NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) Introduces New Bill at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, MI to Remediate & Redevelop More Disused Manufacturing Space Across U.S.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

    PONTIAC, MI – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the RESTART Communities Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and hosted a press conference about the legislation at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac, MI with Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, M1 Concourse CEO Tim McGrane, and RACER Trust Deputy Redevelopment Manager and Director of Government Relations Patricia Spitzley. U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan (D-IN) co-sponsored this legislation.

    The Revitalization Efforts for Sustainable Transformation and Remediation for Thriving Communities Act or the RESTART Communities Act aims to enhance interagency collaboration at the Federal level to empower local communities with the resources and practices needed to redevelop shuttered manufacturing sites requiring environmental remediation. This legislation will authorize the Federal government to create and disseminate best practices, streamline funding opportunities, provide other essential technical resources, and promote revitalization and remediation stakeholder collaboration to give manufacturing facilities and their surrounding communities a second chance at sustainable economic growth. By simplifying Federal support activities, the RESTART Communities Act empowers local communities to create new economic opportunities and protect the public health.

    “The RESTART Communities Act represents a significant step forward in unlocking incredible economic opportunities for shuttered manufacturing sites across the country, especially those that feature harmful environmental pollution,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “By bringing together local, state, and federal partners,  we can clean up our communities and create new, high-quality jobs in the communities that need them most.”

    “In Northwest Indiana and in manufacturing regions across the country, we must ensure communities have the full and efficient support of the federal government for remediation programs,” said Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN). “I am proud to join Rep. Stevens in supporting this outstanding initiative to promote streamlined processes and success for revitalizing local economies.”

    “Representative Stevens has long been a forward-thinking national leader on the need to support collaborative economic revitalization in communities affected by both job losses and environmental concerns,” said Elliott P. Laws, Administrative Trustee, RACER Trust. “The RESTART Communities Act of 2024 provides important tools to promote community-focused solutions on a national scale, including training and educational programs to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills they will need to carry these initiatives in the future. As a member of the White House staff at the time, Representative Stevens was a key figure in building the framework of RACER Trust and has watched as RACER’s application of its mandate has resulted in tens of thousands of new jobs and significant reductions in risks to human health and the environment. We are pleased to support Representative Stevens in her efforts and urge members of Congress to pass the RESTART Communities Act of 2024.”

    “We are grateful for Congresswoman Stevens’ continued bipartisan leadership to support economic development and community revitalization,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO and Michigan Strategic Fund President and Chair. “The RESTART Communities Act supports the core vision of Team Michigan’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy focused on People, Places and Projects by empowering communities to breathe new life into outdated, shuttered manufacturing sites. When we strengthen a community’s ability to create more vibrant places and welcome the businesses that employ their residents, it’s a win for them. By streamlining and simplifying access to essential federal support through this act, more of our friends and neighbors will ‘Make It’ in Michigan.” 

    “Too many communities in Michigan and across the country are dealing with legacy pollution from contaminated sites left behind by industry, and we need more tools for remediation and cleanup,” said Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “We appreciate Congresswoman Stevens’ leadership with the introduction of the RESTART Communities Act, which will make sure that as many resources as possible can go toward remediation and revitalization of contaminated vacant sites. Local communities need all levels of government to be working together to better protect health, and the collaboration created by the RESTART Communities Act will help prevent the public’s exposure to pollution, attract reinvestment for new businesses, and ensure that taxpayer resources are used effectively in the cleanup process.”

    Full text of the legislation can be found here. 

    A complete recording of the press conference and accompanying photos can be found here.

    The RESTART Communities Act is endorsed by the RACER Trust, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the Detroit Regional Chamber, Oakland County, United Wholesale Mortgage, and Mayor of Pontiac Tim Greimel. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cole Mourns the Passing of Chairman Dave Hobson of Ohio

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

    Washington, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma released the following statement while mourning the passing of a former member of the Appropriations Committee and the one time subcommittee chair of Energy and Water, “Cardinal”, Dave Hobson of Ohio:

    “Dave Hobson was a legislator’s legislator and a master Appropriator. I first met him when he was a freshman Representative from his beloved Ohio and I was a young Executive Director of the NRCC. We struck up a friendship that spanned more than thirty years.

    “When I finally ran for Congress in 2002 Dave was one of the first Members of Congress to help me in the general election. And I recall him telling me, ‘Tom, when you get here I want you to think about joining the Appropriations Committee.’ I never forgot his wise advice.

    “Dave began educating me about the Appropriations process before I ever reached the committee. By happenstance we lived in the same building in Alexandria and we both generally left early and came home late, which gave us time to talk about the committee, how it worked and why I ought to try to get there. 

    “In the tough political year of 2008, Dave helped me while I chaired the NRCC. When he announced his intention to retire he told me, ‘Tom, don’t worry about my seat. I will make sure we have a candidate who will win it.’ He was as good as his word.

    “When I finally reached the Appropriations Committee Dave was gone, but he kept in touch and was an invaluable advisor, especially when I became Chairman of one of our most difficult subcommittees, “Labor H”. 

    “Dave Hobson was one of those old school legislators who the media and most Americans beyond his constituents never know. But he and Members like him make Congress work — reaching across the aisle, pushing for causes that matter to most Americans far more than the ideological slogans of the day and displaying personal decency and bipartisanship on a daily basis.

    “I extend my deepest sympathy to Dave’s beloved wife Carolyn and his extended family and many friends. We have lost a great public servant and a man of character, common sense and good humor. And, like all those who knew Dave, I have lost a good friend,” said Congressman Cole
     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sykes, Evans Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Corporate Investors Buying Up Local Homes, Driving Up Housing Prices

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dwight Evans (2nd District of Pennsylvania)

    Legislation Would Restrict Tax Breaks for Private Equity Firms and Other Large Outside Investors that Buy Up Homes in Local Communities

    U.S. Representatives Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Dwight Evans (PA-03) introduced the Stop Predatory Investing Act to restrict tax breaks for big corporate investors that buy up homes, often driving up local housing prices and rents. This legislation would prohibit an investor who acquires 50 or more single-family rental homes from deducting interest or depreciation on those properties. The bill restricts tax breaks for private equity and large investors that currently give them an advantage in the market for affordable single-family homes, and helps make homeownership a reality for more families across the country.

    “With home prices reaching record highs, many Ohioans are struggling to afford homeownership and some are being priced out of the neighborhoods they’ve lived in all of their lives. It’s unfair for homeowners to have to compete with deep-pocketed investors who are adding to their real estate portfolios, meanwhile they drive up rents and reduce the housing supply while receiving generous tax breaks,” said Rep. Sykes. “My bill would prevent corporate landlords from driving up local home prices and restore power to working people who want to buy a home to live and raise their families in.” 

    “As a member of the Ways and Means Committee that oversees tax legislation, I appreciate Representative Sykes’ leadership on this issue and I’m proud to co-lead this bill,” said Rep. Evans. “I think the federal government shouldn’t be subsidizing large investors’ mass buying of single-family homes, just like we don’t want to subsidize mass purchasers buying up concert tickets. Working people deserve a fair chance at buying affordable homes, and this bill would be an important tool to add to the housing toolbox!”

    Private equity and other Wall Street-backed outside investors are a growing problem in local housing markets, and contribute to pushing home ownership further out of reach for many working families. In 2021, 16% of homes in Cleveland were purchased by investors, with one zip code reaching 70%. In Cincinnati, they bought 15% of homes, reaching nearly 50% of homes in some communities. On one street, a single company bought 29 homes. Large investors use technology and all-cash offers to outcompete individual buyers. And because investors often target the same types of affordable starter homes as first-time homebuyers, they push families out of the housing market.

    The Stop Predatory Investing Act is endorsed by Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), and National Housing Law Project (NHLP). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cole Stands With Israel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

    Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement:

    “One year ago today, Iran and Hamas violently attacked our great ally, Israel. These terrorists not only ruthlessly murdered, raped, and mutilated countless innocent people, but also still hold hostages, some of which are American. Today, one year later, while Israel is still being attacked and fighting for its right to survive, we honor those who were killed, pray for the safe return of every hostage, and continue to stand with Israel,” said Congressman Cole.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cole Statement on Election Day Terrorist Attack Plot in Oklahoma

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

    Oklahoma City, OK – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement in response to the arrest of a man living in Oklahoma City who was allegedly planning an Election Day terrorist attack:

    “Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi’s plot to conduct a terrorist attack in Oklahoma on Election Day is truly chilling. I would like to thank the FBI and our local Oklahoma law enforcement for their quick action and arrest, as if it were not for their commitment to protecting Americans, we could have experienced a deadly attack,” said Congressman Cole.

    “As Americans, we must stick together, especially during times like these when we face threats to our safety, security, and freedom,” said Congressman Cole.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nadler and Garamendi Introduce Legislation to Codify the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection On Children’s Environmental Health Day

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

    Today, U.S House Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced the Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024, legislation to codify into law the only office within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dedicated to children’s health, the Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP). This office would be responsible for rulemaking, policy, enforcement actions, research and applications of science that focuses on prenatal and childhood vulnerabilities, safe chemicals management; and coordination of community-based programs to eliminate threats to children’s health where they live, learn and play. 

    Similarly, the legislation would also make the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee a permanent advisory committee. This advisory committee will advise the EPA Administrator in regards to the activities of the Office of Children’s Health Protection, all relevant information regarding regulations, research, and communications related to children’s health, and continue to serve the EPA in protecting children from environmental harm. 

    The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024 aims to ensure that no future President will be able to remove these safeguards that help shield children from environmental harms to their health. 

    “On Children’s Environmental Health Day, which highlights the urgent need to address the unique health risks children face from environmental factors, I am proud to introduce the Children’s Health Protection Act,” said Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY). “By codifying the 1997 Executive Order that created the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection—the only office within the EPA dedicated to children’s health—this bill makes certain that the Office will remain a critical resource for our children, no matter who is in the White House.”

