I WATCHED THE MOON LANDING WITH AWE AT 9 YEARS OLD.

By Peter Ripley Publisher
“I’m going to step off the LM now.” And at 9:56 PM Houston time he did just that, firmly planting his left foot onto the lunar surface, proclaiming, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”---Neil Armstrong.

1969 after a decade of tragic events, and getting into the war of Vietnam, this country needed something to cheer about. Three men risking all made history by landing on the moon, and walked on it, and made it home safe. I was 9 years old at the time, like everyone in the nation, and the world were clued to the tv watching the news practically 24 yours a day, watch this mission from start to end. During that time no one complain that these three astronauts were three white men landing on the moon. No one wasn't complaining that there wasn't any people of color, or no women, or gay! The world only cared if they made the trip, and came back home alive!
Now, fifty years later, what did you see in the headlines of the mainstream media? That the lunar landing wasn't politically  correct!


Related story:   Huh? NYT: Apollo Space Program Guilty of ‘Gender Bias’ Against Women
 The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing should be a celebration that has no trouble getting off the ground -- it’s widely recognized as one of America’s greatest achievements. However, Houston, we have a problem.----News Busters

Editorial note: Can you believe this!? Instead of celebrating a human achievement all these leftist media types nag about the Apollo 11 lack of political correctness. The PC police strikes again. The following articles and press releases reflect this achievement of human events, and God's mercy!



Proclamation on the 50th Anniversary Observance of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing.
White House press release issued 7/ 19/ 19
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy boldly challenged our Nation to land an American on the Moon and return him safely to Earth within that decade.  Eight years later, thanks to the spirit, pride, tenacity, and expertise of scientists, engineers, aviators, and visionaries, America completed this remarkable feat in human space exploration.  On the 50th anniversary of this historic milestone, we honor the brave astronauts of the Apollo 11 spaceflight and all the men and women whose sacrifices, unwavering dedication, and extraordinary talent produced one of history’s most triumphant achievements.

On July 16, 1969, families and communities around the world watched in awe and trepidation as a trio of astronauts — Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins — climbed into the command module Columbia and left Earth on the first manned mission to land on the Moon.  The intrepid pilots traveled nearly a quarter of a million miles through space, and 4 days later, on July 20, 1969, they landed the Apollo 11 lunar module on the Moon’s Sea of Tranquility.

Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon brought humanity into a new era.  And as he and Buzz Aldrin planted the American flag into the “magnificent desolation” of the Moon’s surface, they left no doubt about what had brought humans to the new frontier — American ingenuity, grit, and determination.

Apollo 11 fueled advancements in many sectors of our society, including science, technology, and commerce.  And the work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the entire aerospace industry remains critical to our Nation’s continued quest for greatness, powers our economy, and strengthens our defense.

Early in my Administration, I pledged to renew America’s commitment to human space exploration and the boundless potential beyond Earth’s gravity.  I revived the National Space Council within the White House to coordinate all space-related activities across the Government, including with the National Security Council on matters relating primarily to national security.  The Space Council has helped to bring together skilled leaders in business and industry to accelerate innovation and seize opportunities throughout the space enterprise.  I also signed Space Policy Directive–1, challenging NASA to lead the return of Americans to the Moon, eventually send the first Americans to Mars, and enable humans to expand and deepen our reach across the solar system.

As Neil Armstrong’s boots pressed into the dust on the Moon’s surface in 1969, he delivered an unforgettable message, “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”  His words have resonated around the globe and through the years to embolden dreamers and future explorers and to draw their attention to the power and the possibility of the boundless wonders of space.  Today, we reaffirm our continuing and shared quest to unlock greater mysteries, take bigger leaps for humanity, and advance America’s leadership in space exploration.

The success of Apollo 11 is one of our country’s defining moments.  As we observe this 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing, we celebrate the incredible voyage of our Nation’s heroic astronauts, and all those who supported them from mission control and elsewhere back home.  Their historic accomplishment rallies our patriotism and pride, ignites our sense of adventure, and steels our belief that no dream is impossible — no matter how lofty or challenging.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 20, 2019, as the 50th Anniversary Observance of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing.  I call upon public officials, educators, and all Americans to observe this occasion by honoring the Apollo 11 mission and all of the men and women who have served in our Nation’s space program.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP


Related press release & news stories:

50 Years After Americans First Walked on the Moon, It’s Time for Another ‘Giant Leap’ for Mankind---White House press release 7/ 19/ 19

We’re Heading Back to the Moon and Then On to Mars---White House press release 7/ 20/ 19

Presidential Message on Space Exploration Day, 2019---White press release 7/ 20/ 19

Remarks by Vice President Pence Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing | Kennedy Space Center, FL---White House press release 7/ 20/ 19

50 Years Ago: Apollo 11 – The Journey Home---NASA press release

50 Years Ago: Apollo Astronauts Land, Take First Steps on Moon

50 Years Ago: One Small Step, One Giant Leap
Words such as these were emblazoned in dozens of languages on the front page of newspapers around the world, echoing the first part of President John F. Kennedy’s bold challenge to the nation, made more than eight years earlier – to land a man on the Moon. That part was successfully accomplished on July 20, 1969. The second part of the challenge, the safe return to Earth, would have to wait four more days.


