FROM: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
New CDC Vital Signs: Child Passenger Safety
One in three children who died in crashes in 2011 was not buckled up, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report. CDC analyzed 2002–2011 data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to determine the number and rate of motor-vehicle occupant deaths, and the percentage of child deaths among children age 12 and younger who were not buckled up. Motor vehicle crash deaths among children age 12 and younger decreased by 43 percent in the past decade (2002-2011), however, more than 9,000 children died in crashes during that period.
Research has shown that using age- and size-appropriate child restraints (car seats, booster seats, and seat belts) is the best way to save lives and reduce injuries in a crash, yet only 2 out of every 100 children live in states that require car seat or booster seat use for children age 8 and under. Almost half of all black (45 percent) and Hispanic (46 percent) children who died in crashes were not buckled up, compared to 26 percent of white children (2009-2010).
To help keep children safe on the road, parents and caregivers can:
Buckle children in car seats, booster seats, and seat belts in the back seat—on every trip, no matter how short.
Rear-facing car seat from birth up to age 2. Buckle children in a rear-facing seat until age 2 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat.
Forward-facing car seat from age 2 up to at least age 5. When children outgrow their rear-facing seat, they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat until at least age 5 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat.
Booster seat from age 5 up until seat belt fits properly. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat, they should be buckled in a booster seat until seat belts fit properly. The recommended height for proper seat belt fit is 57 inches tall.
Seat belt once it fits properly without a booster seat. Children no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck).
Install and use car seats according to the owner’s manual or get help installing them from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Buckle children age 12 and under in the back seat.
Friday, February 7, 2014
THREE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES TO IMPLEMENT SPECIAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
FROM: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Justice Department Announces Three Tribes to Implement Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction Under Vawa 2013
Three American Indian tribes – the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, and the Umatilla Tribes of Oregon – will be the first in the nation to exercise special criminal jurisdiction over certain crimes of domestic and dating violence, regardless of the defendant’s Indian or non-Indian status, under a pilot project authorized by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013).
“This is just the latest step forward in this administration’s historic efforts to address the public safety crisis in Indian country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “Every day, we’re working hard to strengthen partnerships with tribal leaders and confront shared challenges – particularly when it comes to protecting Indian women and girls from the shocking and unacceptably high rates of violence they too often face. With the important new tools provided by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, these critical pilot projects will facilitate the first tribal prosecutions of non-Indian perpetrators in recent times. This represents a significant victory for public safety and the rule of law, and a momentous step forward for tribal sovereignty and self-determination.”
Although the provisions authorizing the special jurisdiction take effect generally in March 2015, the law also gives the Attorney General discretion to grant a tribe’s request to exercise the jurisdiction earlier, through a voluntary pilot project. The authority to approve such requests has been delegated to Associate Attorney General Tony West. Associate Attorney General West today congratulated tribal leaders on this historic achievement in letters to the three tribes.
“The old jurisdictional scheme failed to adequately protect the public – particularly native women – with too many crimes going unprosecuted and unpunished amidst escalating violence in Indian Country,” stated Associate Attorney General West. “Our actions today mark a historic turning point. We believe that by certifying certain tribes to exercise jurisdiction over these crimes, we will help decrease domestic and dating violence in Indian Country, strengthen tribal capacity to administer justice and control crime, and ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are held accountable for their criminal behavior.”
Since the Supreme Court’s 1978 opinion in Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe, tribes have been prohibited from exercising criminal jurisdiction over non-Indian defendants. This included domestic violence and dating violence committed by non-Indian abusers against their Indian spouses, intimate partners, and dating partners. Even a violent crime committed by a non-Indian husband against his Indian wife, in the presence of her Indian children, in their home on the Indian reservation, could not be prosecuted by the tribe. In granting the pilot-project requests of the Pascua Yaqui, Tulalip, and Umatilla tribes today, the United States is recognizing and affirming the tribes’ inherent power to exercise “special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction” (SDVCJ) over all persons, regardless of their Indian or non-Indian status, for crimes committed on or after Feb. 20, 2014.
As described in the Department of Justice’s Final Notice on the pilot project, today’s decisions are based on a diligent, detailed review of application questionnaires submitted by the tribes in December 2013, along with excerpts of tribal laws, rules, and policies, and other relevant information. That review, conducted in close coordination with the Department of the Interior and after formal consultation with affected Indian tribes, led the Justice Department to determine that the criminal justice systems of the Pascua Yaqui, Umatilla, and Tulalip tribes have adequate safeguards in place to fully protect defendants’ rights under the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by VAWA 2013.
The Department of Justice is posting notices of the pilot-project designation on the Tribal Justice and Safety Web site (www.justice.gov/tribal/) and in the Federal Register. In addition, each tribe’s application questionnaire and related tribal laws, rules, and policies will be posted on the Web site. These materials will serve as a resource for those tribes that may also wish to participate in the pilot project or to commence exercising SDVCJ in March 2015 or later, after the pilot project has concluded.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Justice Department Announces Three Tribes to Implement Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction Under Vawa 2013
Three American Indian tribes – the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, the Tulalip Tribes of Washington, and the Umatilla Tribes of Oregon – will be the first in the nation to exercise special criminal jurisdiction over certain crimes of domestic and dating violence, regardless of the defendant’s Indian or non-Indian status, under a pilot project authorized by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013).
“This is just the latest step forward in this administration’s historic efforts to address the public safety crisis in Indian country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “Every day, we’re working hard to strengthen partnerships with tribal leaders and confront shared challenges – particularly when it comes to protecting Indian women and girls from the shocking and unacceptably high rates of violence they too often face. With the important new tools provided by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, these critical pilot projects will facilitate the first tribal prosecutions of non-Indian perpetrators in recent times. This represents a significant victory for public safety and the rule of law, and a momentous step forward for tribal sovereignty and self-determination.”
Although the provisions authorizing the special jurisdiction take effect generally in March 2015, the law also gives the Attorney General discretion to grant a tribe’s request to exercise the jurisdiction earlier, through a voluntary pilot project. The authority to approve such requests has been delegated to Associate Attorney General Tony West. Associate Attorney General West today congratulated tribal leaders on this historic achievement in letters to the three tribes.
“The old jurisdictional scheme failed to adequately protect the public – particularly native women – with too many crimes going unprosecuted and unpunished amidst escalating violence in Indian Country,” stated Associate Attorney General West. “Our actions today mark a historic turning point. We believe that by certifying certain tribes to exercise jurisdiction over these crimes, we will help decrease domestic and dating violence in Indian Country, strengthen tribal capacity to administer justice and control crime, and ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are held accountable for their criminal behavior.”
Since the Supreme Court’s 1978 opinion in Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe, tribes have been prohibited from exercising criminal jurisdiction over non-Indian defendants. This included domestic violence and dating violence committed by non-Indian abusers against their Indian spouses, intimate partners, and dating partners. Even a violent crime committed by a non-Indian husband against his Indian wife, in the presence of her Indian children, in their home on the Indian reservation, could not be prosecuted by the tribe. In granting the pilot-project requests of the Pascua Yaqui, Tulalip, and Umatilla tribes today, the United States is recognizing and affirming the tribes’ inherent power to exercise “special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction” (SDVCJ) over all persons, regardless of their Indian or non-Indian status, for crimes committed on or after Feb. 20, 2014.
As described in the Department of Justice’s Final Notice on the pilot project, today’s decisions are based on a diligent, detailed review of application questionnaires submitted by the tribes in December 2013, along with excerpts of tribal laws, rules, and policies, and other relevant information. That review, conducted in close coordination with the Department of the Interior and after formal consultation with affected Indian tribes, led the Justice Department to determine that the criminal justice systems of the Pascua Yaqui, Umatilla, and Tulalip tribes have adequate safeguards in place to fully protect defendants’ rights under the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended by VAWA 2013.
The Department of Justice is posting notices of the pilot-project designation on the Tribal Justice and Safety Web site (www.justice.gov/tribal/) and in the Federal Register. In addition, each tribe’s application questionnaire and related tribal laws, rules, and policies will be posted on the Web site. These materials will serve as a resource for those tribes that may also wish to participate in the pilot project or to commence exercising SDVCJ in March 2015 or later, after the pilot project has concluded.
MV CAPE RAY READY FOR SYRIAN CHEMICAL NEUTRALIZATION MISSION
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Cape Ray Arrives in Spain to Await Syrian Chemical Mission
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2014 – The container ship M/V Cape Ray has arrived at Rota, Spain, for a port visit while en route to aid in removal of Syrian chemical materials, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said.
The vessel -- part of the Transportation Department Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force program -- left Portsmouth, Va., Jan. 27. Hundreds of government and contract personnel worked for several months to prepare the vessel to neutralize Syrian chemical materials and precursors using hydrolysis technology.
“When Syria has completed removal of its chemical materials, MV Cape Ray will depart Rota and proceed to the transloading port in Italy, where she will take the chemicals on board,” Warren said in a statement announcing the vessel’s arrival in Spain. “Our ship is prepared and our crew is trained to safely neutralize Syria's chemical materials. We stand ready to fulfill our contributions to this international effort; it is time for Syria to live up to their obligations to the international community."
By offering Rota for a port of call before MV Cape Ray receives a load of chemical materials and embarks on the destruction phase of its mission, Spain is making a contribution to the United Nations-sanctioned multinational effort to rid Syria of its chemical weapons materials, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid said.
The United States plans to neutralize the chemicals at sea in international waters using proven hydrolysis technology, embassy officials added. All waste from the hydrolysis process aboard MV Cape Ray will be safely and properly stored on board until it is disposed of at commercial facilities to be determined by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, they added, emphasizing that no hydrolysis byproducts will be released into the sea or air.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel sent a message to the Cape Ray’s crew, wishing them well as they left Portsmouth.
“As you all know, your task will not be easy,” Hagel wrote. “Your days will be long and rigorous. But your hard work, preparation and dedication will make the difference.
“You are ready,” the secretary continued. “We all have complete confidence in each of you. You represent the best of our nation, not only because of your expertise and commitment, but because of your willingness to serve when called upon. For that, we will always be grateful. We are also grateful to your families for the love and support they have given you. On behalf of our country and the American people, I wish you much success. Take care of yourselves. God bless you all.”
Cape Ray Arrives in Spain to Await Syrian Chemical Mission
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2014 – The container ship M/V Cape Ray has arrived at Rota, Spain, for a port visit while en route to aid in removal of Syrian chemical materials, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said.
The vessel -- part of the Transportation Department Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force program -- left Portsmouth, Va., Jan. 27. Hundreds of government and contract personnel worked for several months to prepare the vessel to neutralize Syrian chemical materials and precursors using hydrolysis technology.
“When Syria has completed removal of its chemical materials, MV Cape Ray will depart Rota and proceed to the transloading port in Italy, where she will take the chemicals on board,” Warren said in a statement announcing the vessel’s arrival in Spain. “Our ship is prepared and our crew is trained to safely neutralize Syria's chemical materials. We stand ready to fulfill our contributions to this international effort; it is time for Syria to live up to their obligations to the international community."
By offering Rota for a port of call before MV Cape Ray receives a load of chemical materials and embarks on the destruction phase of its mission, Spain is making a contribution to the United Nations-sanctioned multinational effort to rid Syria of its chemical weapons materials, officials at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid said.
The United States plans to neutralize the chemicals at sea in international waters using proven hydrolysis technology, embassy officials added. All waste from the hydrolysis process aboard MV Cape Ray will be safely and properly stored on board until it is disposed of at commercial facilities to be determined by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, they added, emphasizing that no hydrolysis byproducts will be released into the sea or air.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel sent a message to the Cape Ray’s crew, wishing them well as they left Portsmouth.
“As you all know, your task will not be easy,” Hagel wrote. “Your days will be long and rigorous. But your hard work, preparation and dedication will make the difference.
“You are ready,” the secretary continued. “We all have complete confidence in each of you. You represent the best of our nation, not only because of your expertise and commitment, but because of your willingness to serve when called upon. For that, we will always be grateful. We are also grateful to your families for the love and support they have given you. On behalf of our country and the American people, I wish you much success. Take care of yourselves. God bless you all.”
