One Week. 5000 Animals. A Lofty Goal for Pilots N Paws

LANDRUM, S.C., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- More often than we realize, private pilots across the country fill their planes with unlikely passengers, transporting them to safe new homes. And during the week of September 12-20, 2009, these good Samaritans have committed to flying off into the horizon for the sake of saving 5000 of these special passengers.


Who are these passengers? They are our animal friends who need homes and are being flown to safe havens and out of shelters that can no longer house them and in which the pets are most often facing euthanasia.


Pilots N Paws, an online forum for animal rescue groups and pilots to coordinate animal transports around the country, has dubbed the event The Pilots N Paws 5000, and is currently seeking volunteers to join the crusade to rescue shelter pets and get them to safety and adoptive homes.


"The goal of The Pilots N Paws 5000 is to increase awareness among pilots and aircraft owners across the country of the dire need for animal transports," says Jon Wehrenberg, co-founder of Pilots N Paws. "Pilots' involvement can help to save thousands of animals from euthanasia. We are committed to increasing the number of pilots and plane owners involved in Pilots N Paws so that no request for transport goes unanswered."


Of course, this event cannot take place without strong support from pilots, animal shelters, rescues, and fosters. If a shelter or rescue is from an area that has high rates of euthanasia, Pilots N Paws would like that shelter or rescue to pencil in the week of September 12-20, and commit to making an animal or multiple animals available to an animal shelter or rescue in an area where these animals can be placed in forever homes.


Rescues and fosters will need to locate their counterparts in areas of the country where high kill rates are not the rule, and have them find fosters and make space available for the animals that will be rescued. Ideally the distance between the sending and receiving parties should be approximately 300 miles, which is an average distance for general aviation pilots. The sending and receiving pair will then team up with a pilot volunteer who will provide the transportation during this special rescue week. The process is made easy through the use of the Pilots N Paws website, which is designed to bring the parties together and facilitate the making of all necessary transport arrangements.


Pilots, plane owners, animal rescues and shelters are currently being sought out to be a part of this important countrywide humanitarian event in September. Pilots N Paws is a 501(c)3 organization so pilots' expenses relating to transports are tax deductible. For more information on Pilots N Paws, visit http://www.pilotsnpaws.org


If you'd like to be involved in The Pilots N Paws 5000, register on our website or contact Debi Boies at pilotsnpaws@gmail.com


The Pilots N Paws 5000 logo:


http://www.ereleases.com/pr/Pilots-N-Paws-5000.jpg


Contact:

Deborah Boies
Co-Founder, Pilots N Paws
864-895-5234
pilotsnpaws@gmail.com

http://www.pilotsnpaws.org



This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.





SOURCE Pilots N Paws

SeaTacPark.com Parking Lot Goes Green

So how does an off-airport parking lot go green?


SEATAC, Wash., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- SeaTacPark.com, located just south of Seattle Tacoma International Airport, has implemented four strategies to reduce air and water pollution, paper waste and energy consumption.


Water Filtration System Ask SeaTacPark.com Manager Dave Bass, and he'll tell you, "To begin with, before parking a single car, it is necessary to install a system that will separate out contaminants such as sediment and oil from lot runoff before the water is released into the city's storm water system. The Vortechs Model 7000 Stormwater Treatment system installed at SeaTacPark is a high-performance system which uses a combination of swirl-concentrator and flow-control technologies to maximize treatment even during peak flows so that the quality of water released from the site will sustain the rich wildlife of the Puget Sound area."


Natural Gas Shuttle Bus Then the lot added a 2009 Champion 14 passenger Natural Gas (NGS) Shuttle Bus. SeaTacPark.com's shuttle was literally the first of the 2009 shuttles converted to use compressed natural gas in a BAF Technologies engine system. In fact, SeaTacPark.com's shuttle is featured on the cover picture of the manual that is issued to maintenance companies.


Electric Vehicle Outlets Next the lot began to offer parking spaces with electrical outlets to accommodate electric vehicles. SeaTacPark.com has 4 spaces which are available on a first come first served basis. Electric vehicle drivers are encouraged to phone 206.824.2544 or email info@SeaTacPark.com the day that their parking episode is to begin to ask whether outlet spaces are available.


Paperless Reservations The most recent step has been to offer the best rates without requiring hardcopy paper reservations. SeaTacPark.com's online reservation system recently has been updated so that it is clear that the parker need not print and bring in a hardcopy of the reservation form. While those that prefer a hard copy may still print and bring it in, those that wish to reduce their ecological footprint can simply tell the lot attendant at checkout the name under which the reservation was made. The lot attendant will look up the name in the reservation system and offer the parker the best rate (daily, weekly or monthly) for the actual period parked.





SOURCE SeaTacPark.com

Billings Students Learn Driving Safety From American Trucking Associations' High-Tech Image Trailer

BILLINGS, Mont., June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to teach new teen drivers how to safely travel on Montana highways, elite million-mile professional truck drivers today brought ATA's new high-tech image trailer to Senior High School in Billings, Mont.


An estimated 12.6 million new drivers will receive licenses this year nationally, indicating the necessity of teaching good driving skills early. America's Road team Captains, elite professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free driving miles, demonstrated techniques that teens, and all motorists, should utilize when driving near large trucks.


The American Trucking Associations and the Montana Motor Carriers Association joined the Captains to discuss highway safety with Montana students. In addition to today's event, the truck visited Skyview High School Monday and will continue the safety demonstrations at West High School Wednesday.


"Teenagers are more likely to be involved in an accident than any other demographic," said Ron VanBibber, a professional truck driver from Roadway. "I'm a parent, so I know what we're doing here today is very important. Getting the students into our truck and demonstrating the technology in this trailer - you can tell it's a much greater impact than a book or video."


Featured at today's event were America's Road Team Captains Rich Ewing (Yellow Transportation), Steve Fields (Yellow Transportation) and Ron VanBibber (Roadway). These drivers are members of an elite team of million-mile, accident-free truck drivers who deliver the trucking industry's safety messages across the country.


Montana Motor Carriers Association Executive Vice President Barry "Spook" Stang told reporters, "This is an important tool for the trucking industry. Bringing the high-tech tractor-trailer to Billings-area high schools gives the students a unique perspective on what these drivers do in terms of safety, and also may get them interested in a rewarding career in trucking."


The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety on the highway. www.americasroadteam.com


The Image Trailer, which was donated to ATA by GE Trailer Fleet Services, travels the United States visiting State Capitols, high schools, community events and more. The 53-foot custom drop deck show trailer, fully wrapped in an American flag themed graphic, features a mobile conference room with seven projection screens, educational displays and room for interactive trucking demonstrations. The trailer is pulled by a Volvo VN780 tractor, donated by Volvo Trucks North America.


The Montana Motor Carriers Association is committed to safety on our state's highways. With over 500 companies, MMCA represents the unified trucking industry of Montana. As an industry, trucking is a vital part of our state's economy. We carry millions of dollars worth of cargo every day, and service every community in the state. Many communities in Montana are served exclusively by trucks, and couldn't exist without the trucking industry. www.mttrucking.org


The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States. www.truckline.com






SOURCE American Trucking Associations

Four More States Renew Contracts for Digital Ally In-Car Video Systems

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN ORDER ILLUSTRATES APPEAL OF DVM-750 SYSTEM TO LARGE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS


OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Digital Ally, Inc. (Nasdaq: DGLY), which develops, manufactures and markets advanced video surveillance products for law enforcement, homeland security and commercial security applications, today announced that Mississippi, New Mexico, Utah and Wisconsin have renewed their statewide contracts with Digital Ally, Inc. The renewals are for one-year periods and allow for all state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies to purchase the Company's digital in-car video systems under the terms and conditions specified in each state's contract.


In addition to the contract renewal by the State of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State Patrol has ordered 145 DVM-500 Plus In-Car Rearview Mirror Systems, most of which will be shipped in the second quarter of 2009.


The Company also announced receipt of an order for 43 DVM-750 In-Car Rearview Mirror Systems, with the wireless uploading feature, from the Green Bay Police Department in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The DVM-750, Digital Ally's most advanced digital in-car video system, incorporates significant upgrades and enhancements to the Company's legacy DVM-500 model. These new features include the ability to connect up to four cameras and then select two cameras plus three audio channels for simultaneous recording, improved security features, a higher-resolution LCD screen, and an advanced wireless microphone (the VoiceVault(TM)) with a range of up to one mile and on-board memory that can record audio evidence when the law enforcement officer is beyond the range of the in-car recording device. Digital Ally began shipping the DVM-750 to customers earlier this quarter.


"We continue to be pleased with the renewal of statewide contracts, which illustrates a high level of customer satisfaction with our advanced surveillance products among law enforcement agencies throughout the United States," stated Stanton E. Ross, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Ally, Inc. "The combination of contract renewals with a sizeable order for DVM-500 Plus systems from the State of Wisconsin is particularly encouraging. Furthermore, the number of DVM-500 Plus systems that we have in inventory will allow us to ship the majority of this order in the quarter ending June 30, 2009."


