Monthly Archives: March 2015

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Matthew Wrote, and the President Responded:


The President has always made it a habit to read 10 letters from the American public a day. Matthew was one of these letter-writers, and he got a response.

A varsity basketball player from South Central Los Angeles, Matthew and his teammates noticed that neighboring schools had far more school supplies, nicer buildings, and even technology such as iPads in classrooms. Matthew asked the President to give all students a chance to succeed — promising that he and his peers would do their part in school.

The President wrote back, letting Matthew know that his generation deserves an education system that lets them dream as big as they can, and told him he’s fighting for the necessary investments every day.

Read both letters and learn how President Obama is working to help all of America’s students succeed.

 

President Obama responds to a letter writer.

The First Lady’s Travel Journal: A Journey That Began Decades Ago

The First Lady departs the White House today en route to Japan and Cambodia for a week-long trip centered around her new Let Girls Learn initiative. For the First Lady, this visit is part of a journey that began decades ago — a journey focused on education, equality, and empowerment. Join the First Lady’s trip by using social media and learn more about how Let Girls Learn will help the 62 million girls worldwide who are not in school.

READ MORE

What They’re Saying: People From Across the Country Call on America to Lead on Trade

Voices from across the country — and from across the aisle — have expressed support for President Obama’s trade deal. His trade proposal gives us the greatest opportunity to level the playing field for American businesses and their employees, ensures the rights of workers around the world, protects endangered species and the environment, preserves a free and open Internet, and would hold our trading partners accountable.

READ MORE

President Obama’s Trip to Phoenix: Visiting Veterans in Arizona

On Friday, President Obama traveled to Gilbert, AZ to pay a surprise visit to the new home of Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg. This was the final stop in the President’s day-long trip, which began with a visit to the Phoenix VA medical facility and a roundtable discussion to hear about the progress we’ve made to improve the VA’s ability to serve our veterans.

READ MORE

 

 

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Paid Family Leave is Getting Closer in NY, but We Need Your Help!


A Better Balance
Paid Family Leave is Getting Closer in NY, but We Need Your Help!
For less than the cost of a cup of coffee a week, New Yorkers could receive paid family leave
Dear Friend:
Spring is finally in the air in New York, and with it, we hope, some long overdue change for New York families.
After years of inaction, Republican and Democratic leaders are both talking about paid family leave in New York. And it’s not just talk. Later today, the State Assembly is expected to once again pass a paid family leave bill that ABB helped to draft. In the State Senate, Republican leaders have included paid family leave in their budget proposal and plan to hold a hearing on the issue next week.
Despite this momentum, Governor Cuomo recently said that he doesn’t think Albany has the “appetite” for paid family leave. But New Yorkers across the state are proving him wrong! Women leaders in New York State (including ABB’s Co-Presidents, Sherry and Dina) and across the country sent powerful letters to the Governor in support of paid family leave. And more than 12,000 New Yorkers have signed our petition to Governor Cuomo. Here’s what they are saying:

  • Katelyn from Ronkonkoma wrote, “I just had a baby and now I’m back at work. I had to use all of my sick days to pay our bills during my ‘maternity leave’ so now if my son or I get sick, I can’t stay home or I will lose a day’s pay. I also need to save them up for the next time I have a baby.”
  • And Jamie from Brooklyn wrote, “This would come in handy for me as I type. Have been in Florida for the past 3 weeks to be with my severely ill father who is in critical care. Not getting paid for 3 weeks + having sick father in ICU = unbearably tragic.”
The media is starting to take notice. Karen Benites, an ABB legal hotline caller, was featured in the New York Times yesterday, showing just how hungry New Yorkers are for the right to stay home with a new child or seriously ill loved one.
You can help! Please take 2 minutes to sign and share our paid family leave petition. Together, we can make this spring a bountiful one for New York’s families.
Thanks for all that you do.
The ABB Team,
Sherry, Dina, Phoebe, Jared, Elizabeth, Risha, Morenike, Rachel, Jake, Molly & Lynn
P.S.  In more Albany action, the first of several Women’s Equality Act proposals is getting a vote in the Assembly this week! We continue to advocate for these provisions, specifically those that outlaw family status discrimination in employment, require reasonable accommodation for pregnant workers, and demand equal pay for equal work.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Nick Zamora via Change.org