DENTIST WHO DIDN'T REPORT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS, PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX EVASION
FROM: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Georgia Dentist Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
Dr. Dayo Obebe of Muscogee County, Ga., pleaded guilty today in federal court in Columbus, Ga., to one count of tax evasion, announced Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore for the Middle District of Georgia.
According to court documents, Obebe is a dentist licensed in Georgia and Alabama, where he operated the Moon Road Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Columbus, Ga., and the Brent Dental Dentistry in Brent, Ala. In 2004, Obebe began intentionally concealing money he earned from patients who paid with credit cards from his accountants and the IRS by placing credit card payments into a separate bank account from other cash and check receipts. Consequently, Obebe intentionally underreported his total income from the dental practice on his 2004, 2005 and 2006 federal income tax returns by more than $500,000 and falsely claimed a tax refund.
In 2007, the IRS audited Obebe’s tax return. In 2008 Obebe lied during an audit when he stated that he accurately reported his income on his tax return, when he knew that he had earned substantially more income over the three-year period than he had reported to the IRS. In total, Obebe evaded paying over $185,000 in tax to the IRS on his 2004, 2005 and 2006 federal income tax returns.
Obebe faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. In addition, according to the plea agreement, he has agreed to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $189,661. Sentencing has not been scheduled.
The case was investigated by special agents of the IRS - Criminal Investigation, and Trial Attorneys Charles Edgar and Justin Gelfand for the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Georgia Dentist Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
Dr. Dayo Obebe of Muscogee County, Ga., pleaded guilty today in federal court in Columbus, Ga., to one count of tax evasion, announced Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Michael J. Moore for the Middle District of Georgia.
According to court documents, Obebe is a dentist licensed in Georgia and Alabama, where he operated the Moon Road Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Columbus, Ga., and the Brent Dental Dentistry in Brent, Ala. In 2004, Obebe began intentionally concealing money he earned from patients who paid with credit cards from his accountants and the IRS by placing credit card payments into a separate bank account from other cash and check receipts. Consequently, Obebe intentionally underreported his total income from the dental practice on his 2004, 2005 and 2006 federal income tax returns by more than $500,000 and falsely claimed a tax refund.
In 2007, the IRS audited Obebe’s tax return. In 2008 Obebe lied during an audit when he stated that he accurately reported his income on his tax return, when he knew that he had earned substantially more income over the three-year period than he had reported to the IRS. In total, Obebe evaded paying over $185,000 in tax to the IRS on his 2004, 2005 and 2006 federal income tax returns.
Obebe faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. In addition, according to the plea agreement, he has agreed to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $189,661. Sentencing has not been scheduled.
The case was investigated by special agents of the IRS - Criminal Investigation, and Trial Attorneys Charles Edgar and Justin Gelfand for the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
U.S. SETS EXPORT RECORD ACCORDING TO EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
FROM: U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
U.S. Exports Reach $2.3 Trillion in 2013
For Fourth Consecutive Year, U.S. Sets Export Record
Washington, D.C. – The United States has set another annual record for the fourth consecutive year by exporting $2.3 trillion in goods and services in 2013, according to data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.
The data also reveals that U.S. exports supported nearly 10 million American jobs in 2013.
In December, the U.S. exported $191.3 billion of goods and services.
“As the numbers prove, American entrepreneurs will continue to outperform their competitors in the global marketplace, as long as they are given a level playing field,” said Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Under the strategic direction established by President Obama’s National Export Initiative, we continue to export more goods at a record pace. By exporting $2.3 trillion in U.S. goods and services and supporting 10 million American jobs, America’s exporters continue to make critical contributions to our economy.”
Exports of goods and services over the last twelve months totaled $2.3 trillion, which is 44.0 percent above the level of exports in 2009. During the same timeframe, exports have been growing at an annualized rate of 9.5 percent when compared to 2009. Among the major export markets (i.e., markets with at least $6 billion in annual imports of U.S. goods), the countries with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchases, when compared to 2009, occurred in Panama (25.9 percent), Russia (20.3 percent), Peru (19.6 percent), Hong Kong (19.2 percent), United Arab Emirates (19.1 percent), Colombia (18.5 percent), Chile (17.1 percent), Ecuador (16.8 percent), Argentina (16.3 percent), and Indonesia (15.5 percent).
U.S. Exports Reach $2.3 Trillion in 2013
For Fourth Consecutive Year, U.S. Sets Export Record
Washington, D.C. – The United States has set another annual record for the fourth consecutive year by exporting $2.3 trillion in goods and services in 2013, according to data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.
The data also reveals that U.S. exports supported nearly 10 million American jobs in 2013.
In December, the U.S. exported $191.3 billion of goods and services.
“As the numbers prove, American entrepreneurs will continue to outperform their competitors in the global marketplace, as long as they are given a level playing field,” said Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Under the strategic direction established by President Obama’s National Export Initiative, we continue to export more goods at a record pace. By exporting $2.3 trillion in U.S. goods and services and supporting 10 million American jobs, America’s exporters continue to make critical contributions to our economy.”
Exports of goods and services over the last twelve months totaled $2.3 trillion, which is 44.0 percent above the level of exports in 2009. During the same timeframe, exports have been growing at an annualized rate of 9.5 percent when compared to 2009. Among the major export markets (i.e., markets with at least $6 billion in annual imports of U.S. goods), the countries with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchases, when compared to 2009, occurred in Panama (25.9 percent), Russia (20.3 percent), Peru (19.6 percent), Hong Kong (19.2 percent), United Arab Emirates (19.1 percent), Colombia (18.5 percent), Chile (17.1 percent), Ecuador (16.8 percent), Argentina (16.3 percent), and Indonesia (15.5 percent).
Thursday, February 6, 2014
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 1, 2014
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA
In the week ending February 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 331,000, a decrease of 20,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 351,000. The 4-week moving average was 334,000, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average of 333,750.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.3 percent for the week ending January 25, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending January 25 was 2,964,000, an increase of 15,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 2,949,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,985,500, an increase of 25,750 from the preceding week's revised average of 2,959,750.
UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 355,224 in the week ending February 1, a decrease of 2,432 from the previous week. There were 388,442 initial claims in the comparable week in 2013.
The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent during the week ending January 25, unchanged from the prior week. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 3,441,429, an increase of 44,278 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.9 percent and the volume was 3,743,414.
The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending January 18 was 3,467,640, a decrease of 115,861 from the previous week. There were 5,590,480 persons claiming benefits in all programs in the comparable week in 2013.
No state was triggered "on" the Extended Benefits program during the week ending January 18.
Initial claims for UI benefits filed by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,280 in the week ending January 25, a decrease of 638 from the prior week. There were 1,874 initial claims filed by newly discharged veterans, a decrease of 372 from the preceding week.
There were 21,600 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending January 18, a decrease of 2,189 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 30,596, a decrease of 2,090 from the prior week.
The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program expired on January 1, 2014, and under current law no EUC payments will be made for weeks of unemployment after this date.
The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending January 18 were in Alaska (5.9), Pennsylvania (4.1), Delaware (4.0), New Jersey (3.9), Illinois (3.7), Montana (3.7), Michigan (3.6), Puerto Rico (3.6), Rhode Island (3.6), and Wisconsin (3.6).
The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending January 25 were in Indiana (+5,407), Massachusetts (+1,050), and Nebraska (+12), while the largest decreases were in New York (-7,083), Texas (-4,152), Michigan (-3,929), Florida (-3,879), and New Jersey (-3,605).
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA
In the week ending February 1, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 331,000, a decrease of 20,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 351,000. The 4-week moving average was 334,000, an increase of 250 from the previous week's revised average of 333,750.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.3 percent for the week ending January 25, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending January 25 was 2,964,000, an increase of 15,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 2,949,000. The 4-week moving average was 2,985,500, an increase of 25,750 from the preceding week's revised average of 2,959,750.
UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 355,224 in the week ending February 1, a decrease of 2,432 from the previous week. There were 388,442 initial claims in the comparable week in 2013.
The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent during the week ending January 25, unchanged from the prior week. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 3,441,429, an increase of 44,278 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.9 percent and the volume was 3,743,414.
The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending January 18 was 3,467,640, a decrease of 115,861 from the previous week. There were 5,590,480 persons claiming benefits in all programs in the comparable week in 2013.
No state was triggered "on" the Extended Benefits program during the week ending January 18.
Initial claims for UI benefits filed by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,280 in the week ending January 25, a decrease of 638 from the prior week. There were 1,874 initial claims filed by newly discharged veterans, a decrease of 372 from the preceding week.
There were 21,600 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending January 18, a decrease of 2,189 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 30,596, a decrease of 2,090 from the prior week.
The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program expired on January 1, 2014, and under current law no EUC payments will be made for weeks of unemployment after this date.
The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending January 18 were in Alaska (5.9), Pennsylvania (4.1), Delaware (4.0), New Jersey (3.9), Illinois (3.7), Montana (3.7), Michigan (3.6), Puerto Rico (3.6), Rhode Island (3.6), and Wisconsin (3.6).
The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending January 25 were in Indiana (+5,407), Massachusetts (+1,050), and Nebraska (+12), while the largest decreases were in New York (-7,083), Texas (-4,152), Michigan (-3,929), Florida (-3,879), and New Jersey (-3,605).
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S REMARKS AT NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
Remarks by the President at National Prayer Breakfast
Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
9:11 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please, everyone have a seat. Giving all praise and honor to God, who brought us here this morning.
Thank you so much for our two outstanding co-chairs, Louie and Jan. And I have to say, I would have enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at the two of these folks getting this breakfast organized this morning. (Laughter.) But there does seem to be that sibling thing a little bit, Louie. (Laughter.) They love each other, but they’ve got to go at each other a little bit. I, by the way, have always found Louie to be unbelievably gracious every time I’ve seen him. Now, I don’t watch TV, I’ve got to admit. (Laughter.) But he is a good man and a great storyteller, and Janice was just reminding me the first time we saw each other was at one of my first events when I first ran for office.
It’s wonderful to see all of the dignitaries and friends who are here today. To the Presidents, and Prime Ministers, the leaders of business and the nonprofit community; to my incredible friend and Vice President, Joe Biden; to my Cabinet members who are here and members of the administration who do such great work every single day; to my fellow Hawaiian, it is wonderful to see you. I should tell you that my surfing is not that good. (Laughter.) I just want to be clear. But my bodysurfing is pretty good.
SENATOR HIRONO: Bodysurfing is fun. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: It is. (Laughter.) And to Raj Shah, who is just such an incredible young leader and is out there every single day, I could not be more proud of his outstanding leadership at USAID. And it’s a good reminder -- (applause) -- it’s a good reminder of the dedicated public servants that I have the chance to interact with every single day. And they do great work, don’t always get a lot of credit, sometimes get subject to the sort of criticism that you do when you’re in public life, but Raj is single-minded in terms of trying to help as many people as possible all around the world and is an extraordinary representative for our country. So I’m very, very proud of him -- although he does always make me feel like an underachiever whenever I listen to him. (Laughter.) I’m thinking, I should have been working harder and not slouching. (Laughter.)
Dale Jones and everyone else who worked on this breakfast this morning, thank you, and obviously I’m thrilled to be joined by my extraordinary wife and she does a great job every single day keeping me in line. (Applause.)
Just two other thank-yous. To our men and women in uniform all around the world, we pray for them. (Applause.) Many of them doing such great work to keep us safe. And then there is one colleague of mine who is missing today. A great friend of mine who I came into the Senate with, Senator Tom Coburn. Tom is going through some tough times right now but I love him dearly even though we’re from different parties. He’s a little closer to Louie’s political perspective than mine but he is a good man and I’m keeping him and his family in my prayers all the time. So just a shout-out to my good friend, Tom Coburn. (Applause.)
So each time we gather, it’s a chance to set aside the rush of our daily lives; to pause with humility before an Almighty God; to seek His grace; and, mindful of our own imperfections, to remember the admonition from the Book of Romans, which is especially fitting for those of us in Washington: “Do not claim to be wiser than you are.”