"Meanwhile, the interest in our new feature-rich DVM-750 continues to grow among existing customers and larger law enforcement agencies that we were unable to effectively target with our DVM-500 series. Metropolitan law enforcement agencies, such as the Green Bay Police Department, typically require a greater level of sophistication and capabilities when selecting surveillance systems than is the case with smaller cities and towns, and the number of contract opportunities available to Digital Ally has expanded significantly since the introduction of the DVM-750," concluded Ross.


About Digital Ally, Inc.

Digital Ally, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets advanced technology products for law enforcement, homeland security and commercial security applications. The Company's primary focus is digital video imaging and storage. For additional information, visit www.digitalallyinc.com


The Company is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, and its shares are traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol "DGLY".


This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations or forecasts of future events, can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, and are subject to various business risks and known and unknown uncertainties, a number of which are beyond the control of management. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. A wide variety of factors that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the Company's ability to deliver its new product offerings as scheduled and have them perform as planned or advertised; its ability to produce and ship DVM-750's to satisfy its $2.0 million order backlog in the second quarter of 2009; the degree to which the interest in the Company's DVM-750 will translate into sales; the Company's ability to increase revenue and return to profitability in the current economic climate; the impact that the various government stimulus programs will have on equipment purchases by law enforcement agencies; its ability to expand its share of the in-car video market in the domestic and international law enforcement communities; uncertainties regarding market acceptance, domestically and internationally, for one or more of its new products; its ability to commercialize its products and production processes, including increasing its production capabilities to satisfy orders in a cost-effective manner; competition; patent protection on its products; the effect of changing economic conditions; and changes in government regulations, tax rates and similar matters. These cautionary statements should not be construed as exhaustive or as any admission as to the adequacy of the Company's disclosures. The Company cannot predict or determine after the fact what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements or other statements. The reader should consider statements that include the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "should", or other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends, to be uncertain and forward-looking. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information respecting risk factors that could materially affect the Company and its operations are contained in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


For Additional Information, Please Contact:

Stanton E. Ross, CEO at (913) 814-7774
or
RJ Falkner & Company, Inc., Investor Relations Counsel at
(800) 377-9893 or via email at info@rjfalkner.com







SOURCE Digital Ally, Inc.

While Business Isn't Better, The Worsening Has Slowed

Carolinas AGC Construction Barometer(TM)


CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For first quarter 2009, the Carolinas AGC Construction Barometer(TM) posted a modest 3.3% gain due to growing empirical evidence of a slowing rate of economic deterioration in Carolinas commercial construction. The rate of downward change in first quarter was much less severe than the drop in activity experienced in latter 2008.


In particular, the Business & Economic Trends segment on the Barometer's quantitative side advanced 17.6%, posting its strongest gain in 2 years on modestly rising business activity and contractor expectations that the worst of the recession is likely behind us. Contractors reported a small increase in highway and utility project activity; and private sector work-in-process is holding steady where developers can obtain financing to continue work.


The Carolinas' construction labor market also reflects a slowing rate of deterioration, with little change in the number of new positions anticipated by contractors, stable wage rates and a constant (albeit abnormally high) rate of construction unemployment. Quantitative trends in the financing arena also reflect a slow-down in the downward movement of business activity, with stable interest rates, a steady level of financing activity compared with last quarter and unchanged lender attitudes with respect to new loan approvals.


While these trends are somewhat encouraging, it is important to point out that financial market activity and contractor borrowing requests remained at unprecedented low levels in first quarter. The Barometer's quantitative indicators aren't falling nearly as fast as in 2008, but we're still at rock-bottom levels of business activity compared with the last ten years. It's clear that the recession is not yet over, with materials costs continuing to fall on weak demand, falling contractor orders for heavy equipment and other capital purchases, and flat federal spending on highway construction.


The Barometer's qualitative side mirrors the results shown across the quantitative indicators. Contractors' opinions of business conditions included a slight rise in volume in early 2009, but not sufficient enough to push up labor or materials costs. Construction materials costs are expected to remain stable throughout the rest of 2009 in all categories except petroleum-derivative building products, where contractors are concerned that prices may unexpectedly accelerate. Rising fuel costs continue to be a concern as well.


Panelists reported that modest improvement in the demand for new capital equipment is likely to emerge in the middle of 2010 as business conditions improve in the coming year. However, contractors plan to defer practically all major equipment expenditures for at least a year.


This weak demand for capital equipment is reflected in financial market activity where little change in funding occurred between the last few months of 2008 and early 2009. This marks a trend change as the drop-off in commercial construction financing observed last year didn't appear to continue into the early months of 2009. Consistent with expectations for an improving business climate in 2010, contractors expect financing activity to rise in mid-year 2010.


State vs. State: Labor Market a Bit Stronger in North Carolina

(NC: Up 3.6%; SC: Up 2.6% )


Business conditions were quite similar across both Carolinas in first quarter, with the real substantive difference occurring in the labor market, where North Carolina contractors reported greater optimism regarding future hiring plans in 2010. South Carolina contractors reported less current demand for skilled workers and stronger expectations that hiring plans won't accelerate in 2010 despite increased business activity.


Both states experienced an upturn in construction activity in early 2009, and contractors in both states expect this trend toward modest business expansion to continue into late 2009. Highway and utility spending advanced marginally in both states, although the trend was a bit more pronounced in North Carolina. Materials costs were practically flat in North Carolina, while South Carolina reported lower costs. Contractors in both states reported a small improvement in regional credit market conditions from last year's low point in lender confidence, although neither the presence of record-low interest rates nor strengthening lender led to an increase in contractor borrowing activity in the first quarter. Until business activity improves significantly from current levels, panelists report virtually no appetite for new commercial borrowing.


Regional Economic Highlights


Heartland NC: Business & Growth on the Distant Horizon (Up 3.4%)


In Heartland North Carolina, the Barometer advanced 3.4% on stronger hiring plans for the coming year and strengthening business activity, particularly in the highway and utility spending categories. Expanding construction activity, and the expectation that the expansion will continue, led contractors to anticipate a greater number of new hires in late 2009 and early 2010, and more planned purchases of capital equipment.


Increasing labor demand also led panelists to predict modest labor cost increases and a general tightening in the availability of skilled labor over the next several months, sending the Barometer's qualitative side down slightly for the quarter. However, strengthening business activity in the region influenced panelist perception that business conditions are on the rebound for the first time in nearly 2 years; and the trend toward recovery will likely continue, albeit at a very slow pace, into 2010. These expectations led panelists to expect a greater volume of borrowing toward the end of 2009.


Eastern NC: Business Volume Rises but Not Employment (Up 3.9%)


Eastern NC contractors reported an increase in business volume, but paradoxically they reported significantly reduced demand for new labor, a reduction in new positions anticipated for the coming year, and a greater availability of skilled labor in the region. Falling materials costs, rising highway and utility spending, and almost no change in the demand for credit from late 2008 also contributed to the rise in the region's Barometer score.


A concern for Eastern contractors is the overhanging inventory of commercial real estate clogging the market, and the rate at which multifamily real estate prices have dropped in the past year combined with developers defaulting on loan agreements. As falling real estate values continue, it will likely lead to a longer period of time until stronger business activity materializes.


Western NC: Looking Up, But... (Up 3.8%)


While Western North Carolina posted Barometer gains principally on rising business activity-- with little, if any, labor market change. Western contractors reported a strong pick-up in business activity, but no change in planned hiring for 2009 and 2010, little change in regional labor costs, and tightening in the regional labor market.


Western contractors also reported falling materials costs, rising highway and utility spending and almost no change in the demand for credit from 2008. However, because the western region isn't overbuilt, contractors are planning for a stronger growth in business conditions in 2010.


Upstate and Lowcountry SC: Modest Improvement

(USC: Up 2.3%; LSC - Up 3.2%)


Both the Upstate and Lowcountry regions of South Carolina reported modest improvement in construction activity for first quarter, with the uptick in business slightly stronger in the Lowcountry. Interestingly, both regions reported strengthened business activity and similar expectations for continuing economic improvement in 2010, and fewer new skilled positions anticipated over the course of the coming year. While labor costs in both regions fell from year-end 2008, contractors all over the state reported tightening labor conditions resulting from skilled workers searching out better employment opportunities elsewhere in the Southeast.


Looking ahead to 2010, contractors in both regions expect stable-to-falling building materials prices, modest improvements in business activity, and slightly higher amounts of public spending for highway and utility projects. Business conditions in the Lowcountry are expected to improve at a slightly stronger pace than in the Upstate; surprising considering the downturn in commercial real estate values along the SC coast and the rate of developer loan defaults currently plaguing the Lowcountry. In both South Carolina areas, financial market activity is advancing, with contractors reporting lower borrowing costs and an increasing willingness to take on new debt to finance capital expansion plans pegged for 2010.


Carolinas AGC builds its 2,800 members' businesses through workforce development, business development, profit management, and workers' compensation insurance. More than 75% of commercial and industrial construction (buildings, highways/bridges, utility facilities) in both North and South Carolina is performed or supported by CAGC members.