    “I am thrilled to partner with Congressman Nadler to protect children from exposure to toxic pollutants like lead and address health risks such as poor indoor air quality in our nation’s schools,” said Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA). “Our bill will ensure that the EPA prioritizes safeguarding children’s health, allowing them to grow up and become the next generation of American leaders. In 2018, the Trump Administration attempted to eliminate the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection, which plays a crucial role in ensuring that federal regulations for chemicals and other toxic substances account for children’s unique health needs. Congressman Nadler and I have introduced this commonsense bill to prevent any future administration from making such a reckless decision.”

    In addition to Representatives Nadler and Garamendi, the bill also cosponsored by Representatives Grijalva, Evans, Watson Coleman, Holmes Norton, Salinas, Tlaib, Moulton, Kamlager-Dove, and Bush. 

    BACKGROUND:

    Since its creation in 1997 through Executive Order, the EPA’s OCHP has been crucial in protecting children, who are uniquely vulnerable, from environmental hazards. It has done so through policy, research focusing on their unique prenatal and childhood health vulnerabilities, safe chemicals management, and coordination of community-based programs to eliminate threats to children’s health.

    The OCHP also studies how natural disasters affect children’s health, not only through exposure to hazards like mold and water-borne pathogens but also by analyzing the mental toll of displacement and loss. 

    The Children’s Health Protection Act will ensure this vital work continues by strengthening and securing the OCHP and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee.

    The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024 is endorsed by a wide range of health advocacy groups and environmental justice organizations, including: Allergy & Asthma Network, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, California Brain Tumor Association, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, Health Care Without Harm, International Society for Environmental Epidemiology: North America Chapter, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Center for Healthy Housing, National Environmental Health Association, Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Texas, Physicians for Social Responsibility of Pennsylvania, Prevention Institute, Rachel Carson Council, Rachel’s Network, San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sears-Swetland Family Foundation, Society for Public Health Education, Toxics Information Project (TIP), and 350 Bay Area Action.

    WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

    “It is very fitting that on Children’s Environmental Health Day, a day of action for and with our youth, Representative Nadler is introducing The Children’s Protection Act,” said Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, Executive Director of the Children’s Environmental Health Network. “This Act would mandate that all aspects of a child’s well-being – health, education, safety, family and community unity, economic security and mobility, development, and identity – are foundational in developing new regulations that impact children in the United States and around the world. We have never seen an intention like this comprehensive approach to protecting all children, especially the most marginalized. It is critical and urgent for policy leaders to take a strong stand for the health and safety of children today and for generations to come.”

    “Children are the brightest part about our future,” said Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer of the American Lung Association. “That’s why it’s critical to do everything we can to protect them. With lungs and other organs that are still developing, children are more vulnerable to the health harms from air pollution. Ensuring there will continue to be an office and a team dedicated to protecting the health of children from environmental hazards is a small step that will reap large benefits for our future.”

    “Nearly 5 million children in the United States have asthma, and asthma causes more missed school days than any other chronic disease,” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “Environmental factors such as poor indoor air quality and outdoor air pollution play a role in making asthma symptoms worse. That’s why we need the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection – to focus attention on steps to reduce asthma triggers. We thank Rep. Nadler for introducing this legislation to make this office permanent and ensure the health concerns of children are at the forefront of the EPA’s work.”

    “There are big gaps in our understanding of the long-term health outcomes resulting from exposure to the great number of toxins we’ve dumped into the environment over the last 50+ years,” said Sydney R. Sewall, MD, MPH, Pediatrician and President of Physicians for Social Responsibility (Maine Chapter). “We do know that children are at greatest risk, and more EPA policies need to be directed at reducing this risk.”

    “Children, and especially Black and Brown children, are uniquely vulnerable to the adverse health impacts  – both physical and mental – of air pollution, extreme weather and environmental injustice,” said Almeta Cooper, National Manager for Health Equity of the Moms Clean Air Force. “Moms Clean Air Force is proud to endorse this legislation, which makes children’s health a permanent factor in EPA decision-making.”

    “Children are disproportionately impacted by their environment because their bodies are still developing,” said Dr. David Dyjack, CEO of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). “They are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, hazardous chemicals and contaminated water. This bill will help to ensure that EPA maintains an Office of Childrens’ Health Protection to ensure better health and a better future for our children.”

    “Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) commends Representative Nadler for safeguarding the health of children by introducing legislation to make the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee permanent fixtures,” said Paige Knappenberger, Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Environment and Health Program. “As physicians, PSR members know that children have unique vulnerabilities to environmental harms like climate change and air pollution and deserve special protections from these harms so they can have safe places to grow, play and learn.”

    “Pediatric nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) deal every day with the harmful effects of environmental threats to the health of our nation’s children and adolescents,” said Dr. Daniel Crawford, President of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). “The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Children’s Health Protection and the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee play critically important roles in recognizing that children are often more likely to be at greater risk from environmental hazards than adults and that evidence-based federal policies eliminate or reduce those threats. NAPNAP applauds Congressman Nadler’s effort to permanently establish these important offices.”

    “The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments enthusiastically endorses Rep. Nadler’s bill introduced this week, the “Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024”, said Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN, Executive Director of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. “This bill aims to make the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP) and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee permanent. Established in 1997, OCHP is the only office within EPA dedicated to the health of children and as such, it safeguards our children from potential environmental harms to their health. We strongly urge members of Congress to support this bill to avoid any possibility of future administrations dismantling of this crucial office.”

    “Since their inception in 1997, the EPA’s Children’s Health Protection Office (the Office) and the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee (the Committee) have been key in increasing the environmental health literacy in our country,” said the Rachel Carson Council. “Tasked with research, rulemaking, policymaking, and enforcement, the Office addresses chemical management, community programs, and more to tackle threats to prenatal and childhood environmental threats. The Committee has played an instrumental role in advising the EPA Administrator on the priorities of the Office. While the Office and Committee have been revitalized by the Biden-Harris Administration over the last four years, hostile administrations have attempted to de-staff and even dismantle these pillars of environmental justice for children, and they are susceptible to the same threats in the event of a less amenable administration taking office in the future. The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024 will prove crucial in shielding children from the environmental harms that could affect millions across the United States. If passed, this bill would permanently establish both the Office and the Committee within the EPA, so that prenatal and childhood environmental harm reduction is a fortified, standing priority in the Agency. We applaud Representative Nadler’s recognition of the need to enshrine the work of the Office and the Committee into law so that some of the most vulnerable members of our society, children, will indefinitely enjoy protections from environmental harm.”

    ###

    The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024 is endorsed by a wide range of health advocacy groups and environmental justice organizations, including: Allergy & Asthma Network, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, California Brain Tumor Association, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, Health Care Without Harm, International Society for Environmental Epidemiology: North America Chapter, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Center for Healthy Housing, National Environmental Health Association, Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Texas, Physicians for Social Responsibility of Pennsylvania, Prevention Institute, Rachel Carson Council, Rachel’s Network, San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sears-Swetland Family Foundation, Society for Public Health Education, Toxics Information Project (TIP), and 350 Bay Area Action.

    WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

    “It is very fitting that on Children’s Environmental Health Day, a day of action for and with our youth, Representative Nadler is introducing The Children’s Protection Act,” said Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, Executive Director of the Children’s Environmental Health Network. “This Act would mandate that all aspects of a child’s well-being – health, education, safety, family and community unity, economic security and mobility, development, and identity – are foundational in developing new regulations that impact children in the United States and around the world. We have never seen an intention like this comprehensive approach to protecting all children, especially the most marginalized. It is critical and urgent for policy leaders to take a strong stand for the health and safety of children today and for generations to come.”

    “Children are the brightest part about our future,” said Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer of the American Lung Association. “That’s why it’s critical to do everything we can to protect them. With lungs and other organs that are still developing, children are more vulnerable to the health harms from air pollution. Ensuring there will continue to be an office and a team dedicated to protecting the health of children from environmental hazards is a small step that will reap large benefits for our future.”

    “Nearly 5 million children in the United States have asthma, and asthma causes more missed school days than any other chronic disease,” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “Environmental factors such as poor indoor air quality and outdoor air pollution play a role in making asthma symptoms worse. That’s why we need the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection – to focus attention on steps to reduce asthma triggers. We thank Rep. Nadler for introducing this legislation to make this office permanent and ensure the health concerns of children are at the forefront of the EPA’s work.”

    “There are big gaps in our understanding of the long-term health outcomes resulting from exposure to the great number of toxins we’ve dumped into the environment over the last 50+ years,” said Sydney R. Sewall, MD, MPH, Pediatrician and President of Physicians for Social Responsibility (Maine Chapter). “We do know that children are at greatest risk, and more EPA policies need to be directed at reducing this risk.”

    “Children, and especially Black and Brown children, are uniquely vulnerable to the adverse health impacts  – both physical and mental – of air pollution, extreme weather and environmental injustice,” said Almeta Cooper, National Manager for Health Equity of the Moms Clean Air Force. “Moms Clean Air Force is proud to endorse this legislation, which makes children’s health a permanent factor in EPA decision-making.”

    “Children are disproportionately impacted by their environment because their bodies are still developing,” said Dr. David Dyjack, CEO of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). “They are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, hazardous chemicals and contaminated water. This bill will help to ensure that EPA maintains an Office of Childrens’ Health Protection to ensure better health and a better future for our children.”

    “Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) commends Representative Nadler for safeguarding the health of children by introducing legislation to make the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee permanent fixtures,” said Paige Knappenberger, Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Environment and Health Program. “As physicians, PSR members know that children have unique vulnerabilities to environmental harms like climate change and air pollution and deserve special protections from these harms so they can have safe places to grow, play and learn.”

    “Pediatric nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) deal every day with the harmful effects of environmental threats to the health of our nation’s children and adolescents,” said Dr. Daniel Crawford, President of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). “The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Children’s Health Protection and the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee play critically important roles in recognizing that children are often more likely to be at greater risk from environmental hazards than adults and that evidence-based federal policies eliminate or reduce those threats. NAPNAP applauds Congressman Nadler’s effort to permanently establish these important offices.”

    “The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments enthusiastically endorses Rep. Nadler’s bill introduced this week, the “Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024”, said Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN, Executive Director of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. “This bill aims to make the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP) and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee permanent. Established in 1997, OCHP is the only office within EPA dedicated to the health of children and as such, it safeguards our children from potential environmental harms to their health. We strongly urge members of Congress to support this bill to avoid any possibility of future administrations dismantling of this crucial office.”

