http://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-statement-on-administrations-inadequate-disaster-relief-request
PORT ANGELES, WA—Following Friday’s unveiling of the Trump Administration’s request for disaster funding which ignored fishing communities in the Pacific Northwest, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) made the following statement:
“The Trump Administration’s request ignores a series of devastating natural disasters that have wreaked havoc on the livelihoods of folks in our fishing communities,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said. “Given the importance of our fisheries to this region’s economy, it’s a real disappointment that the administration is ignoring the needs of our communities rather than providing long-overdue relief.”
Last Thursday, Rep. Kilmer and Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler led a bipartisan plea to the Administration on behalf of fisheries communities. They requested the Administration provide relief in the supplemental disaster funding request. The group, who were joined by other members of the Washington delegation, pointed out the important role fisheries play in the region’s economy.
Earlier this year, Rep. Kilmer and Rep. Herrera Beutler successfully secured $20 Million for fisheries when the congress passed H.R. 3354 the Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act. More is needed to stem the tide of destruction caused by several algal blooms and an anomalous warm “blob” of water which caused mass fish and bird die-offs, whale strandings and other ecological destruction that devastated the Pacific Northwest’s fishing industry.
Kilmer Expresses Disappointment over Okanogan County Skywriting Incident
Press release issued 11/ 17/ 17http://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-expresses-disappointment-over-okanogan-county-skywriting-incident
Kilmer reminds air wing that a good relationship with the community is vital to national security
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, following reports that an EA-18G Growler crew based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island intentionally flew in a pattern resulting in obscene skywriting over Okanogan County, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) wrote to Rear Admiral Gary Mayes, the Commander of Navy Region Northwest, to express his disappointment with the air wing over the incident.
In the letter Rep. Derek Kilmer said:
“As a supporter of the Navy, I am disappointed at the recent incident in Okanogan County, WA. While I appreciate the Navy has publicly committed to holding the crew accountable for their action, more must be done to maintain and improve the Navy’s relationship with the local community,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said. “Achieving this goal is important to maintaining national security and support among local communities. These outcomes are not mutually exclusive.”
(see letter)
Kilmer Applauds FEC for Opening Rulemaking for Online Political Ad Disclosure
Press release issued 11/ 17/ 17http://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-applauds-fec-for-opening-rulemaking-for-online-political-ad-disclosure
WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Derek Kilmer applauded the commissioners of the Federal Election Commission for voting unanimously to start a process that could lead to changing the disclosure rules that govern online political advertising. The step comes as lawmakers consider measures like the Honest Ads Act, which would expose who buys online political ads. The bill casts a light on the murky world of political advertising in an attempt to check the influence Russia, other foreign powers and special interests exercise in the American political process.
“They say that sunlight is the best disinfectant. It is good news that the Federal Election Commission is taking a step closer towards casting light on who is buying online election ads,” Rep. Derek Kilmer said, “I hope this leads to the rule changes outlined in the Honest Ads Act so the public knows who’s buying the political ads they see online.”
Representative Kilmer is the original sponsor of the Honest Ads Act which would require the FEC to create disclosure rules for technology companies so the public knows who pays for election ads online. The bill, along with a similar measure in the United States Senate, has drawn bipartisan support.
Last week, according to good government group Common Cause, more than 150,000 Americans petitioned the FEC to start the process for changing the rules. Rep. Kilmer joined the group as they delivered petitions from their members.
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OUR SCHOOLS REPORT CARD
More Opportunities for More Americans
US DEPT. of LABOR NEWS BLOG dated 11/ 17/ 17https://blog.dol.gov/2017/11/17/more-opportunities-more-americans
As National Apprenticeship Week 2017 draws to a close, we’ve seen strong support for apprenticeships “earn and learn” model all across America. And the momentum is clearly building, with this year’s celebration bigger than ever! Almost 1,000 events across all 50 states showcased programs, facilities, apprentices, and broad support from labor, companies, trade and industry, and education leaders around the country – about a 30 percent increase from 2016.
Here at the U.S. Department of Labor, Secretary Alexander Acosta kicked off National Apprenticeship Week with the first meeting of the President’s Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, along with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and Assistant to the President Ivanka Trump. The Task Force brings together business, education, labor, and public officials to strategize how to expand apprenticeships across all industries.
Following the Task Force meeting, we were proud to take part in a number of events including forums, apprenticeship program launches, and awards ceremonies.
