed based upon the reliance of the landowners in an erroneous survey conducted in May 1960.”
5:32:34 P.M.	H.R. 862	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:32:36 P.M.	H.R. 862	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 862.
5:39:47 P.M.	H.R. 862	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.
5:39:57 P.M.	H.R. 520	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 520 — “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.”
5:40:12 P.M.	H.R. 520	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:40:13 P.M.	H.R. 520	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 520.
5:45:55 P.M.	H.R. 520	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:45:58 P.M.	H.R. 520	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:46:19 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the continuance of the national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans -referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-37).
5:48:32 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 17.
6:30:55 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.
6:31:45 P.M.	H.R. 876	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 876 — “To authorize the continued use of certain water diversions located on National Forest System land in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in the State of Idaho, and for other purposes.”
6:57:28 P.M.	H.R. 876	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 398 – 0 (Roll no. 245).
6:57:29 P.M.	H.R. 876	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:58:12 P.M.	H.R. 253	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 253 — “To provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah to Brigham Young University, and for other purposes.”
7:04:23 P.M.	H.R. 253	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 – 1 (Roll no. 246).
7:04:24 P.M.	H.R. 253	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:04:28 P.M.	H.R. 253	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
7:04:47 P.M.	H.R. 862	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 862 — “To authorize the conveyance of two small parcels of land within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest containing private improvements that were developed based upon the reliance of the landowners in an erroneous survey conducted in May 1960.”
7:12:36 P.M.	H.R. 862	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 – 1 (Roll no. 247).
7:12:37 P.M.	H.R. 862	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:13:07 P.M.		Ms. Foxx filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 266.
7:14:16 P.M.		Mr. Frelinghuysen filed a report from the Committee on Appropriations on H.R. 2397.
7:15:22 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:32:11 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

9:46:15 P.M.		Mr. Hultgren moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:46:20 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:46:30 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 18, 2013.