So here we put aside labels of party and ideology, and recall what we are first: all children of a loving God; brothers and sisters called to make His work our own. But in this work, as Lincoln said, our concern should not be whether God is on our side, but whether we are on God’s side.
And here we give thanks for His guidance in our own individual faith journeys. In my life, He directed my path to Chicago and my work with churches who were intent on breaking the cycle of poverty in hard-hit communities there. And I’m grateful not only because I was broke and the church fed me, but because it led to everything else. It led me to embrace Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It led me to Michelle -- the love of my life -- and it blessed us with two extraordinary daughters. It led me to public service. And the longer I serve, especially in moments of trial or doubt, the more thankful I am of God’s guiding hand.
Now, here, as Americans, we affirm the freedoms endowed by our Creator, among them freedom of religion. And, yes, this freedom safeguards religion, allowing us to flourish as one of the most religious countries on Earth, but it works the other way, too -- because religion strengthens America. Brave men and women of faith have challenged our conscience and brought us closer to our founding ideals, from the abolition of slavery to civil rights, workers’ rights.
So many of you carry on this good work today -- for the child who deserves a school worthy of his dreams; for the parents working overtime to pull themselves out of poverty; for the immigrants who want to step out of the shadows and become a full member of our American family; for the young girl who prays for rescue from the modern slavery of human trafficking, an outrage that we must all join together to end.
Through our Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, led by Melissa Rogers, we’re proud to work with you on this and many other issues. And I invite you to join us in a new initiative that I announced in my State of the Union address -- an effort to help more young men of color overcome the odds, because so many boys in this country need that mentor to help them become a man and a good father.
I’ve felt the love that faith can instill in our lives during my visits to the Holy Land and Jerusalem -- sacred to Jews and Christians and Muslims. I’ve felt it in houses of worship -- whether paying my respects at the tomb of Archbishop Romero in San Salvador, or visiting a synagogue on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul or a Buddhist temple in Bangkok. And I’ve felt the compassion of so many faith leaders around the world, and I am especially looking forward to returning to the Vatican next month to meet His Holiness, Pope Francis, whose message about caring for the “least of these” is one that I hope all of us heed. Like Matthew, he has answered the call of Jesus, who said “follow me,” and he inspires us with his words and deeds, his humility, his mercy and his missionary impulse to serve the cause of social justice.
Yet even as our faith sustains us, it’s also clear that around the world freedom of religion is under threat. And that is what I want to reflect on this morning. We see governments engaging in discrimination and violence against the faithful. We sometimes see religion twisted in an attempt to justify hatred and persecution against other people just because of who they are, or how they pray or who they love. Old tensions are stoked, fueling conflicts along religious lines, as we’ve seen in the Central African Republic recently, even though to harm anyone in the name of faith is to diminish our own relationship with God. Extremists succumb to an ignorant nihilism that shows they don’t understand the faiths they claim to profess -- for the killing of the innocent is never fulfilling God’s will; in fact, it’s the ultimate betrayal of God’s will.
Today, we profess the principles we know to be true. We believe that each of us is “wonderfully made” in the image of God. We, therefore, believe in the inherent dignity of every human being -- dignity that no earthly power can take away. And central to that dignity is freedom of religion -- the right of every person to practice their faith how they choose, to change their faith if they choose, or to practice no faith at all, and to do this free from persecution and fear.
Our faith teaches us that in the face of suffering, we can’t stand idly by and that we must be that Good Samaritan. In Isaiah, we’re told “to do right. Seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” The Torah commands: “Know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.” The Koran instructs: “Stand out firmly for justice.” So history shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people -- including the freedom of religion -- are ultimately more just and more peaceful and more successful. Nations that do not uphold these rights sow the bitter seeds of instability and violence and extremism. So freedom of religion matters to our national security. (Applause.)
As I’ve said before, there are times when we work with governments that don’t always meet our highest standards, but they’re working with us on core interests such as the security of the American people. At the same time, we also deeply believe that it’s in our interest, even with our partners, sometimes with our friends, to stand up for universal human rights. So promoting religious freedom is a key objective of U.S. foreign policy. And I’m proud that no nation on Earth does more to stand up for the freedom of religion around the world than the United States of America. (Applause.)
It is not always comfortable to do, but it is right. When I meet with Chinese leaders -- and we do a lot of business with the Chinese, and that relationship is extraordinarily important not just to our two countries but to the world -- but I stress that realizing China’s potential rests on upholding universal rights, including for Christians, and Tibetan Buddhists, and Uighur Muslims. (Applause.)
When I meet with the President of Burma, a country that is trying to emerge out of a long darkness into the light of a representative government, I’ve said that Burma’s return to the international community depends on respecting basic freedoms, including for Christians and Muslims. I’ve pledged our support to the people of Nigeria, who deserve to worship in their churches and mosques in peace, free from terror. I’ve put the weight of my office behind the efforts to protect the people of Sudan and South Sudan, including religious minorities.
As we support Israelis and Palestinians as they engage in direct talks, we’ve made clear that lasting peace will require freedom of worship and access to holy sites for all faiths. I want to take this opportunity to thank Secretary Kerry for his extraordinary passion and principled diplomacy that he’s brought to the cause of peace in the Middle East. Thank you, John. (Applause.)
More broadly, I’ve made the case that no society can truly succeed unless it guarantees the rights of all its peoples, including religious minorities, whether they’re Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan, or Baha’i in Iran, or Coptic Christians in Egypt. And in Syria, it means ensuring a place for all people -- Alawites and Sunni, Shia and Christian.
Going forward, we will keep standing for religious freedom around the world. And that includes, by the way, opposing blasphemy and defamation of religion measures, which are promoted sometimes as an expression of religion, but, in fact, all too often can be used to suppress religious minorities. (Applause.) We continue to stand for the rights of all people to practice their faiths in peace and in freedom. And we will continue to stand against the ugly tide of anti-Semitism that rears it's ugly head all too often.
I look forward to nominating our next ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom to help lead these efforts. And we’re moving ahead with our new strategy to partner more closely with religious leaders and faith communities as we carry out our foreign policy. And I want to thank Shaun Casey, from the Wesley Theological Seminary, for leading this work at the State Department. Shaun I think is here today and we want to thank him for the outstanding work that he’s doing. (Applause.) Thank you, Shaun. (Applause.)
So around the world we’re elevating our engagement with faith leaders and making it a regular part of our diplomacy. And today, I invite you to join us in focusing on several pressing challenges. Let’s do more together to advance human rights, including religious freedom. Let’s do more to promote the development that Raj describes -- from ending extreme poverty to saving lives, from HIV/AIDS to combating climate change so that we can preserve God’s incredible creation. On all these issues, faith leaders and faith organizations here in the United States and around the world are incredible partners, and we're grateful to them.
And in contrast to those who wield religion to divide us, let’s do more to nurture the dialogue between faiths that can break cycles of conflict and build true peace, including in the Holy Land.
And finally, as we build the future we seek, let us never forget those who are persecuted today, among them Americans of faith. We pray for Kenneth Bae, a Christian missionary who’s been held in North Korea for 15 months, sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. His family wants him home. And the United States will continue to do everything in our power to secure his release because Kenneth Bae deserves to be free. (Applause.)
We pray for Pastor Saeed Abedini. He’s been held in Iran for more than 18 months, sentenced to eight years in prison on charges relating to his Christian beliefs. And as we continue to work for his freedom, today, again, we call on the Iranian government to release Pastor Abedini so he can return to the loving arms of his wife and children in Idaho. (Applause.)
And as we pray for all prisoners of conscience, whatever their faiths, wherever they’re held, let’s imagine what it must be like for them. We may not know their names, but all around the world there are people who are waking up in cold cells, facing another day of confinement, another day of unspeakable treatment, simply because they are affirming God. Despite all they’ve endured, despite all the awful punishments if caught, they will wait for that moment when the guards aren’t looking, and when they can close their eyes and bring their hands together and pray.
In those moments of peace, of grace, those moments when their faith is tested in ways that those of us who are more comfortable never experience; in those far-away cells, I believe their unbroken souls are made stronger. And I hope that somehow they hear our prayers for them, that they know that, along with the spirit of God, they have our spirit with them as well, and that they are not alone.
Today we give humble thanks for the freedoms we cherish in this country. And I join you in seeking God’s grace in all of our lives. I pray that His wisdom will give us the capacity to do right and to seek justice, and defend the oppressed wherever they may dwell.
I want to thank all of you for the extraordinary privilege of being here this morning. I want to ask you for your prayers as I continue in this awesome privilege and responsibility as President of the United States. May God bless the United States of America, and God bless all those who seek peace and justice. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
END
Remarks by the President at National Prayer Breakfast
Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
9:11 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please, everyone have a seat. Giving all praise and honor to God, who brought us here this morning.
Thank you so much for our two outstanding co-chairs, Louie and Jan. And I have to say, I would have enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at the two of these folks getting this breakfast organized this morning. (Laughter.) But there does seem to be that sibling thing a little bit, Louie. (Laughter.) They love each other, but they’ve got to go at each other a little bit. I, by the way, have always found Louie to be unbelievably gracious every time I’ve seen him. Now, I don’t watch TV, I’ve got to admit. (Laughter.) But he is a good man and a great storyteller, and Janice was just reminding me the first time we saw each other was at one of my first events when I first ran for office.
It’s wonderful to see all of the dignitaries and friends who are here today. To the Presidents, and Prime Ministers, the leaders of business and the nonprofit community; to my incredible friend and Vice President, Joe Biden; to my Cabinet members who are here and members of the administration who do such great work every single day; to my fellow Hawaiian, it is wonderful to see you. I should tell you that my surfing is not that good. (Laughter.) I just want to be clear. But my bodysurfing is pretty good.
SENATOR HIRONO: Bodysurfing is fun. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: It is. (Laughter.) And to Raj Shah, who is just such an incredible young leader and is out there every single day, I could not be more proud of his outstanding leadership at USAID. And it’s a good reminder -- (applause) -- it’s a good reminder of the dedicated public servants that I have the chance to interact with every single day. And they do great work, don’t always get a lot of credit, sometimes get subject to the sort of criticism that you do when you’re in public life, but Raj is single-minded in terms of trying to help as many people as possible all around the world and is an extraordinary representative for our country. So I’m very, very proud of him -- although he does always make me feel like an underachiever whenever I listen to him. (Laughter.) I’m thinking, I should have been working harder and not slouching. (Laughter.)
Dale Jones and everyone else who worked on this breakfast this morning, thank you, and obviously I’m thrilled to be joined by my extraordinary wife and she does a great job every single day keeping me in line. (Applause.)
Just two other thank-yous. To our men and women in uniform all around the world, we pray for them. (Applause.) Many of them doing such great work to keep us safe. And then there is one colleague of mine who is missing today. A great friend of mine who I came into the Senate with, Senator Tom Coburn. Tom is going through some tough times right now but I love him dearly even though we’re from different parties. He’s a little closer to Louie’s political perspective than mine but he is a good man and I’m keeping him and his family in my prayers all the time. So just a shout-out to my good friend, Tom Coburn. (Applause.)
So each time we gather, it’s a chance to set aside the rush of our daily lives; to pause with humility before an Almighty God; to seek His grace; and, mindful of our own imperfections, to remember the admonition from the Book of Romans, which is especially fitting for those of us in Washington: “Do not claim to be wiser than you are.”
So here we put aside labels of party and ideology, and recall what we are first: all children of a loving God; brothers and sisters called to make His work our own. But in this work, as Lincoln said, our concern should not be whether God is on our side, but whether we are on God’s side.
And here we give thanks for His guidance in our own individual faith journeys. In my life, He directed my path to Chicago and my work with churches who were intent on breaking the cycle of poverty in hard-hit communities there. And I’m grateful not only because I was broke and the church fed me, but because it led to everything else. It led me to embrace Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. It led me to Michelle -- the love of my life -- and it blessed us with two extraordinary daughters. It led me to public service. And the longer I serve, especially in moments of trial or doubt, the more thankful I am of God’s guiding hand.