I was a Boy Scout for eight years before my moms were told they were no longer welcome because they’re gay. Please help end the Boy Scouts’ ban on gay adults like my moms.
~ FDA/USDA ~~ Alerts & Safety

FDA/USDA ~~ Alerts & Safety March 2015


USFDA_footer

03/18/2015 04:28 PM EDT
Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc., a Lakewood, Colorado based natural grocery chain, is expanding their recall of Natural Grocers brand Organic Garlic Powder to all lots as the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Consumption of products containing Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
03/18/2015 05:20 PM EDT
First Source, LLC of Buffalo, New York is voluntarily recalling 3,276 plastic tubs (6 oz.) of Wegmans Organic Walnut Halves & Pieces because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
03/18/2015 10:43 AM EDT
Kraft Foods Group is voluntarily recalling approximately 242,000 cases of select code dates and manufacturing codes of the Original flavor of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner – due to the possibility that some boxes may contain small pieces of metal. The recalled product is limited to the 7.25-oz. size of the Original flavor of boxed dinner with the “Best When Used By” dates of September 18, 2015 through October 11, 2015, with the code “C2” directly below the date on each individual box
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03/17/2015 07:16 PM EDT
According to the CDC and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, five patients who were treated in a single hospital in Kansas were infected with one of four rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Three of these strains, which are highly similar, have also been found in products manufactured at the Blue Bell Creameries production facility in Brenham, Texas.
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Recall Notification Report 047-2015 (Buffalo Jerky)  Alewel’s Country Meats, a Warrensburg, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 134 pounds of beef products due to misbranding

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03/17/2015 01:06 PM EDT
Trader Joe’s Company is recalling Raw Walnuts because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
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03/16/2015 08:50 PM EDT
Frontier Co-op is voluntarily recalling several of its products manufactured with organic garlic powder that were sold under its Frontier and Simply Organic brands, and one product sold under the Whole Foods Market brand due to potential Salmonella contamination. To date, no illnesses have been associated with these products.
Grand Papa’s Inc. Recalls Fried Pork Skin Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection
Grand Papa’s Inc., a Detroit, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 644 pounds of fried pork skin products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.
03/14/2015 06:15 PM EDT
Bear Creek Smokehouse, a Marshall, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 3,700 pounds of beef products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen.
03/14/2015 05:15 PM EDT
Gourmet Kitchen, Inc., a Neptune, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 16,722 pounds of various beef and chicken products due to adulteration, misbranding and an undeclared allergen.
03/13/2015 10:45 PM EDT
Grand Papa’s Inc., a Detroit, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 644 pounds of fried pork skin products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection.
03/11/2015 04:37 PM EDT
Hospira, Inc. (NYSE: HSP), announced today it is initiating a voluntary recall of one lot of Lactated Ringer’s Irrigation, 3000mL (NDC 0409-7828-08, Lot 40-008-JT; Expiry 1APR2016) to the user level (both human and veterinary) due to a confirmed customer report of several dark, fibrous particulates floating within the solution of the primary container. The particulate was confirmed as a common non-toxic, non-invasive mold, Aspergillus kanagawaensis.
 L & L Foods Recalls Bacon Bits Due To Misbranding And An Undeclared Allergen
L & L Foods, a Wilmington, Ohio, establishment is recalling approximately 30,665 pounds of bacon bits due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen.
03/07/2015 12:15 AM EST
Rio Tex Wholesale Meats, a Mercedes, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 58,180 pounds of ready-to-eat beef products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
03/06/2015 09:45 AM EST
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is approving the first biosimilar, opening the way for more treatment options in the future.
 What are biosimilars? How will they affect your health?
03/05/2015 09:15 PM EST
Premier Distribution Center, Inc. a Nogales, Ariz. establishment, is recalling approximately 50,953 pounds of pork and beef products due to misbranding.

Oscar’s Hickory House Recalls Beef Jerky Product Due To Processing Deviation

03/01/2015 11:15 AM EST Oscar’s Hickory House Inc., a Warrensburg, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 32 pounds of beef jerky product due to a processing deviation.
 Updated information is now available. A list of retail consignees has been posted for recall 031-2015, California Firm Recalls Beef Products Produced Without Benefit of Import Inspection (February 13, 2015).

Bavarian Meats Recalls Brand Loaf Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen Bavarian Meats, a Seattle, Wash. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,400 pounds of Bavarian Brand Loaf products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen (soy).