All around the country, signing ceremonies, apprenticeship graduations, appreciation events, employer forums, information sessions, open houses, statewide summits, apprenticeship job fairs, media interviews, and more highlighted the benefits of apprenticeship. For example:
Secretary Acosta visited the Sheet Metal Workers’ Local Union 100’s Apprenticeship Training Center in Maryland, and he headlined the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities annual conference;
CVS Health, which has had over 4,700 apprentices since 2005, announced its commitment to hiring 5,000 new apprentices by 2022, as well as expanding the number of states in which its apprenticeship program is available;
Apprenti, one of the Nation’s first Tech Apprenticeship programs, announced that it will expand nationally into Oregon, Michigan, California and Ohio;
The Dow Chemical Company hosted several career fairs, partnering with the local community in Victoria, Texas, to make presentations to the students, counselors, and faculty outlining technical job roles in their apprenticeship program and the competencies required to achieve success;
The Charleston, South Carolina, Youth Apprenticeship program has been working with Project Lead the Way and our office to develop the first national pilot for STEM high school apprenticeships, and I’m excited that we were able to launch the first pilot project in engineering apprenticeships on Wednesday with Boeing, Bosch, and Mobile Communications America Inc. This program will offer high school students the opportunity to work as apprentices while taking classes that will give them one year of college credit toward an engineering degree upon completion;
The American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association partnered with the Maryland Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation to celebrate Maryland’s newly approved apprenticeship program and announce a $50,000 grant to help Baltimore community-based organizations recruit and train youth to fill the cities local job vacancies;
The National Urban League and the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council hosted a College Tech Prep Summit to introduce approximately 250 high school and college students to the fast-paced world of tech.
That’s just a small sample of the exciting events that happened this week. Additionally, there was robust social media engagement related to National Apprenticeship Week, with about 30 million digital impressions from this week alone, providing a resounding drumbeat of support for the power of apprenticeship to provide family sustaining career opportunities.
As this busy week comes to an end, we want to thank everyone across the country who helped raise awareness of how apprenticeship helps job creators grow the skilled workforce they need to compete. The opportunity to “earn and learn” will put more Americans on the path to family sustaining careers.
US DEPT. OF LABOR BLOG POST dated 11/ 15/ 17
Virginian Finds Rewarding Career Through Apprenticeshiphttps://blog.dol.gov/2017/11/15/virginian-finds-rewarding-career-through-apprenticeship
When Kristina Williams was accepted into the University of Virginia’s plumbing apprenticeship program, she was ready to prove herself.
“The apprenticeship is a big deal,” said Kristina, adding that only 10 people are selected annually from approximately 600 applications.
Before starting the four-year program in August 2013, the Earlysville, Virginia, native was no stranger to hands-on jobs. She previously worked at a daycare, a horse farm, and cleaned first-year dormitories at UVA. In her spare time, Kristina also helped a friend do plumbing work, which she discovered that she really enjoyed.
During the apprenticeship, Kristina experienced all aspects of plumbing, from digging ditches to jackhammering floors to repairing a broken water line in the middle of a 6-degree night. She’s also worked on high-pressure steam and deionized water systems – valuable opportunities that she says are uncommon in her field.
Kristina completed the apprenticeship in July 2017 and currently works for UVA Facilities Management as a plumber and steamfitter.
She credits the apprenticeship with a rewarding career and financial stability, and she recently purchased a new car and dream home for her and her newborn daughter. Kristina plans to pursue her plumbing license through the state, and hopes to one day become a master plumber.
"I think the biggest advantage of the apprenticeship is being able to learn and build a career and have no student loans to pay off at the end," she said. Nationally, plumbers’ mean annual wages are around $56,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There are more than 533,000 apprenticeships across the country, with more opportunities added every day.
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NASA Astronaut Available for Interviews Before Space Station Mission
Press release issued 11/ 20/ 17https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-astronaut-available-for-interviews-before-space-station-mission
NASA astronaut Scott Tingle will be available at 6 a.m. EST Friday, Dec. 1 for live satellite interviews one last time prior to his upcoming launch to the International Space Station Dec. 17, on what will be his first mission in space.
Originating from the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the interviews will air on NASA Television and the agency’s http://www.nasa.gov/live website. At 5:30 a.m., NASA TV will run a video feed of highlights from Tingle’s training.
To interview Tingle, media must contact Sarah Volkman at 281-483-9071 or sarah.e.volkman@nasa.gov no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Media participating in the interviews must tune to the NASA TV Media Channel. Satellite tuning information is available at:
http://go.nasa.gov/1pOWUhR
Tingle is one of nine members of the 20th NASA astronaut class, selected in July 2009. His astronaut training has included scientific and technical briefings; intensive instruction in space station systems, spacewalks and robotics; physiological training; T-38 flight training; and water and wilderness survival training.