For additional information or names of local Barometer panelists contact:
Lori Tharp, Carolinas AGC
(704) 372-1450, ext. 5227; ltharp@carolinasagc.org; www.cagc.org







SOURCE Carolinas AGC

Ford Motor Company Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Bring Teen Driving Summer Camp to Minnesota

Summer is the deadliest time for teen drivers


ST. PAUL, Minn., June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to reduce teen crashes and fatalities in Minnesota, the Ford Motor Company Fund, the Governors Highway Safety Association, Westfield Insurance and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety are hosting Twin Cities' teens at the Ford Driving Skills for Life teen driving summer camp. This free, once-in-a-lifetime driving experience is being held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, June 26-28.


Vehicle crashes are the number-one killer of teens in Minnesota and nationwide. In Minnesota 2006-2008, teen drivers (16-19) were involved in 48,799 traffic crashes, resulting in 226 deaths. In all, 137 teens ages 16-19 were killed in crashes.


Students will receive hands-on advanced training by some of the nation's top professional driving instructors. Participants will learn techniques in four key skill areas: speed management, space management, vehicle handling and hazard recognition. Experts have identified the lack of these skills to be the cause of approximately 60 percent of vehicle crashes for newly licensed drivers ages 16 to 19.


Through the training camp, teens will gain valuable driving experience and improve their driving safety skills; parents are welcome to attend as well.


"We are looking forward to bringing the Ford Driving Skills for Life program to Minnesota," said Jim Graham, community relations manager of the Ford Motor Company Fund. "The Ford Driving Skills for Life program is designed to help teens learn important lessons in road safety that are often not discovered until it is too late. The Ford Motor Company Fund is committed to combating the alarming rate of teen crashes and fatalities."


Cheri Marti, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety and a member of GHSA's executive board, says this event is important to give new teen drivers hands-on experience. She adds the program encourages parents to stay involved in continuing to train and monitor their teen drivers.


"Teen drivers pose a threat to themselves, their passengers and other drivers due to their inexperience and risk-taking behind the wheel," says Marti, noting summer is the deadliest period on the road for teen drivers. "This program is a great opportunity to teach teens valuable skills they need to avoid tragedy on the road."


Ford Driving Skills for Life was created in 2003 in partnership with the GHSA. It is one of the nation's most comprehensive teen driver safety programs. In addition to hands-on events such as the event being held in St. Paul, it consists of learning tools such as an interactive Web site (www.drivingskillsforlife.com) that includes a learning module, quizzes, car care videos, driving tip videos, interactive games and an enhanced eco-driving curriculum. Free educator packets are available for students and parents, as well as teachers and community programs. Additionally, individual programs can be created to meet the specific needs of communities and schools.







SOURCE Governors Highway Safety Association

Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Post Mixed Resul

NEW YORK, June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was slightly higher this week, rising to 5.80 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.45 discount and origination points.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040122/FLTHLOGO )


The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage inched lower to 5.16 percent, while the average jumbo 30-year fixed rate pushed above the 7 percent mark to 7.03 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were generally lower, with the average 3-year ARM falling to 5.32 percent and the 5-year ARM dropping to 5.26 percent.


Mortgage rates have settled down following a hefty run-up in late May and early June that had 30-year fixed mortgage rates flirting with the 6 percent mark. Conforming fixed mortgage rates have been relatively subdued the past two weeks in comparison. Spurts of volatility are common with mortgage rates, especially given the uncertain economic and financial climate. The performance of the economy and the outlook for inflation are likely to be the key drivers of Treasury yields and mortgage rates in the coming months. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government debt.


Mortgage rates, though higher than in recent months, remain much lower than one year ago. This time last year, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.62 percent, meaning a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $1,279.96. With the average rate now 5.80 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be $1,173.51, a savings of $107 per month for a homeowner refinancing now.



SURVEY RESULTS


30-year fixed: 5.8% -- up from 5.76% last week (avg. points: 0.45)


15-year fixed: 5.16% -- down from 5.19% last week (avg. points: 0.37)


5/1 ARM: 5.26% -- down from 5.37% last week (avg. points: 0.54)



Bankrate's national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.


For a full analysis of this week's move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/mortgagerates


The survey is complemented by Bankrate's weekly forward-looking Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next 30 to 45 days. The good news is that a majority of panelists don't expect an increase in rates, with only 23 percent voting that way. The panelists say mortgage rates are more likely to decline, with 46 percent forecasting a drop in mortgage rates. Nearly one in three, or 31 percent, say mortgage rates will be more or less unchanged over the next 30 to 45 days.


For the full mortgage Rate Trend Index, go to http://www.bankrate.com/RTI


About Bankrate, Inc.

The Bankrate network of companies includes Bankrate.com, Interest.com, Mortgage-calc.com, Nationwide Card Services, Savingforcollege.com, Fee Disclosure, InsureMe, CreditCardGuide.com and Bankaholic.com. Each of these businesses helps consumers make informed decisions about their personal finance matters. The company's flagship brand, Bankrate.com is a destination site of personal finance channels, including banking, investing, taxes, debt management and college finance. Bankrate.com is the leading aggregator of rates and other information on more than 300 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used auto loans, money market accounts and CDs, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Bankrate.com reviews more than 4,800 financial institutions in 575 markets in 50 states. In 2008, Bankrate.com had nearly 72 million unique visitors. Bankrate.com provides financial applications and information to a network of more than 75 partners, including Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO), America Online (NYSE: TWX), The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times (NYSE: NYT). Bankrate.com's information is also distributed through more than 500 newspapers.


For more information contact:
Kayleen Keneally
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
kkeneally@bankrate.com
917-368-8677



NOTE TO EDITORS: The information contained in this release is available for print or broadcast with attribution to Bankrate.com




SOURCE Bankrate, Inc.

Pew Will Push Shark Conservation at World Fisheries Meeting; New Report Indicates Half of Oceanic Shark and Ray Species Are Threatened With Extinction

WASHINGTON, June 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pew Environment Group today called for stronger shark conservation measures worldwide as a new report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies 35 out of 64 known pelagic shark and related ray species around the world as threatened or near threatened with extinction.


The IUCN report was released just days before a joint meeting of the world's fishery managers in San Sebastian, Spain. The regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), which mostly focus on managing tuna fisheries, agreed at their first joint meeting two years ago that the problem of declining shark populations urgently needed to be addressed. To date, however, none have set limits on the number of sharks that can be caught in their jurisdictions.


"Up to 70 million sharks are killed around the world every year for the shark fin market, virtually all of which are caught in areas where there is no management regime in place to ensure their sustainability," said Joshua Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group. "This is a staggering number. Unless this situation is soon reversed, large numbers of shark species will disappear altogether."


The shark fin trade is a driving force in the overfishing of sharks. Shark fins are highly valued for use in the Asian delicacy shark fin soup. Often, shark meat is worth much less and takes up more cargo space. As a result, the practice of shark finning has evolved: the shark is brought on board a fishing vessel, the fins are sliced off, and the body is dumped back into the ocean.


According to the IUCN report, overfishing is the primary reason why a number of sharks in U.S. waters are threatened, including two species of thresher sharks, basking sharks, great whites, shortfin and longfin makos, porbeagles, oceanic whitetip sharks, dusky sharks, sandbar sharks, and three species of hammerheads.


At the San Sebastian meeting of the world's fisheries managers, Pew is joining other conservation groups in calling for precautionary, science-based management plans for sharks, starting with the immediate adoption of binding measures to:


Prohibit retention of particularly vulnerable and/or depleted shark species taken in tuna fisheries, including hammerheads, threshers, porbeagles and oceanic whitetips;
Establish catch limits that significantly reduce fishing pressure on globally vulnerable shortfin mako sharks;
Cap catches of near-threatened blue and silky sharks until safe catch levels are determined;
Close off areas of high shark concentration to commercial fishing; and
Prohibit removal of shark fins at sea.



To improve enforcement of the U.S. finning ban and enhance understanding of dwindling shark populations, the Pew Environment Group supports the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (S. 850/H.R. 81), introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-MA). The legislation, which passed the House unanimously in March, would require that all sharks be landed with their fins naturally attached, eliminate loopholes and strengthen enforcement in the current U.S. shark-finning law and promote the conservation of sharks internationally.


The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental organization that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life.


The report can be found at http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/ssg_pelagic_report_final.pdf. For more information, please visit www.pewsharks.org.


CONTACT: Dan Klotz, 202.887.8855






SOURCE Pew Environment Group

SC&H Group Gives Back to the Community with 3rd Annual Day of Service

Accounting firm to provide employees with paid time while performing volunteer service projects across the metro area


SPARKS, Md., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- SC&H Group, LLC - one of the fastest-growing accounting and consulting firms in the nation - will host their 3rd Annual Day of Service on Friday, June 26, 2009.


The SC&H Group offices in Sparks, Md. and McLean, Va. will be closing this Friday so that all firm employees can work on various community projects throughout the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas. The firm will be sending volunteers out to assist ten different organizations in their service endeavors; these include organizations focused on humanitarian efforts, animal rescue, education and the environment.


