Families

Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association Donates $50,000 to Important Fund as Veterans Day Nears

November 8, 2009 -- CHICAGO - November 8, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today joined with representatives from the Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association to accept a $50,000 donation to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund.

“I salute the Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association for supporting this important cause for more than three years,” said Governor Quinn. “When our brave men and women answer the call to duty, they should not have to worry that their families are suffering financially at home. All of us in Illinois can help our military families by donating to the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund this Veterans Day.”    » read more »

03 November 2009 -- Washington, DC - Late yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Military Spouse Residency Relief Act. Congressman John Adler, who serves on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and is a sponsor of the bill, said it will allow a military spouse to claim the same state of domicile as their active duty spouse, regardless of where they are stationed. The bill is expected to be signed into law quickly.    » read more »

Fund Would Provide Greater Aid to Military Families Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 4, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will endorse a bill that would provide aid to military families in all branches of the armed services at a National Press Club Newsmakers press conference at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. The press conference will be in the Zenger Room on the 13th floor of National Press Building, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20045.    » read more »

October 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Marion Berry (AR-01) and Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, hosted a conference call to discuss a report issued today by Families USA that analyzes the number of uninsured in Arkansas. The report estimates approximately 28,300 people in Arkansas lost health insurance coverage in 2009 due to a rise in unemployment.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- WASHINGTON D.C. – On September 30th the U.S. Department of Labor announced three National Emergency Grants totaling $38,033,600 to assist workers affected by documented layoffs from multiple companies in Michigan; $19,016,800 will be released initially. These funds will provide much needed assistance to workers who are currently displaced and those affected by future layoffs occurring within these southeastern Michigan during the grants’ 12-month period of performance. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. made the following statement regarding the grants:    » read more »

Focusing On Improving Child And Family Safety, Expanding Health Coverage And Promoting Hospital Accountability; Vetoes 18 Bills Representing $28 Million in Savings Over Next Two Years

September 17, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today signed 60 bills that together will improve the safety of families and children; increase access to, and quality of, health care for New Yorkers; and increase accountability among government contractors. Additionally, he vetoed 18 bills that, if signed, would have cost State taxpayers $28 million dollars over the next two years.    » read more »

Focusing On Protecting Children And Families, Encouraging Economic And Job Development; Vetoes 14 Bills Representing More than $5.4 Million in Savings for 2009-10

August 27, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson this week signed a total 68 bills that together will lead to economic and job development opportunities for New Yorkers; keep children and families safer; and ensure that the State’s roads are more secure. Additionally, he vetoed 14 bills that, if signed, would have cost taxpayers some $5.4 million dollars.    » read more »

Applauds committee passage of bill to protect military families from being cut out of critical child and maternal nutrition programs

July 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee included legislation that would protect military families and kids from being cut out of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and child nutrition programs in its Agriculture Appropriations.    » read more »

Legislation Keeps Families Intact As Parents Enter Substance Abuse Treatment

June 22, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Senator Jay Rockefeller today introduced the Keeping Families Safe Act – which allows families to stay together in residential family treatment programs when one parent or both enter substance abuse treatment.

“The statistics are clear – parents are more likely to heal and families have a better chance of remaining intact when they stay together throughout the treatment process,” said Senator Rockefeller. “Keeping families together in a safe environment is immensely important, and it is essential that we maintain successful residential family treatment programs across the nation.”

Background    » read more »

Department of Health and Human Services Teams Up with the White House and the Ad Council to Launch New Fatherhood Public Service Campaign; PSA Features President Obama Encouraging Fathers to “Take time to be a dad today”

June 19, 2009 -- Just in time for Father’s Day weekend, the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced a new public service campaign today promoting fatherhood that features a PSA by President Obama.

The campaign, sponsored by the department’s Administration for Children and Families and the Advertising Council, can be found at www.fatherhood.gov. The public service announcements and supporting campaign materials highlight the critical role fathers play in their children’s lives.    » read more »

June 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) today announced a $52 million grant to reduce energy bills for low-income North Carolina families. This funding to make homes more energy efficient will be distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"This investment in North Carolina will create green jobs and lower energy bills for families across our state," Hagan said. "As many in our communities are struggling to make ends meet, this funding will help North Carolinians save money and strengthen our economy."    » read more »

June 20, 2009 -- BRYN MAWR – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today met with families in southeastern Pennsylvania to discuss what is at stake in the proposed state budget as it relates to autism services. An estimated 25,000 Pennsylvania children and adults live with an autism spectrum disorder.

“Pennsylvania has worked hard and made great progress for families who rely on services that their children need,” said Governor Rendell during an event at Bryn Mawr College. “Funding for these services is now being threatened. The budget proposed by Senate Republicans would cut funding for autism by nearly $8 million, which means cutting services and support to nearly 250 families.”    » read more »

Gov. Nixon signs bill creating new fund to benefit families of emergency personnel killed in the line of duty

June 19, 2009 -- KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Standing inside a Kansas City fire station, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon today signed a bill to benefit the families of Missouri emergency personnel killed in the line of duty. House Bill 580, which establishes the Line of Duty Compensation Act, allows a claim to be filed with the Division of Workers' Compensation on behalf of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, air ambulance pilot or air ambulance registered nurse for a benefit of $25,000.    » read more »

June 9, 2009 -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today granted deferred action for two years to widows and widowers of U.S. citizens—as well as their unmarried children under 18 years old—who reside in the United States and who were married for less than two years prior to their spouse’s death.    » read more »

Benefits Aim to Recruit and Retain Competitive Workforce

June 4, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today joined Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and interested groups representing 2.7 million government employees in support of The Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (FEPPLA), H.R. 626, which would provide federal employees with four weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child.

The bill will be debated and voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives today. On January 30, 2009, Senator Webb re-introduced the Senate version of the legislation, S.354, and currently has 16 cosponsors, including Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Senator Joe Lieberman.    » read more »