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Category: MIL-OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $3.2+ MILLION TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR WORKERS AT THE ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & IN CLASSROOMS IN SCHOOLS ACROSS NY VIA HIS CHIPS & SCIENCE LAW

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    NY Received Two Of Just 7 Awards Across America To Jumpstart The National Semiconductor Technology Center’s Workforce Partner Alliance Program Which Will Help Get Students The Hands-On Training They Need For Good-Paying Jobs At Companies Like Micron, GlobalFoundries, Corning, And Edwards Vacuum Expanding Now In Upstate NY Thanks To Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law
    Awards To The American Federation Of Teachers Program Will Provide Training So Teachers Can Help Students Get Ready For Semiconductor Careers, Expanding An Initiative That Is Being Piloted In 10 School Districts Across New York State & RIT’s Program Plans To Help Over 500 Students Get Microelectronics-Related Skills Necessary To Thrive In The Growing Semiconductor Industry
    Schumer: We’re Training The Future Of America’s Semiconductor Industry By The Next Generation Of Workers Here In NY
    U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced $3,200,347 in federal funding to boost New York-based programs to prepare New York high school and college students for careers in the semiconductor industry. The awards include $1,720,400 for the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to expand a program that prepares teachers in school districts across NY to help students get ready for careers in the semiconductor industry and $1,479,947 for the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to implement a new online certificate program to train students across microelectronics-related educational tracks.
    “It’s all-hands-on-deck to build the workforce of the future and awards like today’s will help classrooms across New York get students ready to be the next generation of semiconductor workers.  I am proud to have pushed for and secured this more than $3.2 million federal investment from my CHIPS & Science Law that will help students in New York and across America get the hands-on training they need to enter careers in the booming chip industry,” said Senator Schumer. “AFT’s program will provide training to teachers across New York and beyond so that hundreds of students at school districts throughout NY can develop the skills they need to thrive in the growing domestic semiconductor industry, and RIT’s program will provide training to hundreds of college students so that they can succeed in the thousands upon thousands of new jobs being created in New York in the semiconductor industry. This will prepare our students for good-paying jobs at companies like Micron, GlobalFoundries, Corning, Edwards Vacuum, and more as we see the chip industry expand in Upstate NY thanks to my CHIPS & Science Law. This federal investment in high-quality training is how we can support Upstate New York’s historic growth in the semiconductor industry spurred by my CHIPS and Science Law, and attract even more investment to the region by having a high-skilled workforce.”
    The AFT and RIT are two of just seven award recipients in the nation, and the AFT is the only recipient whose project focuses on K-12 students. The federal funding comes from the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC)’s Workforce Partner Alliance Program, which is funded by Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law. Schumer personally called and wrote to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Natcast CEO Deirdre Hanford for both programs to be awarded this funding.
    Schumer explained that the AFT’s program will help expand their partnership with Micron to help students in school districts across New York, with plans to expand in Michigan and Minnesota, prepare for careers at companies that are vital to America’s semiconductor industry like Micron, which announced a historic $100 billion investment to build a cutting-edge memory megafab in Central New York. This award will boost the framework Schumer announced with AFT last year that will be piloted in 10 school districts and BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Services), including Baldwinsville, Chittenango, East Syracuse Minoa, Liverpool, New York City (Brooklyn STEAM Center and Thomas Edison High School), Niagara Falls, North Syracuse, Syracuse, OCM BOCES, and Watertown. The curriculum framework rolling out now in New York classrooms aims to help thousands of high school students hone the foundational skills necessary for career success in the booming semiconductor industry, working with industry partners like Micron to equip them with the skills they need to enter these careers.
    “I crafted the CHIPS & Science Law with Upstate NY as my north star, because I knew that with targeted federal investments like this, the communities in Upstate NY that powered America’s industrial past could be the ones to build its future and bring critical manufacturing back from overseas to America. I’ve worked closely with the Administration to make the case for federal investment in Upstate NY’s R&D and workforce training programs, and I’m pleased that the Commerce Department and Natcast, which was created to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center, recognizes New York’s premier work and leadership in boosting the nation’s semiconductor workforce,” added Schumer.
    RIT’s program will expand the domestic skilled workforce in the semiconductor industry with a focus on creating opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented workers to get access to the thousands of new jobs being created by new semiconductor industry investments in the U.S., including across Upstate NY, spurred by the CHIPS & Science Law. RIT’s goal is to train 555 students at both the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels through a new online certificate program to address workforce shortages in the microelectronics sector.
    “I want to thank Sen. Schumer for his vision around the CHIPS and Science Act and ensuring that investments in workforce development were part and parcel of this law, and for his tremendous advocacy for projects like ours that benefit students, educators and communities in New York. We are grateful that Natcast is recognizing, in its first ever set of grants, the promise and potential of these curriculum frameworks that educators, in partnership with industry, have authored through their union,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “What we seeded in New York will now spread as a model nationwide. These frameworks pave student pathways to the booming microchip sector and lead directly to good, middle-class jobs. They connect teacher expertise and student passions to career, college and life. And they’re anchored in our shared vision of real solutions that puts kids and educators at the center of the manufacturing renaissance happening right now across America.”
    “I want to thank Senator Schumer and the Biden-Harris Administration for providing this opportunity that RIT will use to address workforce shortages in the microelectronics industry here in the U.S.,” said RIT President David Munson. “Technology is driving unprecedented changes in the way we work. RIT is committed to fostering diversity and removing educational barriers for a new wave of highly-skilled workers, who will need to be analytical problem solvers with an ability to adapt to evolving career fields.”
    A copy of Schumer’s letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo about the AFT project can be found here and about the RIT project can be found here.
    Schumer has an extensive record of championing workforce development efforts for Upstate NY, particularly to support the growth of the semiconductor industry and broader tech and manufacturing sectors. The senator recently announced a major $40 million from his CHIPS & Science Law as one of only 12 Tech Hub award winners for the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region. This includes major funding for workforce training initiatives to close gaps in upskilling, hiring, and retention, especially for populations that have been historically excluded from tech and manufacturing-related job opportunities. Earlier this year, Schumer also announced that after his advocacy, a major $6 million federal investment by the U.S. Department of Labor was made for the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) to expand Registered Apprenticeships for advanced manufacturing, including the semiconductor industry, to get workers the skills they need for these highly in-demand, good-paying jobs.
    Last year, Schumer also announced $5 million in DoD funding for Syracuse University and partners to expand microelectronics workforce training and connect job seekers with defense manufacturing and tech employers, as well as $2 million in DOL funding for the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties and Mohawk Valley Community College to boost technical training. Schumer also secured $2 million for MVCC to create a new state-of-the-art semiconductor-and-advanced-manufacturing training center. Additionally, Schumer brought NSF Director Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan to Syracuse to meet with key stakeholders and see with his own eyes how Central New York is primed to be a global manufacturing hub and discuss how federal STEM training investment could support this effort.
    In addition, Schumer just last week announced $30 million in Department of Defense funding for the New York-based Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH) to boost semiconductor and other cutting-edge tech research & development and workforce training at Upstate NY universities and research institutions. This funding comes from the $2 billion CHIPS for America Defense Fund which Schumer helped establish in his CHIPS & Science Law, and helped secure Upstate NY’s spot in competing for as one of the first Microelectronic Commons Hubs last year, and will put Upstate NY at the forefront of cutting-edge tech R&D for the defense industry leading the future of this technology for America’s national security.
    Thanks to Schumer’s CHIPS & Science Law, Upstate New York has seen a major revival in tech manufacturing. Micron has announced plans for a historic $100+ billion investment to build a cutting-edge memory fab in Central New York with support of an over $6 billion preliminary CHIPS agreement. GlobalFoundries plans to invest over $12 billion to expand and construct a second, new state-of-the-art computer chip factory in the Capital Region, with support of $1.5 billion preliminary CHIPS agreement. Wolfspeed has opened the first, largest, and only 200mm silicon carbide fabrication facility in the world in the Mohawk Valley, with plans to further expand their operations. TTM Technologies, a printed circuit board manufacturer, plans to invest up to $130 million to expand their facilities in Onondaga County, creating up to 400 good-paying jobs. Menlo Micro will invest over $50 million to build their microchip switch manufacturing facility in Tompkins County, creating over 100 new good-paying jobs. In addition, Upstate New York is home to semiconductor supply chain companies like Corning Incorporated, which manufactures glass critical to the microchip industry at its Canton and Fairport, NY plants, and following Schumer’s advocacy, Edwards Vacuum has announced a $300+ million investment to build a dry pump manufacturing facility, creating 600 good-paying jobs to support the growing chip industry in Western New York.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Over 90,000 People Displaced by Latest Military Escalation in Lebanon – IOM Scales Up Its Response 

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Beirut, 25 September – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released its latest Mobility Tracking displacement update showing at least 90,350 people have become newly displaced since 19 September, following the latest military escalation in Lebanon.  

    According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, nearly 600 people have been killed, including 50 children, and approximately 1,700 injured, since Monday.  

    IOM Director General Amy Pope, speaking from the United Nations General Assembly in New York reiterated a call for diplomacy, peace and de-escalation.   

    “We are deeply alarmed by the military escalation in Lebanon, which has claimed hundreds of lives, including women and children.” DG Pope said.  “The welfare of civilians and protection of related infrastructure must be respected, in line with international humanitarian law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 which calls for peace and stability in the region.”  

    IOM is working with government authorities and partners to address immediate humanitarian needs. It is responding with the delivery of assistance, services, and protection to internally displaced persons by supporting local authorities and partners.   

    The Organization is distributing essential relief items to internally displaced persons and host families, and protection services, including psychosocial support services. In close coordination with the Government of Lebanon, IOM provided 1,350 mattresses, blankets, and pillows in the past 48 hours to individuals sheltering in schools and other buildings that have been converted into shelters for displaced families.   

    Since October 2023, IOM has delivered lifesaving medicines and supplies to Ministry of Public Health hospitals and health centres across the south, prepositioned vital equipment and more recently, provided logistics support the Ministry’s primary warehouse facility.   

    “Our teams are on the ground, working tirelessly alongside our government counterparts and local partners to deliver vital humanitarian support to those who need it most. We are committed to scaling up our response to meet the growing needs faced by so many across Lebanon” said Mathieu Luciano, IOM’s Head of Office in Lebanon.   

    Prior to the recent displacement across Lebanon, the country was already in the grips of a protracted political and socio-economic crisis, with more than 3.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.    

    In support of the Government of Lebanon, IOM is scaling up its critical humanitarian support to ensure the needs of displaced populations and host communities are met.   