***********************************************
How the "main stream media" choose to cover the event:
***********************************************

To Make It to the Moon, Women Have to Escape Earth’s Gender Bias
The Apollo program was designed by men, for men. But NASA can learn from its failures as it aims to send women to the moon and beyond.--NYT

 ‘Chasing the Moon’ revisits historic Apollo 11 mission
The six-hour PBS documentary paints the space race as a tense tussle over the meaning of democracy and nation.----WP

Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon. Who will be the first woman?---LA TIMES
Fifty years after a military test pilot made the first striated boot prints in the thick gray powder of the lunar surface, NASA has an ambitious plan to send humans back to the moon by 2024.

How the moon landing directly shaped the way we live now
Anyone that was alive to witness it happen on live TV in 1969 knows how the moon landing changed history in an instant: for the first time ever, human beings were communicating between a planet and its natural satellite. ---NY Daily News

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin complains about current U.S. lunar ability
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When President Donald Trump asked Buzz Aldrin, the second human ever to walk on the moon, what he thought about the United States' current ability to operate in space 50 years after the Apollo 11 mission, the ex-astronaut had a ready response.

 Other media stories:
Dan Gainor: Media convict Trump of racism and moon program of sexism
News media reports and commentaries were filled with claims this week that President Trump’s comments about four far-left Democratic congresswomen were racist – and even that the president is himself a racist.---FOX News

Apollo 11 Astronaut Urges U.S. Not to Be a 'Dominant' or 'Overbearing Power'

"I think the United States has to be a power in the world, but a very friendly power and not an overbearing power and not a power that tries to be dominant — that's State Department talk," Collins said during a "One Giant Leap: Space Diplomacy, Past, Present, and Future" discussion at George Washington University on Thursday night.----PJ Media

Why Apollo 11 Matters
It was a Cold War victory at a moment when the country needed one.---NATIONAL REVIEW
In an Oval Office meeting a few days after Soviet Russia launched Sputnik in October 1957, two points emerged. Eisenhower’s deputy defense secretary, Donald Quarles, told the president that “there was no doubt that the Redstone, had it been used, could have orbited a satellite a year or more ago.” The administration had, for whatever reason, chosen to try to put a civilian face on the budding U.S. space program, and the Army’s Redstone rocket didn’t fit the image that Ike wanted to present.

Moon Rocks Be Damned: Conspiracy Theories Live On 50 Years After Lunar Landing---NEWS MAX

First Meal on the Moon Was Communion. It Would Have Caused Riots in Present-Day US
July 20, 1969 may mark the peak of human achievement — for now, anyway. On that date 50 years ago, a man from Ohio with an American flag on his shoulder stepped off the lunar module onto the surface of the moon, etching his name into all of history.---Western Journal

**************************

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

**************************

First men on the moon ‘came in peace’ to UN Headquarters ‘for all mankind’
As the world remembers Saturday’s 50th anniversary of the “giant leap for mankind” made by all those involved in the pioneering Apollo 11 space programme, we take a look back at the visit made by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, to UN Headquarters in New York, just a few weeks after their historic mission. ---UN NEWS CENTER

UN stands in solidarity with Japan following deadly arson attack at leading animation studio in Kyoto
UN chief António Guterres said on Friday he was “deeply saddened” at the death of at least 33 people inside a popular Japanese animation studio, in the city of Kyoto, following an arson attack that constitutes one of the worst mass-killings in the nation’s history.

Israeli destruction of Palestinian homes in West Bank, ‘not compatible’ with international humanitarian law, UN says
Following “with sadness” the Israeli authorities’ destruction of homes in the Palestinian community of Sur Bahir, three top United Nations officials issued a statement on Monday underscoring that the move was “not compatible” with Israel’s “obligations under international humanitarian law”.

‘Deep sadness’ at passing of UN nuclear watchdog agency chief, Yukiya Amano
The head of the UN body that oversees nuclear activities across the world has died aged 72, it was announced on Monday. In a statement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the passing of Director General Yukiya Amano, with “deepest sadness”.

UN peacekeeping in Mali boosted with addition of 250 UK troops
The United Kingdom is to send a contingent of 250 troops to Mali next year, to support the UN’s peacekeeping operation in the country, MINUSMA.

THIS WEEK'S EDITION


PAGE 2
CONGRESS APPROVES $15.00 MINIMUM WAGE!
There goes your jobs folks!


PAGE 3

Senator Murray Announces New Federal Awards for Energy-Efficient Public Transportation in King County.


PAGE 4
HUD APPROVES SETTLEMENT INVOLVING CALIFORNIA HOUSING PROVIDERS ACCUSED


PAGE 5

Facebook Agrees to Pay $5 Billion and Implement Robust New Protections of User Information in Settlement of Data-Privacy Claims


PAGE 6
Senator Murray Takes Action to Block Trump Administration from Politicizing Citizenship Information

PAGE 7
AG PROSECUTORS SUCCESSFULLY BLOCK RELEASE OF DANGEROUS SEX OFFENDER IN KITSAP COUNTY

PAGE 8

ROBERT MULLER DIDN'T GIVE THE IMPEACHMENT TRIGGER
THE SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS WANTED!

THE ANTIFA NAGS REDEFINE THE DEMOCRAT PARTY!

FRONT PAGE COMMENTARY

.
By, Peter Ripley, Publisher.