    “Since their inception in 1997, the EPA’s Children’s Health Protection Office (the Office) and the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee (the Committee) have been key in increasing the environmental health literacy in our country,” said the Rachel Carson Council. “Tasked with research, rulemaking, policymaking, and enforcement, the Office addresses chemical management, community programs, and more to tackle threats to prenatal and childhood environmental threats. The Committee has played an instrumental role in advising the EPA Administrator on the priorities of the Office. While the Office and Committee have been revitalized by the Biden-Harris Administration over the last four years, hostile administrations have attempted to de-staff and even dismantle these pillars of environmental justice for children, and they are susceptible to the same threats in the event of a less amenable administration taking office in the future. The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024 will prove crucial in shielding children from the environmental harms that could affect millions across the United States. If passed, this bill would permanently establish both the Office and the Committee within the EPA, so that prenatal and childhood environmental harm reduction is a fortified, standing priority in the Agency. We applaud Representative Nadler’s recognition of the need to enshrine the work of the Office and the Committee into law so that some of the most vulnerable members of our society, children, will indefinitely enjoy protections from environmental harm.”

    ###

    The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024 is endorsed by a wide range of health advocacy groups and environmental justice organizations, including: Allergy & Asthma Network, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Lung Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, California Brain Tumor Association, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, Health Care Without Harm, International Society for Environmental Epidemiology: North America Chapter, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Center for Healthy Housing, National Environmental Health Association, Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility – Texas, Physicians for Social Responsibility of Pennsylvania, Prevention Institute, Rachel Carson Council, Rachel’s Network, San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sears-Swetland Family Foundation, Society for Public Health Education, Toxics Information Project (TIP), and 350 Bay Area Action.

    WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:

    “It is very fitting that on Children’s Environmental Health Day, a day of action for and with our youth, Representative Nadler is introducing The Children’s Protection Act,” said Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, Executive Director of the Children’s Environmental Health Network. “This Act would mandate that all aspects of a child’s well-being – health, education, safety, family and community unity, economic security and mobility, development, and identity – are foundational in developing new regulations that impact children in the United States and around the world. We have never seen an intention like this comprehensive approach to protecting all children, especially the most marginalized. It is critical and urgent for policy leaders to take a strong stand for the health and safety of children today and for generations to come.”

    “Children are the brightest part about our future,” said Deb Brown, Chief Mission Officer of the American Lung Association. “That’s why it’s critical to do everything we can to protect them. With lungs and other organs that are still developing, children are more vulnerable to the health harms from air pollution. Ensuring there will continue to be an office and a team dedicated to protecting the health of children from environmental hazards is a small step that will reap large benefits for our future.”

    “Nearly 5 million children in the United States have asthma, and asthma causes more missed school days than any other chronic disease,” said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “Environmental factors such as poor indoor air quality and outdoor air pollution play a role in making asthma symptoms worse. That’s why we need the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection – to focus attention on steps to reduce asthma triggers. We thank Rep. Nadler for introducing this legislation to make this office permanent and ensure the health concerns of children are at the forefront of the EPA’s work.”

    “There are big gaps in our understanding of the long-term health outcomes resulting from exposure to the great number of toxins we’ve dumped into the environment over the last 50+ years,” said Sydney R. Sewall, MD, MPH, Pediatrician and President of Physicians for Social Responsibility (Maine Chapter). “We do know that children are at greatest risk, and more EPA policies need to be directed at reducing this risk.”

    “Children, and especially Black and Brown children, are uniquely vulnerable to the adverse health impacts  – both physical and mental – of air pollution, extreme weather and environmental injustice,” said Almeta Cooper, National Manager for Health Equity of the Moms Clean Air Force. “Moms Clean Air Force is proud to endorse this legislation, which makes children’s health a permanent factor in EPA decision-making.”

    “Children are disproportionately impacted by their environment because their bodies are still developing,” said Dr. David Dyjack, CEO of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). “They are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, hazardous chemicals and contaminated water. This bill will help to ensure that EPA maintains an Office of Childrens’ Health Protection to ensure better health and a better future for our children.”

    “Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) commends Representative Nadler for safeguarding the health of children by introducing legislation to make the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee permanent fixtures,” said Paige Knappenberger, Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Environment and Health Program. “As physicians, PSR members know that children have unique vulnerabilities to environmental harms like climate change and air pollution and deserve special protections from these harms so they can have safe places to grow, play and learn.”

    “Pediatric nurse practitioners and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) deal every day with the harmful effects of environmental threats to the health of our nation’s children and adolescents,” said Dr. Daniel Crawford, President of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). “The Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Children’s Health Protection and the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee play critically important roles in recognizing that children are often more likely to be at greater risk from environmental hazards than adults and that evidence-based federal policies eliminate or reduce those threats. NAPNAP applauds Congressman Nadler’s effort to permanently establish these important offices.”

    “The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments enthusiastically endorses Rep. Nadler’s bill introduced this week, the “Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024”, said Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN, Executive Director of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. “This bill aims to make the EPA Office of Children’s Health Protection (OCHP) and the EPA Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee permanent. Established in 1997, OCHP is the only office within EPA dedicated to the health of children and as such, it safeguards our children from potential environmental harms to their health. We strongly urge members of Congress to support this bill to avoid any possibility of future administrations dismantling of this crucial office.”

    “Since their inception in 1997, the EPA’s Children’s Health Protection Office (the Office) and the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee (the Committee) have been key in increasing the environmental health literacy in our country,” said the Rachel Carson Council. “Tasked with research, rulemaking, policymaking, and enforcement, the Office addresses chemical management, community programs, and more to tackle threats to prenatal and childhood environmental threats. The Committee has played an instrumental role in advising the EPA Administrator on the priorities of the Office. While the Office and Committee have been revitalized by the Biden-Harris Administration over the last four years, hostile administrations have attempted to de-staff and even dismantle these pillars of environmental justice for children, and they are susceptible to the same threats in the event of a less amenable administration taking office in the future. The Children’s Health Protection Act of 2024 will prove crucial in shielding children from the environmental harms that could affect millions across the United States. If passed, this bill would permanently establish both the Office and the Committee within the EPA, so that prenatal and childhood environmental harm reduction is a fortified, standing priority in the Agency. We applaud Representative Nadler’s recognition of the need to enshrine the work of the Office and the Committee into law so that some of the most vulnerable members of our society, children, will indefinitely enjoy protections from environmental harm.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer Statement on the Passing of Ethel Kennedy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

    “Like her late husband, she was a great American patriot and an energetic advocate for human rights around the world. Crucially, she was an excellent mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

    “My prayers are with her family as they mourn her loss. We grieve with them. Her passing is a tremendous loss for our country and for all those who cherish human dignity and decency.

    “Being able to call Ethel Kennedy my dear friend will always remain one of the greatest joys of my life. I fondly recall sitting beside Ethel with President Biden at her 90th birthday party in Florida as well as visiting her just this past July at her home in Hyannis Port with my wife, Elaine. Ethel remained just as vivacious, tough, humorous, and demanding of excellence as when I first met her decades ago.

    “Even in her final days, she displayed what Tennyson once described as ‘that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven’ – a person with a ‘heroic heart made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.’ That was Ethel Kennedy.

    “May God bless Ethel Kennedy and all those who loved her and lament her loss.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone Tours South Plainfield Emergency Operations Center After Critical Upgrades

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    South Plainfield, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) toured the newly upgraded South Plainfield Emergency Operations Center (EOC) today to highlight the recent improvements funded by $370,725 he secured in the Fiscal Year 2023 federal budget. The EOC upgrades include new equipment and computer systems to better track emergencies in real time and enhanced 9-1-1 communications tools to support the Borough’s first responders during emergencies and natural disasters.

    “These upgrades are essential to keeping South Plainfield safe,” said Pallone. “The funding I’ve delivered will update badly outdated communications equipment that’s been used for over 20 years and ensures the Borough’s first responders have the tools they need to handle crises effectively and protect the community. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of preparedness, and these improvements will help our police, fire, and EMS teams coordinate effectively.”

    “I would like to thank Congressman Pallone for his efforts in securing the necessary funding to update and modernize South Plainfield’s Emergency Operations Center,” said South Plainfield Mayor Matthew Anesh. “Also, I’d like to congratulate Chief Pappa and his entire team for their hard work preparing our funding request and the successful implementation of the new Emergency Operations Center that will serve and protect current and future residents of the Borough.”

    The federal funding secured by Pallone was used to replace outdated computer and telecommunications systems in the Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates the efforts of police, fire, and EMS personnel. The enhancements will improve response times, boost communication, and ensure interoperability among emergency services during emergencies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration Awards Nearly $1.5 Million to Help Illinois Improve Maternal Health

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    Rep. Robin Kelly, Chair of CBC Health Braintrust, Joins Announcement as Part of HRSA’s Latest Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative Convening

    CHICAGO – The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced nearly $1.5 million to the University of Illinois-Chicago to identify and implement innovative strategies to address the maternal health crisis. HRSA Deputy Administrator Jordan Grossman, joined by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and Co-chair of the bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus, announced this award in Chicago as part of HRSA’s latest state Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative convening.

    HRSA announced the availability of this funding in December 2023 at a White House roundtable on innovation in maternal health convened by the Office of the Vice President Kamala Harris and the Domestic Policy Council in support of the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis.

    “Our nation’s crisis of maternal mortality requires urgent action. Pregnancy and birth should be one of the happiest moments for a family, but too many moms and women are suffering,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m grateful to HRSA for elevating this conversation and for their efforts to improve maternal health outcomes in Illinois and nationwide. Together, we will ensure that every woman receives the care, support, and resources she deserves.”

    “Supporting community solutions to the maternal mortality crisis means listening to moms and women with lived experience,” said HRSA Deputy Administrator Grossman. “At the Health Resources and Services Administration, we are proud to invest in our State Maternal Health Task Force initiative to create community tables across the country that are innovating and deploying community-driven solutions and strategies to advance women’s health.”