    For more information, please contact:  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Administrator Guzman Announces $20M in Grants for States to Boost Small Business Exports

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s more than 34 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced $20 million in State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants have been awarded to 43 state and territory international trade agencies to provide financial support to small businesses in growing the volume and value of exports. States may start to solicit applications from small businesses now, and funding will become available to small businesses beginning Sept. 30.

    “With 95% of the world’s consumers based outside of the United States, our small businesses need access to markets abroad to grow and create good jobs in America. Through SBA’s STEP funding to states, small businesses can get grants to export to new markets and grow their revenues through marketing, trade missions and more,” said Administrator Guzman. “STEP delivers against the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to increase exports and helps ensure that we can strengthen our small businesses, ensure our economy is more resilient and increase our global competitiveness.”

    “Small businesses build the economic future of the Granite State by tapping into international markets and growing exports at a record pace thanks to programs like STEP. I urge small businesses interested in exporting to take advantage of STEP funding that will help them expand international sales and grow their local economies,” said New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “As Governor, I led the first overseas trade mission from New Hampshire – and when I got to Congress, I worked to create STEP in 2010 to help small businesses start and grow their exports. I’m proud to see STEP’s critical impact across the nation. In the Granite State, it has helped small business owners attend the Farnborough International Air Show and supported the creation of the Export Accelerator program that helps newer small businesses get started in exporting and connect with federal resources. I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for working to provide the programs and resources that small business owners need to compete abroad.”

    “The STEP program supports initiatives for small businesses to access global markets seamlessly,” said Dan Krupnick, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of International Trade. “It helps them understand the ins and outs of exporting, provides opportunities to participate in international trade shows, and assists in creating websites that are tailored to attract and engage foreign buyers. Small businesses are key to supporting global supply chains and STEP continues to make them more resilient.”

    These 43 awardees were selected after a competitive application process to STEP. New grants will help local entrepreneurs enter and thrive in the global marketplace by providing small businesses with the information and tools they need to succeed in export-related activities. Qualifying exporting activities include participating in foreign trade missions and market sales trips, designing international marketing campaigns, participating in export trade show exhibits, and attending training workshops.

    Since its creation in 2010 as part of The Small Business Jobs Act, STEP has awarded $255 million in grants and recorded over $6.8 billion in exports with more than 18,000 small businesses receiving grants to fund their export opportunities and increase their footprint in over 100 countries. Last year, for every $1 in funding for STEP, businesses benefited from $27 in export sales. As states improve their exporting skills, the returns on investment keep improving.

    Individual STEP awards are managed at the local level by state government organizations. To find out if your state or territory has earned an award, and to apply for funding opportunities, please visit: www.sba.gov/STEP. To explore how small business counseling can help inform your export strategy, connect with your local SBA district office and our network of resource partners.

    ###

    About the SBA’s Office of International Trade

    The SBA’s Office of International Trade (OIT) works in cooperation with other federal agencies and public- and private-sector groups to encourage small business exports and to assist small businesses seeking to export. Through U.S. Export Assistance Centers, SBA district offices and a variety of service-provider partners, OIT directs and coordinates SBA’s ongoing export initiatives in an effort to encourage small businesses going global. For more information on the resources available for small business international trade development and to find local Export Finance Managers, visit https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-locations/headquarters-offices/office-international-trade.

    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 www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Connolly-Warner Reintroduce Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act to Protect Federal Employees During Public Health Emergencies

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

    Today, Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) reintroduced the Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act, legislation to better protect federal employees during a public health emergency. The legislation previously passed the House in September 2022.

    “On May 26, 2020, Chai Suthammanont, my constituent and a kitchen staff worker at a childcare facility on Marine Corps Base Quantico, died from COVID-related complications,” said Rep. Connolly. “Confusion and uncertainty surrounding agency guidance during the pandemic emerged as two of the largest contributing factors to Chai’s death. These factors, combined with a general lack of communication with federal workforce staff, led to tragedy. Our Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act will ensure federal employees are informed and better protected during any future public health emergency. I want to thank Senator Warner for his partnership, and I want to thank Chai’s widow, Christina, for her continued efforts to transform her family’s loss into a charge to help others.”

    “Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal employees remained hard at work, ensuring that the American people could continue to count on their government. But unfortunately, the pandemic highlighted that our federal agencies were widely unprepared to protect these essential workers,” said Sen. Warner. “It’s crucial that we learn from our mistakes. We owe it to our federal workforce to ensure a safe workplace, and when faced with another public health emergency, we must be prepared.”

    The legislation requires each federal agency to establish a plan that describes public health protocols including, but not limited to, testing; identification and notification of individuals who may have been exposed; cleaning; occupancy limits; use of personal protective equipment; protections for employees whose work requires them to travel off-site; and ensuring the continuity of agency operations. The bill would also require each agency’s Office of the Inspector General to report on the extent each agency has implemented the plan and would require the Government Accountability Office to report on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Colombia: ICITAP Conducts Training Exclusively for Judicial Experts in ¨Communication of the Expert During the Criminal Proceeding”

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    On July 2, the ICITAP-Colombia mission provided an update on its assistance to the criminal justice system. With funding and support from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), ICITAP sponsored the participation of nineteen officials from the Colombian National Police (CNP) the Attorney General´s Office (AGO) and the National Institute of Legal Medicine (LM). During the training, participants prepared their expert report collaborating along with the prosecutor, to prepare for their testimony as experts during a mock hearing exercise of an oral trial. During the preparation stage, participants increased their communication skills utilizing logical reasoning and how to prepare demonstrative evidence by means of illustrations, drawings, and flowcharts to present the results of their expert opinions. During the mock oral hearing in front of a judge, participants experienced the interrogation phase, cross-examination, redirect and clarifications, from which they received feedback from judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and their colleagues. All participants were recorded during their hearing and at the end, they were presented with their recorded video for constructive feedback from their peers, attorneys, and the judge. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Students Provide Dental Screenings to Veterans at Annual Stand Down Event

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    For many veterans across the state, access to essential social, financial, and health services can be hard to come by. Basic oral health care can be especially difficult, as dental benefits through the country’s Veterans Affairs health system are only available to veterans with service-connected oral health issues.

    Working to help close the veterans oral health care gap is the UConn School of Dental Medicine. This past weekend, students and faculty participated in the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs annual “Stand Down” event—a one-stop shop for Connecticut’s veterans to access services with a variety of state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and veterans organizations. From flu shots to legal services, local resources were available to veterans at several sites across the state.

    Third-year dental students Jenna Whelan, Catherine Tang, and second-year student Dylan Hatajik distribute supplies during the 2024 Stand Down event.

    “The Stand Down event was both impactful and memorable. Beyond providing services, we had the opportunity to listen to the veterans share their stories of their time serving,” said student leader and second-year student Stephen Ogarekpe

    This is the second year that the School of Dental Medicine participated in this statewide event to deliver oral health screenings, hand out supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and denture cleaner, and distribute important information on resources for veterans. This year, the students provided over 100 screenings at the Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Norwich, and Stamford locations.

    Dr. John Agar with dental students Marley Esch, Lenka Serdar, and Nick Mattioli.

    “It was an incredible experience to honor our local veterans and be a part of such a wonderful community event,” said student leader and third-year student Lenka Serdar. “It was humbling to see so many veterans thank us for helping to determine their oral health needs and how to access care, when in reality we were most appreciative of their selfless service.”

    Along with connecting with veterans and other vendors, the students met with U.S. Senator Chris Murphy in Danbury, and Mayor Caroline Simmons and State Senator Ryan Fazio in Stamford.

    “It was a fantastic morning, and we were able to provide screenings and answer important questions from veterans regarding their oral healthcare,” said second-year student Dylan Hatajik.

    UConn School of Dental Medicine’s efforts to address the dental care needs of veterans are made possible with philanthropic support, including the Delta Dental Foundation’s support of our Open Wide for Veterans initiative.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexico: ICITAP Holds Closing Ceremony for Forensic Leadership Workshop

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    On July 9, the ICITAP-Mexico virtually held the closing ceremony for the 4th yearly iteration of the Forensic Leadership and Management Workshop. In attendance was the ICITAP Director, who gave final remarks as well as ICITAP’s Senior Forensic Advisor Elizabeth Marso and ICITAP-Mexico’s Law Enforcement Assistance Attaché. This year there were approximately 40 participants including lab directors, quality managers, liaisons, and technical leaders in forensics from Mexico, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia, Honduras, and Guatemala. The objective of the course is for participants to enhance problem-solving skills of forensic scientists in leadership roles for those having leadership positions in forensic laboratories. The workshop was held virtually once a week for 12 sessions on topics such as leadership, ethics, communication, motivation, intergenerational and intercultural conflict, improving processes, decision making and risk management. In order to maintain the culture of quality within the laboratories it is important that leadership stays up to date on their skills and abilities which in turn promotes sustainability of forensic services in Mexico, Central America and Colombia.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia joins the AI Pact, a new framework to prepare for the European Union’s AI Act

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release
    Nokia joins the AI Pact, a new framework to prepare for the European Union’s AI Act

    • AI Pact initiative is aimed at facilitating companies’ early preparation for compliance with the new EU AI Act covering the use of AI systems.
    • Nokia’s AI Pact pledges demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the responsible, innovative and business-oriented implementation of AI.
    • Nokia has built up strong expertise in trustworthy AI and governance, and actively contributes to the creation of European standards that enable compliance with the AI Act.
    • Nokia welcomes this opportunity to share its learnings and work together with industry peers and the EU AI Office.

    25 September 2024
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced today that it has officially joined the AI Pact, a voluntary framework to prepare for compliance with the European Union’s AI Act.

    The AI Act is a binding legal framework that regulates the use of AI systems according to the level of risk they pose. The AI Act came into force in August 2024, and its significant obligations will take effect in stages over the next three years.

    The AI Pact is a business-focused initiative to help companies prepare for full compliance with the Act, adapt their existing AI compliance processes, and share their ideas and experience through EU-organized workshops.

    Ingrid Viitanen, General Counsel, Nokia Strategy & Technology, said: “Nokia’s AI Pact pledges underscore our ongoing commitment to the responsible, innovative and business-oriented implementation of artificial intelligence in our AI-powered products and services. Nokia has set up an AI Governance Framework program to strengthen our internal AI-related processes and build trust with stakeholders, including customers, suppliers and authorities. In parallel, we continue to contribute actively to building industry standards reflecting the AI Act’s requirements. We look forward to sharing our learnings collaboratively and transparently with our industry peers and with the EU AI Office.”