The congressional delegations from Massachusetts, Ayanna Pressley, New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez U.S. Representative, Michigan rep: Rashida Tlaib U.S. Representative, and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Abdullahi Omar.
Has redefined the Democrat Party, which now has become the Socialist Democratic party!
Just by their behavior, and anti-American rhetoric. That's it these four women single handily took over the Democratic party, the DMC is now known in favoring: Radical actions of Antifa, antisemitism, at birth abortion, and so on.
Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney pretty much painted the picture of what these four Antifa gals believe:
The following is the press release of her statements on remarks made by the President last weekend in simply saying the if Rashida, and Omar don't like America they should just leave, and Trump was right in saying that.  As for the other two: Cortez, and Pressley that just shown how much distian they have for this nation and should be ashamed of Antifia acts of  violence and disrespect for our flag, but of course one needs some patriotism to do that, apparently neither Pressley, and Cortez don't have any loyalty toward this nation. Just by them not condemning the attack of an ICE station in Colorado by Antifa.

The 'Squad' Won't Condemn Antifa Terrorism....WHERE Are The Media?--News Busters

Related story: Video shows far-left activists storm ICE facility, remove American flag — then raise Mexican flag---The Blaze


But here is what Cheney said: "Rep. Cheney: Our Opposition To Our Socialist Colleagues Is Because Of The Content Of Their Ideas

REP. LIZ CHENEY: “Thank you everybody, thank you for coming. We have the Republican Leader of the Education and Labor Committee here and I’m going to introduce her in just a moment to talk about minimum wage, but first, I wanted to talk about what’s been going on over the last few days.

“I want to make absolutely clear that our opposition to our socialist colleagues has absolutely nothing to do with their gender, with their religion, or with their race. It has to do with the content of their policies. They’re wrong when they attempt to impose the fraud of socialism on the American people. They’re wrong when they pursue policies that would steal power from the American people and give that power to the government. They’re wrong when they espouse and enable, and their leadership refuses to condemn, vile anti-Antisemitism. They’re wrong when they rush to blame America first, when they fail to recognize that this is the greatest nation that has ever existed, the exceptional nation. And they’re wrong when they fail to recognize that no people has ever lived in greater freedom, and then they go on and fail to provide the resources our men and women in uniform need to defend that freedom.

“Our colleagues, our socialist colleagues on the other side of the aisle, are wrong when they advocate abortion up until the moment of birth, including partial-term abortion, partial-birth abortion, late-term abortion, and when they refuse to mandate care for babies who are born alive. Our colleagues are wrong when they say that we should open America’s borders, abolish ICE, and abolish DHS. They’re wrong when they advocate policies that would eliminate all private health insurance in this country, destroy Medicare, and force the American people to pay for free healthcare for illegal immigrants. They are wrong when they pursue policies like the one we’re going to be voting on today that will destroy four million jobs for low-wage earners by mandating a federal $15 minimum wage. That is not compassion. That is callousness that’s born of ignorance. They’re wrong when they say that their programs help people at the lower end of the economic spectrum. Every one of their socialist programs would create massive new government dependency and end the very economic growth we need to ensure everyone can prosper.

“Our colleagues are wrong when they advocate packing the Supreme Court and abolishing the Electoral College. And our colleagues are wrong when they tell Americans, as Congresswoman Pressley did just last week, that any individual seat at the table is only valuable, only legitimate if that person espouses some pre-approved set of beliefs deemed appropriate based on their religion, or their gender, or their race. When they say that, that is racist.

“So no, our opposition to our colleague’s beliefs has absolutely nothing to do with race, or gender, or religion. We oppose them and their policies because their policies are dangerous and wrong and would destroy America. The issue here is the content of their policies and we will continue to stand up and fight against what we know is wrong for this nation.”---Watch the video


Editorial note: Was the Trump Tweets over this weekend just a trap? Rush Limbaugh thinks so.

Donald Trump Is Steamrolling the Democrat Party
RUSH: Most of you can’t see it because the Drive-By Media is covering it up. Most of you can’t see it because the Drive-By Media is trying to hide it from you. Most of you can’t see it because many in the Drive-By Media don’t see it. And what’s happening out there is that Donald Trump is steamrollering the Democrat Party.

Donald Trump — it’s taken four days. It’s taken four days, but everybody’s now catching up to my theory four days ago that all of these tweets about these whack jobs are purposeful, and the intent behind them was to identify the Democrat Party with these four people as the face.

It has been a masterful project. It will never be categorized that. It will never be credited as that, particularly with both parties inside the beltway because this said to be so outside the norms of presidential behavior. You don’t give your opponents openings like this.



How did this all started? It began with tweets that Trump posted Sunday, and during Remarks by President Trump at the 3rd Annual Made in America Product Showcase. During that speech he doubled down in his tweet. 

Quote: " Q    President Trump, who were you talking about in your tweet about going back to their home countries?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I don’t mention — I didn’t mention names.  And I didn’t do that.  But I will tell you, with our country — and I think everybody in this audience, these are great manufacturers, great workers in our audience too; they brought a lot of their workers here.  If you’re not happy here, then you can leave.  As far as I’m concerned, if you hate our country — (applause) — if you’re not happy here, you can leave.  And that’s what I say all the time.  That’s what I said in a tweet, which I guess some people think is controversial.  A lot of people love it, by the way.  A lot of people love it.

But if you’re not happy in the U.S., if you’re complaining all the time — very simply, you can leave.  You can leave right now.  Come back if you want; don’t come back.  It’s okay too.  But if you’re not happy, you can leave.
Q    Mr. President, three of the congresswomen that you talked about were born in America.  (Inaudible.)  What were you talking about?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, they’re very unhappy.  I’m watching them; all they do is complain.  So all I’m saying is, if they want to leave, they can leave, John.  They can leave.

