Tag Archives: Organizations

What does education have to do with homes?


At Habitat, we believe the link between learning and housing is undeniable. Studies suggest that 115 million school-aged children around the world are not in school. And we know that children from the poorest households are more likely to be out of school than the rest of the population. These numbers are entirely unacceptable.

As Vice President of Global Program Development and Support, I am committed to doing all that I can to help ensure that, through Habitat’s efforts across the globe, more children and parents find the stable home environment in which learning can take root.

Your generous donation to Habitat today will give more children a chance to succeed.

http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=kgIRI0OFJmJOJ3L&s=aqLPK5NGLeJHKQMyHqH&m=crKMK1PEL7INLcL

More than 1/3 of the world’s population lives below the poverty line, subsisting on less than $1.25 per day — that’s over 2 billion people. Ceilings on the verge of collapse, dangerously exposed wiring, plumbing that doesn’t work, and the lack of heat in the dead of winter — living conditions like these contribute to homes where families must focus more on surviving than on thriving.

Safe and decent housing, the financial ability to cover school fees, and close proximity to schools are all contributing factors to a child’s opportunity to fulfill his or her academic potential. By developing innovative programs that account for all the needs a family has — including access to educational and learning opportunities — Habitat deepens its commitment to building a brighter future in which children and their parents can meet their full potential.

Your support will help to provide housing and hope for a better tomorrow for families around the world.

Having partnered with more than 400,000 families — including thousands of children — we are creating safe and stable environments where learning can take root. We’re helping build home environments where children can enjoy a quiet place to study — an opportunity to thrive.

http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=kgIRI0OFJmJOJ3L&s=aqLPK5NGLeJHKQMyHqH&m=crKMK1PEL7INLcL

Together, we are working to end poverty housing and to build the foundation for a brighter future for our children.

Thank you for your generous support.

In partnership,

Steve Weir

VP Global Program Development

Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat Update from Habitat for Humanity International —January 2011


January 2011 News

 

Haiti Earthquake: one year later

http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=jqLUIZNxHbIGK3J&s=aqJPK5OGIeJHIQMyEqE&m=ekIZLdMSImIXIkL

Habitat has helped thousands of earthquake-affected families by distributing 21,000 emergency shelter kits and over 1,000 transitional or upgradeable shelters.

2010: Year in Review

http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=mtI0I8PJJeKNIdI&s=aqJPK5OGIeJHIQMyEqE&m=ekIZLdMSImIXIkL

In 2010, Habitat volunteers and supporters helped families obtain decent and affordable housing. Take a look back by watching this video of memorable events throughout the year.

Habitat World blog

http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=pwK6JhMVIhJUJnL&s=aqJPK5OGIeJHIQMyEqE&m=ekIZLdMSImIXIkL

Habitat.org’s newest innovation is the Habitat World blog, a place where you can catch up on even more news and stories from around Habitat’s world. Subscribe to the blog RSS feed.

Habitat Success Story

Starting Over

A mother in North Carolina finds homeownership a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ifISKWNtGaIHL3K&s=aqJPK5OGIeJHIQMyEqE&m=ekIZLdMSImIXIkL

A Holiday “Thank You” from UCS


Union of Concerned Scientists
This holiday season, we want to thank you for your support of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

As we head into the New Year please know how much we appreciate that support. You are an integral part of the work that we do. leaves It is because of your partnership that UCS is ready to aggressively advocate and promote science-based solutions to our world’s most pressing problems.

Thank you for your support,
—the board and staff of the Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit
working for a healthy environment and a safer world. 

2 Brattle Square Cambridge, MA 02138-3780
phone: 800-666-8276 | Fax: 617-864-9405 | ucsaction@ucsusa.org | www.ucsusa.org

Congress back in Session – 11/15/10 -updates when needed


The Senate will stand adjourned under the provisions of H.Con.Res.321 until 2:00pm on Monday, November 15.

When the Senate convenes there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes during Monday’s session of the Senate.

The Senate will be in session the  entire week of November 15-19, 2010.

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for Monday November 15, 2010 2:00pmET

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 15, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

9:17 P.M. –
The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on November 16, 2010. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.  

Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

7:00 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.  

6:56 P.M. –
Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 19: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 18: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min.  

6:55 P.M. –
Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 17: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, and Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on November 16: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, himself for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, and Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min.  

6:54 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.  

6:52 P.M. –
The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S.J. Res. 40. SPEAKER’S APPOINTMENT – Pursuant to section 1002 of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (P.L. 107-306) as amended by section 701(a)(3) of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (P.L. 111-259), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Chair announces the Speaker’s appointment of the following member on the part of the House to the National Commission for the Review of the Research and Development Programs of the United States Intelligence Community: Mr. Maurice Sonnenberg, New York, NY.  

H. Con. Res. 328:

expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were initially enacted in 1980 by Public Law 96-517 (commonly referred to as the “Bayh-Dole Act”) on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its enactment 

 

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 – 1 (Roll no. 568). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

6:44 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

H. Res. 1713:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school 

 

6:43 P.M. –
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 – 0 (Roll no. 567).  