Now, here, as Americans, we affirm the freedoms endowed by our Creator, among them freedom of religion. And, yes, this freedom safeguards religion, allowing us to flourish as one of the most religious countries on Earth, but it works the other way, too -- because religion strengthens America. Brave men and women of faith have challenged our conscience and brought us closer to our founding ideals, from the abolition of slavery to civil rights, workers’ rights.
So many of you carry on this good work today -- for the child who deserves a school worthy of his dreams; for the parents working overtime to pull themselves out of poverty; for the immigrants who want to step out of the shadows and become a full member of our American family; for the young girl who prays for rescue from the modern slavery of human trafficking, an outrage that we must all join together to end.
Through our Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, led by Melissa Rogers, we’re proud to work with you on this and many other issues. And I invite you to join us in a new initiative that I announced in my State of the Union address -- an effort to help more young men of color overcome the odds, because so many boys in this country need that mentor to help them become a man and a good father.
I’ve felt the love that faith can instill in our lives during my visits to the Holy Land and Jerusalem -- sacred to Jews and Christians and Muslims. I’ve felt it in houses of worship -- whether paying my respects at the tomb of Archbishop Romero in San Salvador, or visiting a synagogue on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul or a Buddhist temple in Bangkok. And I’ve felt the compassion of so many faith leaders around the world, and I am especially looking forward to returning to the Vatican next month to meet His Holiness, Pope Francis, whose message about caring for the “least of these” is one that I hope all of us heed. Like Matthew, he has answered the call of Jesus, who said “follow me,” and he inspires us with his words and deeds, his humility, his mercy and his missionary impulse to serve the cause of social justice.
Yet even as our faith sustains us, it’s also clear that around the world freedom of religion is under threat. And that is what I want to reflect on this morning. We see governments engaging in discrimination and violence against the faithful. We sometimes see religion twisted in an attempt to justify hatred and persecution against other people just because of who they are, or how they pray or who they love. Old tensions are stoked, fueling conflicts along religious lines, as we’ve seen in the Central African Republic recently, even though to harm anyone in the name of faith is to diminish our own relationship with God. Extremists succumb to an ignorant nihilism that shows they don’t understand the faiths they claim to profess -- for the killing of the innocent is never fulfilling God’s will; in fact, it’s the ultimate betrayal of God’s will.
Today, we profess the principles we know to be true. We believe that each of us is “wonderfully made” in the image of God. We, therefore, believe in the inherent dignity of every human being -- dignity that no earthly power can take away. And central to that dignity is freedom of religion -- the right of every person to practice their faith how they choose, to change their faith if they choose, or to practice no faith at all, and to do this free from persecution and fear.
Our faith teaches us that in the face of suffering, we can’t stand idly by and that we must be that Good Samaritan. In Isaiah, we’re told “to do right. Seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” The Torah commands: “Know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.” The Koran instructs: “Stand out firmly for justice.” So history shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people -- including the freedom of religion -- are ultimately more just and more peaceful and more successful. Nations that do not uphold these rights sow the bitter seeds of instability and violence and extremism. So freedom of religion matters to our national security. (Applause.)
As I’ve said before, there are times when we work with governments that don’t always meet our highest standards, but they’re working with us on core interests such as the security of the American people. At the same time, we also deeply believe that it’s in our interest, even with our partners, sometimes with our friends, to stand up for universal human rights. So promoting religious freedom is a key objective of U.S. foreign policy. And I’m proud that no nation on Earth does more to stand up for the freedom of religion around the world than the United States of America. (Applause.)
It is not always comfortable to do, but it is right. When I meet with Chinese leaders -- and we do a lot of business with the Chinese, and that relationship is extraordinarily important not just to our two countries but to the world -- but I stress that realizing China’s potential rests on upholding universal rights, including for Christians, and Tibetan Buddhists, and Uighur Muslims. (Applause.)
When I meet with the President of Burma, a country that is trying to emerge out of a long darkness into the light of a representative government, I’ve said that Burma’s return to the international community depends on respecting basic freedoms, including for Christians and Muslims. I’ve pledged our support to the people of Nigeria, who deserve to worship in their churches and mosques in peace, free from terror. I’ve put the weight of my office behind the efforts to protect the people of Sudan and South Sudan, including religious minorities.
As we support Israelis and Palestinians as they engage in direct talks, we’ve made clear that lasting peace will require freedom of worship and access to holy sites for all faiths. I want to take this opportunity to thank Secretary Kerry for his extraordinary passion and principled diplomacy that he’s brought to the cause of peace in the Middle East. Thank you, John. (Applause.)
More broadly, I’ve made the case that no society can truly succeed unless it guarantees the rights of all its peoples, including religious minorities, whether they’re Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan, or Baha’i in Iran, or Coptic Christians in Egypt. And in Syria, it means ensuring a place for all people -- Alawites and Sunni, Shia and Christian.
Going forward, we will keep standing for religious freedom around the world. And that includes, by the way, opposing blasphemy and defamation of religion measures, which are promoted sometimes as an expression of religion, but, in fact, all too often can be used to suppress religious minorities. (Applause.) We continue to stand for the rights of all people to practice their faiths in peace and in freedom. And we will continue to stand against the ugly tide of anti-Semitism that rears it's ugly head all too often.
I look forward to nominating our next ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom to help lead these efforts. And we’re moving ahead with our new strategy to partner more closely with religious leaders and faith communities as we carry out our foreign policy. And I want to thank Shaun Casey, from the Wesley Theological Seminary, for leading this work at the State Department. Shaun I think is here today and we want to thank him for the outstanding work that he’s doing. (Applause.) Thank you, Shaun. (Applause.)
So around the world we’re elevating our engagement with faith leaders and making it a regular part of our diplomacy. And today, I invite you to join us in focusing on several pressing challenges. Let’s do more together to advance human rights, including religious freedom. Let’s do more to promote the development that Raj describes -- from ending extreme poverty to saving lives, from HIV/AIDS to combating climate change so that we can preserve God’s incredible creation. On all these issues, faith leaders and faith organizations here in the United States and around the world are incredible partners, and we're grateful to them.
And in contrast to those who wield religion to divide us, let’s do more to nurture the dialogue between faiths that can break cycles of conflict and build true peace, including in the Holy Land.
And finally, as we build the future we seek, let us never forget those who are persecuted today, among them Americans of faith. We pray for Kenneth Bae, a Christian missionary who’s been held in North Korea for 15 months, sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. His family wants him home. And the United States will continue to do everything in our power to secure his release because Kenneth Bae deserves to be free. (Applause.)
We pray for Pastor Saeed Abedini. He’s been held in Iran for more than 18 months, sentenced to eight years in prison on charges relating to his Christian beliefs. And as we continue to work for his freedom, today, again, we call on the Iranian government to release Pastor Abedini so he can return to the loving arms of his wife and children in Idaho. (Applause.)
And as we pray for all prisoners of conscience, whatever their faiths, wherever they’re held, let’s imagine what it must be like for them. We may not know their names, but all around the world there are people who are waking up in cold cells, facing another day of confinement, another day of unspeakable treatment, simply because they are affirming God. Despite all they’ve endured, despite all the awful punishments if caught, they will wait for that moment when the guards aren’t looking, and when they can close their eyes and bring their hands together and pray.
In those moments of peace, of grace, those moments when their faith is tested in ways that those of us who are more comfortable never experience; in those far-away cells, I believe their unbroken souls are made stronger. And I hope that somehow they hear our prayers for them, that they know that, along with the spirit of God, they have our spirit with them as well, and that they are not alone.
Today we give humble thanks for the freedoms we cherish in this country. And I join you in seeking God’s grace in all of our lives. I pray that His wisdom will give us the capacity to do right and to seek justice, and defend the oppressed wherever they may dwell.
I want to thank all of you for the extraordinary privilege of being here this morning. I want to ask you for your prayers as I continue in this awesome privilege and responsibility as President of the United States. May God bless the United States of America, and God bless all those who seek peace and justice. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
END
U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR FEBRUARY 6, 2014
FROM: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
CONTRACTS
ARMY
Sauer Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., was awarded a $56,038,640 contract to build an operational readiness training complex at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif. Fiscal 2014 military construction funds in the amount of $56,038,640 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 22 received. Work will be performed at Fort Hunter Liggett. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-14-C-0006).
Sundt Construction Inc., Tempe, Ariz., was awarded a $25,750,000 firm-fixed-price contract to design and construct a battalion headquarters complex. Fiscal 2013 military construction funds in the amount of $25,750,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Aug. 14, 2015. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 22 received. Work will be performed at Fort Campbell, Ky. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-14-C-0007).
Gearhart Brothers Services*, Lancaster, Pa, was awarded an $8,629,223 firm-fixed-price contract to provide sand, stone and gravel to Aberdeen Proving Ground. Funds and work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Feb. 9, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet with seven received. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground Md., is the contracting activity (W56ZTN-14-D-0001).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Produce One Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $36,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruit and vegetable support. This contract is a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. This is an 18-month base contract with two 18-month option periods. Location of performance is Ohio with an Aug. 5, 2015 performance completion date. Using military services are non-Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture school customers. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.; (SPE300-14-D-S608).
DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz, is being awarded a $6,988,284 cost-reimbursable contract for the characterization of antibody responses to melioidosis in humans and in animal models for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in support of the Research and Development Enterprise. Bids were solicited and nine received. Work will be performed in Flagstaff, Ariz., and Darwin, Australia, and is expected to be completed February 2019. The contracting activity is Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va, (HDTRA1-14-C-0022).
*Small Business
CONTRACTS
ARMY
Sauer Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., was awarded a $56,038,640 contract to build an operational readiness training complex at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif. Fiscal 2014 military construction funds in the amount of $56,038,640 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2016. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 22 received. Work will be performed at Fort Hunter Liggett. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-14-C-0006).
Sundt Construction Inc., Tempe, Ariz., was awarded a $25,750,000 firm-fixed-price contract to design and construct a battalion headquarters complex. Fiscal 2013 military construction funds in the amount of $25,750,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Aug. 14, 2015. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 22 received. Work will be performed at Fort Campbell, Ky. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-14-C-0007).
Gearhart Brothers Services*, Lancaster, Pa, was awarded an $8,629,223 firm-fixed-price contract to provide sand, stone and gravel to Aberdeen Proving Ground. Funds and work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Feb. 9, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet with seven received. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground Md., is the contracting activity (W56ZTN-14-D-0001).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Produce One Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $36,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruit and vegetable support. This contract is a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. This is an 18-month base contract with two 18-month option periods. Location of performance is Ohio with an Aug. 5, 2015 performance completion date. Using military services are non-Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture school customers. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.; (SPE300-14-D-S608).
DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz, is being awarded a $6,988,284 cost-reimbursable contract for the characterization of antibody responses to melioidosis in humans and in animal models for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in support of the Research and Development Enterprise. Bids were solicited and nine received. Work will be performed in Flagstaff, Ariz., and Darwin, Australia, and is expected to be completed February 2019. The contracting activity is Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Va, (HDTRA1-14-C-0022).
*Small Business
CYCLONE EDILSON THREATENS RODRIGUES ISLAND AND MAURITIUS
FROM: NASA
Tropical Cyclone Edilson Birth Caught By NASA's Aqua Satellite
The thirteenth tropical cyclone of the Southern Pacific Ocean season formed into a tropical storm named Edilson on February 5 shortly before NASA's Aqua satellite passed overhead. Edilson is threatening several land areas.
A Class I Cyclone Warning is now in effect for Rodrigues Island and a Class II Cyclone Warning is in effect for Mauritius. Edilson formed to the northern of Mauritius and is moving south.
At 09:50 UTC/4:50 a.m. EST on February 5, NASA's Aqua satellite passed over Edilson and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer or MODIS instrument captured a visible image of the storm. The MODIS image showed a large broken band of thunderstorms to the north, and a large band of storms from the east, wrapping into the low-level center of circulation. Edilson's center was to the northeast of the islands of Mauritius and La Reunion, and Edilson's eastern quadrant had spread clouds over Rodrigues Island of the Republic of Mauritius.