I mean, I look at the one — I look at Omar — I don’t know, I never met her.  I hear the way she talks about al Qaeda.  Al Qaeda has killed many Americans.  She said, “You can hold your chest out, you can — when I think of America…huh…when I think of al Qaeda, I can hold my chest out.”  When she talked about the World Trade Center being knocked down, “Some people.”  You remember the famous “some people.”  These are people that, in my opinion, hate our country.

Now, you can say what you want, but get a list of all of the statements they’ve made.  And all I’m saying: that if they’re not happy here, they can leave.  They can leave.  And you know what?  I’m sure that there’ll be many people that won’t miss them. ( read the full text)


Related news headlines of the Antifa nags:

WALSH: A Member Of AOC's ‘Squad’ Just Made An Outrageously Bigoted Statement---Daily Wire
" Speaking at a progressive political convention a few days ago, Pressley launched into a diatribe that would surely end her career if she belonged to a different political party or political movement. To the sound of exuberant applause, the new Ringo declared: “We don’t need any more brown faces that don’t want to be a brown voice. We don’t need black faces that don’t want to be a black voice. We don’t need Muslims that don’t want to be a Muslim voice. We don’t need queers that don’t want to be a queer voice.”

Kennedy Defends Trump Against Racist Charges of ‘Four Horsewomen of the Apocalypse’---Western Journal

Notorious Anti-Israel Propagandist Ilhan Omar Just Compared BDS Movement to the Boston Tea Party
Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar on Wednesday appeared to draw parallels between the famed 1773 Boston Tea Party and the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement.

I’ve Been Critical of Trump, But He’s Dead Right To Tell Omar & America-Haters To Get Out
Democrats and the establishment media hurling accusations of racism at President Donald Trump is nothing new. The volume of accusations being hurled, however, may be unprecedented after the president’s weekend tweets at Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar and her fellow squadmates.

'The Squad' Deserves Trump's Ire
That big debate continues to rage between Donald Trump and Democrats.---Patriot Post

**********************************************************

NEWS HEADLINES:


Kilmer Backs Defense Authorization Bill
Press release issued 7/ 12/19

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA). The bill authorizes $733 billion for the Department of Defense and the defense-related activities of the Department of Energy, as well as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). The legislation passed the House of Representatives 220-197.

Key provisions in the bill focus on improving the lives of military families, including a 3.1 percent pay raise for service members, and provisions to improve military housing and clean-up contaminated drinking water at military bases.

“If you serve this country, Congress should have your back and invest in you and your family. I’m proud that this bill includes a number of measures to support our troops and our military families,” said Rep. Kilmer. “In addition, we were able to include measures that keep our country safe and benefit our region.”

“In this era, where partisanship is the norm, the Democratic members of the Armed Services Committee have worked diligently to preserve our Committee’s long-standing tradition of bipartisanship, and the FY20 NDAA is a reflection of that tradition,” said House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith. “While this year’s NDAA contains bipartisan provisions, our new Democratic majority has had an undeniable impact on the contents of this bill. Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Kilmer and other members of our excellent Appropriations Committee, the bill passed today reflects our Democratic values, supports our troops, and provides for a strong national defense enterprise.”

The bill includes priorities backed by Rep. Kilmer, including:

Ensuring Fairness for Shipyard Workers

For decades, the Navy has sought to recruit and retain talented workers to public shipyards for critical positions in science and engineering using the Accelerated Promotion Program (APP). In 2016, the Navy suspended the program as it sought recertification from the Office of Personnel Management. Workers hired during that one-year gap in the program were adversely affected by the suspension, leading to lost pay and slower promotions when compared to their other colleagues. To fix this issue, Rep. Kilmer authored an amendment that asks the Navy for a plan to make this right for those workers.

Prohibiting Federal Funds from Being Used for War Against Iran

Earlier this year, Rep. Kilmer and more than 100 House Democrats sent a letter to President Trump to urge him to deescalate the tensions between the United States and Iran and to ensure he seeks Congressional approval for potential offensive use of military force. In the NDAA, Rep. Kilmer sponsored a bipartisan amendment to prevent federal funds from being used for any military force against Iran without congressional authorization. The amendment clarifies that neither the 2001 nor the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) can be invoked to justify the use of military force against Iran.

Reducing Jet Noise

Over the past several years, Rep. Kilmer has pushed the Department of Defense to fund efforts to reduce the noise of the Navy’s EA-18G Growler through his work on the Appropriations Committee. In addition to the measures secured by Rep. Kilmer to monitor Navy jet noise and make that monitoring data public in the Defense Appropriations bill, the NDAA directs the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct real-time noise-monitoring at Navy and Air Force installations. Like the Defense Appropriations bill, the NDAA also sets aside funds to continue developing technology that could be installed on Growler engines to reduce their noise.

Increasing Tribal Mitigation Capabilities

Currently, the Department of Defense must undertake meaningful consultations and discussions Native American tribes in the event that a military construction project impacts treaty rights and must make sure that those impacts are appropriately mitigated. To improve the consultation process and minimize potential impacts to tribes, the NDAA includes a measure championed by Rep. Kilmer to ensure that the Secretary of Defense initiates consultations with tribal governments earlier in the process and work with tribes to minimize impacts to tribal lands, sacred sites, or tribal treaty rights.

