The Pros and Cons of Voluntourism
A growing number of travelers are volunteering on their vacations, but they sometimes end up doing more harm than good. Dorinda Elliott builds a house in Haiti and reports on the rewards—and risks—of lending a hand away from home.

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Congress: Republicans ****** Democrats

01/18/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in recess under the provisions of S.Con.Res.3. The Senate will meet at 11:30am on Monday, January 21, 2013 for the Joint Session for the Inaugural Ceremonies.
The Senate will recess upon conclusion of the Joint Session.

the Senate Convenes: 10:00amET January 22, 2013

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for debate only until 12:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

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The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on January 18, 2013.

3:00:40 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
3:01:05 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Louie Gohmert to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
3:01:19 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Andrew Walton, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC.
3:02:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
3:03:03 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
3:03:48 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 21, 2013.

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must see Vids

01/17/2013 Nativegrl77

Texas Lawmaker: We Can Make Federal Gun Laws Illegal

+ 18 videos by tpmtv

President Obama Introduces a Plan to Reduce Gun Violence

+ 8 videos by whitehouse

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a Plan to Reduce Gun Violence

01/17/2013 Nativegrl77 4 Comments

President Obama Introduces a Plan to Reduce Gun Violence

bywhitehouse

President Obama puts forward a specific plan to protect our children and communities by reducing gun violence, introducing legislative and executive action that combined would close background check loopholes to keep guns out of dangerous hands; ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and taking other common-sense steps to reduce gun violence; make schools safer; and increase access to mental health services. January 16, 2013.

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Come see us when in Washington DC this weekend!

01/17/2013 Nativegrl77

WHAT TO DO IN WASHINGTON DURING
THE INAUGURATION WEEKENDBehind the Dream: the Making of the Speech that Transformed a Nation by Clarence B. Jones and Stuart Connelly

Saturday, January 19, 2013, 2:00 pm

Join us for a conversation between award-winning author and Washington Post reporter Wil Haygood and Clarence B. Jones, Dr. Martin Luther King’s personal lawyer and speechwriter.

National Museum of American History, Warner Bros. Theater
14^th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Metro: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle

Free and Open to the Public. Seating limited.
RSVP requested Register at www.nmaahc.si.edu/events

Help us Celebrate History in the Making at an Open House hosted by the NMAAHC

Sunday, January 20, 2013, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Take a virtual tour of the Museum
View groundbreaking ceremony highlights
Meet museum staff and fellow Charter Members
Enjoy music and light refreshments
Show your membership card to receive a special photo (quantities limited)
Become a Charter Member

S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Avenue NW
Washington DC
Note: Copper-dome entrance kiosk located between Smithsonian Castle
and the Freer Sackler Gallery.
Metro: Smithsonian

Changing America: The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863 and the March on Washington, 1963

On view now through September 15, 2013 in the NMAAHC’s temporary gallery on level 2.

National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
14^th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Metro: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle

Guided exhibition tours offered Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 am, 12:00 noon, and 1:00 pm. Maximum group size for each tour is 15. Please meet in front of exhibition entrance.

For more information about Changing America, visit www.nmaahc.si.edu.