As families around the country get together to celebrate fathers today, I’m thinking about dads like Alex.

 Alex is the father of two boys and two girls, ages six to 13. During the week, he works the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift as a front-desk supervisor at a Seattle hotel. After work and on the weekends, he devotes his time to a summer organizing program that’s giving more than 1,500 first-time organizers the training they need to help build this movement in their communities.

   He says he hopes this organizing work will help teach his kids the power one person can have — that if “they see something that needs to be changed, they know they can make a difference.”

 I wanted to share a video of Alex explaining what prompted him to join this program and devote his summer to this work.

 I was really moved by what he had to say. Take a look, and share it with a dad you’re thinking about today:

Today, I’m also proud of my husband, the man who drove our first daughter and me home from the hospital 13 years ago next month, determined to be the kind of father he hadn’t had for himself.

 Barack often says he decided that day that if he could be anything in life, he’d be a good dad, and he dedicated himself then and there to making sure our daughter had every opportunity he could provide.

  When it comes down to it, that’s why we’re all here — Barack, Alex, myself, and everyone who’s part of this campaign. We’re all working to make sure we leave our kids with a country that’s fairer and more full of opportunity — just as our parents did for us.

 Thank you for being part of that work, and part of this campaign.

  Wishing you a happy Father’s Day,

   Michelle
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Last week, with your  effort, we sent over 9,000  public comments to the EPA with a clear message to  strengthen and keep the Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standard in  place. Help us reach 10,000 today!  http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KuboNjRJOEHLPzs%2FgnYXVYTCglo5gL1A

Everyone has a voice  that deserves to be counted. Your voices are heard loud and clear in  current polls that show  strong American support for the EPA.  Key findings stated that:
An overwhelming 75 percent of voters support EPA  setting stricter limits on smog;
65 percent say that stricter standards on air pollution will not damage our economic recovery, with 54 percent believing that updates are likely to create more jobs, not less: 66 percent of voters think the EPA should set pollution       standards, not Members of Congress;
Support for updating smog standards is widespread.       Targeted polling among voters in Florida,       Ohio, Michigan,       Minnesota, Wisconsin,       North Carolina and Virginia found support for the EPA       setting stricter limits on air pollution ranging between 64-72 percent.

The public comment period for Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standard will remain open until July 5th. Please forward the action page on to others who care about clean air for everyone.

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— Kathleen Rogers

 During Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #75, S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011. The Senate then entered into the following unanimous consent agreement. The Senate then went on a long weekend break.

• At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #34, the nomination of Michael H. Simon, of Oregon, to be US District Judge for the District of Oregon with one hour for debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call voteon confirmation of the Simon nomination.
• Following this vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly party conferences.
• At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will consider Executive Calendar #183, Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defensewith 2 hours for debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 4:15pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Panetta nomination.
• Following this vote, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 782, the EDA bill and conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill.
• If cloture is not invoked, the Senate will immediately conduct an additional roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.

• Therefore, Senators should expect up to 4 roll call votes on Tuesday, June 21^st:
  • at approximately 12pm
    • Confirmation of the Simon nomination
  • at approximately 4:15pm
    • Confirmation of the Panetta nomination
    • Motion to invoke cloture on S.782, the Economic Development Act
    • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act

 CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 20, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:05 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 21, 2011. 

10:04 A.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification stating that the emergency declared with respect to the risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation is to continue beyond June 21, 2011 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-36).

 10:03 A.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 sealed envelope from the White House on June 17, 2011 at 10:50 a.m. which is said to contain a message from the President whereby he notifies the Congress he has extended the national emergency with respect to highly enriched uranium in the territory of the Russian Federation.

 10:02 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
  10:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Jerry Lewis to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. 

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.