Ensuring the Military is a Responsible Climate Partner

The NDAA ensures that the military makes progress toward being a responsible partner in fighting climate change. This year, the NDAA requires the Department of Defense to develop installation master plans that assess current climate vulnerabilities and establish measures to mitigate the risks. It also requires the Department of Defense to amend the building standards for military construction to ensure that building practices and standards promote energy, climate, and cyber resilience at military installation.  Relatedly, the bill directs military construction projects to consider potential long-term changes in environmental conditions and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Importantly, the NDAA also includes a requirement for the Department of Defense to report on the progress towards meeting the goal of 25 percent renewable energy for military facilities by 2025.



Kilmer Votes to Support 9/11 Victims and Heroes and Pass a Permanent Reauthorization of September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act
Press release issued 7/ 12/ 19

Washington, D.C – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to pass H.R. 1327, the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alverez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act,” which takes long-overdue action to provide the financial security and support that 9/11 first responders, survivors and families deserve.

“On September 11, 2011, our nation suffered an unthinkable tragedy – and witnessed the incredible bravery of hundreds of first responders who put their own lives on the line, rushing into the World Trade Center to save countless Americans and dealing with the aftermath. Today, I’m proud to sponsor and vote in favor of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to ensure that no 9/11 first responder, survivor or family member goes without the help they deserve,” said Rep. Kilmer. “When we needed them most, they were there for us – and Congress should have their backs. With the passage of this legislation, we recommit as a nation to pledging our support to all those who risked their lives during and in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, now and in the future.”

This bipartisan legislation extends the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) until 2092, similar to the timeline of the World Trade Center Health Program and reverses all cuts in compensation for both current and future claims.

The bill is supported by a coalition of law enforcement organizations, including the National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs’ Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, FBI Agents Association, and National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. The coalition states, in part, in its letter of support, “Over the past eight years, the VCF has aided 9/11 responders and their families, operating as Congress intended and as these heroes deserve.  Despite that, however, the VCF is now running dangerously low on funds and since the beginning of the year has had to impose severe cuts to award amounts as a result of that shortage. … Month after month, the numbers [of claimants] keep going up, and not just from the NYPD’s ranks, but from federal, state and local agencies across the country. The ranks of the sick and the fallen now come from 434 of 435 Congressional Districts.”

**************************

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

**************************

Over 820 million people suffering from hunger; new UN report reveals stubborn realities of ‘immense’ global challenge.
After nearly a decade of progress, the number of people who suffer from hunger has slowly increased over the past three years, with about one in every nine people globally suffering from hunger today, the United Nations said in a new report released on Monday.

‘Complacency’ a factor in stagnating global vaccination rates, warn UN health chiefs
More than one in 10 children – almost 20 million worldwide – failed to receive potentially lifesaving vaccines in 2018, the UN said on Monday, citing obstacles including conflict, cost and complacency.

UN highlights importance of skills development on World Youth Skills Day
At UN Headquarters, and across the globe, events are taking place on Monday to celebrate World Youth Skills Day – marked each year on 15 July – to raise awareness about the importance of youth skills development.

With half of Somaliland children not in school, UNICEF and partners launch education access programme
Access to education in Somaliland is extremely limited, with more than 50 per cent of children in Somaliland out of school. In an effort to address the problem, the UN children’s fund, UNICEF, has partnered with the government, and the global fund Education Cannot Wait, to launch a programme designed to help children affected by ongoing crises in the country.

UN chief condemns terror attack in Kismayo, Somalia
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the terrorist attack that took place on July 12 in southern Somalia.






*************************
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION
*************************


PAGE 2

Ahead of Reported ICE Raids This Weekend, Senator Murray Takes New Actions Against President Trump’s Cruel Anti-Immigrant Agenda

PAGE 3
Cantwell Announces $1.5M in New Housing, Homelessness Grants for Tacoma


PAGE 4

SECRETARY CARSON APPLAUDS THE SEC’S EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE MAIN STREET INVESTORS TO INVEST IN OPPORTUNITY ZONES


PAGE 5
USDA Announces $16 Million Funding Opportunity to Support Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers


PAGE 6

Senator Murray’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Roll Back of Fish Consumption Rule




PAGE 7
Reps. Kilmer, Reed Introduce the Teacher Education for Computer Science Act





PAGE 8
COMMENTARY
ONE MAN'S OBSESSION TO IMPEACH TRUMP FAILS...AGAIN

Senator Murray Calls for Trump Labor Secretary Acosta to Resign

Press release issued 7/ 9/ 19


Senator Murray: “This is an appalling example of what happens when powerful men protect one another and allow cycles of abuse to continue without any consequences”

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate labor committee, issued the statement below following Jeffrey Epstein’s federal indictment on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. In 2007, Secretary Acosta, then the U.S. Attorney in Florida, allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution for sex trafficking charges involving dozens of underage victims, and a federal judge recently ruled that prosecutors in Acosta’s office violated the law by failing to notify Epstein’s victims of a non-prosecution agreement.

“Secretary Acosta's role in protecting Jeffrey Epstein and denying survivors justice is one of the many reasons why I opposed his nomination in the first place. As more information continues to shine a needed spotlight on the 'deal of a lifetime' that Acosta helped negotiate for a child sex predator, it's clear it is time for him to step aside.

"This is an appalling example of what happens when powerful men protect one another and allow cycles of abuse to continue without any consequences. All those involved should be held fully accountable for the pain they have caused."