    State Maternal Health Innovation programs identify the key drivers of maternal mortality in their state, develop strategies and implement new interventions to address these issues tailored to their state’s needs. As part of this program, HRSA also funds State Maternal Health Task Forces that bring together health care providers, policymakers, patients, payers, and other stakeholders to develop shared solutions specific to their state’s needs and to better support pregnant women and new moms.

    State Maternal Health Innovations programs have implemented a broad range of interventions to address maternal health challenges in their individual states. Examples of these interventions include early identification and treatment of hypertension to reduce preeclampsia and other risks, providing mobile simulation trainings to prepare health care providers for a range of adverse labor events, expanding access to trainings to rural and frontier hospitals that do not have a dedicated obstetrics department, and creating resources to improve first responders’ ability to respond to patients with substance use disorder during and after pregnancy.

    This funding is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader efforts to improve maternal health and supports HRSA’s ongoing initiative to reduce maternal mortality and health disparities. HRSA’s Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative aims to accelerate HRSA’s efforts to improve maternal health outcomes in partnership with women, grant recipients, community organizations, and state and local officials nationwide.

    Other key actions HRSA has taken to improve maternal health include:

    • Launching the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (833-TLC-MAMA) in 2022. The hotline provides 24/7 emotional and mental health support via call or text to expectant and new mothers and their families.
    • Expanding Home Visiting services. HRSA recently awarded over $440 million in funding to expand voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services for eligible families across the country. Through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, local organizations can provide home visits from nurses, social workers, and other trained health workers who work with families to improve maternal and child health, child development and school readiness.
    • Expanding Healthy Start services. HRSA recently invested $105 million in community-based organizations to improve maternal and infant health across the country through Healthy Start. Healthy Start funding will better support moms and babies to improve health in communities experiencing high disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.
    • Growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce, including doulas. HRSA has increased the number of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs), nurses, midwives, doulas, and community health workers, especially in places without them, through grants, scholarships and loan repayment. For example, HRSA launched new programs to train more nurse midwifes who reflect the communities they serve, train and deploy more community-based doulas, and support the training of more nurse practitioners with a focus on maternal health, including in underserved and rural areas.
    • Investing in new community health center efforts to address maternal health disparities. HRSA invested more than $65 million in 35 HRSA-funded health centers across the country to implement innovative approaches to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities for patients at highest risk.
    • Supporting maternal health care in rural communities. HRSA funds the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (Rural MOMS) Program to increase access to maternal and obstetrics care in rural communities and improve health outcomes for mothers and infants. HRSA also awarded nearly $9 million over four years to five organizations to expand access to and coordinate health care services before, during, and after pregnancy in rural communities in the South.

    For a complete list of State MHI awards, visit: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/programs/state-mhi.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson on the Ground in Storm Damaged Western North Carolina

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    Asheville, NC — Today, Speaker Johnson joined Representative Chuck Edwards (NC-11) and Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Ted Budd (R-NC) in Western North Carolina to meet with first responders and families impacted by Hurricane Helene, which devastated communities in the Southeast last week. The delegation received multiple on-the-ground tours of the hurricane damage, and afterwards gave remarks to assembled local media.

    “I think it’s important for the Speaker of the House to come,” Speaker Johnson said to reporters. “It’s symbolic to show that it’s the whole of Congress that has our eyes and our attention, our prayers on the community here and those who are affected. We want them to know they will not be forgotten and that we will get recovery dollars to these communities as is needed.”

    “Before we left Congress two Wednesdays ago — we’re on day 13 post-storm here — but the day before Helene made landfall, Congress passed an appropriations, a continuing resolution to fund the government, and we included $20 billion to go to FEMA so that they would have what was necessary for the emergent needs, the urgent needs that followed the hurricane,” Speaker Johnson continued.

    “We supplied FEMA with the resources that it needed to respond directly,” Speaker Johnson concluded. “As of Monday, only 1% of those funds had actually been distributed. There’s concern that the federal response was too slow, and that needs to be addressed. But FEMA and the administration have the resources necessary right now to address the immediate needs.”

    “What happens next after a storm like this is that the states then do their individual assessments and calculations of the damages and then they submit that need to the federal government. Then Congress acts. So as soon as those calculations are prepared, Congress will act in a bipartisan fashion to supply what is needed to help these communities recover, the appropriate amount that the federal government should do.”

    Below are Speaker Johnson’s full remarks: 

    Well, we want to thank you all for being here. We took what really was a heart-breaking tour of the disaster area here. Helene did real damage across six states. Of course, over the last week or so, I’ve been in Georgia to see some of the devastation there. I went to Florida on the coast where the hurricane made landfall and devastated communities there. 

    But I think some of the worst devastation is probably right here in North Carolina, and that may be surprising to people. We don’t think of North Carolina and the mountains here in terms of hurricanes and floods normally, but this probably has been what they refer to as a thousand-year event. It’s devastating, and it’s heartbreaking to see the families, the small business owners, just the communities that are quite literally digging out from debris and all the terrible things that have been left behind the floods. 

    We went to Swannanoa and to Biltmore Village, and we’ve seen some of the most disaster I’ve seen in my life, and that’s saying a lot. 

    I’m from Louisiana where we know hurricanes, we know disasters of this magnitude. Katrina was almost 20 years ago. We’re still recovering in some ways from that in South Louisiana. So, we know these situations well, but it’s hard to see. What is encouraging is the spirit of the people. And we were at the First Baptist Church in Swannanoa there, and it’s become sort of a hub of a community activity where people and organizations and volunteers from all over the nation have come in to lend supplies and support and diapers and baby formula and medicine. 

    They set up what is effectively a makeshift hospital in the parking lot, and they have done such extraordinary work of serving and reaching people up into the hills and the mountains who were unreachable because bridges and roadways have been washed out. Some of the estimates we heard today that there may be as many as 615 roads and major thoroughfares in the state in western North Carolina that are severely damaged, and many will need to be rebuilt and replaced.

    You have bridges out all over the place. You’ve seen the devastation here in Biltmore Village where we are today. Historic levels of flooding and up to 20 feet in some places in these buildings and it will take a long, long time to recover. But the people are very resilient, and they remind us of what is best about America. And that’s the encouraging thing. 

    I came here, we wanted to be here to let them know that not only do they have extraordinary leadership in Congress, Congressman Chuck Edwards here and the Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, also you have Virginia Foxx and Richard Hudson and Patrick McHenry, everyone who has anything to do with Western North Carolina has had all hands on deck working to serve the needs of their constituents and to be on the ground and deeply involved in what’s happening here. 

    But I think it’s important for the Speaker of the House to come as well. It’s symbolic to show that it’s the whole of Congress that has our eyes and our attention, our prayers on the community here and those who are affected. We want them to know they will not be forgotten and that we will get recovery dollars to these communities as is needed. 

    I want to point out that before we left Congress two Wednesdays ago, we’re on day 13 post-storm here, but the day before Helene made landfall, Congress passed an appropriations, a continuing resolution to fund the government, and we included $20 billion to go to FEMA so that they would have what was necessary for the emergent needs, the urgent needs that followed the hurricane. We knew that it would be a large one. Of course, we saw it. We had more than a week’s notice that that would happen. 

    And so, we supplied FEMA with the resources that it needed to respond directly. When I last checked, as of Monday, only 1% of those funds had actually been distributed. There’s concern that the federal response was a little too slow, and that needs to be addressed. But FEMA and the administration have the resources necessary right now to address the immediate needs. 

    What happens next after a storm like this is that the states then do their individual assessments and calculations of the damages and then they submit that need to the federal government. Then Congress acts. So as soon as those calculations are prepared, Congress will act in a bipartisan fashion to supply what is needed to help these communities recover, the appropriate amount that the federal government should do. 

    But it will take some time, sadly and unfortunately, for those calculations to be made. In the meantime, again, literally billions of dollars are sitting in accounts at FEMA with the administration to address the immediate needs. So, we’re hopeful that that can be done. I’ll just say this, and I want to yield to my colleagues here to say a word here to give the local perspective. 

    I want to tell you that one of the encouraging things is to see these valiant, heroic first responders, to see volunteers from churches and private organizations. Samaritan’s Purse has been on the ground, of course. Mercury One, there’s all these outside organizations. We saw the Red Cross here. There’s a lot of really good people, a lot of great Americans doing a lot of important work here. We saw people hugging one another and just leaning on one another and that’s what reminds you about what’s great about our country. We do this better than anybody. The private sector, neighbors, communities are the best in sticking together at a time like this. I was heartened to see state police troopers from Louisiana, my home state, who are here and those friends, they know hurricanes and disaster recovery really well. But there’s law enforcement from all around the country. There’s over a thousand troops deployed right now out of Fort Liberty and out of Kentucky that are out here in the mountains and doing what they do, recovery and rescue and removal of debris and anything that’s needed. So, we’ve seen the best of America. That’s what’s encouraging. We will rebuild, and better days are ahead.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Robin Kelly Hosts Roundtable of Healthcare, Research Stakeholders to Diversify Clinical Trials

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    CHICAGO – Today at La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) brought together various healthcare and research stakeholders to hear about their efforts to diversify clinical trials. A diverse clinical trial, with participants of different races, genders, sex, and ages, ensures medical discoveries lead to better outcomes and addresses healthcare disparities.

    “We had a crucial conversation today about clinical trial diversity with leaders from government, advocacy organizations, and clinical research and biotech groups. Together, we can transform clinical trials into catalysts for change, delivering medical breakthroughs that truly serve everyone,” said Rep. Kelly. “Communities of color are disproportionately affected by diseases and cancer – but we are excluded from research trials meant to treat these conditions. We need to do better. It is a matter of life and death.”

    “La Rabida is grateful for the awareness and advocacy that Congresswoman Kelly has brought to this important issue,” said Dr. Radhika Peddinti, pediatric hematologist/oncologist and Director of the La Rabida Children’s Hospital sickle cell program. “As a specialty children’s hospital on the south side of Chicago, our patients, the majority of whom have chronic or complex illnesses, directly benefit from the research of new and upcoming medications and therapies. Diverse clinical trials help us understand how treatments work across different populations, leading to more personalized and effective care to improve drug safety and efficacy, and build trust in the medical system among non-white populations.”