    Nokia’s research arm, Nokia Bell Labs, is an industry leader in AI technologies and its applications to communication networks and industrial automation solutions. Nokia Bell Labs has a strong emphasis on Responsible AI and in 2022 defined six principles to guide AI research and development in the future along the lines of fairness, reliability, privacy, transparency, sustainability and accountability. These principles continue to be relevant as Nokia embraces the telecom industry’s renewed focus on environmental sustainability, social responsibility and good governance.

    Resources and additional information
    Website: Nokia
    Website: Nokia Bell Labs
    Website: Responsible AI – Nokia Bell Labs
    Website: AI: Always Innovating – Nokia
    Website: EU Artificial Intelligence Act

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. 

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.  

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. 

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pakistan: ICITAP Delivers Lecture at National Police Academy of New Police Officers, Undergoing Assistant Superintendents of Police Training

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    On July 29, ICITAP-Pakistan’s Mission Advisor conducted a four-hour guest lecture in money laundering for new police officers undergoing training to become Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP). While this training occurred in Islamabad, the eighteen officers who attended are highly educated men and women from many different regions of Pakistan. These officers had previously passed a rigorous, highly competitive civil service examination that qualified them as Police Services of Pakistan (PSPs). As each of them advance in their careers, they will assume executive management ranks within the police of Pakistan.  As a result of this lecture, which was well received by the attendees and NPA administrators, ICITAP was offered the full use of the National Police Academy and was petitioned to conduct multiple, full five-day versions of this training to seasoned field officers, as future in-service training. In Pakistan, ICITAP works with the support of and in coordination with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Uzbekistan: ICITAP Commences Development of Counter Terrorism Investigators and Managers Courses with Law Enforcement Academy of Uzbekistan

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    On July 22, ICITAP commenced its training development engagement with the Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) of Uzbekistan jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office of the British Government. This engagement will facilitate the long-term sustainability of counter-terrorism related teachings across agencies and institutions within Uzbekistan. The joint training development team consisting of individuals from the US, UK, and the LEA will work together for a three-week period reviewing existing materials, course structures, accreditation opportunities and incorporating human rights teachings to support an enhanced ability to investigate and manage counter-terrorism investigations and prosecutions. During the engagement the team will visit the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) in Indonesia to engage with staff and representatives from the National Police Academy. They will have the opportunity to observe a course designed to support the development of female law enforcers in the field of counter-terrorism surveillance techniques. The visit to JCLEC will enable the team to witness how counter-terrorism related training is being delivered effectively within Southeast Asia and serve as a point of reference for course structure and content. At the conclusion of this initial period of development the training team will structure counter-terrorism courses for delivery to academics, prosecutors, and frontline enforcement assets. Following agreement across the team on content and structure CT-DOJ/ICITAP will work with institutions in the US and UK to seek accreditation opportunities. This process will assist with long-term capacitation in country and encourage enhanced intelligence-sharing practices due to the developed abilities to handle intelligence and information accordingly. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: ASIRT investigations concluded on four files

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    On Oct. 29, 2020, pursuant to Sec. 46.1 of the Police Act, ASIRT was directed to investigate an injury that occurred during an arrest by Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers earlier that day.

    The assistant executive director’s full report can be accessed online.

    On Nov.16, 2020, ASIRT was directed to investigate an alleged assault causing bodily harm involving RCMP officers earlier that day.

    The executive director’s full report can be accessed online.

    On Jan. 22, 2021, ASIRT was directed to investigate an RCMP officer-involved shooting near Ardmore earlier that day.

    The assistant executive director’s full report can be accessed online.

    On May 5, 2023, ASIRT was directed to investigate a fatal EPS officer-involved shooting in Edmonton.

    The executive director’s full report can be accessed online.

    ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct. 

    This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Ghost River location selected for new Bow River Reservoir

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Bow River runs through the most populated regions of Alberta, so managing water levels in this river is important to help the province respond to floods, droughts and other extreme weather. Past events like the 2013 floods have shown the importance of protecting communities downstream.

    After reviewing multiple options, the Alberta government has determined that the relocated Ghost Dam option is significantly better than the Glenbow East option due to its lower cost, ability to mitigate future droughts and floods, and fewer social and environmental impacts.

    Aerial view downstream of the existing Ghost Dam (Photo credit: WSP).

    “Increasing water storage capacity is critical to protecting Calgary and other communities along the Bow River from future floods and drought. Based on the data collected in the study, one option, the relocated Ghost Dam, is clearly the best choice to move forward with.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    In 2013, the southern Alberta flood caused more than $5 billion in damage in Calgary and surrounding communities. Creating additional water storage will significantly reduce the impact of severe weather events on Albertans who live and work around the Calgary area.

    After extensive study, Alberta’s government is moving forward with exploring the relocated Ghost Dam option because it has a smaller project footprint and fewer overall impacts to the environment, property and infrastructure, while providing comparable water storage to the Glenbow East option.

    The Glenbow East option posed higher risks to downstream communities during construction, including Calgary. Its earthfill dam would also be more susceptible to erosion and failure during large flood events compared to the Relocated Ghost Dam, which is a concrete gravity dam.

    Alberta will now move to the next phase of the project. Phase 3 is the engineering and regulatory approval phase, and more information on this work will be shared in 2025.

    Quick facts

    • A May 2017 report by the Bow River Working Group included a recommendation to complete conceptual assessments of three major reservoir options on the Bow River, upstream of Calgary.
      • Relocated Ghost Dam: An expansion of the existing Ghost Reservoir. 
      • Glenbow East: A new reservoir between Cochrane and the Bearspaw Dam at the western edge of Calgary. 
      • Morley: A new reservoir between Seebe and Morley, on Stoney Nakoda Nations reserve land. This option is no longer being pursued.
    • The potential selection and implementation of a reservoir option on the Bow River upstream of Calgary is being approached in four phases:
      • Phase 1: Conceptual Assessment
      • Phase 2: Feasibility Study
      • Phase 3: Engineering and Regulatory Approval Process
      • Phase 4: Procurement, Construction and Commissioning
    • In 2021, Alberta began engagement and field studies for Phase 2, the feasibility study. It assessed technical feasibility, while carefully considering a variety of social, environmental, cultural, traditional land use, engineering and economic elements. The final report will be released in early 2025.
    • An alternatives assessment was also conducted to determine if something other than a new reservoir could provide equivalent flood and drought protection. Options were evaluated, but none provided the water storage necessary to mitigate impacts from both floods and drought, without significant issues related to Treaty rights, environmental impacts and regulatory challenges.
    • The project will now transition from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors for Phase 3.
    • Along with the Bow River Reservoir, Alberta is also developing the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir to provide protection along the Elbow River in Calgary and other downstream communities as part of an overall flood mitigation system.

    Related information

    • Bow River Reservoir Options

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Assault on inmate at Kent Institution

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French

    On May 3, 2024, an inmate was assaulted at Kent Institution, a maximum-security federal facility.

    May 9, 2024 – Agassiz, British Columbia – Correctional Service Canada

    On May 3, 2024, an inmate was assaulted at Kent Institution, a maximum-security federal facility.

    The injured person was assessed by staff and transported to an outside hospital for treatment and has since returned to the facility.

    The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Agassiz Detachment and the institution are currently investigating the incident.

    The attackers were identified and appropriate action was taken.

    No staff or other inmates were injured in the incident.

    The safety of institutions, staff and the public remains the top priority for those responsible for federal correctional system operations.

    In order to improve practices designed to prevent this type of incident, the Correctional Service of Canada will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and take appropriate measures.

    Kim MacPhersonAssistant Director, Management ServicesKent Institution604-796-4417

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: ERO Boston arrests Mexican national charged with child sexual abuse material crime in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston apprehended an unlawfully present 40-year-old Mexican citizen charged with disorderly conduct, child pornography, and photographing, videotaping or electronically surveilling a partially nude or nude person. Officers with ERO Boston arrested Abraham Malpica Sept. 13 in Roxbury.

    “Abraham Malpica will have his day in court, but he stands accused of some deviant an disturbing behavior,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd. M. Lyons. “We cannot tolerate such a threat to the children of our Massachusetts neighborhoods. ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing egregious noncitizen offenders from New England.”

    U.S. Border Patrol apprehended Malpica Aug. 8, 2002, after he unlawfully entered the United States near Benson, Arizona. USBP voluntarily returned him to Mexico.

    On Aug. 19, 2002 and Aug. 22, 2002, USBP arrested Malpica after he unlawfully reentered the United States near Calexico, California. USBP voluntarily returned Malpica to Mexico on both occasions.

    Malpica unlawfully reentered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

    The Boston Police Department arrested Malpica Sept. 12. The next day, the Roxbury District Court arraigned Malpica on charges of disorderly conduct, child pornography, and photographing, videotaping or electronically surveilling a partially nude or nude person.

    On Sept. 13, ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Malpica with the Boston Police Department. Later that day, officers from ERO Boston took custody of Malpica at the Roxbury District Court and served him with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.

    Detainers are critical public safety tools because they focus enforcement resources on removable noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity. Detainers increase the safety of all parties involved — ERO personnel, law enforcement officials, removable noncitizens and the public — by allowing an arrest to be made in a secure and controlled custodial setting as opposed to at-large within the community. Because detainers result in the direct transfer of a noncitizen from state or local custody to ERO custody, they also minimize the potential that an individual will reoffend. Additionally, detainers conserve scarce government resources by allowing ERO to take criminal noncitizens into custody directly rather than expending resources locating these individuals at-large.

    ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. The Executive Office for Immigration Review is a separate entity from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Government of Canada to make announcement on skilled trades

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French

    Minister of Citizens’ Services Terry Beech will be in Burnaby to make an announcement to support skilled workers. The announcement will be made on behalf of Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault.

    Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech will be in Burnaby to make an announcement to support skilled trades workers.

    The announcement will be made on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault.

    A photo opportunity and press briefing will follow the announcement. Please note that details are subject to change and all times are local.

    Date: Friday, August 16, 2024

    Time: 11:10 AM (PDT)

    Location: British Columbia Institute of Technology Piping Trades Building NE6 (North Entrance) 3700 Willingdon Avenue Burnaby, BC

    To register, send an email to media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca by indicating your name and press office before 10 a.m. (PDT) on Friday, August 16, 2024.

    – 30 –

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Richmond

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French

    Media Advisory

    Richmond, BC, May 10, 2024 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Parm Bains, Member of Parliament for Steveston-Richmond East, Wilson Miao, Member of Parliament for Richmond Centre, Kelly Greene, Member of Provincial Parliament for Richmond-Steveston, and Malcolm Brodie, Mayor of the City of Richmond.