AG FERGUSON STATEMENT AHEAD OF AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ORAL ARGUMENT
WASH. AG press release issued 7/ 8/ 19

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson offers the following statement ahead of Tuesday’s oral argument defending the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

“A group of Republican attorneys general are seeking to eliminate the Affordable Care Act without any replacement — and the Trump Administration callously refused to defend the law, threatening the health care of millions. Without the Affordable Care Act, hundreds of thousands of hardworking Washingtonians will lose access to affordable health care coverage, and many more will face devastating cost increases. That’s why Washington and a multistate coalition have stepped up to defend the Affordable Care Act. We’ll continue fighting to protect Washingtonians’ access to affordable health care all the way to the United States Supreme Court.”

Oral argument in Texas v. United States starts at 11 a.m. Pacific in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans.

A multistate coalition including Washington is appealing the decision of a federal district court judge in Texas declaring the ACA invalid, including its guarantee of coverage for those with preexisting conditions.

Republican Attorneys General, led by Texas, filed the challenge to the ACA in February 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Those states argue that, because Congress zeroed out the tax penalty used as enforcement of the individual mandate in December 2017, the entire ACA is unconstitutional.

In a brief filed in June 2018, the Trump Administration declared that it would not defend the ACA against the challenge by the Republican Attorneys General. In a letter to Congressional leaders, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the decision not to defend the ACA was made “with the approval of the President of the United States.”

Because of the Administration’s decision, Ferguson, 15 states and the District of Columbia filed a motion to intervene in the case on the side of the federal government to defend the ACA. This is not one of Ferguson’s 40 lawsuits against the Trump Administration. Twenty states and the District of Columbia now comprise the multistate coalition.

More than 800,000 Washingtonians depend on the ACA for their health care. Since the ACA went into effect, Washington’s uninsured rate dropped by 60 percent, and now fewer than 6 percent of Washingtonians are without health insurance.

If the ACA is eliminated, Washingtonians would lose an average of $295 per month in federal premium subsidies, and more than 600,000 people enrolled in Apple Health as part of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion would lose coverage. Insurers would once again be allowed to discriminate based on medical history, and patients would again be subject to annual and lifetime limits to their health benefits.

Ferguson has defended the ACA on multiple occasions, including defending against a previous challenge to the law by the U.S. House of Representatives, and filing a lawsuit to ensure critical funding would continue. Ferguson also filed two “friend of the court” briefs in cases challenging tax credits for low- and middle-income people buying health insurance (Halbig v. Burwell and King v. Burwell).






Following Hearing on Amtrak, Cantwell Calls for Analysis of Gaps in Positive Train Control Implementation
Press release issued 7/ 8/ 19

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After pushing rail officials to make safety a top priority at a Senate hearing last month, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, sent a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration on the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) technology for rail safety and what measures FRA requires in areas where Amtrak operates without PTC.

“I am writing to seek more information about how the Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) ensures the safety of intercity passenger rail service on over 1,400 miles of track where Positive Train Control (“PTC”) safety technology is not implemented,” Cantwell wrote in her letter to FRA Administrator Ron Batory.

Last month, an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that, had PTC been deployed, it could have prevented the fatal 2017 derailment of Amtrak 501 near DuPont, WA.

“While taking the train is generally a safe way to travel, in December 2017 tragedy struck near DuPont, Washington when the Amtrak Cascades 401 derailed and fell onto the highway below, claiming three lives and injuring 65 people. The National Transportation Safety Board found that PTC would have prevented this tragedy,” Cantwell wrote.

“Since the development of PTC technology nearly 50 years ago, there have been more than 150 accidents that this lifesaving technology could have prevented,” Cantwell continued. “At a recent Senate hearing, witnesses representing Amtrak and the NTSB expressed concerns about ensuring intercity passenger rail safety where PTC is not installed.”

Cantwell’s letter also seeks information from FRA on additional rail safety measures the agency requires for areas where Amtrak operates without PTC technology, including requirements for crewmember training, speed limit action plans, and other operational risk mitigations. 

In her role on the Commerce Committee, Cantwell has been a consistent advocate for increasing accountability and investment in rail safety in the United States. In July of 2015, as the Senate considered the DRIVE Act, Senator Cantwell expressed concern that the bill would delay PTC implementation and roll back safety protections. In December of 2017, Cantwell joined her Senate colleagues from the Pacific Northwest to demand railroads be held accountable for PTC implementation. In January 2018, Cantwell led members of the Washington Congressional delegation in calling for a comprehensive update from the Federal Railroad Administration on the nationwide implementation of PTC. And in March 2018, after calling for a hearing in the wake of the DuPont derailment, Cantwell pressed Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson on rail safety and PTC implementation.

***************************
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
****************************

Terrorism ‘spreading and destabilizing’ entire regions, Guterres warns States, at key Kenya conference
“Trauma from terrorism” hurts families, communities and destabilizes entire regions, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday, as he expressed solidarity with victims of extremist attacks in Africa.

UN experts voice ‘deep concern’ over Iran’s ‘consistent pattern’ of denying life-saving medical treatment to detainees
Despite repeated calls, Iran continues to deny medical treatment to detainees in what amounts to “a consistent pattern”, according to eight UN human rights experts, in a statement on Wednesday.

Now is the time to seize ‘unprecedented opportunity’ of the Sustainable Development Forum, says ECOSOC President
Nations across the world now have an “unprecedented opportunity to talk to each other and learn from each other”, Inga Rhonda King, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ESOSOC), said on Tuesday, kicking off the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York.

