by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

A decade after vicious terrorist attacks killed thousands of innocent people and caused immeasurable grief to victims and survivors, America has shown the world that 9/11 may have changed life as we knew it, but it has not changed America's commitment to freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The national tragedy tapped an overwhelming sense of solidarity and sacrifice among Americans from across the country. Consider the selfless acts of courage and patriotism from the moment the hijackers commandeered three airplanes on that clear September morning 10 years ago: from the passengers aboard United Flight 93, to the first responders who reported to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the heroes who serve on the front lines from within the nation's military and from behind-the-scenes in our intelligence and counterterrorism operations. Thanks to the allegiance of public servants and private citizens, our men and women in uniform and our captains of commerce and industry, the United States of America continues to serve as a beacon of hope, freedom and opportunity to the rest of the world. Those who sought to undermine the exceptionalism of the American people underestimated the resiliency of the American people.

Just consider the recent protests across the globe, where after decades of oppression, the people of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have thrown out autocratic regimes in the pursuit of self-government, economic opportunity, higher standards of living and personal freedoms. The 10th anniversary of 9/11 offers Americans and our friends around the world the opportunity to embrace the common threads that tie us together.

For more than two centuries, the United States has attracted millions of newcomers to live and work in the land of opportunity. Generations of Americans have scaled the ladder of economic and social mobility, enjoyed the freedoms of press, speech and religion, and embraced the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, risk-taking and innovation. Unleashing the power of the individual has served as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity for the last 235 years.

Along the way, the United States evolved as an economic, cultural and military leader in the world. The 9/11 terror attacks dealt a devastating blow to America and all of humanity. And yet, 10 years later, America still stands as the shining city on the hill. Despite the economic downturn, America still bears the promise of better days ahead. Despite high unemployment and unprecedented public debt, the American Dream still serves as the magical elixir that ultimately defines the nation's resiliency and bone-deep belief in the goodness of America.

That bone-deep belief in the goodness of America flows through the veins of those called to serve their country in the U.S. military, including one of Iowa's own hometown heroes who lost his life in the line of duty this summer. Jon Tumilson enlisted in the Navy after graduating from high school in 1995.  A 35-year-old Navy SEAL from Rockford, he was one of 30 Americans killed in one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. forces since 9/11. Barbara and I were able to pay our respects to this fallen Navy SEAL at his funeral in August. The long-time Iowa Hawkeye football and wrestling fan left behind family members and loved ones, including his beloved Labrador retriever named Hawkeye. The black lab led family members into the school gymnasium for the service and proceeded to lie next to the casket of his owner. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. The image of Tumilson's dog lying next to the flag-draped casket brought three words to mind; loyalty, loss and love.

Let's honor the memory of the many Iowans who've died in military service since 9/11, and all the soldiers and veterans who have served their country to protect U.S. national security and preserve our American way of life.

May their sacrifice remind us of their bone-deep belief in America's goodness. As policymakers return to Washington, D.C. and Americans observe the 10th anniversary of 9/11, let's keep their legacy and love of country close to mind as we work to put America back on the right track towards economic growth and prosperity.

Nova Singers, led by award-winning conductor Dr. Laura L. Lane, is celebrating its 26th season of bringing the finest choral music to audiences in Galesburg and the Quad Cities.  This season features some wonderful extras, in addition to the superb 20-voice ensemble that the region has come to know and love.  Nova opens the season on October 8th and 9th with Voices and Keys, a program consisting entirely of the stunning blend of piano and choir, including the dramatic and virtuosic Mid-Winter Songs by Morten Lauridsen.  As a special treat for A Nova Christmas in December, Nova is releasing its newest Christmas CD!  In February's Sun and Moon, Seas and Sky, Nova Singers returns to the simplicity of its 20 voices in a program that highlights the vast range of moods that the groups is able to create.  The season concludes in April with Drum Song, an exciting and unusual combination of voice and percussion, including everything from bass drum and cymbals to marimba and steel drums.

The full schedule of performances is as follows:

Voices and Keys, with Ashlee Mack, piano

Saturday, October 8, 7:30 p.m., Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College, Galesburg
Sunday, October 9, 4:00 p.m., First Congregational Church, Moline

A Nova Christmas
Friday, December 16, 7:30 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport
Saturday, December 17, 7:30 p.m., First Lutheran Church, Galesburg

Sun and Moon, Sea and Sky
Saturday, February 11, 7:30 p.m., First Lutheran Church, Galesburg
Sunday, February 12, 4:00 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport

Drum Song, featuring Nikki Malley, percussion

Saturday, April 14, 7:30 p.m., Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College, Galesburg

Sunday, April 15, 4:00 p.m., First Congregational Church, Moline

SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW - $48 for adults, $36 for seniors.

Subscribers to Nova's 2011-2012 Season receive four concerts for the price of three.

Individual concert tickets available at the door.  Adults $16, Seniors (65+) $112, Students Free.

Nova Singers, a professional vocal ensemble under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, hopes to share this fantastic listening experience with you.  Nova Singers is known for bringing a wide variety of choral music to its audiences, and for the spirit and charm the singers impart to their music.  Dr. Lane has been serving the greater Galesburg and Quad-Cities communities for over twenty-five years, bringing her passion for music and expressive singing to audiences and singers alike.