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder or AIRS instrument also aboard NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on Edilson at the same time that showed strong thunderstorms with heavy rain potential around and north of the center. Cloud top temperatures in those areas were in excess of -63F/-52C.
On February 5 at 1500 UTC/10 a.m. EST, Edilson had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots/46 mph/73 kph. The center of the tropical storm was about 297 nautical miles/341.8 miles/550 km northeast of Saint Denis, La Reunion Island, near 18.9 south latitude and 60.0 east longitude. Edilson is moving to the south at 8 knots/9.2 mph/14.8 kph.
Edilson is moving along the western edge of a mid-layered subtropical ridge (elongated area) of high pressure situated to the east of the tropical storm. As Edilson continues tracking along the high, it will begin to move more southward over the coming days.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects Edilson to intensify to hurricane force briefly before weakening.
NEW DRUG FUNDED TO FIGHT BIOTERRORISM, ANTIMICROBIAL-RESISTANT INFECTIONS
FROM: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HHS funds drug for bioterrorism, antimicrobial-resistant infections
A new drug to help protect the public against two bioterrorism threats and provide a new option to treat antibiotic-resistant infections will advance in development under a public-private partnership, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) announced today.
“Antibiotic resistance adversely impacts our nation’s ability to respond effectively to a bioterrorism attack and to everyday public health threats,” said Robin Robinson, Ph.D., director of ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which will oversee the project. “By partnering with industry to develop novel antimicrobial drugs against biothreats that also treat drug-resistant bacteria, we can address health security and public health needs efficiently.”
BARDA will support the development of Carbavance under a five-year cost-sharing agreement with Rempex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of The Medicines Company) in San Diego. The agreement includes an initial commitment from BARDA of $19.8 million and can be extended to provide up to $90 million over the five years.
The two bioterrorism threats are melioidosis and glanders. With existing antibiotic treatments, approximately 40 percent of people who become ill from these bacteria die from the illness, and up to 90 percent die if not treated.
Melioidosis, also called Whitmore's disease, can be mistaken for other diseases such as tuberculosis and common forms of pneumonia. The bacteria that cause melioidosis can be found in water and soil, and cause infection when a person touches or inhales the bacteria. The infection is common in parts of Southeast Asia and Australia.
Glanders is a respiratory disease that can affect people, although it is primarily found in animals. The bacteria that cause glanders can affect skin, blood, lungs, or muscles, and may be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or by inhaling contaminated aerosols or dust.
Melioidosis and glanders can become resistant to existing antibiotics.
In addition to showing promise as a treatment for melioidosis and glanders in a bioterrorism event, Carbavance potentially could be used commercially to treat complicated urinary tract infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia, ventilator-acquired pneumonia, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), all of which can be resistant to existing antibiotics.
CRE are a family of bacteria that have been called nightmare bacteria because the bacteria are resistant to all or nearly all antibiotics, kill up to half of people who get serious infections with them, and can spread their resistance to other bacteria. CRE infections have been detected in nearly every state, and the incidence has risen sharply over the past five years.
Patients whose care requires devices such as ventilators, urinary (bladder) catheters, or intravenous (vein) catheters, and patients who are taking long courses of certain antibiotics are most at risk for CRE infections.
The project includes preclinical and clinical studies, manufacture of enough of the drug for clinical studies, and other manufacturing-related activities needed to apply for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug.
The project with Rempex is the latest in a BARDA program that supports development of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, technologies and platforms for biodefense needs that simultaneously address other public health challenges, such antibiotic-resistant infections.
BARDA is seeking additional proposals for advanced development of novel antimicrobials to treat illness caused by biological threat agents and that also could address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Proposals are accepted through the Broad Agency Announcement BARDA-BAA-13-100-SOL-00013 at https://www.fbo.gov.
BARDA utilizes a comprehensive, integrated portfolio approach to support the advanced research and development, innovation, acquisition, and manufacturing of vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products for public health emergency threats. These threats include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear threats, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases.
HHS is the principal federal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. ASPR is an HHS leader in preparing the nation to respond to and recover from adverse health effects of emergencies, supporting communities’ ability to withstand adversity, strengthening health and response systems, and enhancing national health security.
HHS funds drug for bioterrorism, antimicrobial-resistant infections
A new drug to help protect the public against two bioterrorism threats and provide a new option to treat antibiotic-resistant infections will advance in development under a public-private partnership, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) announced today.
“Antibiotic resistance adversely impacts our nation’s ability to respond effectively to a bioterrorism attack and to everyday public health threats,” said Robin Robinson, Ph.D., director of ASPR’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which will oversee the project. “By partnering with industry to develop novel antimicrobial drugs against biothreats that also treat drug-resistant bacteria, we can address health security and public health needs efficiently.”
BARDA will support the development of Carbavance under a five-year cost-sharing agreement with Rempex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of The Medicines Company) in San Diego. The agreement includes an initial commitment from BARDA of $19.8 million and can be extended to provide up to $90 million over the five years.
The two bioterrorism threats are melioidosis and glanders. With existing antibiotic treatments, approximately 40 percent of people who become ill from these bacteria die from the illness, and up to 90 percent die if not treated.
Melioidosis, also called Whitmore's disease, can be mistaken for other diseases such as tuberculosis and common forms of pneumonia. The bacteria that cause melioidosis can be found in water and soil, and cause infection when a person touches or inhales the bacteria. The infection is common in parts of Southeast Asia and Australia.
Glanders is a respiratory disease that can affect people, although it is primarily found in animals. The bacteria that cause glanders can affect skin, blood, lungs, or muscles, and may be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or by inhaling contaminated aerosols or dust.
Melioidosis and glanders can become resistant to existing antibiotics.
In addition to showing promise as a treatment for melioidosis and glanders in a bioterrorism event, Carbavance potentially could be used commercially to treat complicated urinary tract infections, hospital-acquired pneumonia, ventilator-acquired pneumonia, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), all of which can be resistant to existing antibiotics.
CRE are a family of bacteria that have been called nightmare bacteria because the bacteria are resistant to all or nearly all antibiotics, kill up to half of people who get serious infections with them, and can spread their resistance to other bacteria. CRE infections have been detected in nearly every state, and the incidence has risen sharply over the past five years.
Patients whose care requires devices such as ventilators, urinary (bladder) catheters, or intravenous (vein) catheters, and patients who are taking long courses of certain antibiotics are most at risk for CRE infections.
The project includes preclinical and clinical studies, manufacture of enough of the drug for clinical studies, and other manufacturing-related activities needed to apply for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug.
The project with Rempex is the latest in a BARDA program that supports development of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, technologies and platforms for biodefense needs that simultaneously address other public health challenges, such antibiotic-resistant infections.
BARDA is seeking additional proposals for advanced development of novel antimicrobials to treat illness caused by biological threat agents and that also could address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Proposals are accepted through the Broad Agency Announcement BARDA-BAA-13-100-SOL-00013 at https://www.fbo.gov.
BARDA utilizes a comprehensive, integrated portfolio approach to support the advanced research and development, innovation, acquisition, and manufacturing of vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products for public health emergency threats. These threats include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear threats, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases.
HHS is the principal federal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. ASPR is an HHS leader in preparing the nation to respond to and recover from adverse health effects of emergencies, supporting communities’ ability to withstand adversity, strengthening health and response systems, and enhancing national health security.
RECENT U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTOS
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft taxi into position for an inspection before a training mission during Red Flag 14-1 on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 29, 2014. The pilots are assigned to the 391st Fighter Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Lorenz Crespo.
A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft prepares to refuel an F-22 Raptor over the Nevada Test and Training Range during Red Flag 14-1 on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 28, 2014. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes.
DEFENSE SECRETARY HAGEL CONCERNED ABOUT ETHICAL LAPSES
FROM: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Press Secretary: Ethical Lapses Have Hagel’s Full Attention
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2014 – Cheating on proficiency tests at an Air Force missile base and at the Navy’s nuclear propulsion school have Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel concerned that systemic issues may be threatening the health of the force and they have his full attention, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.
"He is concerned about the health of the force and the health of the strong culture of accountability and responsibility that Americans have come to expect from their military," Kirby told Pentagon reporters.
Surveys have shown that the military is among the most respected professions in the United States, and these ethical lapses work against that perception. In his weekly meeting with the service secretaries and service chiefs, the secretary told them that ethical behavior will be on the agenda for these meetings from now on, Kirby said. The secretary believes military and Defense Department leaders must take a step back and put renewed emphasis on developing moral character and courage in the force, he added.
Hagel gave the service leaders those marching orders just days after Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James reported systemic problems with ICBM launch officers, Kirby said, but before the Navy reported instances of cheating on tests at the Navy Nuclear Propulsion School in Charleston, S.C.
Senior defense leaders have begun work on a plan to fix any systemic issues, the press secretary said. A group co-chaired by officials from the Joint Staff and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy is set to deliver a report to Hagel within 60 days. "He has made it clear he would certainly welcome the work sooner than that," Kirby said.
In addition, Hagel has asked retired Air Force Gen. Larry Welch and retired Navy Adm. John Harvey to lead an independent review of the military’s nuclear enterprise. "They will offer their views on the quality and effectiveness of the action plan, and they will also provide their insights and recommendations on addressing any systemic personnel problems," the admiral said.
Hagel is concerned about what he doesn't know about the problem, Kirby added.
“What worries the secretary,[is] that maybe he doesn't have the full grasp of the depth of the issue. And he wants to better understand it and to the degree that there are systemic issues, he wants to attack them."
Kirby gave reporters a shorthand definition for what moral courage and moral character mean in the military. "That's doing the right thing when nobody is looking," he said. "That's treating people the right way even when they can't do anything for you. It's about the basic ideas of strapping on this uniform every day. And it's what, frankly, keeps a lot of us in."
Press Secretary: Ethical Lapses Have Hagel’s Full Attention
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2014 – Cheating on proficiency tests at an Air Force missile base and at the Navy’s nuclear propulsion school have Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel concerned that systemic issues may be threatening the health of the force and they have his full attention, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said today.
"He is concerned about the health of the force and the health of the strong culture of accountability and responsibility that Americans have come to expect from their military," Kirby told Pentagon reporters.
Surveys have shown that the military is among the most respected professions in the United States, and these ethical lapses work against that perception. In his weekly meeting with the service secretaries and service chiefs, the secretary told them that ethical behavior will be on the agenda for these meetings from now on, Kirby said. The secretary believes military and Defense Department leaders must take a step back and put renewed emphasis on developing moral character and courage in the force, he added.
Hagel gave the service leaders those marching orders just days after Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James reported systemic problems with ICBM launch officers, Kirby said, but before the Navy reported instances of cheating on tests at the Navy Nuclear Propulsion School in Charleston, S.C.
Senior defense leaders have begun work on a plan to fix any systemic issues, the press secretary said. A group co-chaired by officials from the Joint Staff and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy is set to deliver a report to Hagel within 60 days. "He has made it clear he would certainly welcome the work sooner than that," Kirby said.
In addition, Hagel has asked retired Air Force Gen. Larry Welch and retired Navy Adm. John Harvey to lead an independent review of the military’s nuclear enterprise. "They will offer their views on the quality and effectiveness of the action plan, and they will also provide their insights and recommendations on addressing any systemic personnel problems," the admiral said.
Hagel is concerned about what he doesn't know about the problem, Kirby added.
“What worries the secretary,[is] that maybe he doesn't have the full grasp of the depth of the issue. And he wants to better understand it and to the degree that there are systemic issues, he wants to attack them."
Kirby gave reporters a shorthand definition for what moral courage and moral character mean in the military. "That's doing the right thing when nobody is looking," he said. "That's treating people the right way even when they can't do anything for you. It's about the basic ideas of strapping on this uniform every day. And it's what, frankly, keeps a lot of us in."