"We feel it is especially important during this challenging economic time to give back to non-profit organizations in our community. These organizations depend upon contributions of time and money. As non-profits feel the effects of the economy, their resources - both financial and non-financial - become more strained than ever," says Tom Stout, President and CEO. "Our firm is eager to help these organizations accomplish their missions."


SC&H Group participates in and sponsors numerous local philanthropic events, and many of its employees sit on the boards of leading non-profit organizations. Also, the firm gives generous donations to local charities each year under the direction of the employee-led SC&H Group Charitable Foundation.


About SC&H Group, LLC


SC&H Group, LLC is a highly acclaimed CPA and management consulting firm serving a large client base from emerging businesses to the largest Fortune 500 companies. SC&H Group, LLC consists of specialized practices, each with dedicated professionals serving focused client needs. Specific services offered include: audit, tax compliance and consulting, state & local tax consulting, financial and internal control consulting (including Sarbanes-Oxley and IT audit services), mergers and acquisitions assistance, and business performance management solutions. SC&H Group has offices in Maryland, Georgia, and Virginia. Additional information is available at www.scandh.com.


Contact:
Katie Lochte
Marketing Manager
410-785-8052
klochte@scandh.com





SOURCE SC&H Group, LLC

NASA Selects Proposals to Enhance Science Education and Outreach

WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has selected four organizations to share approximately $18 million over five years for education and public outreach activities to help inspire the next generation of science leaders and explorers. The cooperative agreements support the astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary and Earth divisions of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, which is providing the funding for the activities.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO )


"NASA seeks to work with the best of the nation's science and educational communities to help champion and elevate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics," said Paul Hertz, chief scientist of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Stimulating and informative activities, along with experiences created and executed by experts, inspire our future scientists. This provides a productive return on the public's investment for future scientific research."


These activities contribute to NASA's overall education and outreach efforts through development and dissemination of new educational and outreach products that use the directorate's science discoveries. The agreements provide opportunities for students and educators, citizen scientists and the public to engage in authentic experiences working with NASA and research communities. Activities will include comprehensive public awareness and engagement plans coordinated with NASA, the selected proposers and other institutions nationwide.


Selected proposals are:



"Astrophysics Science Education and Public Outreach Forum," Denise Smith, principal investigator, Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
Planetary Science Education and Public Outreach Forum: "Extending the Coherence and Reach of NASA Planetary Science and SMD Education and Public Outreach," Stephanie Shipp, principal investigator, Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, a division of the University Space Research Association
Heliophysics Science Education and Public Outreach Forum: "A Forum to Support Excellence in Heliophysics Education and Public Outreach through Sustained Collaboration," Bryan Mendez, principal investigator, University of California, Berkeley
Earth Science Education and Public Outreach Forum: "Building a Cohesive and Effective Community," Theresa Schwerin, principal investigator, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies in Arlington, Va.



Each selected proposer will receive approximately $850,000 per year. Further funding will be provided after NASA review and subsequent approval of progress reports.


This opportunity was open to U.S. organizations, including NASA centers, industry, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, federally funded research and development centers, and other government agencies. Fourteen proposals were received in response to the January 2009 announcement. A peer review panel of education and public outreach professionals evaluated each proposal.


NASA's Science Mission Directorate has a diverse portfolio of education and public outreach investments and activities in higher education, elementary and secondary education, informal education, and outreach. For information about NASA science programs and activities, visit:


http://nasascience.nasa.gov


For information about NASA's Education programs, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/education







SOURCE NASA

National Day of Health Care Service

ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- In order to promote awareness of the issue and gain support for creating and passing legislation this year, Organizing for America is conducting a national Health Care Day of Service on Saturday, June 27.


A group of local volunteers will host a booth at the Royal Oak Farmers' Market this Saturday to provide information on no/low cost health services in Oakland County.


They will distribute literature and applications and provide direction on obtaining some health care services. Guest experts on healthcare topics will lead small group discussions at various times during the day. There will also be free blood pressure testing.


The booth will be open from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM and offer balloons for kids and healthy refreshments.


For more information, please contact Healthcare for Everyone - Yes we Can! at 248-515-7695.


For More Information Contact:
Mike Galle
Executive Producer & Creative Director
Special D Events, Inc.
248-336-8604 (office)
248-515-7695 (cell)
248-554-0806 (home)
mgalle@specialdevents.com






SOURCE Organizing for America

Suzuki Congratulates Congress, President Obama on Approval of 'Car Allowance Rebate System' (CARS) Law

American Suzuki Motor Corp. logo. (PRNewsFoto/American Suzuki Motor Corp.)

BREA, CA UNITED STATES




BREA, Calif., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- With a rich history of producing affordable, fuel-efficient products that fulfill its brand promise of "Travel Light, Live Fully," American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) looks forward to the implementation of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), formerly referred to as the "Cash for Clunkers" initiative signed into law by President Obama today.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090624/138234LOGO)


"We applaud President Obama on signing this extraordinary bill, which will help provide financial relief for Americans across the country and further assist with the economic recovery of the automotive marketplace," said Kevin Saito, president of American Suzuki. "With an added incentive for new car buyers to focus on fuel-efficient vehicles, Suzuki is poised for an increase in dealer traffic thanks to the CARS program. Better yet, we not only offer these people more efficient vehicles, we offer cars, trucks and SUVs that are fun to drive and look great on the road."


The new CARS law allows consumers to receive up to a $4,500 voucher to trade in their old gas guzzlers for a more fuel-efficient new vehicle. Qualifying vehicles are considered passenger cars, mini vans, SUVs and small light-duty trucks that get less than 18 mpg, and large light-duty trucks that get less than 15 mpg city/highway combined. For passenger cars, if the new vehicle is at least four mpg more fuel efficient than the old vehicle, consumers will receive a $3,500 voucher toward a new vehicle. If the new vehicle is at least 10 mpg more fuel efficient than the old vehicle, the voucher is good for $4,500.


Suzuki offers a full lineup of new vehicles that readily qualify for the CARS initiative. Beyond its designation as America's most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicle(1), the five-door SX4 Crossover is the lowest priced automobile to offer a fully integrated standard touch-screen navigation system as standard equipment. For current SUV owners looking to trade-in their gas guzzler, the Grand Vitara offers fuel economy comparable to some crossover-type SUVs (up to 26 mpg highway), along with true 4X4 capability, via a two-speed transfer case. Other vehicles that qualify under the CARS program include the fun-to-drive four-door SX4 sedan (and Sport) and four-cylinder version of the all-new Equator pickup truck. In fact, all of Suzuki's 2009 model year automotive sales have come from vehicles that qualify for the CARS program with the requisite trade in.


The following Suzuki models are eligible for the CARS incentive:


All SX4 Crossover models
All SX4 Sedan models
All Grand Vitara models
All XL7 models
All Equator models (4-cyl and 6-cyl)




In addition to its fuel-efficient automobiles, Suzuki offers an assortment of motorcycles that meet the criteria under the new legislation, including Suzuki's new TU250X (82 miles per gallon) and Gladius (58 mpg).


For more information on obtaining a CARS voucher during your purchase of a new Suzuki vehicle, consumers can visit www.cars.gov or http://suzukiauto.com/cars.


About Suzuki

The Brea, Calif.-based Automotive Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 400 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2008, SMC sold more than two million new cars and trucks and more than three million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 193 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com.


(1) Excludes hybrids and premium-brand lineups.






SOURCE American Suzuki

New White Paper Uncovers Link Between M2M & Social Networking

The integration of Enterprise 2.0 with M2M communication will revolutionize the way companies interact with their products and customers.


SAN FRANCISCO, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- A new white paper by Harbor Research explains how the two major technological trends of the 21st Century- "The Internet of Things" and "Web 2.0"-are on the cusp of coming together. This white paper, titled "Shared Destinies: How The Internet Of Things, Social Networks, & Creative Collaboration Will Shape Future Market Structure" illustrates how the unification of M2M technologies with social networking will revolutionize the way companies interact with their products and their customers.


As the popularity of collaboration and social networking technologies has grown, it has attracted a great deal of attention in the enterprise realm. Many business organizations are aggressively embracing Enterprise 2.0 by using social networks for business development.


But while the consumer world is still wrestling with how to turn Twitter and Facebook into a profitable enterprise, some businesses are turning to social networks in order to interact with their customers on an unprecedented level. Companies like P&G and Peugeot are drawing customers directly into their product and service definition and development processes. Even heavy equipment manufacturers such as ABB are finding these new tools more than just useful methods for communication between and among employees and customers.


Meanwhile, intelligent device networking sometimes referred to as "Pervasive Computing" or the "The Internet of Things" is upon us. But beyond machine-to-machine communication, however, lies the real revolution. The next phase of connectivity and integration of content will be one of placing communities of humans in context with objects and devices and visa versa. Devices need to be better able to understand where they are and the role they play, and adjust according to human needs and desires.


Enter Collaborative Device Communities. Collaborative device communities connects intelligent devices to a social networking system. In a collaborative device community, devices themselves can blog, send & receive messages, report status, share files, and interact on a peer-to-peer basis along with humans.


