Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Submits Ideas to Deficit Reduction Committee

WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley today submitted 18 pages of ideas to the Deficit Reduction Committee for possible savings of taxpayer money as the committee attempts to cut the deficit by more than $1 trillion.

Grassley focuses on administrative restructuring, reduction of duplicate and overlapping programs, and unnecessary and wasteful programs under the authority and jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

"I think it's important that each committee of jurisdiction put forth ideas that can be used to reduce the deficit.  No one agency should take an unfair percentage of the cuts, so it's up to those of us with the expertise in different subject matters to explain the best areas to save taxpayer money," Grassley said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and various agencies within the Department of Homeland Security.  The committee also considers policy pertaining to subjects such as bankruptcy, mutiny, espionage, and counterfeiting, Constitutional amendments, Federal courts and judges, Immigration and naturalization, Judicial proceedings, civil and criminal, the U.S. Patent Office, Patents, copyrights, and trademarks, Protection of trade and commerce against unlawful restraints and monopolies.

Click here to read Grassley's letter to the Deficit Reduction Committee.

Friday, October 14, 2011

During his weekly video address, Senator Chuck Grassley discusses taking a new approach to encourage economic recovery and job creation, given bipartisan opposition to the President's proposal for a new $447 billion spending plan.

Click here for audio.

Here is the text of the address:

This week, there was a bipartisan opposition in the Senate to the President's proposal for a new $447 billion spending plan.  The President's first big stimulus bill, enacted in 2009, didn't keep the unemployment rate down, and it's unclear how this second massive one would create and sustain jobs.  It also would raise taxes, and whatever the details of the tax increase, there's plenty of evidence that raising taxes in a struggling economy makes things worse.  Plus, since World War II, every dollar in new taxes has resulted in $1.17 in government spending.  That's the opposite direction that we should be headed.  The emphasis has got to be on reducing spending, not increasing taxes and a license for more spending.  In fact, what the President wants to do is pay for temporary programs with permanent tax hikes, so it's clear that this would lead to more government spending long past what he says would be an economic stimulus.  People at the grass roots know that growing deficits and debt are getting in the way of America's economic recovery.  And pessimism about Washington's ability to act in a fiscally responsible way by spending less is a damper on the economy.

So, instead of a proposal that emphasizes higher taxes and more government spending, it's time for a new approach.  Private-sector employers need certainty.  They need to know higher taxes and more burdensome regulations aren't just around the corner.  They need an international trade agenda that opens new doors sell U.S. products and services.  This week's action on three trade agreements are a start, but these agreements have been delayed unnecessarily for years now, and the rest of the world is moving ahead without us.  The administration needs to move forward on other trade initiatives without delay.  Affordable energy is needed, too.  It's time to ramp up production of traditional energy sources here at home and to expand alternative and renewable energy sources

Washington needs to give employers confidence and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of big and small businesses nationwide.

-30-

Q-C Chamber to Host Ribbon-Cutting and Reception

Rock Island, IL / October 14, 2011 - Few words describe Media Link, Inc.'s founder Natalie Linville-Mass than 'courageous' and 'determined.'  When she established her own advertising agency in 2001, the world had just experienced a sea-change.  The rubble at Ground Zero was still smoldering following the attack on the World Trade Center the previous month.   After a diverse career that included working in television news, production, and in national media sales, Natalie was undeterred in her decision to launch her own advertising agency.  Starting with just a few clients, including Quad-City businesses Country Style Ice Cream, Doug's Heating and Air Conditioning, who remain loyal clients, Natalie opened her own agency October 12, 2001 (then named Gendron Advertising) in Davenport's Union Arcade building.  She has never looked back.