Black History

the Senate ~~ CONGRESS 3/18 ~~ the House


Samuel, only his first name given, kicks a ball through the ruins of their family home as his father, Phillip, at back, picks through the debris in Port Vila, Vanuatu in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam Monday, March 16,.

The Senate stands adjourned until 9:30am on Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with the Democrats controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.178, a bill to provide justice for the victims of human trafficking.

As a reminder, Senator McConnell filed cloture (again) on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178 and on the underlying bill. The filing deadline for all first-degree amendments to the committee-reported substitute and the underlying bill is 1:00pm tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18. The cloture vote on the substitute would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Thursday. Senator McConnell also entered a motion to reconsider today’s failed cloture votes and could reconsider those at any point.

2:08pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178, Trafficking, upon reconsideration. We expect one roll call vote expected at this time.

Not agreed to: 57-41.

WRAP UP

Roll Call Votes

  1. Motion to invoke cloture on the committee-reported substitute amendment to S.178, upon reconsideration; not agreed to: 57-41.

Legislative Business

Began the rule 14 process to place on the Legislative Calendar of Business H.R.1191, Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act

Executive Business

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Last Floor Action:
10:00:40 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.

10:00:25 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:30 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Cresent Hardy to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:40 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.
12:00:56 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of March 18.
12:01:00 P.M. Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Mark Gooden, Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church, Johnson City, Tennessee
12:03:06 P.M. The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:03:08 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Beatty to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:04:22 P.M. H. Res. 155 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 155 — “Electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives.”
12:04:34 P.M. H. Res. 155 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
12:04:38 P.M. H. Res. 155 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:04:57 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.
12:32:16 P.M. The House received a communication from The Honorable Bob Goodlatte. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Goodlatte notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena for documents by the United States District Court and that after consulation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance is not consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.
12:32:45 P.M. H.R. 1030 Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 138. H.R. 1030 — “To prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating regulations or assessments based upon science that is not transparent or reproducible.”
12:32:50 P.M. H.R. 1030 For each measure, resolution provides one hour of general debate; makes specified amendments in order; and allows a motion to recommit, with or without instructions.
12:32:59 P.M. H.R. 1030 House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 138 and Rule XVIII.
12:33:00 P.M. H.R. 1030 The Speaker designated the Honorable Garret Graves to act as Chairman of the Committee.
12:33:12 P.M. H.R. 1030 GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1030.
1:21:35 P.M. H.R. 1030 An amendment, offered by Ms. Edwards, numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 114-37 to authorize $250 million for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019.
1:22:01 P.M. H.R. 1030 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 138, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Edwards Part B amendment No. 1.
1:32:23 P.M. H.R. 1030 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Edwards amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Edwards demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
1:32:39 P.M. H.R. 1030 An amendment, offered by Mr. Kennedy, numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 114-37 to allow the EPA to use all peer-reviewed scientific publications.
1:33:53 P.M. H.R. 1030 DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 138, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kennedy Part B amendment No. 2.
1:41:51 P.M. H.R. 1030 POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Kennedy amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Kennedy demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
2:09:19 P.M. H.R. 1030 On agreeing to the Edwards amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 164 – 254 (Roll no. 122).
2:14:03 P.M. H.R. 1030 On agreeing to the Kennedy amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 184 – 231 (Roll no. 123).
2:14:09 P.M. H.R. 1030 The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1030.
2:14:56 P.M. H.R. 1030 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2:15:05 P.M. H.R. 1030 The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
2:16:48 P.M. H.R. 1030 Mr. Takai moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
2:17:17 P.M. H.R. 1030 DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takai motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section at the end of the bill pertaining to protecting taxpayers from science promoted by polluting companies, pending a reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was removed.
2:26:30 P.M. H.R. 1030 The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
2:33:39 P.M. H.R. 1030 On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 181 – 239 (Roll no. 124).
2:40:07 P.M. H.R. 1030 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 241 – 175 (Roll no. 125).
2:40:08 P.M. H.R. 1030 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:40:28 P.M. Mr. Collins (GA) asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on March 19. Agreed to without objection.
2:41:18 P.M. ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
2:50:48 P.M. SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
3:51:34 P.M. Ms. Foxx moved that the House do now adjourn.
3:51:41 P.M. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
3:51:42 P.M. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 19, 2015.

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