An example device integration package for such a community includes the ability to "chat" with the device to request status and execute commands, the ability to share files, the ability for the device to "blog" to its community home page or send updates to a feed, and the ability to establish a direct peer-to-peer (P2P) connection to a device for remote desktop or more specialized diagnostics. Harbor Research's "Shared Destinies" white paper elaborates on the enormous value that will be created by Collaborative Device Communities. It was inspired by a recently introduced platform from Palantiri Systems.


Glen Allmendinger, President of Harbor Research, notes, "In today's cutthroat market environment, companies must obtain an intimate relationship with their customers to sustain long-term value creation. Collaborative Device Communities will allow companies to provide the highest level of service while obtaining the critical information about their customers and products that drives cutting edge innovation."


To read the "Shared Destinies" white paper, please visit Harbor Research's website at : http://www.harborresearch.com/HarborContent/whitepapers.html


About Harbor Research, Inc.

For over 20 years, Harbor Research has been providing consulting and research services to leading product manufacturers, services organizations and core technology clients. Harbor's market research and consulting services are organized around emergent and disruptive opportunities, with a unique focus on the impact of the Pervasive Internet-the use of the Internet to accomplish global device networking.


For more information about Harbor Research, please visit http://www.harborresearch.com






SOURCE Harbor Research

Pets are People Too! AP-Petside.com Poll Reveals that American Pets are Often Treated Like Humans

Half Of Pet Owners Value Animals As Much As People In The Family


43% Believe Their Dog Or Cat Has Their Own Sense Of Style


Many Pets Eat People Food


Singles More Likely To Allow Pets To Share Their Bed


NEW YORK, June 23, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- With the downturn in the economy and people seeking more comfort from their pets than ever, the popular pet care and news site Petside.com (http://www.petside.com) recently partnered with The Associated Press (http://www.ap.org) to poll Americans on their attitudes towards their furry friends. The survey revealed that half (50%) of American pet owners truly consider their pets to be as much a part of the family as any other person in the household.


Single people of both genders, but especially single women (66%), were more likely to say that their pet is a full member of the family. Only 46 percent of married women shared the same viewpoint. In comparison, 52 percent of single men said so, compared to 43 percent of married men.


A great percentage (43%) of pet owners think their pooch or kitty has their own sense of style, with 1 in 5 dressing them up in fashionable attire. That said, results show that "Fido" is the more likely to be fashion forward, with almost a quarter (23 percent) of dog owners saying they've purchased an outfit for their pet, compared with 12 percent of cat owners.


In addition human tastes also reach pet tastebuds, with 43 percent of respondents admitting to feeding their pets people food at least sometimes, with more dog owners doing so (48%) than cat owners (40%).


In some respects, the AP-Petside.com Poll reveals that dog owners treat their pets more like members of the family, in that they're more likely to have taken their pet to a family vacation than cat owners (50 % vs. 39%). They are also more likely to have included their pet in a holiday card (37% vs. 33%) or family portrait (38% vs. 32%). Canines are also more likely to be taken to work as opposed to felines (21% vs. 14%).


Still, more cat owners (36%) allow their furry friends to sleep in the same bed with them, as opposed to dog owners (29%), with married people more likely to relegate their pets to its own bed than singles. And, birthday celebrations cut across the playing field, with 29 percent of dog owners marking the occasion in comparison to 26 percent of cat owners.


They say a "rose is a rose" by any name, but almost half (49 percent) of respondents have given at least one of their current pets a human-like name, including 51 percent of dog owners and 50 percent of cat owners. What is the most common name? None stood out, but "Max" got a few more mentions than any other though not enough to give it any broad claim to popularity (even it got less than two percent of all mentions).


For more information go to: www.petside.com/petspoll


Methodology:

The AP-Petside.com Poll was conducted May 28 to June 1, 2009 by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. It involved landline and cell phone interviews with 1,110 pet owners nationwide, and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.


About Petside:

Part of iVillage Networks, Petside.com (www.petside.com) was created by NBC Digital Networks, in partnership with Procter & Gamble Productions, Inc., as a comprehensive source of information and services that helps pets and their owners get the most out of life. Offering customized content and a highly personalized experience, Petside.com is ranked among the top 10 pet Web sites and offers unique editorial features, expert Q&A's, tools and how-to videos.


About The AP:

The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world's population sees news from AP.


On the Net: www.ap.org





SOURCE Petside

Zero Vehicle Emissions, All-Electric Vehicle Now Commercially Available

Baltimore leads nation with all-electric car program



BALTIMORE, June 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Baltimore today became one of the nation's first cities to feature an electric car share and rental program using advanced lithium ion battery technology developed by ExxonMobil. The Maryland Science Center with sponsors Electrovaya and ExxonMobil announced the program, called Altcar, which will raise awareness among Baltimore residents and visitors of the future of energy efficient transportation.


The Maryland Science Center also opened a new energy efficiency exhibit, sponsored by ExxonMobil, which includes hands-on activities for children and a full-scale car that showcases the numerous energy saving technologies currently being used by the auto industry.


"The Maryland Science Center is proud to play a central role in today's historic announcement. The launch of this program fits perfectly with our mission to educate the public on scientific advancement," said Van Reiner, CEO of the science center. "Consumers have shown a demand for car sharing programs around the U.S., and it is a logical next step to utilize this business model to demonstrate the growing desire and need for energy efficient transportation that is key to addressing environmental concerns. The new exhibit also will be crucial to helping expand the knowledge of our visitors on this critical and important topic."


The electric car being used in the science center's Altcar program is the new Maya 300. This vehicle can be fueled using a standard household electrical outlet and can drive up to 60 or 120 miles before recharging. The five-door, five passenger urban vehicle, is equipped with the safety, performance, and convenience features common to gasoline-powered cars. Starting June 24, under the program, Baltimore residents and tourists can rent these vehicles at the science center in the Baltimore Inner Harbor during the day to drive around the city to experience the feel of an electric vehicle.


"With our friends at the Maryland Science Center and ExxonMobil, we are demonstrating that creative collaborations are essential to finding innovative solutions that will help meet our future energy needs, create new jobs and protect our environment," said Sankar Das Gupta, president and chairman, Electrovaya.


A public company based in North America, Electrovaya's mission is to accelerate clean transportation as a commercial reality using its advanced power systems for all classes of zero-emission electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The Maya-300's advanced lithium ion battery uses separator film developed by ExxonMobil that significantly enhances the power, safety, strength and reliability of the lithium ion battery.


The lithium-ion battery separator film is one of the many innovative technologies that ExxonMobil has developed to increase the fuel efficiency of vehicles.


"ExxonMobil has a long, rich history of developing energy resources in an environmentally, socially and economically beneficial manner and we are proud to be a part of this program that supports innovative new technologies," said Jim Harris, senior vice president, ExxonMobil Chemical. "This program, coupled with the state-of-the-art exhibit, demonstrates our commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the globe."


The ceremony today took place at the science center and was attended by Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and Malcolm Wolf, director of the Maryland Energy Administration. Both expressed their gratitude for the science center's leadership, as well as their support for innovative collaborations - such as that between Maryland Science Center, Electrovaya and ExxonMobil - that introduce clean energy choices that dramatically reduce environmental impacts.


For more information, go to www.mayamobility.com or www.mdsci.org.






SOURCE Electrovaya

National Green Energy Council Endorses Their First Green Apparel Company - Bay Area Based A Lot To Say, Inc.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Francisco Bay Area, recently voted one of the "greenest" areas in the nation, is also the home of the National Green Energy Council's newest endorsement. The environmentally respectful t-shirt line, A Lot To Say, Inc., has just been given an exclusive and unprecedented endorsement from the notable non-profit organization.


The National Green Energy Council (GEC) is one of the largest and most distinguished non-profit organizations committed to educating adults and children about the importance of energy efficiency, environmental awareness, global warming and the responsibilities that we bear in order to save our planet and our future.


Some of their ambassadors include: Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Rudy Giuliani, Ted Turner and Mariel Hemingway.


Green Energy Council President and CEO, Ralph Avallone notes:


"In a time where green awareness is imperative but not always followed, we find a lot of fact and fiction between what is really green and helpful to the planet, and what we call 'green washers' -- not actually green. Our program only gives endorsements to truly outstanding green technologies such as the A Lot To Say, Inc. apparel brand. They are making a difference by educating children and the public through their message and manufacturing process. Their shirts are the ultimate in environmental wear because of these distinctions, and because they are made and manufactured here in the USA with a portion of all profits going directly back into reversing the effects of global warming. This product absolutely stands head and shoulders above its competitors and previous technologies."


A Lot To Say, Inc. co-founders and sisters Jennifer Stanich Banmiller and Alison Stanich Power said in response to the coveted endorsement:


"We are both pleased and honored by this endorsement from such a well-known and respected national organization. It's been our goal to create messages of substance on products using the greenest applications possible. It proves that we can make popular products with great messages using responsible technologies."