    Date: Friday, May 10, 2024

    Time: 9:30 a.m. (PT)

    Location: City Hall, Gallery (Main Hall) 6911 No. 3 Road Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1

    Contact persons

    For further information (media only), please contact:

    Micaal AhmedManager, CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities343-598-3920micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca

    Media RelationsInfrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll Free: 1-877-250-7154Email: media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram And LinkedInWebsite:Infrastructure Canada

    Media RelationsBC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Preparedness250-880-6430

    Clay Adams, ABC, APRDirector, Municipal Communications and MarketingCity of RichmondPhone: 604-276-4399Cell: 604-202-8789

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: NFB at St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    This year’s St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival will be held October 22-26 and will feature the feature documentary Seguridad by Newfoundland National Film Board filmmaker Tamara Segura, as well as an impressive selection of works directed by NFB creators.

    Feature film Seguridad, by Newfoundland director Tamara Segura, and short film Hairy Legs, by Halifax animator Andrea Dorfman, will be presented

    September 24, 2024 – Halifax – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    This year, the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival will be held from October 22 to 26 and will highlight feature-length documentaries Security, from Newfoundland filmmakerNational Film Board Tamara Segura, as well as an impressive selection of works directed by NFB creators.

    Seguridad has just won the award for best Atlantic documentary at the Atlantic International Film Festival in Halifax.

    In St. John’s, the public will also be able to discover the new animated short film Hairy Legs, the work of another Atlantic Canadian filmmaker, Andrea Dorfman, based in Halifax.

    The festival will also present the Atlantic premieres of two feature-length documentaries by Toronto-based women directors: A Mother Apart (Oya Media Group/ONF), by Laurie Townshend, and Wilfred Buck (Door Number 3 Productions/NFB), by Anishinaabe filmmaker Lisa Jackson.

    The movies

    Seguridad, Tamara Segura (76 min) | Friday October 25, 7 p.m., Majestic Theater Production: Annette Clarke and Rohan FernandoPress kit: spacemedia.onf.ca/epk/seguridad

    In Seguridad, Newfoundland filmmaker Tamara Segura, once dubbed “Cuba’s youngest soldier” for a publicity stunt, portrays her troubled relationship with her father, set against the backdrop of the Cuban Revolution. After four years away, she returns to Cuba with her camera in hand, hoping to reconcile with him. But Jorge’s sudden death just days after her arrival pushes her to examine her father’s troubled past and the role Cuba’s heavily militarized regime played in his downfall. Tamara Segura is a graduate of the prestigious International Film and Television School in San Antonio de los Baños. Her films have won awards in Spain, Cuba, Canada and Mexico. Based in Newfoundland since 2012, she previously created the works A song for Cuba(2014) andTo the rhythm of Labrador(2018). She teaches at the College of the North Atlantic.

    Hairy Legs, Andrea Dorfman (17 min) | Friday 25 October, 7pm, LSPU Hall Producer: Liz Cowie and Rohan FernandoPress kit: spacemedia.onf.ca/epk/poil-aux-jambes

    Andrea Dorfman’s animated short film chronicles a 13-year-old girl’s modest but pivotal act of rebellion as she journeys through femininity and toward feminism. When she chooses not to shave her legs, the budding filmmaker is led to question and ultimately defy society’s expectations. Leg Haircaptures with charm, humor, and tenderness the universal dimension of young teenage girls’ exploration of identity and curiosity. Their carefree childhood spent on bicycles with their heads in the clouds is soon followed by a desire to challenge stereotypes. Andrea Dorfman has written and directed numerous award-winning documentaries, feature films, and animated films, includingImperfect(2010),Disjointed mouth(2012) andThe Young Girls of Meru(2018), produced by the NFB. His short films How to Be Alone (2010) andAt home (2020), made in collaboration with poet Tanya Davis, became a sensation on YouTube.

    A Mother Apart, Laurie Townshend (89 min) | Wednesday, October 23, 7 p.m., LSPU HallProduced by: Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George (Oya Media Group); Justine Pimlott (NFB)Press Kit: spacemedia.onf.ca/epk/une-mere-a-part

    How do you raise a child when you yourself have been deprived of a mother figure? In this extraordinary tale of forgiveness and healing, the art of motherhood is radically reimagined by poet and LGBTQ activist Staceyann Chin, a central figure in the contemporary Black American spoken word scene. In search of the woman who abandoned her, Staceyann travels from Brooklyn to Montreal to Cologne to Jamaica, and along the way builds a new sense of belonging with her daughter. Filmmaker, writer, and educator Laurie Townshend lives in Toronto. Her films explore the human capacity to transform small acts of courage into quiet revolutions, as evidenced in the dramatic short The Railpath Hero (2013, TIFF, BlackStar Series), the improvised series Human Frequency Streetdocs (2014), and the award-winning short Charley (2016).

    Wilfred Buck, Lisa Jackson (92 min) | Saturday October 26, 2:30 p.m., Majestic Theater Production: Lisa Jackson (Door Number 3 Productions), Lauren Grant (Click Pictures) ; Alicia Smith (NFB)press kit: spacemedia.onf.ca/epk/wilfred-buck

    This hybrid documentary travels back in time to the extraordinary life of charismatic Cree elder Wilfred Buck, a renowned stargazer and ceremonial officiant. It is an adaptation of the protagonist’s exuberant memoir, I Have Lived Four Lives. Lisa Jackson’s portrait moves between earth and sky, past and present, reviving centuries-old teachings of Indigenous astronomy and cosmology to tell a story that unfolds across generations. Winner of two Canadian Screen Awards and nominated for a Webby, Anishinaabe (Aamjiwnaang) filmmaker Lisa Jackson has had her films screened at major festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, London BFI and Hot Docs. The VR experienceBiidaaban: First Light, which she created in 2018 for the NFB, has been viewed by over 25,000 people. Her film Indictment won the Best Documentary Award at the imagineNATIVE festival. Lisa Jackson has also been awarded the Chicken Award

    – 30 –

    Stay Connected

    Online viewing space at NFB.caFacebook NFB | NFB Twitter | Instagram NFB | ONF Blog | YouTube NFB | Vimeo NFBCurator’s Perspective | The filmmakers’ words

    The NFB in brief

    Lily RobertDirector, Communications and Public Affairs, ONFCell.: 514-296-8261l.robert@nfb.ca

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) is pleased to announce partnership opportunities to Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PENSACOLA, Fla., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The telecommunications industry is advancing at a rapid pace, driving innovation with cutting-edge technologies that now carry unprecedented amounts of confidential data. As equipment becomes more sophisticated, the need for secure disposal of these data-rich devices is more critical than ever.

    As new equipment is introduced to meet growing demands, outdated devices and systems need to be disposed of responsibly. Unfortunately, this critical step is often overlooked, leaving sensitive assets vulnerable to data breaches or improper handling.

    Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR), a recognized leader in electronics recycling and secure asset disposal, offers telecommunications manufacturers the expertise, resources, and certifications necessary to manage decommissioned devices safely. By partnering with ATR, manufacturers can provide their clients with secure and compliant end-of-life solutions, protecting their brands while also ensuring environmental responsibility.

    A Call to Action: Manufacturers Must Play an Active Role

    Telecommunications manufacturers have a unique opportunity to play an active role in securing the disposal of outdated equipment. It’s not enough to simply supply customers with upgraded systems; manufacturers must also take steps to ensure that decommissioned devices are handled securely. ATR is calling on manufacturers to engage with us, so we can work together to identify critical components and areas where sensitive or confidential information may reside, helping to define best practices in asset management and disposal.

    Telecommunications equipment, such as routers, switches, and servers, often contains sensitive customer data or proprietary information. In addition, certain components may be subject to stringent regulations, such as International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Without proper disposal, these assets could end up in the wrong hands, exposing manufacturers and their clients to serious risks, including data breaches, regulatory violations, and damage to corporate reputations.

    By collaborating with ATR, manufacturers can customize disposal solutions to meet the specific needs of their clients, ensuring that these sensitive assets are disposed of securely, compliantly, and sustainably.

    ATR’s Industry-Leading Expertise and Credentials

    ATR is proud to hold the highest certifications in the industry, including R2v3 and RIOS, which guarantee that its recycling and disposal processes meet the strictest standards for environmental and data security. ATR is also approved by the U.S. State Department for handling ITAR-regulated devices, ensuring that telecommunications equipment used in aerospace and defense communications is managed with the highest level of security and compliance.

    Moreover, ATR’s work with key federal agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has helped to define “best practices” for the industry as a whole. ATR has provided these agencies with valuable insights into the proper handling of sensitive materials, as well as comprehensive facility tours to demonstrate our state-of-the-art disposal processes. ATR has also provided operational insights to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), showcasing our expertise in secure asset disposal.

    Comprehensive Solutions and Customized Security

    ATR’s ability to offer telecommunications manufacturers customized solutions is a critical part of our service model. Every client has unique needs, and one-size-fits-all approaches often fall short when it comes to secure asset disposal. By working closely with manufacturers, ATR develops customized plans that address the specific challenges and regulatory requirements of their customers.

    • Identifying Hidden Data Risks: Telecommunications manufacturers are encouraged to work with ATR to identify critical components and areas within outdated equipment where sensitive data may reside. ATR’s team of experts will then develop tailored strategies to mitigate risks and ensure the secure destruction of these assets.
    • Proprietary Logistics and Chain of Custody: ATR operates its own fleet of vehicles, equipped with advanced tracking systems and video surveillance. This ensures an unbroken chain of custody for every asset, providing full transparency and peace of mind. Manufacturers can trust that their clients’ equipment is handled securely from pickup to final destruction.
    • ITAR Compliance and U.S. State Department Approval: For clients in aerospace, defense, and other regulated industries, ATR’s ITAR-approved processes guarantee compliance with strict government regulations. This expertise is especially important for telecommunications manufacturers working with federal or defense-related contracts.
    • GSA Discounts for State and Federal Agencies: ATR’s services are available at discounted rates through the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule, making it easy for state and federal agencies to access our secure disposal services.

    The Risks of Ignoring Secure Disposal

    Failing to provide a secure disposal solution for decommissioned telecommunications equipment is more than just an oversight—it’s a serious risk to both manufacturers and their clients. Devices that are not properly disposed of can easily find their way into secondary markets or, worse, be accessed by malicious actors. This can lead to data breaches, regulatory fines, and significant damage to a company’s reputation.

    In today’s world, data security is paramount, and companies that fail to safeguard their clients’ information will pay the price. ATR’s services eliminate these risks, ensuring that all decommissioned telecommunications devices are securely destroyed or responsibly recycled.