A U.S. Navy captain, Tingle grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University in Dartmouth, now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Following graduate school, Tingle spent three years with the Aerospace Corp., in El Segundo, California, as a technical staff member in its Propulsion Department. He was commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer in 1991, and accumulated more than 4,500 flight hours in 51 types of aircraft, 750 carrier arrestments and 54 combat missions.
Tingle will arrive at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Monday, Dec. 4, for final prelaunch training. He and his crewmates, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will launch on the Russian Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft at 2:20 a.m. EST Dec. 17. They are scheduled to return to Earth next spring.
The flight plan calls for an arrival at the station two days after launch, where they will join Expedition 54 Commander Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineers Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba of NASA. The crew members will continue several hundred experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science currently underway and scheduled to take place aboard humanity's only permanently occupied orbiting lab.
The experiments include Using Brachypodium distachyon to Investigate Monocot Plant Adaptation to Spaceflight (APEX-06), which investigates the growth of the common grass species Brachypodium distachyon in the microgravity environment of space. The grasses grow from seedlings aboard the station and are returned as frozen samples to Earth-based labs for detailed analysis and comparison with Earth based control groups. APEX-06 aims to compare the growth and gene-expression patterns of Brachypodium distachyon with those of the dicotyledonous model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, which has been extensively studied in space and whose behavior in microgravity is better understood.
Understanding how different plants grow in space can result in improved life support system design and resource planning for long-term space missions. It also provides a better understanding of grass and cereal crop stress response systems that can be applied in agriculture, habitat restoration, and natural resource management on Earth. Results from this experiment also advance comparative understanding of how plants use genetic and biomolecular systems to protect themselves under stressful conditions.
NASA Launches NOAA Weather Satellite Aboard United Launch Alliance Rocket to Improve Forecasts
Press release issued 17/ 18/ 17https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-launches-noaa-weather-satellite-aboard-united-launch-alliance-rocket-to-improve
NASA has successfully launched for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the first in a series of four highly advanced polar-orbiting satellites, equipped with next-generation technology and designed to improve the accuracy of U.S. weather forecasts out to seven days.
The Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) lifted off on a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 1:47 a.m. PST Saturday.
Approximately 63 minutes after launch the solar arrays on JPSS-1 deployed and the spacecraft was operating on its own power. JPSS-1 will be renamed NOAA-20 when it reaches its final orbit. Following a three-month checkout and validation of its five advanced instruments, the satellite will become operational.
“Launching JPSS-1 underscores NOAA’s commitment to putting the best possible satellites into orbit, giving our forecasters -- and the public -- greater confidence in weather forecasts up to seven days in advance, including the potential for severe, or impactful weather,” said Stephen Volz, director of NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service.
JPSS-1 will join the joint NOAA/NASA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite in the same orbit and provide meteorologists with observations of atmospheric temperature and moisture, clouds, sea-surface temperature, ocean color, sea ice cover, volcanic ash, and fire detection. The data will improve weather forecasting, such as predicting a hurricane’s track, and will help agencies involved with post-storm recovery by visualizing storm damage and the geographic extent of power outages.
“Emergency managers increasingly rely on our forecasts to make critical decisions and take appropriate action before a storm hits,” said Louis W. Uccellini, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “Polar satellite observations not only help us monitor and collect information about current weather systems, but they provide data to feed into our weather forecast models.”
JPSS-1 has five instruments, each of which is significantly upgraded from the instruments on NOAA’s previous polar-orbiting satellites. The more-detailed observations from JPSS will allow forecasters to make more accurate predictions. JPSS-1 data will also improve recognition of climate patterns that influence the weather, such as El Nino and La Nina.
The JPSS program is a partnership between NOAA and NASA through which they will oversee the development, launch, testing and operation all the satellites in the series. NOAA funds and manages the program, operations and data products. NASA develops and builds the instruments, spacecraft and ground system and launches the satellites for NOAA. JPSS-1 launch management was provided by NASA’s Launch Services Program based at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
“Today’s launch is the latest example of the strong relationship between NASA and NOAA, contributing to the advancement of scientific discovery and the improvement of the U.S. weather forecasting capability by leveraging the unique vantage point of space to benefit and protect humankind,” said Sandra Smalley, director of NASA’s Joint Agency Satellite Division.
Ball Aerospace designed and built the JPSS-1 satellite bus and Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite instrument, integrated all five of the spacecraft’s instruments and performed satellite-level testing and launch support. Raytheon Corporation built the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite and the Common Ground System. Harris Corporation built the Cross-track Infrared Sounder. Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems built the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder and the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System instrument.
Daily Bible Verse: [ Spiritual Gifts at Corinth ] I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
1 Corinthians 1:4-5 NKJV
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