EXPORT CONTROL REFORM: REMARKS BY STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
The Path Forward on Export Control Reform
Remarks
Tom Kelly
Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Washington, DC
February 4, 2014
Good morning, great to the here with you today. As Acting Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs, I lead the Bureau charged with implementing most of the State Department’s part of the Export Control Reform initiative.
When it comes to implementing ECR, the Administration is focused on creating an export control system that keeps pace with new technologies and supply chain globalization. At the same time, we don’t want this process to sacrifice critical national security and foreign policy objectives, from nonproliferation to supporting human rights.
ECR will streamline U.S. Government decision-making on strategic exports and create a more transparent, predictable system. What it will not do is alter the primacy of foreign policy in the decision-making process for arms exports. Our Foreign Military Sales program, Direct Commercial Sales authorizations, and all exports of munitions from the U.S. will continue to be authorized based on a coordinated review of the foreign policy risks and rewards associated with the transaction. Our newly revised and publicly available Conventional Arms Transfer Policy guides this review. It affirms that the U.S. does not simply allow arms to flow from its borders in response to global demand; we authorize exports that support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.
Over the past four months we achieved the first milestones in implementing ECR. In October 2013, the first major revisions to our export control lists went into effect, transferring controls on certain aircraft and gas turbine engines as well as their parts and components from the control of the Department of State to the Department of Commerce. These two categories potentially represent more than $20 billion in annual exports. And this January, new controls on military vehicles and ships went into effect.
Our allies and partners are responding positively to these changes and see many of their concerns related to security of supply addressed by these reforms. The U.S. defense export community is also supportive.
I do want to take this opportunity to – once again – dispel the myth that ECR equals decontrol of arms exports. Any item that is no longer controlled on the U.S. Munitions List is now controlled on the Commerce Control List.
The goal is an agile, dynamic export control regime responsive to today’s and tomorrow’s national security and foreign policy challenges. These new controls reduce bureaucracy, accelerate goods to market for our close allies and security partners, and still maintain a high level of scrutiny over arms exports. Though the full measure of success remains ahead of us, we’re confident that we are on the right path.
The Path Forward on Export Control Reform
Remarks
Tom Kelly
Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Washington, DC
February 4, 2014
Good morning, great to the here with you today. As Acting Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs, I lead the Bureau charged with implementing most of the State Department’s part of the Export Control Reform initiative.
When it comes to implementing ECR, the Administration is focused on creating an export control system that keeps pace with new technologies and supply chain globalization. At the same time, we don’t want this process to sacrifice critical national security and foreign policy objectives, from nonproliferation to supporting human rights.
ECR will streamline U.S. Government decision-making on strategic exports and create a more transparent, predictable system. What it will not do is alter the primacy of foreign policy in the decision-making process for arms exports. Our Foreign Military Sales program, Direct Commercial Sales authorizations, and all exports of munitions from the U.S. will continue to be authorized based on a coordinated review of the foreign policy risks and rewards associated with the transaction. Our newly revised and publicly available Conventional Arms Transfer Policy guides this review. It affirms that the U.S. does not simply allow arms to flow from its borders in response to global demand; we authorize exports that support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.
Over the past four months we achieved the first milestones in implementing ECR. In October 2013, the first major revisions to our export control lists went into effect, transferring controls on certain aircraft and gas turbine engines as well as their parts and components from the control of the Department of State to the Department of Commerce. These two categories potentially represent more than $20 billion in annual exports. And this January, new controls on military vehicles and ships went into effect.
Our allies and partners are responding positively to these changes and see many of their concerns related to security of supply addressed by these reforms. The U.S. defense export community is also supportive.
I do want to take this opportunity to – once again – dispel the myth that ECR equals decontrol of arms exports. Any item that is no longer controlled on the U.S. Munitions List is now controlled on the Commerce Control List.
The goal is an agile, dynamic export control regime responsive to today’s and tomorrow’s national security and foreign policy challenges. These new controls reduce bureaucracy, accelerate goods to market for our close allies and security partners, and still maintain a high level of scrutiny over arms exports. Though the full measure of success remains ahead of us, we’re confident that we are on the right path.
SECRETARY KERRY, HAITIAN PRESIDENT MARTELLY MAKE REMARKS BEFORE MEETING
FROM: STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks With Haitian President Martelly Before Their Meeting
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
February 5, 2014
SECRETARY KERRY: It is a great pleasure for me to welcome President Michel Martelly from Haiti, and really with great respect for the road that he has put Haiti on and the enormous commitment that he has made to transition from reconstruction into a long-term development program. And under his leadership, elections are now on the horizon, which could for the first time provide the filling out of all of the electoral positions to Haiti and begin to stabilize and hopefully build on the progress that he has achieved with respect to economic development, the improvement of the economy, the improvement of health. The indicators have gone up, and that’s the direction that we want to see it going.
So as I was telling the president a minute ago, I had the privilege of representing Massachusetts for many years as senator. We have a very large and proud Haitian population in and around Boston and throughout the state, and so there was huge concern when the earthquake took place. I remember personally attending a mass, a service, prayer service at the cathedral, and all of us trying to signal how important it was that this recommitment to Haiti was going to be different from the past.
We still have the opportunity to fulfill that promise. And so I’m very happy to welcome the president here and I look forward to our conversation.
Thank you, sir.
PRESIDENT MARTELLY: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I am very happy to be with you here, me and my delegation.
I’d like to take a minute to thank the people of the United States, you, your government, for always supporting Haiti, particularly at the time of big struggle. Today, I am here to talk to you about this new Haiti, a Haiti who wants to distance itself from aid and prioritize investment so we can create jobs, wealth, and (inaudible).
SECRETARY KERRY: Okay. Thank you very, very much. Looking forward to our conversation. Thank you.
QUESTION: Can you just shake hands, please?
SECRETARY KERRY: What?
QUESTION: Shake hands, please.
SECRETARY KERRY: Of course we can. (Laughter.) He was telling me he misses being a musician, and I was telling him I’m an occasional guitar guy, so we’re –
PRESIDENT MARTELLY: So most likely sometime we will get together. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY KERRY: All right. (Laughter.)
Remarks With Haitian President Martelly Before Their Meeting
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
February 5, 2014
SECRETARY KERRY: It is a great pleasure for me to welcome President Michel Martelly from Haiti, and really with great respect for the road that he has put Haiti on and the enormous commitment that he has made to transition from reconstruction into a long-term development program. And under his leadership, elections are now on the horizon, which could for the first time provide the filling out of all of the electoral positions to Haiti and begin to stabilize and hopefully build on the progress that he has achieved with respect to economic development, the improvement of the economy, the improvement of health. The indicators have gone up, and that’s the direction that we want to see it going.
So as I was telling the president a minute ago, I had the privilege of representing Massachusetts for many years as senator. We have a very large and proud Haitian population in and around Boston and throughout the state, and so there was huge concern when the earthquake took place. I remember personally attending a mass, a service, prayer service at the cathedral, and all of us trying to signal how important it was that this recommitment to Haiti was going to be different from the past.
We still have the opportunity to fulfill that promise. And so I’m very happy to welcome the president here and I look forward to our conversation.
Thank you, sir.
PRESIDENT MARTELLY: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I am very happy to be with you here, me and my delegation.
I’d like to take a minute to thank the people of the United States, you, your government, for always supporting Haiti, particularly at the time of big struggle. Today, I am here to talk to you about this new Haiti, a Haiti who wants to distance itself from aid and prioritize investment so we can create jobs, wealth, and (inaudible).
SECRETARY KERRY: Okay. Thank you very, very much. Looking forward to our conversation. Thank you.
QUESTION: Can you just shake hands, please?
SECRETARY KERRY: What?
QUESTION: Shake hands, please.
SECRETARY KERRY: Of course we can. (Laughter.) He was telling me he misses being a musician, and I was telling him I’m an occasional guitar guy, so we’re –
PRESIDENT MARTELLY: So most likely sometime we will get together. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY KERRY: All right. (Laughter.)
CVS REMOVES TOBACCO FROM STORES, HHS SECRETARY SEBELIUS MAKES STATEMENT
FROM: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Statement by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on CVS Tobacco Announcement
The Department of Health and Human Services applauds CVS Caremark Corp. for their leadership in helping to make the next generation tobacco-free.
CVS Caremark’s announcement that CVS/pharmacy stores will no longer sell cigarettes and other tobacco products is an unprecedented step in the retail industry. We also commend CVS Caremark on their new national smoking cessation program. With more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy locations, this private sector health leader’s new policy will have considerable impact.
Last month, I called on all sectors of the United States – from businesses to local and state governments to the faith community – to join in the Obama Administration’s sustained effort to make the next generation tobacco-free. Smoking takes an enormous toll on our friends, families and communities. As we know from the recently released 50th Anniversary Surgeon General Report on smoking and health, nearly 500,000 Americans die early each year due to smoking, and smoking costs us $289 billion annually. Each day, more than 3,200 youth under age 18 in the United States try their first cigarette and more than 700 kids under age 18 become daily smokers. If we fail to reverse course, 5.6 million American children alive today will die prematurely due to smoking. This is unacceptable.
We need an all-hands-on-deck effort to take tobacco products out of the hands of America’s young generation, and to help those who are addicted to quit. Today’s CVS Caremark announcement helps bring our country closer to achieving a tobacco-free generation. I hope others will follow their lead in this important new step to curtail tobacco use.
Additional recent tobacco-related announcements from the Department of Health and Human Services:
Statement by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on CVS Tobacco Announcement
The Department of Health and Human Services applauds CVS Caremark Corp. for their leadership in helping to make the next generation tobacco-free.
CVS Caremark’s announcement that CVS/pharmacy stores will no longer sell cigarettes and other tobacco products is an unprecedented step in the retail industry. We also commend CVS Caremark on their new national smoking cessation program. With more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy locations, this private sector health leader’s new policy will have considerable impact.
Last month, I called on all sectors of the United States – from businesses to local and state governments to the faith community – to join in the Obama Administration’s sustained effort to make the next generation tobacco-free. Smoking takes an enormous toll on our friends, families and communities. As we know from the recently released 50th Anniversary Surgeon General Report on smoking and health, nearly 500,000 Americans die early each year due to smoking, and smoking costs us $289 billion annually. Each day, more than 3,200 youth under age 18 in the United States try their first cigarette and more than 700 kids under age 18 become daily smokers. If we fail to reverse course, 5.6 million American children alive today will die prematurely due to smoking. This is unacceptable.
We need an all-hands-on-deck effort to take tobacco products out of the hands of America’s young generation, and to help those who are addicted to quit. Today’s CVS Caremark announcement helps bring our country closer to achieving a tobacco-free generation. I hope others will follow their lead in this important new step to curtail tobacco use.
Additional recent tobacco-related announcements from the Department of Health and Human Services:
W.R. GRACE PAYS OVER $63 MILLION TO RESOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP CLAIMS
FROM: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
W.R. Grace Pays Over $63 Million Toward Cleanup and Restoration of Hazardous Waste Sites in Communities Across the Country
W.R. Grace & Co, based in Columbia, Md., paid over $63 million to the U.S. government under its bankruptcy plan of reorganization to resolve claims for environmental cleanups at approximately 39 sites in 21 states, the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today.
“Communities across the United States will benefit from this payment of present and future cleanup costs,” said Robert G. Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department is committed to holding polluters responsible for their environmental legacy, and won’t just walk away leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.”
“Cleaning up toxic pollution in communities is the responsibility of the company that created it, not the American taxpayer,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This money will be used to clean up contaminated sites and to make a tangible difference for local communities across the country.”
W.R. Grace’s payment includes approximately $54 million for the EPA. The company agreed to pay another $9 million to other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Army.
W.R. Grace, a global supplier of specialty chemicals, and 61 affiliated companies filed for bankruptcy in April 2001. In 2003, EPA filed claims against the company to recover past and future cleanup costs at sites contaminated by asbestos and other hazardous substances.
Numerous agreements to resolve the agency’s environmental liability claims against the company and its affiliates were negotiated as part of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings between April 2008 and February 2013. The company continues to be responsible for all of the sites it owns or operates and for any additional sites that were not known or resolved under the earlier settlements.