    A Partnership That Benefits All Parties

    ATR is not just a service provider—we see ourselves as a partner to the telecommunications manufacturers we work with. By forming a partnership with ATR, manufacturers can ensure that they are working together in the best interest of their clients, the environment, and the broader industry. ATR’s extensive experience with federal agencies like the FCC and FAA means that we understand the regulatory landscape and can help manufacturers navigate complex compliance requirements.

    Together, we can ensure that telecommunications manufacturers are not only providing their clients with the latest technology but also safeguarding their data, protecting their brands, and reducing their environmental impact.

    Contact ATR for Customized Solutions

    Telecommunications manufacturers interested in partnering with ATR are encouraged to contact us to discuss how we can customize a solution to meet their clients’ specific needs. Our expertise, industry credentials, and commitment to secure, compliant disposal make us the ideal partner for manufacturers looking to offer their customers a full lifecycle management solution.

    Conclusion

    The telecommunications industry is at a pivotal moment, where secure and sustainable asset disposal is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) is ready to help manufacturers take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their equipment, offering customized, secure, and compliant solutions that protect both their clients and their brands.

    By partnering with ATR, manufacturers can take an active role in defining best practices and ensuring that they are aligned with the highest standards for security, environmental responsibility, and regulatory compliance. For more information or to schedule a consultation with our telecommunications liaison contact Stacy Jackson-Marsh for additional details.

    About ATR
    Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) is a Certified Woman Owned, US Based, Nationwide Company formed in 2002 with 7 locations to meet the growing needs of Business-to-Business customers seeking transparent, compliant ITAM/ITAD solutions providing one of the industry’s most comprehensive electronic recycling service portfolios. Visit  ATReCycle.com for additional information.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leessa Augustine, Former Sewerage & Water Board Special Agent and New Orleans Police Officer, Indicted for Multiple Fraud Schemes

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LEESSA AUGUSTINE (“AUGUSTINE”), age 46, was indicted on September 20, 2024 for her involvement in multiple fraud schemes while employed as a Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (“S&WB”) Senior Special Agent, a position tasked with investigating the alleged misconduct of other Sewerage & Water Board employees.

    In one alleged scheme, AUGUSTINE, who was also a New Orleans Police Department reserve officer, billed a police detail customer for hours not actually worked.  It is alleged that during some of the times AUGUSTINE was supposed to be working the police detail for the Downtown Development District, she used her S&WB-issued computer to conduct a second fraud scheme, that involved obtaining a mortgage loan and federally funded assistance for low-income homebuyers.  In that home-purchase scheme, AUGUSTINE allegedly created fake documents, including a fake W-2 form, fake pay stubs, and fake bank statements.  In a third alleged scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded unemployment benefits by concealing her Senior Special Agent income. Finally, in a fourth alleged scheme, AUGUSTINE obtained federally funded emergency rental assistance from the City of New Orleans, by submitting a fake lease and a termination letter from a fictitious employer.  At various times during the schemes, AUGUSTINE allegedly provided her S&WB-issued cellphone number as a contact number for three different persons she impersonated.

    AUGUSTINE is charged with four counts of Wire Fraud (one count per each fraud scheme).  AUGUSTINE is also charged with two counts of Aggravated Identity Theft for allegedly misusing two persons’ identities.  Finally, AUGUSTINE is charged with making False Statements for allegedly lying to investigators.

    The wire fraud charge related to the police detail is punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment. The other three wire fraud charges are each punishable by up to 30 years’ imprisonment due to enhanced penalties for fraud related to emergency benefits and fraud affecting a financial institution.  Each aggravated identity theft charge is punishable by two years’ imprisonment.  The false statement charge is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.  Each count may include a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and the payment of a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

    U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the defendant’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    U.S. Attorney Evans thanked the New Orleans Office of Inspector General and the New Orleans Police Department for their valuable assistance in this case.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Labor, and the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressional Delegation Lead Press Conference Calling For House RECA Vote

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández(D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), and U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined RECA advocates for a press conference calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote on a Senate-passed bill that would strengthen the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). It has been over five months since Senator Luján led a successful bipartisanvote to strengthen the RECA program.

    The press conference is available HERE.

    RECA, which provides health screenings and compensation for people sickened by the development of U.S. nuclear weapons, expired on June 7. The Senate-passed bill, which Speaker Johnson must bring to the floor for a vote, would expand the program to cover people who have been erroneously excluded, increase compensation provided to those harmed, and extend the program for six years. Senator Luján has championed RECA legislation since his first term in Congress. 

    “For almost 80 years, Congress has failed to provide justice to members of Navajo Nation, as well as Pueblos and tribes from the southwest region who have suffered for our national security. They cannot wait any longer,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “We stand with communities across the country that still endure the pain, illness, and death caused by this nation’s nuclear program and have limited access to healthcare. This is a recipe for death to which only Congress has the antidote. Speaker Johnson must allow Congress to vote on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act to bring justice to these communities.”

    “We are fighting for justice – not just for those in New Mexico, but across the country who have been affected by radiation exposure, nuclear weapons testing, and working in uranium mining,” said Senator Luján. “The broad bipartisan support shown in the Senate makes it clear that passing the RECA is a bipartisan priority. That is why I am calling on Speaker Johnson to act now to ensure these victims receive the compensation they are owed.”

    “Now that the Senate has passed an extension and long overdue expansion of RECA, Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans must finally take up this critical legislation,” said Senator Heinrich. “It is long overdue for Congress to finally amend RECA to include Tularosa Downwinders, all of the uranium workers exposed to radiation in service to our national defense, and all Americans who were directly impacted by our nation’s nuclear testing program. The federal government has a moral responsibility to correct this injustice.”

    “It’s past time our Tularosa Downwinders get the recognition and compensation they so rightly deserve after the first atomic bomb was dropped on them 79 years ago,” said Congresswoman Stansbury. “Speaker Johnson must put RECA on the floor for a vote. Families across the country have been suffering for generations. Enough is enough.”

    “The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act is bipartisan legislation with Democrats and Republicans coming together. But let’s be clear—Speaker Mike Johnson has been absent in leadership and has failed the people of New Mexico. He has left radiation victims neglected and forced to bear the burden of generational illness without a speck of aid or recognition,” said Congressman Vasquez.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Lebanon: ‘deep alarm’ over staggering death toll in Israeli attacks

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have hit crowded residential areas, with children and medics among the dead

    Warnings to Lebanese civilians do not absolve Israel of responsibilities under international humanitarian law

    ‘Nothing can excuse unlawful killing and injury of civilians’ – Erika Guevara Rosas

    The exponential rise in the death toll in Lebanon over the past three days amid an escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah is a reminder of the crucial need for all parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, Amnesty International said today. 

    During the first day of its offensive, Israeli forces carried out at least 1,600 airstrikes in areas across Lebanon, while Hezbollah also launched more than 200 rockets towards Israel. On Monday alone, at least 558 people – including 50 children and 94 women – were killed and more than 1,800 injured by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

    Scores more have been killed since. Hezbollah attacks on Israel have also significantly intensified and according to Israeli media reports at least 15 people were injured, the majority by shrapnel or debris and others while trying to access shelter.

    Many of the areas struck by Israeli attacks in recent days were crowded residential areas, according to videos reviewed by Amnesty. Lebanon’s health minister said that medical facilities and personnel also came under fire, killing four medics and injuring at least 16.

    Respecting international humanitarian law requires ensuring that only military objectives are targeted, avoiding indiscriminate attacks, disproportionate attacks and direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects, and taking all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure. Using explosive weapons with wide-area effects in the vicinity of densely-populated residential areas is likely to violate the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks and also can lead to disproportionate attacks.

    Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, said:  

    “We are deeply alarmed by the staggering death toll within a single day, which continues to rise, and the devastating impact on civilians with almost 500,000 displaced from south Lebanon, the Bekaa and other regions that have come under intense bombardment.

    “As Israel continues to intensify and expand its bombardment, and Hezbollah continues to launch attacks into Israel, all parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law and take all feasible precautions to protect civilian lives. 

    “We urge all states to halt all arms transfers and other forms of military assistance to Israel and Hezbollah due to the significant risk that these weapons could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes.

    “Israel’s relentless onslaught on Gaza has already seen more than 42,000 Palestinians killed over the past year. The latest assault on Lebanon has brought a fresh wave of horror to the wider region. The Israeli authorities and Hezbollah and other armed groups need to recognise that the rules of international humanitarian law apply in all circumstances, whatever the reason for the conflict. Nothing can excuse unlawful killing and injury of civilians.”  

    Israeli warnings

    On 25 September, the Israeli army spokesperson issued a public warning in Arabic, advising people not to return to their homes “until further notice”, stating that “airstrikes are ongoing”. Such warnings do not absolve Israel of its responsibilities under international humanitarian law to distinguish between military objectives and civilians, and to take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians. According to international law, a warning must ensure that sufficient time is granted. Even so, evacuation calls do not render the impacted areas free-fire zones.  

    Cross-border hostilities

    Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in ongoing cross-border hostilities since the group launched attacks into northern Israel following the start of Israel’s offensive in the occupied Gaza Strip last October. As of 10 September, Israeli attacks on south Lebanon and the Bekaa since 7 October 2023 had killed at least 137 civilians, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health and the United Nations. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced from south Lebanon, the Bekaa, and other areas due to the ongoing hostilities, the majority of them fleeing the latest attacks. Across the same period, Hezbollah and other armed groups have fired projectiles at northern Israel and killed at least 14 civilians in Israel, according to the Israeli authorities. On 27 July, 12 civilians, all children, were killed in an attack on Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights. Around 63,000 residents of northern Israel have been evacuated since 8 October. 

    2006 conflict

    During the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, the death toll was 1,100 in Lebanon and 43 in Israel. Amnesty’s investigations revealed that during the conflict, Israeli forces carried out indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on a large scale, including massive destruction of civilian infrastructure. It also found that Hezbollah carried out direct and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and appeared to fail to take necessary precautions to protect civilians in Lebanon from the effects of Israeli attacks. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman DeSaulnier Submits Testimony to United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary on FCI Dublin and Efforts to Eliminate Sexual Assault in Federal Prisons

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) submitted testimony to the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism for its hearing entitled “Sexual Assault in U.S. Prisons Two Decades After the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)” to highlight the history of sexual abuse at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin as evidence that additional reforms are needed to protect inmates. This hearing comes after Congressman DeSaulnier, along with Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Dick Durbin (D-IL), sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons demanding answers about the botched closure of FCI Dublin, mistreatment of inmates while they were being transferred to other facilities, and BOP’s mismanagement of investigations into the staff-on-inmate abuse at FCI Dublin and other federal BOP facilities.