Here are the facts:



The garments are made from recycled plastic bottles instead of harvested and processed raw materials, which helps conserve our planets limited resources while also removing material from our landfills.
The shirts are colored and printed with a revolutionary AirDye process so it uses NO water. Dying one basic t-shirt takes approximately 15-25 gallons of water, which is often taken from critically scarce sources and released back into the environment after being polluted with the dye products. A Lot to Say, Inc.'s sustainable option replaces the traditional dye and print process with an AirDye method, which uses NO WATER, requires 70% LESS energy and produces NO hazardous by-products.
This revolutionary process reduces water consumption by up to 95%, energy consumption up to 86%, green house emissions by up to 84% and eliminates PVS products by 100% (PVS is a highly carcinogenic plastic with a lifespan of hundreds of years which inhabits landfills for generations).
All of the t-shirts are made in the USA, meaning no sweatshop labor.
The entire line demonstrates sustainability on all fronts - from what it's made of and how it's made, to the longevity of the product and the cost of the shirt (a fraction of what you'd see it for in retail).
The environmental savings are remarkable. For every 25,000 t-shirts sold, the planet will save:
Energy - 1,132,500 MJ (mega-joules)
Water - 157,500 gallons
Green House Emissions - 57,500 (kg CO2 equiv. emissions)
Aside from being environmentally conscious, these cult status t-shirts are chic and stylish and everyone from Hollywood Blvd. to Haight St. are being seen in them.




To purchase these t-shirts and help reverse global warming, go to www.alottosay.com. Every sale counts! Even something as simple as buying a shirt and spreading the message will help you do your part.


For more information on this issue or more about A Lot To Say, Inc., please email us at info@alottosay.com.


For further information on the Green Energy Council (GEC) please visit their website at www.greenenergycouncil.com.







SOURCE A Lot To Say, Inc.

National Fireworks Safety Council Urges Parents to Be Mindful of Sparklers

Sparklers Are Safe When Used Correctly


WASHINGTON, June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Using sparklers on our nation's birthday is as traditional as cookouts and swimming and is equally safe if a few common sense rules are followed. But according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC"), approximately 16% of all consumer fireworks injuries are caused by sparklers burning hands and legs, with the majority of sparkler injuries occurring to young children. These are injuries that would not have occurred if there had been close adult supervision and if some basic safety steps had been taken. The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these safety steps for sparklers, in the hopes that sparkler injuries to young children can be greatly reduced.



Children under the age of 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.
Always remain standing while using sparklers.
Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.
Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.
Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.
Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.
Always stand at least 6 feet from another person while using sparklers.
Never throw sparklers.
Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm's length.
Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding sparklers.



The National Council on Fireworks Safety urges Americans to be Sparkler Smart this Fourth of July in their holiday celebrations.


The National Council on Fireworks Safety is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose sole mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks. For a full list of consumer fireworks safety tips and a safety video, please visithttp://www.FireworksSafety.org.


Contact:

Ralph Apel, President
(913) 579-4529
ralph@wincofireworks.com



This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.




SOURCE National Council on Fireworks Safety

Top 15 Ranking for Supply Chain Management & Marketing Sciences Department at Rutgers Business School

Newly established department bridges gap between academia, business


NEWARK, N.J., June 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The department of Supply Chain Management and Marketing Sciences (SCMMS) at Rutgers Business School (RBS) was recognized as a top 15 program in a report issued by AMR Research Inc. (www.amrresearch.com), which assessed leading U.S.-based university supply chain programs in 2009. In the report, which looked to match industry needs with a university program's capability to deliver the quality and quantity of supply chain management professionals, Rutgers Business School was ranked 8th in "depth of program" and 10th in "industry value." Overall the strength of SCMMS's program was ranked 11th, comparing similarly to programs at Syracuse University and the University of Michigan.


The research cited Rutgers Business School (http://business.rutgers.edu/) as one of the bright spots in the next tier of programs after the top five: "Rutgers University is another growing program, with an undergraduate program being added this summer to build upon a strong group of professors." The report also highlighted the strength of RBS's research in risk management and sustainability.


One of the keys to the department's success is the high regard the industry has for professor Lei Lei, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management and Marketing Sciences. "Professor Lei has developed a vision for the supply-chain management program that drives a high level of competency, generates employment success for the students, impactful results for the hiring companies and builds upon the reputation of Rutgers University," said Roy Anderson, vice president of Global Procurement at MetLife.


"In addition to being a supply chain subject matter expert, Professor Lei is a consummate professional and a leader who is well respected by students, academics, administrators and business professionals in every interaction," added William D. McLaury, CPIM, Executive Director, North American Pharma Supply Chain, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. "She is one of the main reasons that Novartis Pharmaceuticals continues to actively support the RBS Center for Supply Chain Management."


As the results of AMR Research's rankings demonstrated, RBS is becoming a nationally ranked, top-rated supply chain department. "We are accomplishing this goal through our excellence and unique strength in world-class research, innovative teaching, and high quality service in supply chain management to client companies and industry," said Rutgers Business School Dean Michael R. Cooper, Ph.D. "The new Supply Chain Management and Marketing Sciences department plays an important role in delivering to students the business, science, and technology credentials demanded by today's leading corporate employers," added Cooper.


Companies are taking notice, recruiting more RBS MBA graduates for jobs in supply chain management. According to AMR Research on the top recruited graduate programs, RBS tied for 6th. The undergraduate program starts in the fall 2009 semester.


Excellence in industry collaboration


The newly established Supply Chain Management and Marketing Sciences department exemplifies the mutual advantage of collaboration between Rutgers Business School, private companies, and public entities that bridges the gap between academic and business practices. Rutgers SCMMS is conveniently located in the middle of the nation's major air, sea, and rail transportation hubs. Nationally recognized as a leader in industry collaboration, the SCMMS department fills a crucial need for businesses competing in a global economy that face rising logistics, outsourcing, and security challenges. This collaboration is helping companies with complex logistics to succeed by improving efficiencies and effectiveness in the end-to-end supply chain cycle.


SCMMS's mission is threefold. First, to disseminate knowledge through leading-edge research in three focused areas:


1) Supply Chain Optimization

2) Global Procurement Sourcing

3) Marketing Science that interfaces with the Supply Chain and the business


The second goal is to excel in classroom teaching of comprehensive and well-rounded programs, which offer high-quality education that focuses on end-to-end Supply Chain Management and balances both theory and practice.


Third, to continue to link industry through close collaboration with industry and government, with the goal of bridging the gap between academic and business practices, and creating new synergies across disciplines that promote economic development and drive leading-edge research teaching.


The Supply Chain Management and Marketing Sciences department already cooperates with important global companies.


Corporate Partners:

AstraZeneca

Bayer HealthCare

Becton, Dickinson & Company

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Colgate-Palmolive

Deloitte Consulting

Exelon Corporation

Hoffmann-La Roche

ITOCHU International

J. Crew

Johnson & Johnson

Merck & Co., Inc.

MetLife

Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Panasonic

PSEG

Sciele Pharma


About Rutgers Business School

Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick (RBS) is an integral part of one of the nation's oldest, largest, and most distinguished institutions of higher learning: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, founded in 1766. Rutgers Business School has been accredited since 1941 by AACSB International -- the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business -- a distinction that represents the hallmark of excellence in management education. Today, with a focus on Business, Science, and Technology, Rutgers Business School is educating more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students at two main campuses in New Jersey as well as six satellite locations in New Jersey, China, and Singapore. Full-time MBA and part-time MBA programs give excellent options for people looking to boost their careers.


Steeped in academic excellence, with a distinguished faculty and a corps of over 30,000 successful alumni, Rutgers Business School is highly ranked by the Financial Times, U.S. News & World Report, Business Week, and The Wall Street Journal. It is recognized as one of the top three business schools in the greater New York metropolitan area; is ranked #6 nationwide for "Most Competitive Students" by The Princeton Review; and is part of the campus that is ranked #1 in diversity nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, for 12 straight years.


Contact: Daniel Stoll
dstoll@rutgers.business.edu
http://www.business.rutgers.edu/default.aspx








SOURCE Rutgers Business School

The Co-operative Bank Donates pounds Sterling 28,000 to community groups across the UK

MANCHESTER, England, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Co-operative Bank is donating pounds 28,358 to help community groups across the UK carry on making a positive difference, through its Community Directplus account.


The Community Directplus account gives community groups a bank account with free banking, with the added bonus of being able to gain additional financial support for their community projects.


As a benefit of the account, The Customer Donation Fund makes twice yearly donations to Community Directplus customers. Since the account was launched in 2003, it has given over pounds 220,000 to 266 groups that undertake important work within local communities.


The projects which will benefit from funding include, a project to build a wildlife garden in a school, the building of a skate park, the setting up of a parent and toddler group and the purchasing of computer equipment to help an isolated community.


John Barker, Head of Business Banking at The Co-operative Bank comments: "In the difficult economic times we have had over the past year, these donations will really help to support community groups across the UK to fund projects that reach to the heart of their communities."


At The Co-operative Bank community involvement is an integral part of the business and the Customer Donation fund helps us to support other organisations that carry out exemplary work at a local level.


For further information contact:
Alejandra Solis / Catherine Laycock
The Co-operative Financial Services Press Office
Tel: 0161 903 3808 / 3833
Fax: 0161 903 2751


Notes to editors:


ISDN facilities are available for broadcast media interviews.


Case studies available on request


Community Directplus is the leading bank account for community organizations, charities and social groups. In addition to providing the opportunity to apply for financial support via the customer donation fund, other benefits include free banking, credit interest on balances over pounds 2,000 and a choice of easy ways to manage the account, from online and telephone to branch and the Post Office.


More information on The Co-operative Bank Community Direct plus Account can be found at http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk


The Co-operative Financial Services is part of The Co-operative Group, which is the world's largest consumer co-operative with over 3 million members. CFS currently has 5.5m customers and employs over 8,000 staff. It has 116 retail and corporate branches/centres and over 1,000 face to face financial advisers. It has pounds 38bn of assets under management across its retail and corporate business areas. This includes the Co-operative insurance, leading home insurance and car insurance providers.







SOURCE The Co-operative Bank

Engineering News-Record Assesses Construction of NASA's New Space Launch Facilities

Troubled economy and government review question $100-billion shuttle replacement plan


NEW YORK, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- With a $100-billion price tag, NASA's space shuttle replacement program, Constellation, aims to return astronauts to the Moon in 2020, followed by a Moon base and missions to Mars. An article in next week's June 22 Engineering News-Record (ENR), published by McGraw-Hill Construction and now online at ENR.com, reviews the impact of the economy on NASA's plans as well as the new facilities, systems and launch structures currently under development and under construction at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL, and other sites throughout the U.S.


The Constellation program includes the development and production of the new Ares rocket system as well as the Altair lunar module and engineering and infrastructure components. Major changes to the launch pads, including demolition of old fixed structures and the construction of new ones, are the first steps currently underway at Cape Canaveral. Modifications to the Launch Control Center are in progress, and the Vehicle Assembly Building also will be modified for the program. Construction is expected to ramp up further in 2010-2011, and the first crew launch is scheduled for 2015, while the first Ares V equipment launch is planned by 2020. Other large facilities include the Ares I test stand at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, currently under construction, and a 3-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Michoud Parish, LA, now in the early design stage. Collectively, these projects will infuse billions of dollars into the economically battered construction industry.


Despite these concrete plans, "NASA's history of poor fiscal and contract management is likely to come under committee review," says the article. Indeed, an independent financial review by Obama-appointee Norman Augustine could lead to budget shortfalls for NASA if alternatives to the Constellation program are recommended as the best trajectory for the future of human space flight.


The full article is available online at http://enr.ecnext.com/coms2/article_tect090617NASALaunchPa-1. For further commentary, contact ENR reporters Thomas F. Armistead at Tom_Armistead@mcgraw-hill.com and Steve Setzer at setzer.enr@gmail.com.


About McGraw-Hill Construction

McGraw-Hill Construction connects people, projects and products across the design and construction industry. For more than a century, the Company has remained North America's leading provider of construction project information, plans and specifications, product information, industry news, and industry trends and forecasts. In print and online, the Company offers a variety of tools, applications, and resources that easily integrate with its customers' workflows. Backed by the power of Dodge, Sweets, Architectural Record, Engineering News-Record (ENR), GreenSource, HQ, SNAP and 11 regional publications, McGraw-Hill Construction serves more than one million customers within the $5.6 trillion global construction community. To learn more, visit www.construction.com.


About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.






SOURCE McGraw-Hill Construction

City of Santa Monica Continues Its 'Clean Leadership'

ORDERS FIRST US BUILT COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC ZEROTRUCK


LOS ANGELES, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Santa Monica has purchased the first ZeroTruck all-electric zero emission medium duty truck. The vehicle will be equipped with a Scelzi utility body for use in the City of Santa Monica. Fleet Superintendent Rick Sikes explains what this means for the City's fleet: "This truck meets the needs of our Water Division and the goals of our Sustainable City Plan to reduce emissions and reduce our use of petroleum. A zero emission medium-duty truck is something that has never been available to us until now."


The ZeroTruck is an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck based on the Isuzu N series chassis and is the only US built electric truck offered for sale in the United States in 2009. The ZeroTruck offers a low cab forward design, a fully automated transmission, up to 100-mile range with full highway capability, advanced lithium batteries, an onboard battery charger, regenerative braking, and powered by a UQM(R) PowerPhase(R) 100 advanced electric motor. Delivery will be through South Bay Truck Center of Carson, CA (a ZeroTruck dealer).


Electrorides CEO Tedd Abramson states, "The vehicle is a realistic solution for fleets to go "zero emission" and will be used for evaluation and demonstration to other state and local governments who are expected to continue to reduce emissions with the number one choice, electric. By encouraging fleets to go zero-emission with future vehicle purchases makes sense and we commend the SCAQMD and Santa Monica for taking leadership positions with the plug-in electric/zero emission approach."


Electrorides electric drive integration system (EDIS) converts class (3-5) trucks to run on electric power with a highway speed of 55 mph, and up to 100 miles per battery charge using lithium polymer battery technology. This range is ideal for the medium-duty market, as most usage for this type of vehicle is less than 100 miles/day using dozens of body configurations.


The ZeroTruck is currently listed on the GSA buy list under alternative fueled vehicles.


ELECTRORIDES, INC., based in Southern California, is a developer and producer of commercial electric trucks for public and private fleet operators.







SOURCE Electrorides, Inc.

Portland Fish Exchange Welcomes 'Fishing for Energy' Partnership

Innovative fishing gear disposal program hosts inaugural event in Maine


PORTLAND, Maine, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Fishing for Energy is hooking up the City of Portland to facilitate the disposal of unusable fishing gear from the area's fishermen serviced by the Portland Fish Exchange.


Portland is the first fishing community in Maine to partner with Fishing for Energy, an innovative partnership that provides a no-cost solution for fishermen to dispose of old fishing gear which is then turned into energy. A bin has been placed at 6 Portland Fish Pier and will provide a cost-free method for fishing gear to be collected and subsequently converted into clean, renewable energy at a Covanta Energy-from-Waste facility.


The Fishing for Energy partnership is an initiative between Covanta Energy (Covanta), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, and Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. It provides a cost-free solution for fishermen to dispose of old, derelict or unusable fishing gear. Fishing equipment, if it becomes derelict, can threaten marine life, impair navigational safety, and have serious economic repercussions on shipping enterprises and, most importantly, coastal communities. The program has collected more than 180 tons of old fishing gear since launching in 2008, a significant portion of which has been retrieved, in some areas, directly from the marine environment by helpful fishermen.


"Improving the environment of our harbor and sea coast is a critical priority for the city and in keeping with our sustainability objectives," said Mayor Jill Duson. "This project is an excellent example of how the city, state, and federal government can successfully partner with local industry to reach common goals -- improve the environment, reduce energy dependency and support the local economy."


The Fishing for Energy partnership thrives on immense cooperation between local organizations and fishermen to collect or retrieve derelict fishing gear and dispose of it properly in the cost-free Covanta collection bin. In Portland, the agencies, local organizations and fishermen groups making the cleanup effort possible are the City of Portland and the Maine Coastal Program. These groups have worked collaboratively with the partnership to implement the disposal of the collected gear at Portland Fish Pier in the hopes of reducing any financial and environmental burdens that may be realized by the need to dispose of this gear.


"Marine debris is a significant problem for our coastal waters, affecting commercial fisherman and fishing companies, as well as marine wildlife habitats," said Colin Kelly, of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. "On behalf of Schnitzer Steel, NOAA, Covanta Energy, and NFWF, we are all pleased to be partnering with the marine community of Maine to work towards the disposal of this gear as a source of energy to power the region's homes and businesses. We as a leader in the recycling business look for opportunities like this program while always believing our strength and success are directly related to our focus on sustainability."


In 2009, the Fishing for Energy partnership will expand to work with ports on both the east and west coasts of the United States, hosting a series of launch events which aim to promote retired or derelict fishing gear collection through community education and outreach, and will promote this through a small grants program later in the year. For more information on the partnership visit: www.nfwf.org/fishingforenergy.


About the Portland Fish Exchange

The Portland Fish Exchange is America's first all-display fresh seafood auction. A non-profit organization owned by the City of Portland, the Exchange opened in 1986. The Exchange is managed by a Board of Directors representing seafood buyers and sellers, and City residents and government leaders. The Exchange supports Maine's seafood industry by providing buyers and sellers with impartial grading and weighing services to the commercial fishing industry, and advocating for sustainable fisheries and Maine's seafood industry at the state, regional, and federal levels.


About Covanta

Covanta Energy is an internationally recognized owner and operator of large-scale Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy projects and a recipient of the Energy Innovator Award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Covanta's 38 Energy-from-Waste facilities provide communities with an environmentally sound solution to their solid waste disposal needs by using that municipal solid waste to generate clean, renewable energy. Annually, Covanta's modern Energy-from-Waste facilities safely and securely convert more than 17 million tons of waste into more than 8 million megawatt hours of clean renewable electricity and create 10 billion pounds of steam that are sold to a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.covantaenergy.com.