6:34 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights 

 

6:33 P.M. –
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.  

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 – 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 566).

6:02 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.  

6:01 P.M. –
Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX, the Speaker postponed until a time to be announced, the roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.Res. 716, which was ordered on Monday, November 15, 2010. 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.  

6:00 P.M. –
The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 15.

 

3:50 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. today.

H. Res. 1713:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school

3:49 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

3:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1713.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights

3:31 P.M. –

S. 3689:

to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights

3:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3689.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 328:

The title of this measure is not available

3:25 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

3:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 328.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 6397:

The title of this measure is not available

3:14 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

2:58 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6397.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

S. 1376:

to restore immunization and sibling age exemptions for children adopted by United States citizens under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption to allow their admission to the United States

2:54 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

2:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1376.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 716:

recognizing Gail Abarbanel and the Rape Treatment Center, and for other purposes

2:46 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 716.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5566:

to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit interstate commerce in animal crush videos, and for other purposes

2:41 P.M. –

House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 1712.

H. Res. 1712:

Providing for the consideration of the bill H.R. 5566 and the Senate amendment thereto

2:39 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

2:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1712.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:00 p.m. today.

2:15 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

H.R. 3808:

to require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce

2:14 P.M. –

VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President on H.R. 3808. The objections of the President were spread at large upon the Journal, and the veto message was ordered to be printed as a House Document No. 111-152. Pursuant to the order of the House of earlier today, further consideration of the veto message and the bill are postponed until the legislative day of Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, and that on that legislative day, the House shall proceed to the constitutional question of reconsideration and dispose of such question without intervening motion.

2:13 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 transmitted H.R. 3808, the “Interstate Recognition of Notarization Act of 2010,” and a Memorandum of Disapproval thereon received from the White House on October 8, 2010, at 12:55 p.m.

Mr. Scott (VA) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Monday, November 15, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.

Mr. Scott (VA) asked unanimous consent That, when a veto message on H.R. 3808 is laid before the House on the legislative day of today, then after the message is read and the objections of the President are spread at large upon the Journal, further consideration of the veto message and the bill shall be postponed until the legislative day of Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010; and that on that legislative day, the House shall proceed to the constitutional question of reconsideration and dispose of such question without intervening motion. Agreed to without objection.

2:04 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 30, 2010, at 11:13 a.m.: That the Senate passed without amendment H.R. 6200, H.R. 4543, H.R. 5341, H.R. 5390, H.R. 5450 and H. Con. Res. 319.

2:03 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 notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 30, 2010 at 11:14 a.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 1061 with amendments; passed H.R. 1722 with an amendment; passed S. 685, S. 3794, and S. 2847; agreed to S. Con. Res. 52, S. Con. Res. 72, and S. Con. Res. 74.

2:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Christensen to lead the Members 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.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Jesse L. Jackson Jr. to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.


And the winner is..


Union of Concerned Scientists
Get your 2011 Scientific Integrity Calendar
The 2011 Scientific Integrity Calendar makes a great gift for your scientist and non-scientist friends and family who believe that policy decisions should be guided by the best available science.

Read More

Meet your 2010 Science Idol

We recently invited you to help choose the winner in Science Idol, a cartoon contest designed to poke fun at the not-so-humorous problem of political interference in science. This year, we focused on the inappropriate influence corporations and other special interests have on how science is presented in the classroom and used to make decisions about our health and safety.

After thousands of votes were cast, Raúl de la Nuez of Miami, FL, came out on top. In addition to working as an editorial cartoonist for two newspapers in Miami—VisionIbero and Chevere News—Raul also paints and serves as art director for Venevision production. Entering Science Idol was his “small contribution to a noble cause,” he said.
The winning cartoon
See Raul’s cartoon here. It will grace the cover of this year’s Scientific Integrity Calendar.

You can also view all 12 contestants and learn more about Raul.

The Scientific Integrity Calendar
In addition to providing you with a year’s worth of laughs, the 2011 Scientific Integrity Calendar is a valuable educational tool, highlighting the need for the Obama administration and Congress to reduce inappropriate influence from corporations and other special interests over how our government uses science to make decisions.

Order your 2011 Scientific Integrity Calendar here. It makes a great gift for your scientist and non-scientist friends and family who believe that policy decisions should be guided by the best available science. The calendars are just $10 each, with proceeds supporting our important work.

I hope you enjoy the cartoons and the calendar!

Sincerely,
MichaelHalpern_jpg
Michael Halpern
National Field Organizer
UCS Scientific Integrity Program

P.S. Defending science from political interference requires the persistent and energetic engagement of both scientists and citizens. As a member of the UCS action network, you’ll continue to hear from us about ways you can help support independent science. Scientists, engineers, and health professionals are invited to join our Scientist Network to keep current about science policy issues related to your field and interests.