Ten years later, much has changed.  Gendron Advertising became Media Link in May 2006.  The office moved to Rock Island. While the economic uncertainty that began with 9/11 hasn't completely lifted, Linville-Mass hasn't lost her vision for seeing opportunities wrapped inside of challenges.  Linville-Mass is once again launching an ambitious endeavor, developing and now nationally marketing a proprietary media buying software, Media Link Software,™ (MLS).  MLS was created by Linville-Mass and a team of industry and technical experts.  MLS was built to address the shortcomings of the leading media buying platforms, which she had used since beginning her agency. According to Nielsen Media Research, MLS is the first user-designed media buying platform to incorporate Neilsen and Arbitron ratings.

"It has never been more crucial to prove return-on-investment.  MLS helps advertisers do just that, by offering a single, affordable, time-saving solution," said Linville-Mass about her brainchild.  MLS provides a clear and fluid process for placing media as well as offering clear reporting on reach, frequency and cost-per-point/cost-per-thousand.  Unlike other options, MLS also offers a fee structure sustainable for small and medium-sized agencies.

In addition to personally serving a growing list of clients, Linville-Mass is an active member of the Quad-City Chamber of Commerce and serves on several local public-policy committees.   Mary Chappell, Land and Development Programs Coordinator for the City of Rock Island, serves with Natalie on the Advanced Technology and Sustainability Consortium and has been a key advisor to Natalie since helping her navigate zoning ordinances in establishing her Rock Island office.

"Natalie has such a great story.  She has the heart and soul of an entrepreneur.  Natalie's fierce tenacity, vision and thoroughness allows her to make the necessary course-corrections when others would panic.  At the same time, she approaches everything she does with enthusiasm and purpose, always focusing on what is the best for the client or the task at hand.  Unlike many, she has a plan and is working it, and advises her clients to do the same. "

Vicky Miller, Director of the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center, has been an advocate for Linville-Mass as she has grown her business.  "Natalie's intense sense of business intellect, drive, integrity and grit is what makes her unique. She has the strength and drive vital for a successful entrepreneur, yet remains compassionate to the needs of others.  She has depth and breadth in her business skills and it shines through when you work with her."

Media Link currently serves more than 30 clients from a broad range of industries, including retail, food service hospitality and healthcare. Media Link obtained its first government contract in September.  Media Link now has four full-time and one part-time employee and is the only current 8(a) certified advertising agency in the state of Iowa.

The Quad-City Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting and reception celebrating Media Link's 10 years in business on Wednesday, October 26th at 4:00 p.m. at their office at 1902 17th Street, Rock Island, IL.

Media Link, Inc. is an 8(a) SDB Certified, woman-owned small business and full-service advertising agency dedicated to helping companies at local, regional and national levels make informed advertising decisions and develop strategic marketing plans.

Clergy Training Scheduled for Mount Vernon, Bloomington, Elgin and Springfield

FOREST PARK, IL (10/14/2011)(readMedia)-- A group of 18 clergy members from the Chicago area gathered at the Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park Oct. 5 to attend the first of several free training events sponsored by the Illinois National Guard. Similar training will occur at other churches across the state later in October.

The training is designed to raise awareness among community religious leaders about the challenges faced by servicemembers and their families, with a focus on deployment related issues such as anger management, suicide prevention, military marriages, and church and community support for the military.

Partners in Care is a program dedicated to providing servicemembers community resources through local congregations, said Capt. Vincent C. Lambert of Chicago, Illinois National Guard chaplain with the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment in Chicago.

The goal of Partners in Care is to provide military personnel with local community support in their geographical area, said Lambert.

There are 68 congregations across Illinois that are part of the organization, which was started in fall 2009. However, Lambert said, most of these are in the northern region of Illinois and more support is needed in other areas of the state.

With only a handful of chaplains to minister to 13,000 Illinois National Guard members, the need is great, said Lambert.

"We know that anger is a significant issue for those who are in military service, particularly those who are returning from deployment," said Lambert.

Juliann Steinbeigel of Springfield, the director of psychological health for the Illinois National Guard, spoke about anger management issues. She discussed stress triggers and coping mechanisms to deal with the stressors and emotions that can impact a Soldier's life, such as survivor's guilt.