Threat from petty criminals who turn to terrorism, a growing concern, Security Council hears
The less predictable threats represented by small-time criminals who have opportunistically embraced terrorism, are a source of growing concern, the UN Security Council heard on Tuesday. That warning came from Tamara Makarenko, an International Consultant, who works with the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), speaking at an open debate on threats to international peace and security.

Groundbreaking cancer-fighting drugs now included in updated UN list of essential medicines
The UN health agency, WHO, announced on Tuesday that dozens of new drugs have been added to the list of essential medicines that every country should have, including new cancer treatments that can be swallowed rather than injected.

***************************

IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION

*******************************

PAGE 2

Senator Murray Announces Major Federal Investment in Federal Way Link Expansion


PAGE 3

Senator Murray Slams Republicans for Bringing Partisan Lawsuit to Strip Families of Health Care, Scrap Patient Protections, and Drive Up Costs for Millions

PAGE 4

New York Anesthesiologist Indicted for Alleged Role in Telemedicine Health Care Fraud Conspiracy

PAGE 5
National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson releases comprehensive report intended to improve EITC administration; publishes "subway map" of taxpayer’s journey through the tax system.

PAGE 6

Cantwell, Colleagues Request Feedback from American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian Community Leaders on the Effects of Climate Change on Native Communities


PAGE 7
Outraged by Worsening Crisis at Southern U.S. Border, Senator Murray Outlines New Legislation to End Cruel Treatment of Migrant Children in Government Custody




PAGE 8
COMMENTARY
THE UN-AMERICAN WOMEN SOCCER TEAM WINS WORLD CUP.

Court Set to Decide Fate of Affordable Care Act – Cantwell Defends Coverage for Millions of Washingtonians with Pre-Existing Conditions.

Press release issued 7/ 2/ 19

Senator releases new report showing more than 867,000 King County residents, 3 million Washingtonians under the age of 65 live with a pre-existing health condition; Lawsuit by state attorneys general threatens to undermine Pacific Northwest health care system, critical health coverage for millions of Americans
SEATTLE – One week before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in a lawsuit that could eliminate the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01), health care providers, and local patient advocates to defend the ACA and the millions of Washingtonians with pre-existing conditions protected under the law.

“The moment is here for all of us to stand up and advocate for health care and make sure that this law is not struck down and that the United States Congress is allowed to continue to fight for great access to health care policy,” Cantwell said at today’s event.

More than three million Washingtonians under the age of 65 live with a pre-existing health condition, which can include common conditions ranging from allergies, asthma, and high blood pressure to cancer and diabetes. More than 385,000 of those with pre-existing conditions are children under the age of 18.

The Affordable Care Act outlawed insurance company discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, meaning that insurance companies cannot deny coverage to people or charge them more because they have a pre-existing condition. However, in December 2018, a U.S. District Court Judge in Texas declared the entire ACA unconstitutional.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration’s Department of Justice announced it would no longer defend the Affordable Care Act in court and filed a brief with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asking the court to invalidate the entirety of the law.

“Next week, as oral arguments start in this case, we must make sure that we’re doing all that we can to articulate and to get the Senate to act to defend the Affordable Care Act so that we can show the great economic impact to our region if the health care law is not continued,” Senator Cantwell said today.

This attempt to nullify the ACA could have devastating effects in Washington and throughout the country. Three million Washingtonians, and nearly 130 million Americans nationwide, have pre-existing medical conditions and could be charged more or locked out of coverage if the law is struck down – even if they get health insurance through their employers.

Invalidating the ACA could also kick 50,000 Washingtonians under the age of 26 off their parents’ health care plans, allow insurance companies to charge women more than men, allow for an “age tax” on people over 50, and put millions more at risk of facing coverage lock-out periods, exclusions, or other forms of insurance discrimination.

“These are the faces of Washingtonians who will be impacted if the health care law is struck down in a court cast that is now going to be heard starting next week,” Cantwell said about the patient advocates in the room.

At the event, Senator Cantwell also released a report on the threats to health care coverage for the millions of Washingtonians under the age of 65, including more than 867,000 in King County alone, living with a pre-existing health care condition.

Inslee discusses how to help more students find a pathway to well-paying, high-demand careers

From the Governor's medium page posted 7. 2. 19

Darrell Wilson said he took an unorthodox approach to getting his education.
After earning his associate degree from Pierce College, he spent the next three-plus years earning his own tuition money so that he wouldn’t have to take out student loans. Then, he earned a certificate and took two internships (one with the Pierce County Health Department, the other with the City of Puyallup) around his career choice: Geographic Information System Mapping Technology. He did all of this before even starting his undergraduate program at the University of Washington.
“I wanted to build my resume from the ground up because some people struggle to get a job in their field after they graduate because they don’t have real-world experience,” Wilson said. “Doing those internships beforehand helped me keep ahead of the competition. It’s a competitive world and I wanted to be ahead of everything.”
Soon, he’ll graduate from the University of Washington with a GIS degree. And he’ll enter the professional workforce already having a strong network in his field because of his hands-on internship and certificate work.
Wilson shared his story with with Gov. Jay Inslee, state leaders and Washingtonians on Tuesday as they discussed how the state is helping more students find a pathway to a good-paying job or career. The meeting focused on college, STEM programs and degrees, and career-connected learning programs such as apprenticeships.
A highly-skilled workforce is one reason cited by many employers for locating in Washington state and Inslee said these kinds of efforts ensure Washington remains a top choice for businesses. State leaders project there will be 740,000 job openings by 2021, many of which require a post-secondary credential whether that is a degree, a certificate or a credential.
Inslee said the state has made significant progress over several years to increase the number of Washingtonians who are positioned to find high-demand, high-wage jobs.
The 2019 legislative session brought forth the Workforce Education Investment Act. The act includes two pieces of governor-priority legislation that will impact thousands of Washington students.
One piece of legislation focuses on college affordability. It will provide meaningful financial aid for 110,000 students each year to take apprenticeships and attend two- and four-year public colleges and universities.