W.R. Grace’s liability for asbestos contamination in the town of Libby, Mont., was addressed in a separate June 2008 settlement that resulted in a payment of $250 million to EPA. W.R. Grace continues to be responsible for addressing cleanup at the Libby Mine.
The approximately $54 million payment to EPA will reimburse the agency for cleanup costs or provide funds for future cleanup at the following Superfund sites:
Acton Plant - Acton, Mass.
Amber Oil - Milwaukee, Wis.
Aqua Tech - Greer, S.C.
Big Tex Site - San Antonio, Texas
Blackburn and Union Privileges - Walpole, Mass.
Cambridge,Plant, Cambridge, Mass.
Casmalia Resources - Santa Barbara, Calif.
Central Chemical - Hagerstown, Md.
Galaxy/Spectron - Elkton, Md.
Green River - Maceo, Ky.
Harrington Tools - Glendale, Calif.
Intermountain Insulation - Salt Lake City, Utah
IWI Site - Summit, Ill.
Li Tungsten - Glen Cove, N.Y.
Malone Services Co. - Texas County, Texas
Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) – Barnstable County, Mass.
N-Forcer Site - Dearborn, Mich.
Operating Industries, Inc. - Monterey Park, Calif.
R & H Oil/Tropicana - San Antonio, Texas
RAMP Industries - Denver, Colo.
Reclamation Oil - Detroit, Mich.
Robinson Insulation - Minot, N.D.
Solvents Recovery Service of NE - Southington, Conn.
Vermiculite Exfoliation Site – Nashville, Tenn.
Vermiculite Expansion Site – High Point, N.C.
Vermiculite Intermountain - Salt Lake City, Utah
Vermiculite Northwest - Spokane, Wash.
Watson Johnson LF - Richland Township, Pa.
Wells G & H (Source & Central Areas) - Woburn, Mass.
Western Minerals Processing - Denver, Colo.
Western Minerals Products - Minneapolis, Minn.
W.R. Grace – Weedsport, N.Y.
Zonolite - Wilder, Ky.
Zonolite/W.R. Grace – Easthampton, Mass.
Zonolite - Prince George’s Co., Md.
Zonolite - Hamilton Township, N.J.
Zonolite - Ellwood City, Pa.
Zonolite - New Castle, Pa.
Zonolite Road – Atlanta, Ga.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
W.R. Grace Pays Over $63 Million Toward Cleanup and Restoration of Hazardous Waste Sites in Communities Across the Country
W.R. Grace & Co, based in Columbia, Md., paid over $63 million to the U.S. government under its bankruptcy plan of reorganization to resolve claims for environmental cleanups at approximately 39 sites in 21 states, the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today.
“Communities across the United States will benefit from this payment of present and future cleanup costs,” said Robert G. Dreher, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department is committed to holding polluters responsible for their environmental legacy, and won’t just walk away leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.”
“Cleaning up toxic pollution in communities is the responsibility of the company that created it, not the American taxpayer,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This money will be used to clean up contaminated sites and to make a tangible difference for local communities across the country.”
W.R. Grace’s payment includes approximately $54 million for the EPA. The company agreed to pay another $9 million to other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Army.
W.R. Grace, a global supplier of specialty chemicals, and 61 affiliated companies filed for bankruptcy in April 2001. In 2003, EPA filed claims against the company to recover past and future cleanup costs at sites contaminated by asbestos and other hazardous substances.
Numerous agreements to resolve the agency’s environmental liability claims against the company and its affiliates were negotiated as part of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings between April 2008 and February 2013. The company continues to be responsible for all of the sites it owns or operates and for any additional sites that were not known or resolved under the earlier settlements.
W.R. Grace’s liability for asbestos contamination in the town of Libby, Mont., was addressed in a separate June 2008 settlement that resulted in a payment of $250 million to EPA. W.R. Grace continues to be responsible for addressing cleanup at the Libby Mine.
The approximately $54 million payment to EPA will reimburse the agency for cleanup costs or provide funds for future cleanup at the following Superfund sites:
Acton Plant - Acton, Mass.
Amber Oil - Milwaukee, Wis.
Aqua Tech - Greer, S.C.
Big Tex Site - San Antonio, Texas
Blackburn and Union Privileges - Walpole, Mass.
Cambridge,Plant, Cambridge, Mass.
Casmalia Resources - Santa Barbara, Calif.
Central Chemical - Hagerstown, Md.
Galaxy/Spectron - Elkton, Md.
Green River - Maceo, Ky.
Harrington Tools - Glendale, Calif.
Intermountain Insulation - Salt Lake City, Utah
IWI Site - Summit, Ill.
Li Tungsten - Glen Cove, N.Y.
Malone Services Co. - Texas County, Texas
Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) – Barnstable County, Mass.
N-Forcer Site - Dearborn, Mich.
Operating Industries, Inc. - Monterey Park, Calif.
R & H Oil/Tropicana - San Antonio, Texas
RAMP Industries - Denver, Colo.
Reclamation Oil - Detroit, Mich.
Robinson Insulation - Minot, N.D.
Solvents Recovery Service of NE - Southington, Conn.
Vermiculite Exfoliation Site – Nashville, Tenn.
Vermiculite Expansion Site – High Point, N.C.
Vermiculite Intermountain - Salt Lake City, Utah
Vermiculite Northwest - Spokane, Wash.
Watson Johnson LF - Richland Township, Pa.
Wells G & H (Source & Central Areas) - Woburn, Mass.
Western Minerals Processing - Denver, Colo.
Western Minerals Products - Minneapolis, Minn.
W.R. Grace – Weedsport, N.Y.
Zonolite - Wilder, Ky.
Zonolite/W.R. Grace – Easthampton, Mass.
Zonolite - Prince George’s Co., Md.
Zonolite - Hamilton Township, N.J.
Zonolite - Ellwood City, Pa.
Zonolite - New Castle, Pa.
Zonolite Road – Atlanta, Ga.
FDA RELEASES MAMMOGRAPHY FACILITY CERTIFICATION STATISTICS
FROM: FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
MQSA National Statistics
In this section of the MQSA Scorecard, we present the most commonly requested national statistics regarding the MQSA program. These statistics are updated on the first of each month.
Certified facilities, as of October 1, 2013 8,691
Certification statistics, as of February 1, 2014
Total certified facilities / Total accredited units 8,712 / 13,234
Certified facilities with FFDM2 units / Accredited FFDM units 8,060 / 12,374
FY 2014 inspection statistics, as of February 1, 2014
Facilities inspected 2,465
Total units at inspected facilities 3,676
Percent of inspections where the highest noncompliance was a:
Level 1 violation 0.4%
Level 2 violation 11.2%
Level 3 violation 1.5%
Percent of inspections with no violation 86.9%
Total annual mammography procedures reported, as of February 1, 20141 38,735,379
1 This number is an aggregate of the total number of procedures performed annually as reported by facilities to their accreditation bodies. Facilities are asked to disclose this information at their initial accreditation, and then at the time of their re-accreditation, which takes place once every three years. FDA began collecting these data in 1998. The aggregate does not reflect the current number of procedures performed at these facilities, but only the numbers reported by them during the three-year period prior to the current date. We have aggregated only the numbers reported by certified, non-Veterans Administration facilities.
2 FFDM - Full Field Digital Mammography unit.
FACILITY VIOLATIONS AS DEFINED BY FDA
Level 1 Survey Observations
The FDA issues an L1 citation if the facility did not have an annual medical physicist survey for two successive years.
Level 2 Survey Observations
The FDA issues an L2 citation to the facility for any of the following observations:
Time interval between the current and previous survey exceeds 14 months
Time interval between inspection date and the most recent survey exceeds 14 months
Unsigned report or one without the ID of the person who conducted or supervised the survey
Incomplete survey, e.g., any of the following tests are missing or incomplete:
spatial resolution
AEC performance
phantom image
dose
system artifacts
new modality QC tests
We evaluated inspection results over the date range of 10/1/99 to 3/31/03 for items under each of the 4 main bullets. First, violations regarding the third bullet (unsigned report, etc.) were very rare, e.g., only 2 facilities in FY01 and none since then.
Level 3 Survey Observations
Although Level 3 (L3) violations are considered not as serious as Level 2 and Level 1 violations and do not require a facility response, the FDA views all violations as detrimental for the quality of mammography and expects facilities to take corrective action regarding these violations as soon as possible.
The FDA issues an L3 citation to the facility for any of the following observations:
Incomplete survey (e.g., any of the following tests/tasks are missing or incomplete):
pass/fail list in the report
recommendations for failed items
physicist’s evaluation of the technologist’s QC tests
any of the tests not listed under L2
collimation assessment
kVp accuracy
kVp reproducibility
beam quality (HVL) measurement
uniformity of screen speed
radiation output
decompression (compression release)
Not taking timely corrective actions for items that failed in the survey.
MQSA National Statistics
In this section of the MQSA Scorecard, we present the most commonly requested national statistics regarding the MQSA program. These statistics are updated on the first of each month.
Certified facilities, as of October 1, 2013 8,691
Certification statistics, as of February 1, 2014
Total certified facilities / Total accredited units 8,712 / 13,234
Certified facilities with FFDM2 units / Accredited FFDM units 8,060 / 12,374
FY 2014 inspection statistics, as of February 1, 2014
Facilities inspected 2,465
Total units at inspected facilities 3,676
Percent of inspections where the highest noncompliance was a:
Level 1 violation 0.4%
Level 2 violation 11.2%
Level 3 violation 1.5%
Percent of inspections with no violation 86.9%
Total annual mammography procedures reported, as of February 1, 20141 38,735,379
1 This number is an aggregate of the total number of procedures performed annually as reported by facilities to their accreditation bodies. Facilities are asked to disclose this information at their initial accreditation, and then at the time of their re-accreditation, which takes place once every three years. FDA began collecting these data in 1998. The aggregate does not reflect the current number of procedures performed at these facilities, but only the numbers reported by them during the three-year period prior to the current date. We have aggregated only the numbers reported by certified, non-Veterans Administration facilities.
2 FFDM - Full Field Digital Mammography unit.
FACILITY VIOLATIONS AS DEFINED BY FDA
Level 1 Survey Observations
The FDA issues an L1 citation if the facility did not have an annual medical physicist survey for two successive years.
Level 2 Survey Observations
The FDA issues an L2 citation to the facility for any of the following observations:
Time interval between the current and previous survey exceeds 14 months
Time interval between inspection date and the most recent survey exceeds 14 months
Unsigned report or one without the ID of the person who conducted or supervised the survey
Incomplete survey, e.g., any of the following tests are missing or incomplete:
spatial resolution
AEC performance
phantom image
dose
system artifacts
new modality QC tests
We evaluated inspection results over the date range of 10/1/99 to 3/31/03 for items under each of the 4 main bullets. First, violations regarding the third bullet (unsigned report, etc.) were very rare, e.g., only 2 facilities in FY01 and none since then.
Level 3 Survey Observations
Although Level 3 (L3) violations are considered not as serious as Level 2 and Level 1 violations and do not require a facility response, the FDA views all violations as detrimental for the quality of mammography and expects facilities to take corrective action regarding these violations as soon as possible.
The FDA issues an L3 citation to the facility for any of the following observations:
Incomplete survey (e.g., any of the following tests/tasks are missing or incomplete):
pass/fail list in the report
recommendations for failed items
physicist’s evaluation of the technologist’s QC tests
any of the tests not listed under L2
collimation assessment
kVp accuracy
kVp reproducibility
beam quality (HVL) measurement
uniformity of screen speed
radiation output
decompression (compression release)
Not taking timely corrective actions for items that failed in the survey.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
NSC SPOKESPERSON'S REMARKS ON U.S.-IRAQ ENERGY MEETING
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the U.S.-Iraq Energy Joint Coordination Committee Meeting
In November of last year, as part of the Higher Coordinating Committee meeting, Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Maliki committed to strengthening the U.S.-Iraq energy partnership and supporting the continued increase of Iraq’s energy supply to the global markets. Following on that meeting, today in Baghdad, Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman and Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the State Department Carlos Pascual co-chaired the Energy Joint Coordination Committee with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Hussain Al Shahristani. These meetings provided an important opportunity for the Governments of Iraq and the United States to further our cooperation to strengthen and secure energy infrastructure, develop natural gas resources and reduce gas flaring, support improvements in electricity generation, and examine the roles efficiency and renewable energy can play in meeting Iraqi energy needs. The United States and Iraq remain committed to the development of Iraq’s electricity, oil, and gas sectors in an effort to build a strong economy that is capable of meeting the needs of the Iraqi people and bringing greater stability to world markets. We look forward to hosting the next Joint Coordination Committee on Energy meeting in Washington on a date to be agreed later.