    The discussion focused on current challenges that prevent diverse clinical trials, including a history of distrust in the Black community due to past unethical research practices. Stakeholders shared efforts to provide education programs and to diversify the scientific and medical workforce to build the community’s confidence in the clinical trial process. 

    As Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust, Rep. Kelly has long led initiatives in Congress to increase the representation of historically marginalized communities in clinical trials, including her bicameral NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act, H.R. 3503. This legislation builds upon the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) current policies to enhance the inclusion of women, racially and ethnically diverse individuals, and people of all ages in NIH-funded trials.

    Rep. Kelly heard updates from healthcare professionals from leading organizations, including: MRCT Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard, Cancer Support Community, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Genentech, Howard Brown Health-Sheridan, Bristol Myers Squibb, Walgreens Boots Alliance, City of Hope Chicago, and ATW Health Solutions. Other government partners in attendance included Illinois Department of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services, and NIH.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Rebuilding after the fire: Government of Canada announces rent relief for Jasper National Park lessees and licensees

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Up to $15.2 million in rent relief for affected businesses and the Municipality of Jasper allowing them to redirect financial resources towards recovery and rebuilding efforts.

    Up to $15.2 million in rent relief for affected businesses and the Municipality of Jasper allowing them to redirect financial resources towards recovery and rebuilding efforts

    October 10, 2024                           Jasper, Alberta                              Parks Canada

    Residents and local business owners of Jasper are doing their best to get back on their feet in the face of the devasting impacts from the wildfire that went through Jasper in July 2024. The Government of Canada is working hard to help the community rebuild after the fire to restart economic activity and deal with the costs they face.

    Today, in his new role as Ministerial Lead to Jasper, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced rent relief for Parks Canada administered leases and licences in Jasper National Park. This rent forgiveness of up to $15.2 million provides financial relief to business owners, tenants and residents impacted by the wildfire.

    The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada, along with the Government of Alberta and the Municipality of Jasper, have been coordinating efforts from the initial incident response to the subsequent recovery and rebuilding efforts in Jasper. In early August, Parks Canada announced a pause to all rent collection from lessees and licensees in Jasper and began working towards providing more formal rent relief measures. While most leases and licences within the Town of Jasper have a nominal annual rent, with no money formally exchanged with Parks Canada, this rent relief will be of significant benefit to the Municipality of Jasper and lessees and licensees outside of the townsite allowing them to redirect resources towards recovery or rebuilding efforts, rather than on immediate financial obligations. In parallel, Parks Canada jointly with the Municipality of Jasper are working to ensure efficient processes that will lessen the burdens and stresses related to the loss of residential homes and commercial businesses.

    Rent relief is another important step in delivering on the Government of Canada’s commitment to support the community and local businesses in the National Park as they rebuild over the coming years. In mid-September, the Government introduced new legislation to enable the transfer of land use planning and development authorities to the Municipality of Jasper, aimed at giving the town, businesses and residents greater control to shape the future of Jasper, in partnership with Parks Canada.

                                                                                                             -30-

    Oliver Anderson
    Director of Communications      
    Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    819-962-0686
    oIiver.anderson@ec.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Parks Canada – Backgrounder: Jasper National Park Reopenings

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Jasper is open to visitors. If you plan to travel to Jasper, check what’s open and available before you go. To simplify trip planning, Jasper National Park has launched an interactive map of what’s open, with information being updated regularly.

    Reopened areas have been assessed for fire danger and dangerous trees have been removed. When you are in reopened areas, be aware of your surroundings, because rain, snow and wind weather events could create unstable conditions.

    Jasper National Park area reopenings are supporting the path to recovery. Openings of interest include:

    • October 11, 2024: Maligne Road, including Opal Hills, Bald Hills, Jacques Lake, Moose Lake loop, Mary Shaffer trails, Overlander and the trail from 6th bridge to 5th bridge reopen. Many backcountry trails and campgrounds reopen and visitors may reserve their backcountry site on the Parks Canada Reservation System beginning at 2:00 p.m.  October 10, 2024.
    • September 20, 2024: Saturday Night Lake Loop Trail, Magic Ridge Trail, the Suburbs climbing area and pullouts on the Icefields Parkway reopen.
    • September 13, 2024: Snaring/Celestine Road reopen to Moberly Homestead. All day use areas from the Columbia Icefields to Honeymoon Campground, Wilcox Pass Trail, and the Pyramid Bench area trails including Marjorie Lake Trail and Discovery Trail reopen.
    • September 6, 2024: The Icefields Parkway (93N) reopens to cyclists. All pullouts and viewpoints reopen on Miette Road, including frontcountry trails Miette Mine and Sulphur Skyline. Along Highway 16, all highway pullouts, day use areas and trails are open. Talbot Lake, Jasper Lake, the climbing area at Morro Slabs, as well as Dorothy and Christine Lakes trails reopen.
    • September 1, 2024: Roadside privies along Highway 16, the Miette River Pullout, Overlander Trail, Jasper House and Hidden Valley reopen. Roadside privies on 93N, Goats and Glaciers, Stutfield Glacier and Tangle Falls reopen.
    • August 24, 2024: Reopening of many trails on the Pyramid Bench adjacent to the townsite.
    • August 23, 2024: 93N reopens to vehicle traffic.
    • August 20, 2024: Highway 16 fully reopens.
    • August 18, 2024: Miette Hot Springs reopens.
    • August 16, 2024: Town and transfer station re-entry for residents.
    • August 9, 2024: Highway 16 reopens to all traffic from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 93N from Saskatchewan River Crossing to the Icefields Centre also reopens.
    • August 4, 2024: Highway 16 is open during limited times to evacuated Jasper residents in BC to travel back to Alberta.
    • August 1, 2024: Highway 16 reopens to commercial traffic during limited times.

    Jasper National Park is Ready for Winter

    The reopening of the major visitor experience areas within Jasper National Park ensures that residents, Canadians and international visitors can plan to enjoy this iconic winter destination. Parks Canada supports winter events and outdoor recreation experiences like cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, skating, and flat-packed trails for walking and fat biking. Since the wildfire, much work has been done to assess sites and ensure their safe reopening and plans for winter are very much a part of this work. As a result, many of the Jasper’s typical winter activities will continue to be available again this winter.

    Reopening visitor offers and areas outside the town required removing hazards such as fallen trees, assessing trail conditions, repairing infrastructure, and restoring several services, including emergency response, visitor safety, garbage collection, washroom cleaning, human-wildlife coexistence, and facilities maintenance. Parks Canada has been working closely with tourism partners, the Municipality of Jasper and many other partners and agencies to make reopening possible.

     

    Stay Updated:

    Please visit the following suggested social media accounts and web pages for information including archival material and the latest updates on recovery and rebuild in Jasper and the Jasper Wildfire Complex:

    ·        Jasper National Park Facebook

    ·        Municipality of Jasper Facebook

    ·        What’s open in Jasper National Park

    ·        Jasper National Park important bulletins

    ·        Wildlife safety

    ·        Tourism Jasper

    ·        Rebuilding Jasper

    ·        Jasper Wildfire Complex information

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Rebuilding after the fire: Reopening attractions to welcome visitors for the winter season

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Reopenings support businesses and residents whose livelihoods rely directly and indirectly on hosting and guiding visitors to Jasper National Park.

    Reopenings support businesses and residents whose livelihoods rely directly and indirectly on hosting and guiding visitors to Jasper National Park.

    October 10, 2024                          Jasper National Park, Alberta              Parks Canada

     

    This week, some of the most visited places in Jasper National Park are reopening! Visitor experiences that have reopened since the Jasper Wildfire Complex required closing the entire park include: Miette Hot Springs, the Columbia Icefields, Sunwapta Falls, Pyramid Lake, Athabasca Falls, Old Fort Point and Lake Annette.

    Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and in a newly appointed role as Ministerial Lead to Jasper, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced fall and winter backcountry camping availability, an update on winter activities expected in Jasper, and the reopening of Maligne Road on Friday, October 11, 2024. The Parks Canada Reservation System will have select backcountry sites available to book on October 10, 2024 at 14:00 p.m. MST.

    The economy of Jasper depends on visitors and the Government of Canada is committed to welcoming tourists to Jasper National Park following the Jasper Wildfire Complex. As one of the hardest hit areas during the wildfire, Maligne Road is a significant reopening—in addition to all the incredible work to open many other popular areas. Parks Canada will continue to reopen areas of Jasper National Park as soon as it is safe to do so.

    The reopening of the major visitor experience areas within Jasper National Park ensures that Jasper residents, Canadians and international visitors alike can make plans to enjoy this iconic winter destination. Winter activities this year in Jasper will include many of the beloved experiences the park is known for, including winter events and outdoor recreation experiences like cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, skating, and flat-packed trails for walking and fat biking.

    Visitors are encouraged to plan their trip in advance.  Jasper National Park has launched an interactive map of what’s open to simplify trip planning. While in Jasper, visitors can stop by the Jasper National Park Visitor Information Centre in the heart of downtown for advice and recommendations on making the most of their of their Parks Canada experience.