Populist Caucus Members Urge Obama to Include Infrastructure Bank in Job Creation Plan

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) called on President Obama to invest in our nation's infrastructure by developing a National Infrastructure Bank.  In a letter to the President, Rep. Braley urged the President to include the development of an Infrastructure Bank as part of his job creation plan he will be unveiling next week.  Four other members of the Populist Caucus signed the letter to the President.  The Populist Caucus has been advocating for the development of a National Infrastructure Bank for over a year and a half.  In February 2010, the Caucus endorsed legislation introduced by Vice Chair Rosa DeLauro to create a National Infrastructure Bank.

"A National Infrastructure Bank would create jobs and improve our country's aging infrastructure" said Rep. Braley.  "This plan would leverage both public and private dollars to improve our roads, bridges, tunnels and watersystems, creating jobs all across the country.  The plan also has a diverse coalition of support that includes both the business and labor communities.  It makes sense for the President to include this public-private partnership as part of his job creation plan."

A copy of the letter, which was signed by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. John Yarmuth, Rep. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Peter Welch, is pasted below and available here: http://go.usa.gov/0YF

End wars, spending and reintroduce sound money

ANKENY, Iowa- The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign released the following statement from National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton in response to the U.S. Department of Labor's August 2011 Employment Situation Summary:

"The August national unemployment rate of 9.1 percent is another unfortunate chapter in the Obama administration's almost superhuman mishandling of the economy.  Total nonfarm employment was unchanged, with zero jobs created.  The number of involuntary part-time workers is up, and the number of those marginally attached to the workforce is up.

"Six million workers, 42.9 percent of total unemployed persons, have been jobless 27 weeks or longer - a frightening proposition considering that mortgage, rent, food and back-to-school bills may go unpaid.  The most recent four-week moving average of new unemployment claims, favored for being a less volatile indicator of our jobs picture, is a frowning 410,250 - also cause for dismay.

"Indeed, much more than these data hangs in the balance.  Americans are enduring painful long-term joblessness.  They're witnessing their savings disappear due to lost income.  They're seeing their personal debt rise due to lost income.   And they gaze despairingly upon their retirement plans as these arrangements are tabled or upended entirely.

"We've been told our economic situation would get worse before it gets better, yet circumstances have remained near to their utmost worst for nearly three years. 

"We've been told that help was on the way, yet taxpayer-derived aid was granted to pet causes and favored political allies.  Too often, bailouts were targeted to the President's corporate and financial sector allies, a policy similar to that of tossing life preservers to those partying on yachts.

"Americans have had enough.

"It's high time that the President and his Washington establishment allies - those in both parties - 'man up' and face the responsibility to enact authentic change.

"First, America must put an end to the unconstitutional, undeclared wars that are nothing more than destructive conflicts having an unclear connection to U.S. national security.  And we should stop putting our war-weary armed services men and women in danger by being the world's police force and dispense with state building while there are pressing needs at home. 

"Ron Paul has called for an authentic stimulus that communities across America will find economically and affectionately stimulating: the return to America of 305,000 of their sons, daughters, husbands and wives who are deployed overseas. 

"Dr. Paul says time and again that these men and women's absence from the U.S., their deployments by international organizations such as N.A.T.O. and the United Nations, and their involvement in unconstitutional, undeclared wars puts America at risk. 

"America's heroes should finally return, reunite with their loved ones in the vicinity of U.S. bases - many of which face closure, as foreign bases thrive - and they can spend, save or invest their pay right here in America.

"A return to the U.S. of service men and women and their equipment just months ago would mean that Vermont would have possessed the needed Blackhawk helicopters and personnel to adequately respond to Hurricane Irene's destruction.  Instead, Vermont was required to borrow helicopters from Illinois and New Hampshire.

"In the wake of Hurricane Irene, there's a national conversation about the constitutionality, efficacy and efficiency of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) happening.  Yet, none of Ron Paul's Republican primary competitors have raised the issue that, since the U.S. reportedly spends more than $500 billion on overseas adventures, just seven days' worth of U.S global militarism would pay for Hurricane Irene response.

"Second, President Obama and his Washington enablers of both parties must end the appalling practice of overspending and borrowing.  American households are becoming poorer as the economic doldrums continue, however Washington enjoys a kind of golden age as it grows and promotes its relevance in every facet of life. 

"The Obama administration offers empty promises on a jobs fix despite the economic reality that government does not create jobs, and in lockstep those in government garner little criticism as few in the media hold Washingtonians' feet to the fire.   This selective examination of the facts, too, must end.

"Third, the U.S. must avoid the disastrous boom and bust cycles that promote irresponsible spending, investing, borrowing and lending and this can only be done by returning to a sound money system. 

"The Federal Reserve should undergo a complete and thorough audit, and currency competition should be introduced by decriminalizing the use of gold and silver as legal tender.  The final aim would be to end the Fed, which rewards the wealthy few while punishing and injuring working class Americans.

"The numbers and anecdotal evidence of a failed jobs picture speak for themselves.  They are a glaring argument for abandoning the failed Big Government, discredited Keynesian response to the national crisis all but those in Washington are experiencing.

"We do not need another speech or prime-time lecture for that matter to tell us what we know: Washington has failed and it is time for new leadership. 

"Ron Paul has championed the same constitutionally-limited government, noninterventionist foreign policy and sound money arguments for more than 30 years. 

"Dr. Paul wisely predicted the economic crisis and foresaw that it would fall hardest on the hardworking and most vulnerable.  The issues now match the candidate, which is why his message is resonating with more voters as the primary campaign cycle advances."