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on the U.S.-Iraq Energy Joint Coordination Committee Meeting
In November of last year, as part of the Higher Coordinating Committee meeting, Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Maliki committed to strengthening the U.S.-Iraq energy partnership and supporting the continued increase of Iraq’s energy supply to the global markets. Following on that meeting, today in Baghdad, Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman and Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the State Department Carlos Pascual co-chaired the Energy Joint Coordination Committee with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Hussain Al Shahristani. These meetings provided an important opportunity for the Governments of Iraq and the United States to further our cooperation to strengthen and secure energy infrastructure, develop natural gas resources and reduce gas flaring, support improvements in electricity generation, and examine the roles efficiency and renewable energy can play in meeting Iraqi energy needs. The United States and Iraq remain committed to the development of Iraq’s electricity, oil, and gas sectors in an effort to build a strong economy that is capable of meeting the needs of the Iraqi people and bringing greater stability to world markets. We look forward to hosting the next Joint Coordination Committee on Energy meeting in Washington on a date to be agreed later.
CHEATING ALLEGATION INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
FROM: U.S. NAVY
Navy Probes Cheating Allegations at Nuke Reactor School
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2014 – About 30 of 150 watch-standers at the Navy’s Charleston Nuclear Power Training Unit in South Carolina are being investigated for alleged cheating on a written qualification exam, the chief of naval operations said today.
The incident came to light yesterday, and Navy officials are taking quick action to investigate the situation and apply corrective measures, Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert told reporters at a Pentagon news conference.
The propulsion exam allegedly was shared among some senior enlisted operators of nuclear power plants. Both Greenert and Navy Adm. John M. Richardson, the director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, stressed that this incident does not touch on nuclear weapons.
“To say that I’m disappointed would be an understatement,” Greenert, the Navy’s top officer, said. “Whenever I hear about integrity issues, it’s disruptive to our units’ success and it’s definitely contrary to all of our core values -- our Navy core values. And it affects the very basis of our ethos.”
The fact that senior enlisted sailors are involved makes this all the more disappointing, Greenert said. “We expect more from our sailors, especially our senior sailors, and we demand it in our training and in our operations,” he added. “And we will operate to that.” If the allegations are substantiated, the sailors will be held accountable, he said.
Richardson took full responsibility for the incident. “This is mine to investigate and to correct,” he said.
The admiral said he learned of the incident, “when one of our sailors … was offered to compromise his integrity, recognized that this was wrong, and reported it to the command.”
The incident took place in the school, which is held on two converted submarines used as training reactors to certify operators to report to the fleet. “This incident involves members of the school staff who are required to qualify to operate and instruct students on the training reactor,” Richardson said.
The incident involves the alleged compromise of the written exam to qualify for one of the 11 watch stations. “To date, we're getting good cooperation with the investigation,” Richardson said.
The training reactors were shut down for routine maintenance once Navy officials learned of the incident. “The training command has ensured that all personnel implicated in this so far have been removed from the site,” the admiral said. “Their access has been revoked, and all current personnel on watch are those who have no element of implication. As a precautionary measure, these personnel are also being re-tested to validate their knowledge.”
U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR FEBRUARY 5, 2014
FROM: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, Calif., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $117,286,467 undefinitized contract action (0118) for an existing firm-fixed-price contract (FA8620-10-G-3038) for the MQ-9 Accelerated Extended Range effort which will field 38 MQ-9 Extended Range aircraft. Work will be completed in Poway, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 7, 2016. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $6,597,174, fiscal 2013 procurement funds in the amount of $31,304,722, and fiscal 2014 research and development funds in the amount of $3,605,250 will be obligated for a total obligation of $41,507,146 at contract award. This award is a result of sole-source acquisition. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center/WIIK, Medium Altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, Calif., has been awarded a $16,595,766 delivery order (0114) for an existing contract (FA8620-10-G-3038) for Lead-off Hitter AFSOC MQ-9 Software Line which will provide MQ-9 software engineering support for the AFSOC fleet of MQ-9 unmanned aerial systems. Work will be performed in Poway, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 6, 2015. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $2,063,006 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WIIK, Medium Altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Wright & Wright Machinery Company Inc.*, Monticello, Ky., has been awarded a maximum $87,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for the procurement of commercial type agricultural equipment. This contract is a competitive acquisition and nine offers were received. This contract is one of up to five contracts being issued against solicitation number SPM8EC-11-R-0008 and with requirements that specifically call for agricultural equipment within the product line and will be competed amongst other contractors who receive a contract under this solicitation. This is a five-year base contract. Locations of performance are Kentucky and Korea, with a Feb. 4, 2019 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPE8EC-14-D-0012).
ReadyMat US LLC*, Lake Charles, La., has been awarded a maximum $9,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for foldable fiberglass mats. This contract is a competitive acquisition, and three offers were received. This is a two year base contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is Louisiana with a Feb. 5, 2019 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPE8E6-14-D-0001).
NAVY
HELIX-Hon a Joint Venture Co.*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum amount $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering (A-E) contract for A-E services for the preparation of Navy and Marine Corps environmental planning documents for infrastructure projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for data collection, natural resource survey, and resource effects analysis work related to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental planning services. Services will include, but are not limited to the preparation of the following primary NEPA related documents: environmental assessments; environmental impact statements; draft findings of no significant impacts; and draft records of decision. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations in California (85 percent), Arizona (6 percent), Nevada (6 percent), and other DoD installations and federal agencies in the United States (3 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of February 2019. Fiscal 2014 environmental restoration, Navy contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with eight proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-14-D-1401).
Allan C. Bamforth JR Engineer Surveyor Ltd.*, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a maximum amount $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering services contract for civil design and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR). Task order 0001 is being awarded at $702,229 for the design of a water treatment plant at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by September 2015. All work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities located in the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic AOR, primarily in Coastal North Carolina and the Hampton Roads region of Virginia; however, projects may be included throughout the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of February 2019. Fiscal 2013 military construction (planning and design) contract funds in the amount of $702,229 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website, with eight proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-14-D-8403).
Dignitas Technologies*, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $7,685,234 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division’s Environmental Representation Data and Effects Program. These services include simulation and environmental representation subject matter expertise, technology development and integration, and applied technology experimentation. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed in February 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation, Defense-wide funds in the amount of $290,000 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a Broad Agency Announcement; one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (N61340-14-C-6103).
ARMY
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, was awarded a $16,286,396 firm-fixed-price, foreign military sales contract for 22 modified improved target acquisition systems for the Royal Saudi Land Forces SWORD program and three for the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2015. Bids were solicited via the Web with one received. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-14-C-0066).
HRD Engineering, Kansas, City, Mo., was awarded a $9,500,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architectural and engineering civil works for the Corps of Engineers Kansas City District. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Feb. 4, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 11 received. Corps of Engineers, Kansas, City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-14-D-1001).
CORRECTION: The contract W52P1J-14-D-0042 to GTI Systems, Inc was incorrectly announced Jan. 31, 2014. The contract was awarded on Feb 3, 2014.
CORRECTION: The contract W912DY-13-G-0022 modifications (P0001 and P0002) to Cray, Inc. were incorrectly announced Feb 3, 2014. The modifications were awarded today.
*Small Business
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, Calif., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $117,286,467 undefinitized contract action (0118) for an existing firm-fixed-price contract (FA8620-10-G-3038) for the MQ-9 Accelerated Extended Range effort which will field 38 MQ-9 Extended Range aircraft. Work will be completed in Poway, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 7, 2016. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $6,597,174, fiscal 2013 procurement funds in the amount of $31,304,722, and fiscal 2014 research and development funds in the amount of $3,605,250 will be obligated for a total obligation of $41,507,146 at contract award. This award is a result of sole-source acquisition. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center/WIIK, Medium Altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, Calif., has been awarded a $16,595,766 delivery order (0114) for an existing contract (FA8620-10-G-3038) for Lead-off Hitter AFSOC MQ-9 Software Line which will provide MQ-9 software engineering support for the AFSOC fleet of MQ-9 unmanned aerial systems. Work will be performed in Poway, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 6, 2015. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $2,063,006 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WIIK, Medium Altitude Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
Wright & Wright Machinery Company Inc.*, Monticello, Ky., has been awarded a maximum $87,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for the procurement of commercial type agricultural equipment. This contract is a competitive acquisition and nine offers were received. This contract is one of up to five contracts being issued against solicitation number SPM8EC-11-R-0008 and with requirements that specifically call for agricultural equipment within the product line and will be competed amongst other contractors who receive a contract under this solicitation. This is a five-year base contract. Locations of performance are Kentucky and Korea, with a Feb. 4, 2019 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPE8EC-14-D-0012).
ReadyMat US LLC*, Lake Charles, La., has been awarded a maximum $9,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for foldable fiberglass mats. This contract is a competitive acquisition, and three offers were received. This is a two year base contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is Louisiana with a Feb. 5, 2019 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPE8E6-14-D-0001).
NAVY
HELIX-Hon a Joint Venture Co.*, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a maximum amount $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering (A-E) contract for A-E services for the preparation of Navy and Marine Corps environmental planning documents for infrastructure projects in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for data collection, natural resource survey, and resource effects analysis work related to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental planning services. Services will include, but are not limited to the preparation of the following primary NEPA related documents: environmental assessments; environmental impact statements; draft findings of no significant impacts; and draft records of decision. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations in California (85 percent), Arizona (6 percent), Nevada (6 percent), and other DoD installations and federal agencies in the United States (3 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of February 2019. Fiscal 2014 environmental restoration, Navy contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with eight proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-14-D-1401).
Allan C. Bamforth JR Engineer Surveyor Ltd.*, Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a maximum amount $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering services contract for civil design and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR). Task order 0001 is being awarded at $702,229 for the design of a water treatment plant at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by September 2015. All work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities located in the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic AOR, primarily in Coastal North Carolina and the Hampton Roads region of Virginia; however, projects may be included throughout the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of February 2019. Fiscal 2013 military construction (planning and design) contract funds in the amount of $702,229 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website, with eight proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-14-D-8403).
Dignitas Technologies*, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $7,685,234 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division’s Environmental Representation Data and Effects Program. These services include simulation and environmental representation subject matter expertise, technology development and integration, and applied technology experimentation. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed in February 2017. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation, Defense-wide funds in the amount of $290,000 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a Broad Agency Announcement; one offer was received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (N61340-14-C-6103).
ARMY
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, was awarded a $16,286,396 firm-fixed-price, foreign military sales contract for 22 modified improved target acquisition systems for the Royal Saudi Land Forces SWORD program and three for the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2015. Bids were solicited via the Web with one received. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-14-C-0066).
HRD Engineering, Kansas, City, Mo., was awarded a $9,500,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for architectural and engineering civil works for the Corps of Engineers Kansas City District. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Feb. 4, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 11 received. Corps of Engineers, Kansas, City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-14-D-1001).
CORRECTION: The contract W52P1J-14-D-0042 to GTI Systems, Inc was incorrectly announced Jan. 31, 2014. The contract was awarded on Feb 3, 2014.
CORRECTION: The contract W912DY-13-G-0022 modifications (P0001 and P0002) to Cray, Inc. were incorrectly announced Feb 3, 2014. The modifications were awarded today.
*Small Business
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