                                                                                                           -30-

    Oliver Anderson
    Director of Communications      
    Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    819-962-0686
    oIiver.anderson@ec.gc.ca

    Alice Hansen
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and Ministerial Lead for Jasper
    Alice.hansen@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Whitehouse Call Out Accounting Regulator for “Profoundly Troubling” Failures, “Unacceptable” Error Rates in Public Company Audits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 10, 2024
    Nearly half of 2023 audits had significant deficiencies. 
    “This is an astonishing finding that calls for immediate action by the PCAOB—and careful review by regulators….(I)nvestors and the public essentially face a coin flip when it comes to whether they should believe and trust the results of public companies’ audits.”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), members of the Senate Committee on Finance, called on the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to establish stricter accountability for accounting firms with “unacceptable” deficiency rates. The PCAOB is charged with overseeing the audits of public companies to protect investors and provide the public with “informative, accurate, and independent audit reports.” But the agency is not doing its job.
    Last year, the PCAOB’s review of over 200 accounting firms’ audits found that 46% had errors so significant that that auditor “had not obtained sufficient appropriate audit evidence to support its opinion” about a public company’s financial statements and financial reporting. The findings of this review reveal a nearly complete failure by the agency and cast doubts on the auditing process that plays a crucial role for investors in publicly traded companies.
    “[T]he findings of this new analysis reveal a nearly complete failure [by PCAOB], indicating that investors and the public essentially face a coin flip when it comes to whether they should believe and trust the results of public companies’ audits,” wrote Senators Warren and Whitehouse.
    Yet, the PCAOB does not appear to recognize the seriousness of the problem. In fact, Chair Erica Williams said the report showed “small signs of movement in the right direction.” And Board Member Christina Ho downplayed the findings, asserting that “there is another side to the story.” 
    ‘[T]his is the wrong conclusion to draw from an embarrassing and intolerable set of findings,” wrote Sens. Waren and Whitehouse. 
    “The PCAOB must do better. …Either [auditing] standards are inadequate—or the PCAOB is failing to establish accountability for firms that do not meet them. These are unacceptable failures by the PCAOB,” concluded the lawmakers. 
    The senators request clarification about how the PCAOB plans to hold auditors accountable for ongoing problems by October 23, 2024. 
    Senator Warren has led the charge to ensure the PCAOB is effective and accountable to the public: 
    In January 2023, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote to the PCAOB raising concerns about crypto accounting firms’ independence and methodology following reports of whitewashed audits of crypto firms with histories of malfeasance. 
    In May 2021, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler requesting the SEC use its authority to immediately remove and replace the members of the PCAOB, which sets standards for audits of public company financial statements required under Sarbanes-Oxley.
    In April 2017, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) wrote to PCAOB, raising questions and releasing new information about KPMG’s role as the independent auditor of Wells Fargo during the time period in which thousands of Wells Fargo staff engaged in fraudulent behavior affecting millions of accounts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Vice President Harris Travels to Georgia and North Carolina in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    While traveling to Georgia and North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Vice President Harris reaffirmed that she, President Biden, and the entire Biden-Harris Administration will be with the southeast as they rebuild and recover.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azroswL1xP8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce Nearly $35.2 Million in Federal Funding to Replace Lead Pipes in Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, both D-VA, announced an estimated $35,159,000 in federal funding for Virginia to identify and replace lead pipes and create good-paying water infrastructure jobs. The funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped pass and is being allocated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) after the Biden-Harris Administration issued a rule requiring drinking water systems across the country to replace lead pipes within the next ten years.
    “Every Virginian should have access to safe, reliable drinking water,” said the senators. “We’re thrilled this funding will eliminate dangerous lead exposure in the tap water of homes and schools across the Commonwealth, all while creating good-paying jobs. We’re glad to have helped pass the legislation that made this investment possible and will continue to do all that we can to keep Virginians safe.”
    The EPA estimates that as of 2023, there are 187,883 lead services lines in Virginia, which can lead to significant long-term health risks for those exposed. In children, lead can severely harm mental and physical development, slow down learning, and irreversibly damage the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and cancer. If someone is impacted by lead exposure, there is no known antidote, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This funding will combat these risks by accelerating the lead pipe removal process.
    The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) also require more rigorous testing of drinking water and a lower threshold requiring communities to take action to protect people from lead exposure in water. In addition, the final rule improves communication within communities so that families are better informed about the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead pipes, and plans for replacing them.
    Warner and Kaine have long advocated for clean drinking water for Virginians. In September 2024, Warner and Kaine announced nearly $2 million in federal funding for Lee and Wise counties and the Town of Clintwood to support infrastructure projects that will improve and extend waterline and sewer systems to additional homes. In February, they announced over $2.8 million in federal funding to improve water quality and increase access to safe drinking water in Wythe County and to assess the public health risk from harmful chemicals in local landfills in rural communities across Virginia. Last year, they announced $4,352,000 in federal funding for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (VCWRLF).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Stop Federally Funded School Buses from Being Manufactured in China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined a group of bipartisan colleagues to introduce the Secure School Buses Act, legislation to ensure school bus manufacturers tied to foreign entities and countries of concern, including the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), do not receive federal funding.
    “When we use taxpayer dollars, we should be investing those dollars back into American businesses, workers, and communities – not sending money overseas to adversaries like China,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to ensure taxpayer investments in our children’s school buses won’t line the pockets of bad actors like China and give them a competitive edge over our workers and businesses.”
    Several years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Clean School Bus Program to replace existing school buses with cleaner alternatives.  According to the EPA, they have awarded almost $3 billion in taxpayer funds through this program. Troublingly, certain companies in the electric bus industry have ties to the CCP and other foreign entities of concern. While federal funds are prohibited from going to companies with ties to the CCP and other foreign entities of concern for public transit, there are no such prohibitions for the procurement of school buses. The Secure School Buses Act would prohibit the award of federal grant funding to school bus manufacturers with certain ties to a foreign entity of concern.
    Senator Baldwin has long pushed to close loopholes that allow federal funding to be used for purchasing and manufacturing equipment overseas, including her bipartisan Buy America for Small Shipyard Grants, SAFE TRAINS Act, and Made in America Act, which were signed into law.   
    The Secure School Buses Act is led by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and also co-sponsored by Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and John Cornyn (R-TX). The bill is endorsed by the Alliance for American Manufacturing and Heritage Action.
    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 10.09.2024 Cruz, Warren, Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Women Volunteers in World War II

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and several of their colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) resolution to recognize the women who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “We must never forget the unwavering dedication and immense sacrifices made by the courageous women who volunteered to serve our country during World War II. Their contributions to the war effort were pivotal and our nation owes them a debt of gratitude. I am honored to stand with Senators Warren and Blackburn in introducing this bipartisan resolution to give them the full recognition they deserve.”
    Sens. Cruz, Warren, and Blackburn were joined by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in introducing the resolution.
    Read the full text of the resolution here.
    BACKGROUND:
    After World War I, laws limited women to the role of nurses during war. The Navy Women’s Reserve Act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in July 1942, reversed this law and established WAVES, allowing women to volunteer in support of war efforts. Women were then recruited to perform military assignments, including training thousands of aspiring male naval aviators, gunners, and navigators.
    More than 400,000 women served our country in military capacities in World War II. In fact, women accounted for about 2.5% of the Navy, including almost 80,000 officers and enlisted personnel during the program’s peak.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 10.10.2024 Cruz, Cornyn, Colleagues Send Letter Urging Restoration of NADBank’s Water Infrastructure Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and members from the Texas delegation wrote to the North American Development Bank (NADBank) urging its board to revive the Water Infrastructure Fund to assist border communities facing water shortages.
    In the letter, the members wrote, “As it did in previous years, NADBank should use funding from retained earnings to provide concessional financing such as grants or subsidized loans for water conservation and diversification projects. This investment is essential to the well-being of our American municipalities and agricultural projects, and we fully support the Bank’s role in overseeing and implementing the fund to ensure these resources are allocated effectively.”
    Sens. Cruz and Cornyn sent the letter with Reps. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas-15), Vincente Gonzalez (D-Texas-34), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas-23), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas-16), and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas-28).
    Read the full letter here or below:
    Dear Members of the Board:
    We are writing to express our strong support for the re-establishment of NADBank’s Water Infrastructure Fund and to urge the Board to take swift action in restoring this critical program. The need for sustainable water management in the U.S.-Mexico border region is greater than ever. Re-establishing the fund would be a significant step in ensuring long-term water security for both municipal and agricultural communities.
    As it did in previous years, NADBank should use funding from retained earnings to provide concessional financing such as grants or subsidized loans for water conservation and diversification projects. This investment is essential to the well-being of our American municipalities and agricultural projects, and we fully support the Bank’s role in overseeing and implementing the fund to ensure these resources are allocated effectively.
    Any grant funding re-established through this program must be directed to both municipal and agricultural projects. These projects should not only conserve water, but also explore new ways to create additional water sources in the border region. In doing so, NADBank can address the urgent need for water security on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
    The flexibility of the grant program is critical. NADBank must be permitted to fund partial project costs in coordination with loans to enable solutions for a wide variety of projects. Additionally, NADBank should not be prohibited from providing loan financing to cover any remaining costs so as to ensure the fund remains adaptable and accessible.
    Leveraging resources from other federal and state agencies such as the USDA-Rural Development, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Texas Water Development Board, will be critical in closing the funding gap for these water projects. We urge the Board to coordinate efforts with these entities to maximize the impact of NADBank’s investments.
    Lastly, we request that U.S. Board members encourage Mexico to meet its capital commitments in a timely manner, and that the U.S. Board use its voice and vote to expedite the release of the remaining U.S. capital in line with Mexico’s payments.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter. We are confident that the re-establishment of the Water Infrastructure Fund will greatly benefit both sides of the border, ensuring that our communities have the water resources they need for the future.
    Sincerely,
    /X/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Igniting Inspiration: Jennifer Becerra’s STEM Legacy at Johnson 

    Source: NASA

    Jennifer Becerra has nearly three decades of experience in education, both in the classroom and within the NASA community. Leading a team dedicated to fostering a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), she develops programs that inspire students and educators alike.  
    Whether coordinating internships or organizing engagement events, Becerra creates educational opportunities to bring the excitement of NASA’s missions to life for students. As NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) student services manager at Johnson Space Center in Houston, her efforts aim to cultivate the next generation of explorers and build a stronger, more engaged future workforce. 

    Becerra’s responsibilities include overseeing intern recruitment, placement, and development. She leads the OSTEM Center Engagement to create impactful opportunities for students to connect with NASA’s mission and resources. Becerra also serves as the technical officer for NASA’s Teams II Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions Community Anchor grant program. She assists in managing funded projects that advance STEM education by supporting institutions that serve as local hubs for learning and space exploration.  
    Becerra holds memberships in The National Science Teachers Association and the Science Teachers Association of Texas, further underscoring her dedication to empowering tomorrow’s innovators. 

    Becerra takes great pride in her work. One of her most fulfilling achievements is witnessing the spark of inspiration in students when they participate in events like astronaut graduation, the Artemis II crew announcement, or the OSIRIS-REx sample reveal. “Seeing their excitement and curiosity fuels our commitment to creating impactful experiences that encourage students to explore STEM fields,” she said. “We aim to inspire the next generation of explorers who may one day contribute to future NASA missions.” 

