CONGRESS: Republican led House :::: Democratic led Senate

12/20/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convenes: 11:00amET December 20,2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.1, the legislative vehicle for the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill.
During Wednesday’s session, cloture was filed on the Reid substitute amendment #3395 and on H.R1. The filing deadline for all first degree amendments is 1:00pm on Thursday. We will continue to work on an agreement for amendments in order to complete action on the bill.
Senator Inouye will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday. Senators will gather in the Senate Chamber at 9:35am in order to proceed together at 9:45am for the viewing.

The Senate has reached an agreement that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

Executive Calendar # 834, 835, 877

that there be 30 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form; that following the use or yielding back of time, the Senate proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on Cal. #834, 835 and 877 in that order; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order; that any related statements be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate’s action and the Senate then resume legislative session.

#834 Matthew W. Brann—US District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

#835 Malachy Edward Mannion—US District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

#877 Jon S. Tigar –US District Judge for the Northern District of California

The Senate has reached an agreement that at a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate proceed to the consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R.4310, the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 2013; that there be up to an hour of debate equally divided between the two leaders or their designees prior to a vote on adoption of the conference report.

We expect to begin consideration of the NDAA conference report at 1pm tomorrow.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted H.J.Res.122, a joint resolution establishing the date for the counting of the electoral votes for President and Vice President cast by the electors in December 2012 (moves the date for counting from Sunday, January 6^th to Friday, January 4^th).

Passed H.R.443, to provide for the conveyance of certain property from the United States to the Maniilaq Association in Kotzebue, Alaska with a Murkowski substitute amendment.

Passed H.R.4053, the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2012.

Passed S.2388, a bill to reauthorize and amend the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002, and for other purposes with a committee-reported substitute amendment and a Begich amendment.

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.439, a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that Village Voice Media Holdings, LLC should eliminate the “adult entertainment” section of the classified advertising website Backpage.com

Discharged the Judiciary committee and adopted S.Res.617, congratulating the recipient of the 2012 Heisman Memorial Trophy.

Adopted S.Res.627, a resolution designating the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Passed H.R.6671, a bill to amend section 2710 of title 18, United States Code, to clarify that a video tape service provider may obtain a consumer’s informed, written consent on an ongoing basis and that consent may be obtained through the Internet.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

———————————————————————-

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on December 20, 2012.

12:00:10 P.M.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

12:00:43 P.M.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert J. Dold to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

12:00:51 P.M.

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.

12:01:59 P.M.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:02:04 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Jenkins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

12:02:34 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 December 20, 2012 at 10:02 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 3477, H.R. 3870, H.R. 3912, H.R. 5738, H.R. 5837, H.R. 5954, S. 3630, S. 3662, S. 2318, S. 3202, and S. 3698. The message further stated that the Senate passed H.R. 4057 and H.R. 6029 as amended and named appointments to the United States-China Economic Security Review Commission.

12:03:38 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.

12:30:43 P.M.

H. Res. 840

Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 840 — “Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 4310) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”

12:31:32 P.M.

H. Res. 840

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 840.

1:29:45 P.M.

H. Res. 840

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 840, Mr. Bishop (UT) moved the previous question and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays which were ordered, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

1:30:37 P.M.

H. Res. 841

Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 841 — “Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 66) approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6684) to provide for spending reduction.”

1:32:18 P.M.

H. Res. 841

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 841.

1:32:18 P.M.

H. Res. 841

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 841.

3:01:27 P.M.

H. Res. 841

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 184 (Roll no. 639).

3:09:02 P.M.

H. Res. 841

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 219 – 197 (Roll no. 640).

3:09:03 P.M.

H. Res. 841

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:09:17 P.M.

H. Res. 840

Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 840 — “Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 4310) to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”

3:15:44 P.M.

H. Res. 840

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 233 – 186 (Roll no. 641).

3:22:15 P.M.

H. Res. 840

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 243 – 177 (Roll no. 642).

3:22:16 P.M.

H. Res. 840

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:23:13 P.M.

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification to terminate the designation of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis as a beneficiary developing country under the Generalized System of Preferences program. – referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-158).

3:27:30 P.M.

H.R. 4310

Mr. McKeon brought up conference report H. Rept. 112-705 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 840.

3:27:46 P.M.

H.R. 4310

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on conference report to accompany H.R. 4310.

4:39:42 P.M.

H.R. 4310

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

4:40:24 P.M.

H.R. 4310

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 4310, the Chair put the question on adoption of the conference report and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (WA) demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the conference report until later in the legislative day.

4:41:23 P.M.

H.R. 6684

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 841. H.R. 6684 — “To provide for spending reduction.”

4:41:28 P.M.

H.R. 6684

The resolution provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.J. Res. 66 and for consideration of H.R. 6684. The resolution makes in order a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on Ways and Means that the House concur in the Senate amendment to H.J. Res. 66 with the amendment printed in House Report 112-708. The resolution provides for one hour of debate in both instances. The Senate amendment, the motion, and H.R. 6684 shall be considered as read. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit for H.R. 6684.

4:41:48 P.M.

H.R. 6684

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 6684.

5:53:26 P.M.

H.R. 6684

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

5:53:46 P.M.

H.R. 6684

Mr. Van Hollen moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means.

5:58:03 P.M.

H.R. 6684

DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Van Hollen motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment that would add two new sections at the end of the bill. The first section is entitled “DISCLOSURE OF HIGHER BENEFICIARY COSTS AND PROVIDER CUTS UNDER MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND CHIP CUTS”. The second section is entitled “LIMITATION ON DEDUCTION FOR INTANGIBLE DRILLING AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS OF MAJOR INTEGRATED OIL COMPANIES”.

6:07:07 P.M.

H.R. 6684

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

6:32:08 P.M.

H.R. 6684

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 643).

6:40:12 P.M.

H.R. 6684

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 644).

6:40:13 P.M.

H.R. 6684

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:40:19 P.M.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of the conference report accompanying H.R. 4310 and on motions to suspend the rules, all of which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

6:40:44 P.M.

H.R. 4310

The House proceeded to consider the conference report H. Rept. 112-705 as unfinished business.

6:46:53 P.M.

H.R. 4310

On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 645).

6:46:53 P.M.

H.R. 4310

Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:46:58 P.M.

H.R. 3197

Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3197 — “To name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Spokane, Washington, as the “Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center”.”

6:54:10 P.M.

H.R. 3197

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 646).

6:54:11 P.M.

H.R. 3197

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:54:16 P.M.

H.R. 6443

Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6443 — “To designate the facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 9800 West Commercial Boulevard in Sunrise, Florida, as the “William ‘Bill’ Kling VA Clinic”.”

6:54:47 P.M.

H.R. 6443

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Roll Call 647 – 2/3 Yea and Nay vote pending.

6:54:16 P.M.

H.R. 6443

7:00:48 P.M.

H.R. 6443

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 422 – 0 (Roll no. 647).

7:00:49 P.M.

H.R. 6443

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

7:00:52 P.M.

S. 925

Considered as unfinished business. S. 925 — “To designate Mt. Andrea Lawrence.”

7:06:20 P.M.

S. 925

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 – 7 (Roll no. 648).

7:06:23 P.M.

S. 925

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

7:06:39 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

9:01:07 P.M.		<action_description>The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 20.
9:01:15 P.M.	S.J. Res. 49	<action_description>Mr. LaTourette asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
9:01:25 P.M.	S.J. Res. 49	<action_description>Considered by unanimous consent. S.J. Res. 49 — “Providing for the appointment of Barbara Barrett as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.”
9:01:44 P.M.	S.J. Res. 49	<action_description>On passage Passed without objection.
9:01:55 P.M.	S.J. Res. 49	<action_description>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:01:59 P.M.		<action_description>Mr. LaTourette asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 2:00 p.m. on December 21. Agreed to without objection.
9:02:01 P.M.		<action_description>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 received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 20, 2012 at 7:44 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.J. Res. 122 without amendment.
9:02:02 P.M.		<action_description>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.
9:02:24 P.M.	H.R. 1509	Considered as unfinished business.
9:02:26 P.M.	H.R. 1509	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
9:02:29 P.M.	H.R. 1509	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:02:36 P.M.	H.R. 3378	Considered as unfinished business.
9:02:38 P.M.	H.R. 3378	<action_description>On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
9:02:40 P.M.	H.R. 3378	<action_description>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:02:45 P.M.	H.R. 3869	<action_description>Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3869 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 600 East Capitol Avenue in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the “Sidney ‘Sid’ Sanders McMath Post Office Building”.”
9:02:49 P.M.	H.R. 3869	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
9:02:55 P.M.	H.R. 3869	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:03:01 P.M.	H.R. 4389	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4389 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19 East Merced Street in Fowler, California, as the “Cecil E. Bolt Post Office”.”
9:03:05 P.M.	H.R. 4389	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
9:03:12 P.M.	H.R. 4389	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:03:21 P.M.	H.R. 6260	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6260 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 211 Hope Street in Mountain View, California, as the “Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office”.”
9:03:25 P.M.	H.R. 6260	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
9:03:31 P.M.	H.R. 6260	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:03:35 P.M.	H.R. 6379	<Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6379 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6239 Savannah Highway in Ravenel, South Carolina, as the “Representative Curtis B. Inabinett, Sr. Post Office”.”
9:03:40 P.M.	H.R. 6379	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
9:03:55 P.M.	H.R. 6379	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:04:05 P.M.	H.R. 6587	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 6587 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 225 Simi Village Drive in Simi Valley, California, as the “Postal Inspector Terry Asbury Post Office Building”.”
9:04:11 P.M.	H.R. 6587	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
9:04:45 P.M.	H.R. 6587	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
9:05:02 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:56:49 P.M.		Mrs. Blackburn moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:56:57 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:56:58 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on December 21, 2012.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Things are different

12/19/2012 Nativegrl77

By ThinkProgress War Room

Ten Pro-Gun Legislators Willing to Consider New Gun Regulations

Following last week’s gun massacre in Newton, Connecticut, public support for commonsense gun safety regulations is surging. One poll out today found that support had risen nearly 20 points since this Spring. hitting a ten-year high.

As we know, overwhelming public support (or opposition) doesn’t guarantee that politicians in Washington will actually listen (e.g. why we still have to fight over giveaways to oil companies and the wealthy). Fortunately, it appears that the Sandy Hook shooting was finally one massacre too many and our elected are stepping up to the challenge of protecting everyone in our society from senseless violence.

ThinkProgress’ Josh Israel highlights ten pro-gun politicians that are now willing to consider sensible new regulations on weapons that have no place on our streets:

1. Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

The Senate Majority Leader has earned high marks from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and has run as a strong gun-rights advocate. In a floor speech Monday, he said, “In the coming days and weeks, we will engage in a meaningful conversation and thoughtful debate about how to change laws and culture that allow violence to grow.” He added that “every idea should be on the table” in the discussion. Politico reported Monday that he told a colleague he was now open to more gun control, observing that “something has to be done.”

2. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)

Though he has run for office as a “friend to gun owners” and received an “A” rating from the in his 2008 Senate run, Warner said Monday that he believes, “enough is enough.” Citing urging from his own daughters, he noted “I, like I think most of us, realize that there are ways to get to rational gun control.”

3. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

A lifelong NRA member who has received an “A” rating from the anti-gun control group, Manchin announced Monday that the time has come for assault weapon regulations. “We need to sit down and have a common sense discussion and move in a reasonable way,” he said on MSNBC. In a separate interview, he told CNBC that the tragedy in Connecticut, “changed me and it’s changed most Americans, I think.”

4. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)

Casey has received consistently high grades from the NRA and campaigned in his 2012 re-election race on his “record of supporting the Second Amendment and the interests of Pennsylvania sportsmen.” In a statement, Casey said, “These senseless acts of violence are unacceptable. Addressing them will require a comprehensive strategy that acknowledges all of the factors that contributed to this tragedy and takes every appropriate step to protect our citizens, especially our kids. Everything should be on the table.”

5. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD)

Johnson has received an “A” rating from the NRA, but said Monday, ” This tragedy will certainly force us as a country to have a discussion about our gun laws, as well as our mental health system. Like always, I will carefully consider any proposed legislation and listen to the voices of South Dakotans.”

6. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

Collins has been fairly pro-gun — receiving a “C+” rating from the NRA. On Monday, she said in a statement, “While denying the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens won’t change the behavior of those intent on using firearms for criminal purposes, I wholeheartedly agree that we must examine what can be done to help prevent gun violence.” She suggested that “we should examine, among other issues, whether states are reporting data on mentally ill individuals found to be a danger to themselves or others to the national background check database designed to prevent gun purchases by such individuals.”

7. Sen.-Elect Joe Donnelly (D-IN)

As a U.S. Congressman, Donnelly received an “A” rating and endorsement from the NRA. In a statement Monday, the Senator-elect said, “Now is the time to work together to make sure this never happens again. All parties must come to the table as we determine the appropriate action to address this extremely concerning problem of senseless violence.” He told CNN he was open to gun control measures, noting, “I’m a Dad too. My kids are a little older now, but I think of when they were 6 and 7 years old, and I think we have a responsibility to make sure this never happens again.”

8. Sen.-Elect Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

As a U.S. Congressman, Heinrich received an “A” rating and endorsement from the NRA. Monday, he said the tragedy in Connecticut left him “deeply affected” and that he was willing to consider “sensible policy” to address the problem. He vowed to take a “very serious look all legislative proposals aimed at preventing these horrific tragedies,” and noted that as a hunter, “I don’t need a 25-round clip for effective home defense, and I sure don’t need one for hunting. That’s just too much killing power. It defies common sense.”

9. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA)

The NRA has endorsed Dent and praised him for being “a staunch defender of the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen in Pennsylvania and across America.” After Newtown, he announced he would “push for us to examine all of the possible solutions to this problem,” including ways to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

10. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)

In his 2012 re-election campaign, Rahall noted on his candidate website that he was “NRA Endorsed, A Rated.” Monday, while noting that the “causes of violence in America are bigger and broader than just firearms,” Rahall said, “I want to hear from all sides before the Congress moves forward, so we can move forward together. Let us act deliberately, but, for the sake of too many already lost, let us act.”

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Michigan’s Republican governor vetoes radical bill that would’ve allowed concealed weapons in schools.

The House GOP’s hypocritical budget math.

Speaker Boehner decides tax hikes on millionaires won’t kill jobs after all.

Defeated Rep. Todd “legitimate rape” Akin is going out with a bang.

Florida lawmaker tried to disenfranchise college students in revenge for them having helped elect an openly gay mayor.

Top gun lobbyist: Americans should be “prepared” to take on lawmakers with their guns.

Non-sexist EZ Bake ovens are on the way.

Republicans need a deal on the fiscal cliff — really badly.

Major businesses are distancing themselves from guns.

~ Recent Post

from the Official Google Blog

12/19/2012 Nativegrl77

“In the beginning”…bringing the scrolls of Genesis and the Ten Commandments online

Posted: 18 Dec 2012 02:00 AM PST

A little over a year ago, we helped put online five manuscripts of the Dead Sea Scrolls—ancient documents that include the oldest known biblical manuscripts in existence. Written more than 2,000 years ago on pieces of parchment and papyrus, they were preserved by the hot, dry desert climate and the darkness of the caves in which they were hidden. The Scrolls are possibly the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century.
Today, we’re helping put more of these ancient treasures online. The Israel Antiquities Authority is launching the Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library, an online collection of some 5,000 images of scroll fragments, at a quality never seen before. The texts include one of the earliest known copies of the Book of Deuteronomy, which includes the Ten Commandments; part of Chapter 1 of the Book of Genesis, which describes the creation of the world; and hundreds more 2,000-year-old texts, shedding light on the time when Jesus lived and preached, and on the history of Judaism.

The Ten Commandments. Photo by Shai Halevi, courtesy of Israel Antiquities Authority

Part of the Book of Genesis. Photo by Shai Halevi, courtesy of Israel Antiquities Authority

Millions of users and scholars can discover and decipher details invisible to the naked eye, at 1215 dpi resolution. The site displays infrared and color images that are equal in quality to the Scrolls themselves. There’s a database containing information for about 900 of the manuscripts, as well as interactive content pages. We’re thrilled to have been able to help this project through hosting on Google Storage and App Engine, and use of Maps, YouTube and Google image technology.
This partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority is part of our ongoing work to bring important cultural and historical materials online, to make them accessible and help preserve them for future generations. Other examples include the Yad Vashem Holocaust photo collection, Google Art Project, World Wonders and the Google Cultural Institute.
We hope you enjoy visiting the Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library, or any of these other projects, and interacting with history.
Posted by Eyal Miller, New Business Development, and Yossi Matias, Head of Israel Research and Development Center

Get the whole family together over the holidays, from anywhere

Posted: 18 Dec 2012 01:00 AM PST

‘Tis the season for tree trimming, gift giving, recipe sharing and catching up with loved ones over a cup of eggnog. For families that are spread out over cities or even countries, it can be a challenge to get everyone together during the holidays. This year, we’ve teamed up with the creators of Wallace and Gromit to add a little extra holiday magic to Google+ Hangouts with a custom invitation builder and a Holiday Effects app.
Click this link to schedule your holiday family hangout and we’ll send all your invitations out with a custom Wallace and Gromit video. Since Hangouts let up to 10 people video chat at once, right from Google+ or Gmail, you can invite the whole family to join—and maybe a few friends too.

Don’t forget to put on a Santa hat, reindeer antlers or even wear Gromit’s ears by adding the Holiday Effects app to your family hangout.

Happy holidays from the Google+ and Gmail teams!
Posted by Kevin Maguire, Product Marketing Manager
(Cross-posted on the Gmail Blog)

~ Recent Post

Support : NMAAHC

12/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Help us build the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture by making a donation today!

I want to thank you for making 2012 an exciting year of progress for the Museum.

It has been a busy, productive year.

Our critically acclaimed new exhibition, Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty, was enjoyed by tens of thousands of visitors.
Our collections now number more than 19,000 historic objects and artifacts — and still growing!
And since the membership program began in August 2009, more than 42,000 people throughout the nation — and around the world! — have joined in support of building the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Of course, the biggest event over the past 12 months was our groundbreaking in February. It was marked by a special ceremony attended by President and Mrs. Obama, and featured speeches by the President and other dignitaries. This event stands as one of our major milestones and accomplishments thus far.

Today, our future site on the National Mall is a hive of activity. The bulldozers, backhoes and other construction equipment are drawing a lot of attention from people visiting the Capitol, the national monuments, and the museums that line the Mall.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited we are knowing that in 2015, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will open its doors and take its place among the great family of Smithsonian institutions — provided we continue to progress on schedule.

Your support is vital to the Museum. Now, before we ring in the New Year, I hope you will consider making a special year-end contribution and help ensure we stay on schedule. Remember, your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law — so, while you are helping the Museum, you are benefiting with a tax deduction, too.

You may want to consider becoming a Charter Member, if you have not done so already — it is a great program with some nice premiums. Regardless, however, we are genuinely grateful for your support and contribution to the Museum!

Let me take this opportunity to wish you and yours all the best in the coming year. Thank you for your kind generosity to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture — and for making this dream a reality.

	Sincerely,

	Adrienne C. Brooks Director of Development

P.S. Please take a moment right now and make a tax-deductible contribution to help build our Museum. If you are not already a Charter Member, you can join right now. Or you can simply support the Museum with a generous contribution. Either way, we truly appreciate your commitment. Thank you once again.