About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

A nonprofit established by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation sustains, restores and enhances the Nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Through leadership conservation investments with public and private partners, NFWF is dedicated to achieving maximum conservation impact by developing and applying best practices and innovative methods for measurable outcomes. Since its establishment, NFWF has awarded nearly 9,500 grants to over 3,000 organizations in the United States and abroad and leveraged -- with its partners -- more than $400 million in federal funds into more than $1.3 billion for on-the-ground conservation. For more information, visit www.nfwf.org.


About NOAA

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.


The NOAA Marine Debris Program, housed within the Office of Response & Restoration, coordinates, strengthens, and increases the visibility of marine debris issues and efforts within the agency, its partners, and the public. The program supports activities at both a national and international level focused on identifying, reducing and preventing debris from entering the marine environment. NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) protects coastal and marine resources, mitigates threats, reduces harm, and restores ecological function. The Office provides comprehensive solutions to environmental hazards caused by oil, chemicals, and marine debris. For more information, visit: www.noaa.gov.


About Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.

Schnitzer Steel, Inc. was founded in 1906 as a one-man scrap recovery operation and has evolved into one of the country's leading providers of used and recycled auto parts and a manufacturer of finished steel products. Our strength and success is directly related to our focus on sustainability. All of our businesses are constantly working on reducing our environmental footprint. Over the years, we've improved our processes and controls, invested capital to increase our efficiency and decrease our energy use, and fostered a culture of resourcefulness and accountability. We've worked hard over the years to integrate that focus into every layer of our culture. Recycling metal instead of using virgin ore to create new steel products saves energy and natural resources. www.schnitzersteel.com




SOURCE Fishing for Energy

Lutheran World Relief Brings Urgent Aid to Sri Lanka

BALTIMORE, June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lutheran World Relief (LWR) announced today a $500,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support its emergency response to the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. The grant will fund half of LWR's response with local partners to supply food and water, establish community kitchens, and provide hygiene supplies, and educational and other services to children.


By providing for the immediate needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the grant allows LWR to expand the scope of its response and focus on the variety of medium- to long-term challenges facing Sri Lankans affected by armed conflict. Two LWR partner organizations will be supported by the grant: the Federation of Social Development Organization (FOSDO) and Social Economical and Environmental Developers (SEED).


The most urgent priority is providing food and clean water to IDPs in the Vavuniya district of Sri Lanka. LWR's partners will assist in developing community kitchens in the camps, which will provide nearly 20,000 people with food for at least 45 days. LWR's partners will also provide cooking supplies, including pots and utensils, to community kitchens in 10 locations. SEED will supply hygiene packs - containing items such as diapers, soap, towels, and toothbrushes - for 4,000 children.


"With funding from the Gates Foundation, LWR will be able to scale up the work we have been doing to provide lifesaving food and water to Sri Lankans displaced by the conflict. The needs are urgent, so this grant is very well-timed," said Joanne Fairley, LWR Regional Director for Asia and the Middle East.


Armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has killed and injured thousands of people since the war began in 1983, with fighting intensifying this past spring. Although the government of Sri Lanka declared victory on May 18, approximately 265,000 people still remain in, or continue to arrive at, government-run IDP camps. Many people in the crowded camps are sick, injured, malnourished, and dehydrated. In addition, many are separated from their families and traumatized by the impact of the fighting.


"People wait in long lines hoping to receive limited food, so LWR is prioritizing this in our relief work" Fairley said. "Our staff members in Sri Lanka have actually seen people die while waiting in line for food and water. The situation is extremely dire," she added.


While the foundation's grant is an essential piece of LWR's emergency response in Sri Lanka, more funding is necessary to meet the urgent needs of people in the camps. Lutheran World Relief needs to raise an additional $500,000 to ensure that displaced Sri Lankans are able to feed their families, maintain a healthy environment, and educate their children. LWR accepts donations online at lwr.org or by phone at 1-800-LWR-LWR-2 (597-5972).


INTERNATIONAL DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving donations for aid to survivors of major disasters outside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please include:

Lutheran World Relief, www.lwr.org, 1-800-597-5972


For information contact:

Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802, 443-220-3269 cell, esollie@lwr.org


WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.


Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.






SOURCE Lutheran World Relief

Oncology Care Quality Improvement Program Introduced by Bipartisan Coalition Dedicated to Better Cancer Care Nationwide

Legislators proud to introduce "Oncology Care Quality Improvement Program of 2009" to ensure that patients, doctors and families have the best health care tools available


Bill is endorsed by National Patient Advocate Foundation and US Oncology


WASHINGTON, June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A bipartisan group of members from the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill late yesterday aimed at improving oncology care in the United States by refocusing efforts towards patient-centered cancer care delivery and studying the best methods to coordinate care and extend quality of life. The "Oncology Care Quality Improvement Program of 2009" will establish a voluntary pilot program to identify major areas of potential improvement to oncology care, including error reduction, increased patient education and care coordination, and expansion of end-of-life planning and counseling services.


This groundbreaking oncology legislation, led by U.S. Representative Joseph Crowley (NY-7), has 18 original cosponsors, including lead sponsors Reps. Mike Rogers (MI-08), Lois Capps (CA-23), Anna Eshoo (CA-14) and Paul Ryan (WI-01). The bill has been endorsed by National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF), US Oncology, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO), Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) and UPMC Cancer Centers.


"Fighting cancer is a fight we must win," said Rep. Joseph Crowley (NY-7). "This innovative demonstration project will ensure that patients and doctors have the best tools and information at their disposal. By providing our health care providers with most-up-to date information on best practices, we will ensure cancer patients are given the best and most cost-effective care. I thank Rep. Rogers, Capps, Eshoo and Ryan and colleagues from both sides of the aisle for joining me in leading this fight for oncology patients, doctors and families. We are proud to have the endorsement of the National Patient Advocate Foundation and US Oncology, our partners in working to get this program enacted swiftly."


"Cancer is one of the great health care challenges of our time," said Rep. Mike Rogers (MI-08). "Half of all men and one third of women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives and these figures are expected to skyrocket as the Baby Boom generation ages. That's why I'm proud to join Rep. Crowley to introduce this legislation, which will improve the quality of care for seniors with cancer while also creating a more efficient Medicare system."


"As researchers and clinicians work to improve cancer care in innovative ways, I'm proud to be part of this effort by Congress and CMS to evaluate the innovative use of health information technology in order to improve cancer care overall," said Rep. Lois Capps (CA-23). "The standard for oncology care in the 21st Century is about comprehensive care planning and coordination. By providing incentives to use the newest health information technology tools available, we can assist providers and patients in achieving optimal information sharing on best practices and better coordination among clinicians."


"As we begin to work on health care reform in the House, it's more important than ever that we look at every option available to help increase the quality of care while decreasing the overall cost of health care," said Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-14). "This pilot program gives participating oncology groups the flexibility and incentives necessary to explore cost-saving measures without sacrificing the quality care their patients receive."


"Like most Americans, my family has been personally touched by cancer and personally motivated in our fight against cancer," said Rep. Paul Ryan (WI-01). "I remain committed to doing all that I can to find a cure for this disease, while working to promote innovate and compassionate improvements to oncology care. I am a proud to help introduce the Oncology Care Quality Improvement Program, and thank Rep. Crowley and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working on this important piece of legislation and for their leadership in the fight against cancer."


"Finally, we have a thoughtful, progressive, quality-driven program that achieves patient-centric cancer care delivery, while reducing costs at the same time. It is a win for the patient, the taxpayer and the physician," said Dr. Roy Beveridge, Chief Medical Officer, US Oncology.


National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF) continued, "NPAF is pleased to offer its strong support for the Oncology Care Quality Improvement Program of 2009. This legislation calls for adherence to evidence-based guidelines which will reduce variation in care for patients and help physicians make clinical decisions with evidence of proven treatment regimens. In addition, NPAF commends Rep. Crowley for addressing the importance of an adequate medical workforce as well as appropriate reimbursement which are critical in order for education and care coordination to have a meaningful impact on patients and our health care system."


Background on the Oncology Care Quality Improvement Program of 2009:


The oncology care quality improvement (OCQI) program is a cost-saving, voluntary pilot program, to be led by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in consultation with an advisory committee of expert oncology community physician, nurse, patient organizations and industry leaders. The OCQI will evaluate the impact of provider-led approaches to improve care quality and outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with cancer while creating greater care efficiencies to reduce costs. The OCQI aims to foster evidence-based guideline adherence to minimize variation and reduce errors in care, offers patient education and care coordination services to help patients avoid and/or address common effects of their cancers and treatments, and provides end-of-life planning and counseling services that aims to improve quality of life.


The OCQI will provide payments to participating oncology groups - based on their meeting of defined performance goals as well as per capita expenditure targets created by CMS - to be allocated from half of the program savings generated by the participating group. The other half of the program savings will be retained by the Medicare program.





SOURCE U.S. House of Representatives