    Her upbringing on the Texas-Mexico border in Del Rio, Texas, deeply influences her sense of identity. She is an active member of Johnson’s Hispanic Employee Resource Group, which promotes cultural awareness and provides a platform to engage and educate the Johnson community about the richness and significance of Hispanic culture. 
    “I aim to foster a more inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and celebrated,” she said. Becerra honors her culture in the workplace by embracing her authentic self every day and contributing to her team in meaningful ways.  

    An important lesson she has learned throughout her career is the power of collaboration. “I’ve realized that it takes a collective effort to achieve our goals,” said Becerra. “I’ve come to deeply appreciate and rely on the diverse experiences and perspectives my colleagues bring to our team.” 
    Early in her career, Becerra faced imposter syndrome, but over time she overcame it by connecting with colleagues who shared her background. Today, she appreciates the inclusivity and collaboration within her teams. 

    Looking forward, Becerra is excited for the future of space exploration, especially the moment when the first woman steps onto the Moon. She hopes to inspire more girls to explore STEM and leave a lasting legacy with the Artemis Generation.  
    “Passion drives fulfillment and long-term commitment, especially at NASA,” she said. “I encourage students to seize every opportunity, build strong connections with their teams, and embrace the sense of being part of something much greater than themselves.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Adds More Counties to Florida Disaster Declaration  

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the addition of seven primary counties and ten adjacent counties to the disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 23, giving more businesses and residents eligibility to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loan program.  

    The declaration covers Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and Wakulla counties which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Bay, Broward, Calhoun, Clay, DeSoto, Flagler, Gadsden, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Liberty, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Polk, St. Johns, Sumter, Volusia in Florida; Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Thomas and Ware in Georgia. 

    Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan. 

    Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.   

    For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. 

    Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property. 

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. 

    Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.  

    “SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Sánchez. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.” 

    With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover.  FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.  Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.  

    Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 27, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 30, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Folding the future: The rise of origami-inspired robots

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, is taking a futuristic turn with the work of Cynthia Sung at the University of Pennsylvania. Supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program award, “Computational Design for Robust Legged Robots,” Sung’s research blends the precision of engineering with the creativity of art to develop origami-inspired robots. These robots, built from thin, foldable materials, offer a fascinating glimpse into the future of robotics.

    Origami-inspired fabrication and folding approaches can create robots that can transform their shape. For example, the CurveQuad robot recently developed by Sung’s lab is an origami-inspired robot that can fold, unfold, crawl and steer using one motor. Its design is based on curved-crease origami, providing the robot with remarkable agility despite its simplicity — it only has four folds. These robots can directly incorporate electronics, actuation and sensing into their flat body. Such robots could be deployed in swarms for exploration or inspection tasks, showcasing the scalability and cost-effectiveness of this technology.

    Credit: Daniel Feshbach, Sung Robotics Lab

    CurveQuad robot consisting of a thin PET body with 4 folds, a single motor for actuation, and a flexible PCB for control.

    One of the exciting recent results from Sung’s work is the principle that any kinematic chain — a term used to refer to a series of links and joints that make up a robot’s arms and legs — can be constructed using origami techniques. Since origami fabrication is relatively fast and accessible, this means that in the future, full robots might be able to be designed and created within days or even hours, opening new possibilities for creating lightweight, flexible and safe robots, ideal for interacting with humans. The origami patterns are generated automatically, so a person does not need to be an origami artist or engineer; they only need to be able to describe the different joints of the robot that they want, and a design will come out. The potential applications are vast, from educational tools that make complex robotics concepts accessible for students to dynamic robots for exploring unstructured environments.

    Credit: Wei-Hsi Chen, Sung Robotics Lab

    An example of a robot arm generated by Sung’s lab software. It is a scaled-down version of the PUMA 6-dof arm (one of the old industrial manipulator arms commonly seen in manufacturing settings).

    Supported by an NSF Engineering Design and System Engineering award, Sung and her team are expanding this work to incorporate actuators, sensors and control. They are also building intuitive design tools on top of the underlying algorithms to make the design process easier for non-roboticists. By clicking and dragging robot parts on a computer screen, designers can creatively explore different kinematic chains and directly convert them into an origami pattern they can test in real life. Using this software, the team collaborates with The Arts League to create robots, activities and workshops for the students, artists and the general community to learn more about robotics.
     

    Three-link origami robots

    Credit: Diedra Krieger, University of Pennsylvania

    Three-link origami robots designed for workshops. The robots “slither” on marker legs, drawing patterns on the ground that change with the robot’s control input.

    Origami robots are not just restricted to indoor environments and classroom activities. Another intriguing project supported by an NSF Dynamics, Control and Systems Diagnostics award involves underwater robots with origami-inspired designs that can change body shape to take in and expel water, creating a jet to propel itself forward, much like squids do. These robots offer unique opportunities because they are affordable, easy to make and sturdy, ideal for moving efficiently underwater.

    Credit: Zhiyuan Yang and Dongsheng Chen, Sung Robotics Lab

    Origami robot swimming. A motor on the inside pulls on a tendon to compress the magic ball and release it, creating a jet in the back that propels the robot forward.

    “We used the magic ball origami pattern, which can change between an ellipsoidal (low volume) and spherical (high volume) shape. A special mechanism helps the robot contract to take in water, and the magic ball’s natural mechanics help it return to its original shape, creating a propulsion system that allows them to swim efficiently. The potential applications include environmental monitoring and underwater exploration,” Sung said.
     

    Origami-inspired robot that swims via jet propulsion

    Credit: Zhiyuan Yang and Dongsheng Chen, Sung Robotics Lab

    Origami robot swimming. A motor on the inside pulls on a tendon to compress the magic ball and release it, creating a jet in the back that propels the robot forward.

    Origami-inspired robots are bringing us incredible advancements, from self-folding and unfolding robots to those that can dissolve or change forms. Sung’s work advances robotics and inspires new thinking about materials and design. These innovations open up a wide range of applications, such as exploring unpredictable terrains in outer space, where the flexibility and adaptability of origami robots can be critical. The journey from simple paper folds to complex robotic systems exemplifies the power of foundational research, a key driver of NSF’s mission.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Awards Aerospace Research, Technology, and Simulations Contract

    Source: NASA

    NASA has selected Metis Technology Solutions Inc. of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to provide engineering services as well as develop and maintain software and hardware used to conduct simulations for aerospace research and development across the agency.
    The Aerospace Research, Technology, and Simulations (ARTS) contract is a hybrid cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price contract with an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity component and has a maximum potential value of $177 million. The performance period begins Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, with a one-year base period, and options to extend performance through November 2029.
    Under this contract, the company will support the preparation, development, operation, and maintenance of future and existing simulators, integration laboratories, aircraft research systems, simulation work areas, and aircraft research systems. The scope of work also will include the development, testing, and validation of advanced air traffic management automation tools, including, but not limited to, advanced concepts for aviation ecosystems. Work will primarily be performed at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley and NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, as well as other agency or government locations, as needed.
    For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

    Home Page

    -end-
    Tiernan DoyleHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600tiernan.doyle@nasa.gov
    Rachel HooverAmes Research Center, Silicon Valley, Calif.650-604-4789rachel.hoover@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Call With NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided the following readout:

    Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke on October 8th with new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to underscore the enduring U.S. commitment to the NATO Alliance.

    The Secretary welcomed Secretary General Rutte to his new position and both look forward to a positive and productive relationship.

    Secretary Austin discussed U.S. priorities for NATO and the upcoming NATO Defense Ministerial. These include implementing the agreements that leaders have made at recent NATO Summits, continuing to strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defense efforts, maintaining robust support for Ukraine, and boosting the transatlantic defense industrial base.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Highlights Low Earth Orbit, Sustainability at Space Conference

    Source: NASA

    NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy will lead the agency’s delegation at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) from Monday, Oct. 14, to Thursday, Oct. 17, in Milan.
    During the congress, NASA will discuss its Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy, emphasizing the agency’s efforts to advance microgravity science, technology, and exploration. The agency also will highlight its commitment to space sustainability and several missions, including initiatives that support NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach and the Artemis Accords.
    NASA will amplify the following talks happening at the congress through its YouTube Channel:

    Monday, Oct. 14

    7:45 a.m. EDT (1:45 p.m. CEST): One-to-One with Heads of Agencies featuring Nelson.

    12:15 p.m. EDT (6:15 p.m. CEST): Host Plenary on Responsible and Sustainable Space Exploration for Moon to Mars featuring Melroy.

    Wednesday, Oct. 16

    9 a.m. EDT (3 p.m. CEST): A New Era in Human Presence featuring Melroy.

    A full agenda for this year’s IAC is available online.
    Members of the media registered for IAC will have three opportunities to meet with NASA leaders. To register, media must apply through the International Astronautical Federation website. Opportunities include:

    Monday, Oct. 14

    5:30 p.m. CEST (11:30 a.m. EDT): NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, Lisa Campbell, president, CSA (Canadian Space Agency), and Teodoro Valente, president, Italian Space Agency, to discuss the 3rd Annual Heads of Agency meeting of the Artemis Accords Signatories.

    Tuesday, Oct. 15

    5 p.m. CEST (11 a.m. EDT): NASA Administrator Bill Nelson to discuss the agency’s international partnerships in the Artemis era.

    Wednesday, Oct. 16

    5 p.m. CEST (11 a.m. EDT): NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy and Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and acting director of Commercial Spaceflight to discuss NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy

    In addition to the events outlined above, NASA will have an exhibit featuring the first sample of the asteroid Bennu to appear publicly in a non-museum setting, as well as information on the Artemis campaign, NASA’s future in low Earth orbit, and several upcoming science and technology missions. NASA also will host subject matter expert talks throughout the week at its exhibit.
    NASA will provide photos and updates about its participation in the International Astronautical Congress from its @NASAExhibit account on X.
    For more information about NASA participation at IAC, visit:
    https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-at-iac
    -end-
    Amber JacobsonHeadquarters, Washington240-298-1832amber.c.jacobson@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Chairs Inaugural Plenary Meeting of Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    On October 7-8, 2024, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante chaired the inaugural plenary meeting of the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) in Honolulu, HI. National Armament Directors, and similarly positioned senior leaders, joined him from all PIPIR member nations in both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions. The engagement was hosted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).