“We’re hoping the new financial aid program will help ease the financial burden for many students,” Inslee said. “And it’s people like Darrell, who stopped his education for years to earn tuition money, who could benefit from this program.”

The other piece of legislation is a focus on career-connected learning. It gives students more chances to get real-life work experience during their schooling.
“The passage of that act was one of the most important achievements of the recent session,” Inslee said. “We have one of the most progressive financial aid systems in the country now. And it reflects a key part about why we’re ranked as the number one state to live and work.”
Career Connect Washington is designed to meet the governor’s goal of connecting 100,000 students to career-connected opportunities and our other efforts to create multiple pathways to good-paying careers. This comes from a Washington STEM action plan of 70 percent of students achieving a postsecondary credential.
The legislature recently secured $25 million in operating and more than $11 million in capital and transportation funding for Career Connect Washington and supported initiatives. Career Connect Washington hosts a variety of work-based programs that include classroom learning and career-specific instruction. This helps students get early exposure to careers and the different pathways one career holds.

During the Inslee administration, policy makers have worked on the following items that increase living-wage job opportunities:
Paid family and medical leave
Non-compete legislation that protects workers
Free tuition for low-income students through Washington College Grant
A fair minimum wage
Guaranteed sick leave
Updating overtime rules
Long-term care program
Fair chance for employment with ‘ban the box’ measures
Limited college tuition increases
Governors STEM Innovation Alliance
Career-connected learning with real-world work experience through Career Connect Washington
Expanded pathway options for high school graduation
Job quality tax incentives on clean energy projects
Future of Work Taskforce that prepares Washington’s economy for technological change
Guaranteed Education Tuition program that gives people the ability to buy tuition early
College savings plans (called “Dream Ahead”) to save for education
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship expansion to professional technical programs and apprenticeships
Expanded high demand STEM enrollments
State financial aid eligibility for “Dreamers”
Student loan refinancing
Working connections child care for low-income students in professional technical programs
The number of students who earned STEM degrees has also increased during the past few years. Inslee said it’s important to emphasize STEM opportunities because a large amount of upcoming high-wage jobs require STEM knowledge and skills. Yet more qualified applicants apply to the public four-year college and universities than the institutions have room for in these programs.
Whether it’s a STEM degree, an ironworker apprenticeship or an early childhood education certificate, there’s a payoff for students who seek out a variety of educational opportunities after high school: Education pays. That’s according to Cody Eccles, associate director at the Council of Presidents, who also spoke at Tuesday’s meeting. Earnings have increased for all students who finish college. And students who complete a professional-technical program earn the highest, according to the Washington State Board Community and Technical Colleges.
Currently, the job areas with the highest workforce needs are education, computer science and mathematics, business and finance, and health care.

***************************

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

****************************

Remarks by President Trump, Chairman Kim Jong Un, and President Moon in Greeting at the Korean Demilitarized Zone---White House press release

Remarks by President Trump and President Moon in Greeting with U.S. and Republic of Korea Service Members---White House press release

Libya detention centre attack could amount to a war crime says UN, as Guterres calls for independent investigation
A missile attack on a detention centre in Tripoli that killed scores of migrants and refugees “deserves more than condemnation”, UN agencies said on Wednesday, as both the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the head of the UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL), insisted that it may amount to a war crime.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/07/1041792

Restrictions, unmet promises, unbridled violence in Sudan, a ‘recipe for disaster’, says Bachelet
After nationwide protests across Sudan on Sunday, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday called on Sudanese authorities to lift restrictions on the internet and launch independent investigations into all acts of violence against demonstrators, and allegations of excessive force, including attacks on hospitals.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/07/1041802

UN cultural agency removes birthplace of Jesus from its list of heritage sites in danger
The United Nations’ cultural agency announced on Tuesday that it was removing the place that is officially recognized as the Birthplace of Jesus, from its List of World Heritage in Danger – crediting extensive restorative work on Bethlehem’s Nativity Church, in Palestine.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/07/1041742



*******************
NEWS FLASH!
No deaths reported in the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Southern California---LA TIMES

*******************






*************************
IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION
*************************






PAGE 2

Cantwell, Merkley, Murray, Wyden Announce Passage of Bill to Improve Safety and Sanitation at Columbia River Tribal Fishing Sites


PAGE 3

Reps. Kilmer, King, Murphy, Hurd Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Assess & Address Rising Threat of Deepfakes

PAGE 4

Murray, Cantwell Request Federal Engagement in New Sea-Tac International Arrivals Facility.

PAGE 5

Treasury Targets Cuban Support for the Illegitimate Venezuelan Regime


PAGE 6

NASA Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Historic Moon Landing with Live TV Broadcast, Events.


PAGE 7

Presidential Message on the 243rd Anniversary of the Adoption of the Declaration of Independence


PAGE 8

Inslee statement on decision to drop citizenship question from census

News story Commentary: Does the oath of office mean anything to the Dems?