    In his testimony, Congressman DeSaulnier wrote, “Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, which until April was one of a small number of women-only federal correctional institutions in the United States, demonstrates the many shortcomings of PREA. For years, incarcerated women at FCI Dublin reported staff sexual misconduct to prison officials and independent agencies alike, but abuse continued unabated. In 2022, an Associated Press investigation found a permissive culture of toxic sexual misconduct and cover-ups at FCI Dublin…Dublin is now the subject of pending class action litigation, and over 100 individual survivors of staff sexual assault have filed damages claims.”

    He continued, “In June of this year, I, along with Senator Laphonza Butler, Chair Dick Durbin, and 18 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate sent a letter to BOP requesting information on the closure of FCI Dublin. Our goal was, among other things, to determine whether BOP’s decision to abruptly close the facility was an attempt to evade accountability and transparency, whether the agency had adequately planned the closure in a way that respected the rights of the many abuse victims at Dublin, whether the facility had complied with court orders, and if BOP has taken steps to ensure that cultures of abuse are not permitted to develop at other facilities. It has been over 100 days since we sent that letter, and the Bureau has yet to provide a response. I am troubled by BOP’s apparent disregard for its obligations to both Congress and the federal courts, and I am deeply concerned that the agency has handled neither the abuses at FCI Dublin nor the mandates of PREA with the seriousness they deserve.

    If PREA is going to fulfill its mission of eliminating prison rape, inmates must be given truly independent reporting avenues and strong protections against retaliation. Additionally, the federal government must guarantee that facilities are fulfilling their legal obligations under PREA, with significant material consequences for those that are not.”

    Congressman DeSaulnier concluded, “I look forward to continued collaboration between both chambers of Congress on strengthening PREA and protecting the civil rights of incarcerated individuals so that they can focus on rehabilitation and successful reentry.”

    FCI Dublin is located in the district that Congressman DeSaulnier represents. In addition to his letter to BOP, Congressman DeSaulnier has acted on behalf of those who have experienced and witnessed abuse at the facility by meeting with attorneys representing inmates at the facility and hearing from whistleblowers, visiting the facility to see the conditions firsthand, and sending a letterurging FCI Dublin to immediately fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide meaningful access to legal counsel and provide essential healthcare services to inmates who suffer from serious sexual abuse. Congressman DeSaulnier also sent a letterto Attorney General Garland regarding the closure of FCI Dublin and Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) implementation at the facility, and sent a letterto the House Judiciary and Oversight and Accountability Committees asking them to investigate and hold hearings on the recent closure and transfer of inmates from FCI Dublin, the facility’s past pervasive culture of abuse, and BOP facilities and their treatment of inmates more broadly as such action is essential to answer outstanding questions and provide much-needed oversight of BOP.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The NFB at the 2024 Festival du nouveau cinéma. Three films selected, including the world premiere of the compelling documentary Les enfants du large by Virginia Tangvald.

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is back at the Festival du nouveau cinéma (FNC) this year with three films, including two in competition. The feature Les enfants du large (Ghosts of the Sea, micro_scope/NFB/Urban Factory), the only documentary in the National Competition section, will screen as a world premiere.

    September 24, 2024 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is back at the Festival du nouveau cinéma (FNC) this year with three films, including two in competition. The feature Les enfants du large (Ghosts of the Sea, micro_scope/NFB/Urban Factory), the only documentary in the National Competition section, will screen as a world premiere. Filmed all over the world, it charts director Virginia Tangvald’s fascinating quest to unravel a family mystery. Tangvald won the Pitch Premières Œuvres session, presented by Netflix at the FNC Forum, when she pitched the film in 2020. Meanwhile, Ehsan Gharib’s animated short Samaa (NFB), which will have its Quebec premiere, explores the transcendent power of music and movement. The festival will also screen the restored version of Michel Brault’s masterful Les ordres to mark the 50th anniversary of this landmark of Quebec cinema. The 53rd FNC takes place in Montreal from October 9 to 20, 2024.

    National Competition

    Les enfants du large (Ghosts of the Sea) by Virginia Tangvald (97 min) – WORLD PREMIERE
     Screenings: Cinéma du Musée, Monday, October 14, at 7 p.m. (original version with English subtitles); Cineplex Odeon Quartier Latin Cinema, Friday, October 18, at 6:30 p.m. (original version with French subtitles)

    A Canada-France co-production produced by micro_scope (Isabelle Couture and Élaine Hébert) with the NFB (Nathalie Cloutier) and Urban Factory (Frédéric Corvez and Maéva Savinien)
    Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/ghosts-of-the-sea

    • While searching for clues about the death of her brother Thomas, who was lost at sea, Virginia Tangvald embarks on a fascinating, cinematic investigation into her family’s dark secrets. Calling into question the idyllic life of her father, legendary sailor Peter Tangvald, her quest dismantles the myth of absolute freedom. At the end of a courageous journey that’s both deeply personal and universal, she finds hope that a toxic cycle has been broken.
    • Born in the Caribbean Sea, Virginia Tangvald grew up in Montreal, where she studied theatre and classical guitar before settling on filmmaking as her art of choice. After graduating from INIS in 2015, she made several short films and videos for Montreal bands. She now lives in Paris. Les enfants du large, a fascinating quest to uncover the dark secrets of her family and her father, the famous adventurer Peter Tangvald, is her first feature documentary.

    Les nouveaux alchimistes Short Film Competition

    Samaa by Ehsan Gharib (2 min 27 s) – QUEBEC PREMIERE
     Screenings in a short-film program: Cinémathèque québécoise, Sunday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 17, at 5 p.m.

    Produced by the NFB (Maral Mohammadian)
    Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/samaa

    • A caged bird, yearning to fly, finds release through the transcendent power of music and movement. Revelling in the magic and mechanics of cinema, Ehsan Gharib crafts a striking, hand-painted animated short on the themes of freedom and ecstasy. In Iranian culture, samaa is the meditative practice of achieving a spiritual awakening through rhythm and movement. The film had its world premiere at the Ottawa International Animation Festival.
    • Iranian-born Ehsan Gharib integrates photography, animation and design into his cinema. He created the animation for the award-winning NFB production Oscar(2016), Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre’s portrait of Oscar Peterson, and was part of the animation teams for the feature Jasmine Road (2020) and Disney-produced Disenchanted (2022). His directorial debut, the experimental short Deyzangeroo (2017), won a Golden Dove at DOK Leipzig. In Samaa (2024), he continues to experiment with the interplay between music and animated film.

    Histoire(s) du cinéma section

    Les ordres (Orders) by Michel Brault (1974, 107 min)
    Screenings: Cinémathèque québécoise, Wednesday, October 16, at 7 p.m. (original French version with English subtitles)
    Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/orders

    This masterwork of Quebec cinema celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The NFB is pleased and proud to be distributing the film to festivals, film clubs and other venues, in a version recently restored by Éléphant: mémoire du cinéma québécois.

    Drawing on the testimonies of some 50 civilians who were detained after the War Measures Act was invoked in Quebec in October 1970, Les ordres (Orders) blurs the line between documentary and drama to tell the story of five fictional characters (three men and two women) from their arrest through to their release. The film won the award for Best Director at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival.

    – 30 –

    Stay Connected

    Online Screening Room: NFB.ca
    NFB Facebook | NFB Twitter | NFB Instagram | NFB Blog | NFB YouTube | NFB Vimeo
    Curator’s perspective | Director’s notes

    About the NFB

    Lily Robert
    Director, Communications and Public Affairs, NFB
    C.: 514-296-8261| l.robert@nfb.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Blunt Rochester, Kiggans Applaud House Passage of Legislation to Preserve U.S. Coastlines

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL)

    WASHINGTON – Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) and Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ (VA-02) bill, H.R. 5490, the Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm (BEACH) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to protect Delaware’s coastline by approving new, expanded maps under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA). A companion to this bill led by U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act, passed the U.S. Senate unanimously in April.

    CBRA employs a market-driven approach to coastal conservation by prohibiting most federal funds from being used for development in storm prone, ecologically sensitive coastal areas. This not only helps preserve wildlife habitats, but also maintains critical buffers against storms and flooding. Importantly, CBRA does not prohibit or regulate development by state and local governments or private owners; it simply ensures hard-earned tax dollars are not used to fund risky investments in ecologically sensitive areas.

    “As the lowest-lying state in the country, Delaware feels the impact of the climate crisis every day. That’s why I am committed to strengthening our communities against extreme weather events,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “The BEACH Act is a bipartisan effort to help us achieve that goal, not only in Delaware but nationwide. I am confident that the policies I authored in the House-passed bill, such as extending disaster loan eligibility to aquaculture businesses for the first time and authorizing a study on coastal barrier areas vulnerable to extreme weather, will protect Delawareans and our natural resources from hazards including flooding, storm surge, wind erosion, and sea level rise. I appreciate Congresswoman Kiggans’ collaboration on this bill, and I look forward to working with our colleagues to get it passed into law.”

    “For 40 years, the Coastal Barrier Resources Act has not only protected millions of acres of beaches and wetlands, but also prevented billions of dollars in property damage from natural disasters and undoubtedly saved lives,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “I’m proud that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle joined me in making our coastal communities more resilient by passing the BEACH Act unanimously. We owe it to ourselves and the generations after us to take care of the world we live in, and my legislation does exactly that. I urge the Senate to take up this legislation so that we can continue to be good stewards of our environment and taxpayer dollars.”

    In April of 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service identified 96,435 additional acres in Virginia to be included in the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS), including 1,422 of land and 95,013 acres of wetlands and estuarine areas. The BEACH Act would authorize these maps and related protections for use in the CBRS. Today, 163,589 acres along Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast are included in the CBRA system including 974 acres of land and 42,192 acres of wetlands where nearly all federal spending is prohibited. There are also 7,696 acres of land and 112,727 acres of wetlands in “Otherwise Protected Areas,” where only federal flood insurance is prohibited.

    A 2019 economic study reported CBRA has saved U.S. taxpayers $9.5 billion and is projected to save another $11-108 billion over the next 50 years. These protected coastal areas provide habitats for economically important fish and shellfish, recreational opportunities for hunters, and flood protection for nearby coastal communities. Acting as nature’s “speed bumps,” these coastal areas absorb impacts from storms and hurricanes and provide more than $23 billion per year in storm protection services nationwide. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, coastal wetlands prevented $625 million in property damages from Maine to North Carolina.

    “Coastal barriers provide significant economic and ecosystem benefits,” said Dr. Derek Aday, VIMS Dean & Director. “There is clear scientific evidence that these benefits are enhanced through policies that allow coastal barriers and their associated estuaries, lagoons, tidal flats, and wetlands to remain in their most natural state. Based on the evidence, VIMS supports the BEACH Act.”