    PIPIR is a multi-lateral forum of allies and partners aimed at strengthening defense industrial resilience to promote continued regional security, economic security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. It serves as a platform to accelerate defense industrial base (DIB) cooperation by reducing barriers to production, creating new sustainment hubs, and addressing supply chain constraints.

    “From day one, Secretary Austin has driven success through teamwork,” Dr. LaPlante said. “Today’s security environment demands closer collaboration with our allies and partners. PIPIR will help strengthen our collective ability to produce and sustain warfighting capability in the Indo-Pacific, and the National Armaments Directors are uniquely positioned to drive action in these areas.”

    During this inaugural plenary meeting, participants adopted a Core Vision Statement, which establishes strategic principles to guide collaboration on defense industrial resilience. The agreement of a Core Vision Statement builds upon the Statement of Principles for Indo-Pacific Defense Industrial Base Collaboration endorsed by 13 nations, including by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Shangri-La Dialogue held in May 2024.

    Members also announced the creation of workstreams, each tasked with identifying key projects appointed leadership for each, and discussed plans to operationalize project activities. The four workstreams are Sustainment, Production, Supply Chain Resilience, and Policy and Optimization. Participants underscored the need to deliver material solutions that enhance shared defense industrial resilience. They also emphasized the importance of forging closer partnerships with industry and committed to creating a standing industrial advisory board with whom to consult. PIPIR will include other advisors as necessary to address the complexity and challenges of the DIB.

    The day prior to the plenary session, INDOPACOM hosted the PIPIR delegation at Camp Smith to provide the command’s regional perspective and discuss the implications and role of multi-lateral industrial partnerships for their mission.

    The establishment of PIPIR directly supports DoD’s implementation of the National Defense Industrial Strategy and Regional Sustainment Framework, which emphasize the importance of strengthening international defense production and sustainment relationships.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Extends Renewal Period for Flood Insurance Policyholders in Seven States Affected by Helene

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Extends Renewal Period for Flood Insurance Policyholders in Seven States Affected by Helene

    FEMA Extends Renewal Period for Flood Insurance Policyholders in Seven States Affected by Helene

    Flood insurance policyholders can receive advance payments to receive up to $20,000 for their recovery 

    WASHINGTON – FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program is taking immediate actions to help policyholders throughout the seven states recently affected by Helene. 

    While renewal dates have passed for some National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in states affected by Helene may be able to take steps that will renew their policy and receive immediate help. 

    Policyholders who received flood damage from Helene should be sure to ask their insurance agent or company about advance claims payments to help start their recovery. Advance payments may be available of up to $20,000 prior to a visit from an adjuster.

    Certain policyholders in seven states impacted by Helene now have a limited opportunity to renew their policies without a consequence of a lapse in coverage. Policyholders in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia who had flood damage now have until Nov. 26, 2024, to renew their policies, an increase from the standard 30-day renewal grace period.

    “I am deeply committed to helping our policyholders prioritize financial resources to help speed their recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destruction,” said Jeff Jackson, the interim Senior Executive of the program. “By extending the grace period for renewing policies, we are giving our policyholders some breathing room and demonstrating that the National Flood Insurance Program stands with them at time of tremendous heartache and difficulty.”

    The extension applies to policies with policy expiration dates beginning Aug. 28, 2024, as follows: 

    If the policy term ended on: The grace period would have ended: But now runs until:
    Aug. 28, 2024 Sept. 26, 2024 Nov. 26, 2024
    Sept. 26, 2024 Oct. 25, 2024 Nov. 26, 2024
    Oct. 15, 2024 Nov. 13, 2024 Nov. 26, 2024
    Nov. 1, 2024 Nov. 30, 2024 Nov. 30, 2024
    Nov. 15, 2024 Dec. 14, 2024 Dec. 14, 2024

    Policyholders whose policy renewal date is within this range should contact their agent or insurance company.

    For example, if the original policy expiration date was Aug. 28, 2024, the policy may be renewed on or before Nov. 26, 2024. Holders of active policies can file claims for damage received from Helene if premium is paid. 

    Other Actions to Help Policyholders

    The program has extended the proof of loss requirement for policyholders who suffered flood damage from Hurricane Helene from the standard 60 days to 120 days from the date of loss.

    FEMA also authorized its Write Your Own insurance company partners and the direct to pay claims based on the adjuster’s report without requiring policyholders to sign a proof of loss. When a policyholder seeks additional payment for any reason or disagrees with the adjuster report, they may still submit a signed proof of loss to the insurer along with supporting documentation, such as a contractor’s estimate, bills, receipts, photographs and other related documents. 

    Anyone affected by Helene who has a National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance policy and has suffered flood damage should begin filing their claim now. Evacuated policyholders can still start their claim and provide specifics later once local officials say it’s safe to return home.

    Policyholders who wish to take advantage of the grace period should contact their agent or insurance company. Those who don’t have their insurance agent or company’s contact information should call 877-336-2627 for assistance.

    To learn more about how to file a flood insurance claim visit floodsmart.gov.

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: First Greenhouse Gas Plumes Detected With NASA-Designed Instrument

    Source: NASA

    The imaging spectrometer aboard the Carbon Mapper Coalition’s Tanager-1 satellite identified methane and carbon dioxide plumes in the United States and internationally.
    Using data from an instrument designed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the nonprofit Carbon Mapper has released the first methane and carbon dioxide detections from the Tanager-1 satellite. The detections highlight methane plumes in Pakistan and Texas, as well as a carbon dioxide plume in South Africa.
    The data contributes to Carbon Mapper’s goal to identify and measure greenhouse gas point-source emissions on a global scale and make that information accessible and actionable. 
    Enabled by Carbon Mapper and built by Planet Labs PBC, Tanager-1 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Aug. 16 and has been collecting data to verify that its imaging spectrometer, which is based on technology developed at NASA JPL, is functioning properly. Both Planet Labs PBC and JPL are members of the philanthropically funded Carbon Mapper Coalition.
    “The first greenhouse gas images from Tanager-1 are exciting and are a compelling sign of things to come,” said James Graf, director for Earth Science and Technology at JPL. “The satellite plays a crucial role in detecting and measuring methane and carbon dioxide emissions. The mission is a giant step forward in addressing greenhouse gas emissions.”
    The data used to produce the Pakistan image was collected over the city of Karachi on Sept. 19 and shows a roughly 2.5-mile-long (4-kilometer-long) methane plume emanating from a landfill. Carbon Mapper’s preliminary estimate of the source emissions rate is more than 2,600 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of methane released per hour.
    The image collected that same day over Kendal, South Africa, displays a nearly 2-mile-long (3-kilometer-long) carbon dioxide plume coming from a coal-fired power plant. Carbon Mapper’s preliminary estimate of the source emissions rate is roughly 1.3 million pounds (600,000 kilograms) of carbon dioxide per hour.
    The Texas image, collected on Sept. 24, reveals a methane plume to the south of the city of Midland, in the Permian Basin, one of the largest oilfields in the world. Carbon Mapper’s preliminary estimate of the source emissions rate is nearly 900 pounds (400 kilograms) of methane per hour.
    In the 1980s, JPL helped pioneer the development of imaging spectrometers with AVIRIS (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer), and in 2022, NASA installed the imaging spectrometer EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation), developed at JPL, aboard the International Space Station.
    A descendant of those instruments, the imaging spectrometer aboard Tanager-1 can measure hundreds of wavelengths of light reflected from Earth’s surface. Each chemical compound on the ground and in the atmosphere reflects and absorbs different combinations of wavelengths, which give it a “spectral fingerprint” that researchers can identify. Using this approach, Tanager-1 will help researchers detect and measure emissions down to the facility level.
    Once in full operation, the spacecraft will scan about 116,000 square miles (300,000 square kilometers) of Earth’s surface per day. Methane and carbon dioxide measurements collected by Tanager-1 will be publicly available on the Carbon Mapper data portal.
    More About Carbon Mapper
    Carbon Mapper is a nonprofit organization focused on facilitating timely action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Its mission is to fill gaps in the emerging global ecosystem of methane and carbon dioxide monitoring systems by delivering data at facility scale that is precise, timely, and accessible to empower science-based decision making and action. The organization is leading the development of the Carbon Mapper constellation of satellites supported by a public-private partnership composed of Planet Labs PBC, JPL, the California Air Resources Board, Arizona State University, and RMI, with funding from High Tide Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, and other philanthropic donors.
    News Media Contacts
    Andrew Wang / Jane J. LeeJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-379-6874 / 818-354-0307andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov / jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov
    2024-136

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Center in Tazewell, Va. will Open on Oct. 11

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Center in Tazewell, Va. will Open on Oct. 11

    Disaster Recovery Center in Tazewell, Va. will Open on Oct. 11

    BRISTOL, Va.– A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be opening in Tazewell County at the County Administration Building at 197 Main Street in Tazewell, Va. Friday, Oct. 11, at 8 a.m. 

    The center is located at:

    Tazewell County  

    County Administration Building 

    197 Main Street 

    Tazewell, VA 24651

    Hours of operation:

    Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Closed Sundays

    Disaster survivors can visit any DRC to receive assistance. Additional DRCs will be opening in the coming weeks throughout southwest Virginia.

    Survivors do not have to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. You can call 800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates seven days a week. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. You can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA App on your phone.

    The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Dec. 2, 2024.

    If you have received a letter from FEMA about your application status, visit a DRC to learn more about next steps. DRC staff can help you submit additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue to process your application and answer any questions you may have.

    FEMA staff member at a Disaster Recovery Center in Damascus, Va. assists a survivor on Oct. 7, 2024 (FEMA photo by Nicholas Monteleone)

    FEMA has set up a rumor response webpage to clarify our role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response.

    For more information on Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit vaemergency.gov, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA.  

    ###

    FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3. 

    To apply for FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or download and apply on the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.

    connor.dacey

    MIL OSI USA News –