~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

From Brownsville, Brooklyn to the Oval Office

02/10/2015 Nativegrl77

A couple of weeks ago, 13-year-old Vidal ran into Brandon Stanton, the creator of the blog “Humans of New York.” When Brandon asked Vidal who had influenced him the most, Vidal said it was his principal, Ms. Lopez.

“One time,” he recalled, “she made every student stand up, one at a time, and she told each one of us that we matter.”

Brandon met Ms. Nadia Lopez a few days later, and she explained to him why she pushes her students to succeed. “This is a neighborhood that doesn’t necessarily expect much from our children,” she said, “so at Mott Hall Bridges Academy we set our expectations very high.” Their Brownsville neighborhood has one of the highest crime rates in New York City.

After meeting Vidal, Brandon worked with Ms. Lopez to start a fundraiser to support her students. It’s already raised more than $1.2 million — more than 12 times their original goal. The story has captured countless headlines, inspiring people all around the country — including the President of the United States. And this week, Vidal, Ms. Lopez, and Brandon were all invited to the Oval Office.

Their story is nothing short of inspirational. Watch special behind-the-scenes footage from their visit, and make sure to pass this on.

Black History

the Senate ~ CONGRESS 2/10 ~ the House

02/10/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 12:30pm, with the first hour equally divided and with the Democrats controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

======================================================

Last Floor Action:
12:19:24 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:00:18 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:37 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Dan Newhouse to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:53 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.
12:19:24 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

AAA supporting SeaWorld?

02/09/2015 Nativegrl77

Petitioning Robert T Bouttier

AAA – Stop Supporting SeaWorld’s Cruelty

Petition by Shiri Takacs

Long Beach, California

5,302

Supporters

Sign Shiri’s Petition

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Reflections on the Xingu:

02/09/2015 Nativegrl77

Floating down the Xingu River’s “Big Bend” in the Brazilian Amazon last November I was struck once again by the splendor of this unique environment. Its waters low for the dry season, the Xingu’s magnificent white sand beaches stretched for miles while rock islands emerged from the current, shrouded in verdant shrubs and trees. Mesmerized as always by the raw, primeval beauty of this place, I was shocked awake from my daydream by huge walls of earth, rock, concrete and steel rising imposingly before me. This is the aberration of Brazil’s Belo Monte dam: stagnant waters, leveled forests, shattered communities and the death knell of an Amazonian paradise.

READ THE REST ON EYE ON THE AMAZON

Black History

the Senate ~ CONGRESS 2/9 ~ the House

02/09/2015 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 3:00pm on Monday, February 9, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business, equally divided, until 5:00pm. At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #10, the nomination of Michael P. Botticelli to be Director of the National Drug Control Policy, with 30 minutes of debate equally divided. Upon the use or yielding back of time (approximately 5:30pm) the Senate will proceed to vote on the nomination.

5:30pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #10, Michael P. Botticelli, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy

Confirmed: 92-0

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #10, Michael P. Botticelli, of the District of Columbia, to be Director of National Drug Control Policy; confirmed: 92-0.

Legislative Business

Executive Business

=================================================

Last Floor Action:
1:05:24 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on February 10, 2015.

Last Floor Action:2/5
1:32:41 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on February 9, 2015.

1:00:53 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
1:01:08 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
1:01:35 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
1:03:11 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
1:03:21 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
1:03:22 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 3, 2015, at 11:07 a.m.: Appointment: National Council on Disability.
1:03:46 P.M.		Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi- Pursuant to section 4(a) of H. Res. 5, 114th Congress, and the order of the House of January 6, 2015 the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi: Mr. Cummings, Mr. Smith of WA, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of CA and Ms. Duckworth.
1:04:08 P.M.		ADJUSTMENT OF WHOLE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the passing of the gentleman from the State of Mississippi, Mr. Nunnelee, the whole number of the House is 433.
1:05:24 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on February 10, 2015.