    “The BEACH Act is a win-win for birds and people,” said Portia Mastin, Coastal Conservation Policy Manager at the National Audubon Society. “Expanding protected coastal areas not only ensures that shorebirds can nest, feed, and rest safely—it also provides a buffer of healthy beaches and wetlands to absorb storms and flooding that would otherwise put our coastal communities at risk.”

    “Birds tell us we must act on climate, as increased storms, droughts, and sea-level rise puts pressure on both our wildlife and communities around the country,” said Felice Stadler, Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Audubon Society. “These important bills provide balanced solutions to the dual biodiversity and climate crises that we are witnessing, and we are pleased to see them move forward.” 

    “Healthy coastal ecosystems provide numerous protections and benefits to both people and wildlife,” said Emily Donahoe, Policy Specialist for Resilient Coasts and Floodplains at National Wildlife Federation. “Expanding the Coastal Barrier Resources System is an important step to improve the resiliency of our coastlines, protect critical habitats, and save taxpayer dollars.”

    You can view the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed changes to the CBRA System in Delaware here.

    You can read the full text of the BEACH Act here and a one pager on the bill here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Blunt Rochester, Duckworth, Booker, Tlaib, Dingell, Lee Call for Expedited Review and Implementation of Biden Administration’s Proposed Strengthening of the Lead and Copper Rule

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-AL) and U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)—co-founders of the new U.S. Senate Lead Task Force and the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus—along with, Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) are calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite its review of the Biden Administration’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which would lower the lead action level to better protect human health and require water systems to replace old and deteriorating lead pipes within a decade. The lawmakers’ bicameral letter underscores the importance of OMB completing its review ahead of the October 16th finalization deadline to not only help ensure these important improvements are implemented as quickly as possible, but also prevent water systems from being forced to temporarily comply with the prior rule proposed by the Trump Administration—also known as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)—which would put public health at risk. Congresswomen Blunt Rochester, Tlaib and Dingell are co-founders and co-leads of the Get the Lead Out Caucus in the House.

    In the letter, the lawmakers outlined what’s at stake if the proposed LCRI is not finalized by October 16th: “…water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI… In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country.”

    In addition to preventing water systems from being forced to comply with Trump Administration’s previously proposed LCRR, swiftly finalizing the Biden Administration’s proposed LCRI would help ensure full implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s provisions aimed at removing lead pipes and advancing environmental justice. The lawmakers wrote: “The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation.”

    The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) and is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history, including $15 billion for national lead pipe replacement. DWWIA, which focuses on disadvantaged communities, will help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems.

    Along with Duckworth and Booker, the letter is co-signed in the Senate by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

    Along with Blunt Rochester, Tlaib, Dingell and Lee, the letter is co-signed in the House by: Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL-10), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Daniel Kildee (D-MI-08), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), John Sarbanes (D-MA-03), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-07), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-13), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Patrick Ryan (D-NY-18), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Katie Porter (D-CA-47), David J. Trone (D-MD-06), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA-08), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09).

    After leading a dozen of their Senate colleagues in calling on EPA to strengthen and enforce the Lead and Copper Rule, Duckworth and Booker applauded the Biden Administration for heeding their request in November of last year. In February, Duckworth, Booker, Tlaib and Dingell urged the Biden Administration to strengthen the rule further by considering additional provisions that would improve and expedite the Biden Administration’s effort to remove all lead service lines from our nation.

    The letter is endorsed by: Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, EarthJustice, Protect Kids From Lead Coalition, National Association of Water Companies, BlueGreen Alliance, Environmental Defense Fund, Unleaded Kids and National Center for Healthy Housing.

    The full letter can be found below or on Blunt Rochester’s website:

    Dear Director Young:

    We appreciate the Biden-Harris Administration’s bold leadership and substantial efforts to remove nearly all lead service lines from across our nation within 10 years.  The commitment to ensure safe, lead-free drinking water in every community has been evident through both federal investments and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) proposed rule that was published in December 2023 and submitted for finalization to the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in August 2024. This proposal represents another critical step forward that will protect public health, create jobs and ensure a better future for our children. We write to underscore the importance of finalizing the LCRI before October 16, 2024, to avoid a default implementation of the previous administration’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).

    As you know, if the rule is not finalized by October 16, water systems and states will be required to start complying immediately with the deeply problematic LCRR. EPA concluded that temporary implementation of the LCRR rule from the prior administration will create bureaucratic complexity and confusion for regulated entities, waste scarce resources, result in widespread non-compliance and risk delaying or failing to realize the full benefits of the LCRI. See 88 Fed. Reg. at 84,903, 84,967-69. In addition to the unnecessary potential confusion and complexity, the prior administration’s LCRR would put public health at risk by implementing inadequate policies that do not meaningfully address the lead contamination problems in communities across the country. 

    Finalizing the LCRI in a timely way also works to protect our most vulnerable.  Lead service lines are disproportionately located in low-income communities and communities of color. This increased risk of lead-contaminated drinking water factors into disadvantaged communities’ greater cumulative risk of lead exposure. Early lead exposure can lead to lasting behavioral and intellectual disabilities and research shows that children who were exposed to lead are more likely to have lower socioeconomic statuses than their parents in adulthood. But adults are not exempt from lead’s impacts; exposure causes cardiovascular and renal problems as well as an increase in all-cause mortality. There is no safe level of lead exposure.  

    The commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration and its EPA extends beyond the LCRI, but a timely final LCRI is necessary to stop the ongoing environmental health crises. The $15 billion in dedicated funding for lead pipe replacement and additional $11.7 billion in grants, loans and principal forgiveness made possible through Congress’s passage of Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources, need the proposed LCRI to be finalized to ensure safe and expedient implementation. 

    A timely final LCRI is necessary to immediately and urgently address lead contamination in communities across the country and remove the estimated 9 million service lines across the nation that contain lead. The final rule will ensure that safe and lead-free drinking water is available in all communities and we look forward to continue working with you on this effort. 

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Whip Clark: “We Are Not Going back to a Less Healthy and Less Just America.”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Katherine Clark (5th District of Massachusetts)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) to push permanently extend ACA subsidies that keep health care costs low for millions of Americans. 

    “Thank you so much, Leader Schumer and to our bicameral ACA champions. It is a pleasure to be here with Senator Shaheen — a fellow New Englander and neighbor. What a pleasure to be here with our champion of health care in the House, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, who is also a valued member of our House Democratic leadership. We thank you for all your work on the ACA and health care, and also for the very successful hearing exposing Project 2025 [that] you were critical in putting together yesterday.
     
    “But what we have today is the perfect illustration of two very, starkly different agendas that have been presented to the American people. From the Democrats, an offer to preserve, strengthen, and expand access to health care. A proposal that would prevent 5 million Americans from losing their insurance next year. The Republican offer? Repeal the ACA. Don’t just kick those millions of Americans off their insurance — those 5 million — but 21 million people who currently get their health care through the ACA.

    “Don’t just take my word for it, Donald Trump has said it was a low point — a low point — of his presidency, that he failed to repeal the ACA. Not the global pandemic, not the insurrection at our Capitol, not the crimes he committed. His biggest regret is that he failed to tear away health care from the American people. And now he’d like the opportunity to take another run at it.
     
    “Well, we’re not going back. We’re not going back to a less healthy and less just America. We’re not going back to an America where being a woman is a pre-existing condition, where health care is treated like a privilege. We are going forward to a future where health care is upheld — is the fundamental human right that it is.
     
    “And I am so proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues, House and Senate, as we move forward together into the future. I am so grateful for the work of Senator Shaheen on all of this, and for being such a champion for access to health care for American families.”

    Photos of the event can be found HERE, the full event can be viewed HERE. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Danny K. Davis Introduces Bipartisan Legislation Designating September 2024 as “National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), along with a bipartisan coalition of original cosponsors, today introduced a resolution recognizing September 2024 as “National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.” The resolution highlights the importance of raising awareness about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), advancing research, improving access to treatments, and providing support for the millions of Americans affected by this life-altering condition.

    Representatives Michael C. Burgess, Barbara Lee, Terri Sewell, Rashida Tlaib, Robin Kelly, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Henry Johnson Jr., Nanette Barragán, Nikema Williams, Emanuel Cleaver, Stacey Plaskett, Cori Bush, Yvette Clarke, and Sanford Bishop are the original cosponsors of the bipartisan legislation.

    “As we mark the 51st anniversary of the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act, it’s essential to renew our commitment to those affected by Sickle Cell Disease,” said Congressman Davis. “This resolution ensures that September 2024 will be dedicated to spreading awareness, promoting research, and supporting those individuals and families who face the daily challenges posed by this disease. These ‘Sickle Cell Warriors’ deserve our full support as we move toward improved care and eventual cures.”

    Sickle Cell Disease: A Public Health Priority

    Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells, reducing their ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. This condition disproportionately impacts African Americans, with approximately 1 in every 365 African American children born with SCD and 1 in 13 African Americans carrying the Sickle Cell Trait (SCT). Many individuals with SCT may not be aware of their status, increasing the importance of education, screenings, and preventative care.

    “With medical advances on the horizon, including potential gene therapies, now is the time to amplify awareness and support the development of treatments that could significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with Sickle Cell Disease,” Congressman Davis emphasized.

    A Legacy of Advocacy and Care

    Since its discovery in 1910, Sickle Cell Disease has posed significant health challenges, primarily to people of African descent. The passage of the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act in 1972 marked the beginning of federally funded research, awareness, counseling, and screening programs aimed at addressing the disease. This resolution continues that legacy by focusing attention on the importance of comprehensive care, research, and the need for federal programs to support SCD patients.

    The average lifespan of an adult living with Sickle Cell Disease is 20 to 30 years shorter than that of the general population. Congressman Davis’s resolution urges Congress to recommit to supporting the medical advances needed to extend and improve the lives of people living with SCD and to ensure equitable access to care for all affected individuals.

    Bipartisan and Bicameral Support

    The introduction of this resolution is the product of bipartisan and bicameral cooperation. “I am grateful for the broad support of my colleagues in both parties who recognize the urgency of this issue,” said Congressman Davis. “We invite additional members to join us in sponsoring this resolution to demonstrate Congress’s unified commitment to fighting this disease.”

    How to Cosponsor the Resolution

    Members of Congress who wish to join as cosponsors of H.Res.1495 are encouraged to contact Caleb Gilchrist in Congressman Davis’s office (Caleb.Gilchrist@mail.house.gov) or Jacquelyn Incerto in Congressman Burgess’s office (Jacquelyn.Incerto@mail.house.gov).