Steinbeigel said servicemembers are at a heightened stress level when returning from a deployment and may be bothered by things that did not upset them before.

A new initiative for Partners in Care, said Steinbeigel, is to link up with units who are scheduled to deploy as a way to be pro-active in providing support for military families.

Pastor Jerry H. Gleason of Bartlett, who ministers at Twin Oaks Baptist Church, was another guest speaker at the seminar. Gleason retired from Illinois Army National Guard at the rank of lieutenant colonel after serving for 31 years as a chaplain. He talked about ways to bridge the gap between the church and the military.

"For the most part, servicemembers face the same challenges as non-military families," said Gleason. "They are simply overwhelmed by life issues."

Gleason said clergy can develop a veteran's ministry by rallying the servicemembers within their congregation and developing services that emphasize the church's support of the military.

"The local church will always be there...when other people and agencies often move on or back off," said Gleason.

Maurice L. Lofton, of Chicago, a Vietnam War veteran and church elder at Liberty Temple Church, said the need to provide support for returning veterans is vital.

"When guys deploy, men come home, and women now, they need someone to bring them back into society...they don't know the society that they left...I mean everything's changed," said Lofton. "There are issues when they come back."

Lofton, who attends meetings on a regular basis to help him deal with his experiences as a Marine in Vietnam, even 43 years later, hopes to start offering a veterans support group at his church.

"What I'd like to see, even as far as the clergy is concerned, is to ease them back into society. We know it's not going to be easy," said Lofton. "You need this to help bridge that gap that's missing right now."

Capt. Oluwatoyin O. Hines of Chicago, a chaplain with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago who works full-time for the Wounded Warrior Ministry, said she was grateful for the support she received from her church when she returned from deployment.

"Partners in Care and the church environment allows the servicemember to reintegrate emotionally, spiritually and psychologically in their own time and in a nurturing environment," said Hines.

Lambert said he hopes to see more servicemembers and congregational communities join Partners in Care to increase its outreach to troops and their families in Illinois.

"Faith group leaders will receive pertinent information to minister, not only to military personnel, but to the community," said Lambert.

There are still seats available at all the remaining 2011 Illinois National National Guard Church Leaders Training seminars, held at various locations throughout Illinois during October.

All are encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact Chaplain Lambert at vincent.lambert@us.army.mil or 773-406-5183.

October 18---Logan Street Baptist Church, 601 South 21st Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864---9am-1pm

October 20---Illinois Army National Guard Armory, 1616 S. Main St., Bloomington, IL 61701---9am-1pm

October 25---Harvest Bible Chapel, 1000 N. Randall Rd. Elgin, IL 60123---9am-1pm

October 26---Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, 1301 N. Macarthur Blvd, Springfield, IL 62702---9am-1pm

Photo 1: U.S Army photo by Spc Starr A. Ivey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment - Eduardo (Edward) Negron, of Berwyn, Assistant to the Member Care Department at Living Word Christian Center, asks a question at the conference for Partners in Care on October 5, a training seminar geared toward faith leaders. The event, sponsored by the Illinois National Guard, aims to provide a support network between local churches and the military community.

Photo 2: U.S Army photo by Spc Starr A. Ivey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment - Mariann J. Blacconiere, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Hines VA Hospital, gives a lecture about suicide prevention (Operation SAVE) at a Partners in Care training seminar, held at the Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, October 5.

Photo 3: U.S Army photo by Spc Starr A. Ivey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment - Capt. Vincent C. Lambert, Illinois National Guard chaplain with the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment in Chicago speaks during an Illinois National Guard Church Leaders Training event at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Oct. 5. The seminar is the first of seven held throughout Illinois in October. The training educates faith leaders about the needs of servicemembers and helps bridge the gap between the church and military families.

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

Story by Spc. Starr A. Ivey, 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment