Greensboro, NC - February 29, 2012 - The C12 Group, America's largest Christian CEO roundtable provider, says that continuing media coverage about the recently announced U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate for all medical insurance plans to provide zero-cost abortifacients such as the "morning-after pill," beginning in late 2013, broadly misses the mark.  Don Barefoot, President and CEO of The C12 Group, with more than 1000 active members across America, says, "We know that consternation about the overreaching HHS Mandate isn't limited to church-affiliated organizations.  Bible-believing Christian business owners and CEOs see their roles as servant leaders at work as an extension of their faith and personal worship.  Several of our members have expressed outrage at the thought that our federal government is attempting to force their company medical plans to offer abortifacients.  Those with 50 employees or more also know that they'll be penalized $2000 per employee beginning in 2014 by pending ObamaCare legislation when they refuse, as a matter of conscience, to offer such medical coverage.  They are among literally tens of thousands of Bible-believing Judeo-Christian chief executives whose religious liberties would be trampled by the radical proposals coming out of Washington DC."

From 20 years of experience in working with more than 3000 established American companies with sales ranging up into the billions, C12 estimates that 10% of America's one million companies with at least $1 million in annual sales and 10 or more employees are led by Biblical worldview Christians with a deep personal faith that informs their leadership.  C12 estimates that these 100,000 firms employ more than five percent of U.S. adults, and routinely interact with nearly every American over the course of a typical year.  Overall, these companies represent a significant portion of the American business landscape.  Mr. Barefoot says, "Given their commitment to excellence as a matter of stewardship, these are among the most trustworthy and resilient small-to-midsized companies, making them especially vital to America's economic future.  Mr. Barefoot concludes, "C12 is a business organization that rarely takes time to comment on current socio-political events.

But this issue has crossed the line; we cannot be silent.  Unless the HHS mandate is rescinded, even in its amended form, many of these Christian entrepreneurs will be forced to drop company-sponsored medical coverage due to their deeply-held beliefs.  This is bad for millions of employees, bad for America, and an affront to people of Biblical faith everywhere."

C12 was founded by Buck Jacobs, a dedicated Christian, author and CEO, in 1992.  C12 is a growing network of more than 1000 members in 75 metro areas across America and is comprised of Christian CEOs and business owners who desire a trustworthy peer advisory board and seek to 'Build Great Businesses for a Greater Purpose.'

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LAWRENCE, KS (02/29/2012)(readMedia)-- More than 4,500 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the fall 2011 semester.

The honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the schools of allied health; architecture, design and planning; business; education; engineering; journalism; music; nursing; pharmacy; and social welfare.

Area honorees are as follows:

Lindsay Irene Formanek of Victor, Iowa. She is a Prof 1 in Pharmacy. She was named to the honor roll for the School of Pharmacy.

Paula Beth Samuelson of Davenport, Iowa. She is a junior in Occupational Studies. She was named to the honor roll for the School of Allied Health.

Honor roll criteria vary among the university's academic units. Some schools honor the top 10 percent of students enrolled, some establish a minimum grade-point average and others raise the minimum GPA for each year students are in school. Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for the honor roll.

If Congress fails to act, $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit will expire at end of year

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today urged House leaders of both parties to begin working together now to pass legislation to stop the looming expiration of a popular $2,500 college tax cut.  Unless Congress Acts, the American Opportunity Tax Credit - which provides a partially refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 to offset the cost of tuition for college - will expire at the end of 2012.

Last month, Braley introduced the College Tax Cut Extension Act to extend the American Opportunity Tax Credit for four more years.

"Iowa college graduates have the 3^rd highest student debt load in the nation," Braley said.  "Piling more costs on Iowa students by letting this tax cut expire puts them even further behind at graduation.  Worse, for the average Iowa community college student, letting this tax cut expire would be equivalent to a nearly 15 percent increase in tuition.

"Our colleges, universities, and community colleges are avenues of economic opportunity, and we need to keep higher education affordable for every person who wants to attend. That's why I'm urging House leaders of both parties to begin working now to extend this college tax cut instead of letting partisan politics get in the way of doing the right thing."

Braley made the request in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, which can be read below and downloaded at the following link: http://go.usa.gov/Ufl

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February 29, 2012

The Honorable John Boehner                       

Speaker                       

U.S. House of Representatives               

H-232, U.S. Capitol                       

Washington, DC 20515                         

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Minority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives

H-204, U.S. Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Pelosi:

As you may know, the American Opportunity Tax Credit is scheduled to expire at the end of the year.  I've introduced the College Tax Cut Extension Act which would extend this tax credit for four more years.  Please work together to pass my legislation to extend this important tax credit.

This tax credit provides up to $2,500 to undergraduate college students for tuition as well as coursework materials including books.  It is no secret that college tuition continues to drastically increase.  In Iowa, tuition costs have increased by 82.9 percent since 2000 while median household income has decreased by 6.3 percent.  Iowa students are also graduating with some of the highest debt in the country.  Iowa students graduate with the 3rd highest student debt loan of any state in the United States.  These alarming statistics shows us how important it is to extend this tax credit.

As college tuition continues to drastically rise, students cannot afford thousands of more dollars in bills because Congress failed to act.  After witnessing the debacle that occurred over the payroll tax extension, I would hate to see a similar scenario occur with this issue.  Please pass my College Tax Cut Extension Act extending the American Opportunity Tax Credit for four more years.  I stand ready to work in any way possible to make sure we keep student loan interest rates at their current level.

Sincerely,

Bruce L. Braley

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