    About Congressman Danny K. Davis

    Congressman Danny K. Davis is the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support. He has been a leading advocate for healthcare equity, child welfare, criminal justice reform, and economic development. He has represented Illinois’s 7th Congressional District since 1997. He remains committed to addressing public health challenges, particularly those affecting communities of color.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, Green Reintroduce Bill to Strengthen Oversight of Big Banks and Protect Consumers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Bill Summary (PDF) | Text of Bill (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Vice Ranking Member of the Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee on the House Financial Services Committee, and Congressman Al Green (TX-09), Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, reintroduced The Greater Supervision in Banking Act (GSIB), legislation to strengthen Congressional oversight of the country’s largest banks, protect consumers, and end deceptive behavior.

    “Time and again – due to lax financial oversight – the negligence and greed of large financial institutions, that don’t have our best interests in mind, put consumers at risk and exacerbate economic disparities. Congressional oversight and accountability are paramount to prevent harm and enhance transparency,” said Rep. Pressley. “Consumers deserve to make informed decisions about their finances, and this bill, which requires big banks to disclose their approach to protecting consumer data, cases of misconduct, and environmental harm, as well as other risk factors, is a step in the right direction. Congress must pass The Greater Supervision in Banking Act without delay.”

    “This legislation would bring much-needed transparency to our financial system,” said Rep. Green. “The largest banks in our nation have tremendous influence over the livelihoods of American consumers and businesses. From discrimination litigation to gross mismanagement, some of the largest banks have repeatedly shown that they cannot or will not regulate themselves. Congress must exercise heightened oversight of these institutions. The public deserves transparency into the largest banks’ activities, as well as their progress on diversity initiatives and climate change. I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Pressley on this important legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass it into law.”

    Limited oversight and transparency have allowed the banking industry to prioritize profits over people, with policies harming its own workers, communities of color, and the planet. For example, bank tellers and other frontline employees are denied a living wage while CEOs rake in million-dollar bonuses. Systemic injustices like the stark racial wealth gap, where white households hold a disproportionate share of wealth compared to Black households, are furthered by policies like modern-day redlining denying Black people opportunities to build wealth and achieve financial prosperity. Additionally, major banks continue to finance fossil fuel expansion and projects that exacerbate climate change, despite the urgent need for a transition to clean energy, further jeopardizing vulnerable communities and future generations.

    The Greater Supervision in Banking Act would conduct oversight of the eight U.S.-based Globally Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs), which include JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, State Street, and Bank of New York Mellon. Collectively, the banks hold more than $15 trillion in assets in 2024 – nearly half of all domestic banking assets.

    Specifically, the legislation:

    • Requires G-SIBs to submit annual reports to the Federal Reserve Board;
    • Mandates detailed disclosure of:
      • G-SIBs’ size, complexity, subsidiary structure, and branch distribution;
      • Enforcement actions against the company, including labor and consumer protection violations;
      • Information on employee dismissals for misconduct, including executives;
      • Capital market activities, including trading desk structures and Volcker Rule compliance;
      • Compensation policies, including executive pay, employee wage distribution, and minimum wage practices; and
      • Diversity initiatives, cybersecurity approaches, whistleblower complaints, and climate risk actions;
    • Ensures public availability of these reports through the Federal Reserve Board’s website.

    The bill is endorsed by Public Citizen, Americans for Financial Reform, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, American Economic Liberties Project, Fight Corporate Monopolies, California Reinvestment Coalition, Action Center on Race and the Economy, Sierra Club, Center for American Progress, and Fair Finance Watch.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here and a summary is here.

    Congresswoman Pressley, Vice Ranking Member of the Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee on the House Financial Services Committee, has been a vocal advocate for consumer protections, closing the racial wealth gap, and ensuring that the U.S. banking system works for everyday Americans.

    • In August 2024, Rep. Pressley called on the five largest banks in America to provide a detailed update on the racial equity commitments the institutions made following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. 
    • In March 2023, Rep. Pressley joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-47), and dozens of lawmakers in introducing legislation to repeal Republicans’ rollback of critical banking protections in 2018 and restore Dodd-Frank protections.
    • In February 2023, she and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the American Opportunity Accounts Act, legislation that would create a federally-funded savings account for every American child in order to make economic opportunity a birthright for every child and help close the racial wealth gap. 
    • Rep. Pressley has also been a leading voice in Congress urging President Biden to cancel student debt. Following years of advocacy by Rep. Pressley—in partnership with colleagues, borrowers, and advocates like the NAACP—the Biden-Harris Administration announced a historic plan to cancel student debt that stands to benefit over 40 million people.
    • In September 2022, Rep. Pressley introduced the Payment Modernization Act – legislation requiring a more reasonable timeline for the Federal Reserve’s faster payments system and prioritizing consumer protection and wellbeing in the development process. 
    • In  June 2021, Rep. Pressley and then-House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced the Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2021, bold legislation to help address the U.S. racial wealth and homeownership gaps by providing $100 billion toward downpayment and other financial assistance for first-generation homebuyers to purchase their first home.
    • In May 2020, she introduced the Saving Our Street Act with then-Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) to provide economic relief to small businesses with less than 10 employees, with a specific focus on Black and brown-owned businesses.
    • In April 2019, she questioned G-SIB CEOs about discriminatory lending practices during their first appearance before Congress in over a decade.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Whip Clark, House Democrats Take Action to Invest in Child Care, Call Out GOP on Inaction

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Katherine Clark (5th District of Massachusetts)

    CategoriesMIL OSI

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) reintroduced the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act, two bills that address America’s child care crisis with robust investment in early learning facilities and educators. These bills are co-led by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jennifer McClellan (VA-3), Brittany Pettersen (CO-7), and Jill Tokuda (HI-2).

    “Democrats are focused on one of the most urgent challenges facing everyday families: the outrageous cost of child care,” said Whip Clark. “This pair of bills will build out child care facilities across the country while recruiting talented Americans to pursue careers in early education. This investment would mark a critical step forward in House Democrats’ fight to lower costs for parents, create opportunities for our children, and build an economy that works for working families. While Republicans ignore the child care crisis, we are ready with solutions.”

    “Child care is infrastructure and an important investment for children, families, and the economy,” said Rep. Bonamici. “The ongoing hurdles child care providers and families face are limiting economic growth, threatening employers and small businesses, and holding back working families. I’m grateful to partner with Whip Clark to introduce legislation that will provide funding to improve and build facilities to help meet the demand for affordable, accessible child care.”

    “As a father and the founder of the Dads Caucus, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find affordable child care, and I know that the working parents of this nation face the same concern. Many families today are living in child care deserts, where there aren’t enough quality, affordable daycares nearby—my colleagues and I are fighting to change that,” said Rep. Gomez. “I’m proud to join Whip Clark on these two bills that will make becoming an early childhood educator more attainable for students, expand our child care provider workforce and fund building new daycares as key infrastructure investments. Working families should rest assured that their children are being looked after in quality facilities with qualified educators who are supported.”

    “As one of the 6 percent of members of Congress who is a mother to young children, I know firsthand the challenges working families face when seeking quality, affordable child care,” said Rep. McClellan. “House Democrats are fighting every day to address the child care crisis and give hardworking American families some relief from exorbitant costs. I’m grateful for Democratic Whip Katherine Clark’s leadership on this pressing issue, as we introduce the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act. These bills will bolster federal investment in our nation’s child care industry and incentivize care workers and early childhood educators to continue their invaluable work.” 

    “As a working mom of a four-year-old son with another child on the way, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find affordable child care and the struggles families in my district are facing, especially in more rural communities,” said Rep. Pettersen. “That’s why I’m proud to help reintroduce these two pieces of legislation to bolster our child care workforce, help lower costs for parents, and ensure every family can access the care they need for their children to thrive. I’m incredibly grateful for the leadership of Whip Clark and my colleagues who joined today.” 

    “The rising cost of child care has made it difficult for millions of parents to balance earning a living with caring for their families. Nonetheless, my Republican colleagues refused to join us in supporting working parents and allowed vital federal child care stabilization funding to expire last year. Our working families deserve better. Without additional action by Congress, the unaffordability and unavailability of child care in the U.S. will only worsen,” said Rep. Tokuda. “As a mother of two boys that has to make tough choices, I’m proud to join our Democratic Whip, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, in introducing the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act. Together, these bills will provide for greater investment in the programs and the people we entrust to take care of our kids so they can continue serving children and families across the country.”

    The Child Care Infrastructure Act would:

    • Direct the Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) to conduct a national needs assessment of early child care and learning facilities to understand the impact of the child care crisis and evaluate the ongoing infrastructure needs of child care facilities across the U.S. 
    • Establish a grant program to award grants to states for the purpose of constructing new or renovating existing child care facilities.
    • Set aside a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 15% of the authorized funds to award grants of up to $10 million to intermediary organizations, including development financial institutions or other organizations that have demonstrated experience in developing or financing early care and learning facilities.
    • Authorize $10 billion over five years to invest in our nation’s child care infrastructure.

    The Child Care Workforce Development Act would: 

    • Authorize HHS to administer a student loan repayment program of up to $6,000 annually for five years for early childhood educators working for providers eligible to receive Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding. 
    • Establish a program to provide up to $4,000 annually to eligible individuals pursuing an associate’s degree or a certificate in early childhood education. 

    Whip Clark is the lead champion for child care in Congress. Earlier this year, she launched her Affordable Child Care Agenda, which calls for affordable care for every family, accessible care for every family, and livable wages for early educators. During her seven years on the Appropriations Committee, she increased funding for the CCDBG by $6 billion. At the height of the pandemic, Whip Clark helped save the child care system – keeping 200,000 child care providers in business and 10 million kids in classrooms nationwide. Recently, Whip Clark introduced legislation to expand access to affordable child care for student parents, and she is the proud sponsor of the Child Care Stabilization Act, legislation that would maintain federal investments in the child care system that started during the pandemic. 

    Photos of the press conference can be found HERE, the full press conference can be viewed HERE. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Union Mourns Loss of Labor, Civil Rights Leader Bill Lucy

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2024 – Brian Bryant, International President of the 600,000-member International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), released the following statement on the passing of Bill Lucy:

    “Bill Lucy was the epitome of a change-maker and justice warrior. From helping to lead AFSCME and the Memphis sanitation worker strike to his founding of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists to helping fight for freedom and equality in the United States, Canada, and around the world, Brother Bill was a champion for all working people.

    “The IAM could always count on Bill Lucy as an ally in the righteous fight for human rights, civil rights, workers’ rights, and much more. He will go rightfully down in the history books of the labor movement as a giant for the betterment of all people. Rest in power, Brother Bill.”

    The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.

    goIAM.org | @MachinistsUnion

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