Federal Open Market Committee raise rate by 25 basis points

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3 percent.

The Committee believes that, even after this action, the stance of monetary policy remains accommodative and, coupled with robust underlying growth in productivity, is providing ongoing support to economic activity. Recent data suggest that the solid pace of spending growth has slowed somewhat, partly in response to the earlier increases in energy prices. Labor market conditions, however, apparently continue to improve gradually. Pressures on inflation have picked up in recent months and pricing power is more evident.

The Committee perceives that, with appropriate monetary policy action, the upside and downside risks to the attainment of both sustainable growth and price stability should be kept roughly equal. With underlying inflation expected to be contained, the Committee believes that policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured. Nonetheless, the Committee will respond to changes in economic prospects as needed to fulfill its obligation to maintain price stability.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Alan Greenspan, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Susan S. Bies; Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.; Richard W. Fisher; Edward M. Gramlich; Donald L. Kohn; Michael H. Moskow; Mark W. Olson; Anthony M. Santomero; and Gary H. Stern.

In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 25-basis-point increase in the discount rate to 4 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Richmond, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, and San Francisco.

SOURCE: federalreserve.gov/ Release Date: May 3, 2005 For immediate release 2005 Monetary policy

VA Awards Grant to Louisiana Veterans Home

VA Awards Grant to Louisiana Veterans Home

WASHINGTON – Making sure that Louisiana has comfortable residences for its veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is targeting $12.3 million in grant money to construct a new facility in Bossier City.

"This grant honors our commitment to care for the men and women who have served in uniform," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "Our federal-state partnership will provide a comfortable home for Louisiana’s veterans in a time of great personal need."

The grant will pay up to 65 percent of the costs for constructing a new 156-bed nursing home in Bossier City. Louisiana already operates veterans homes in Jackson, Jennings and Monroe.

In fiscal year 2005, VA expects to spend about $1 billion in Louisiana to serve more than 360,000 veterans who live in the state. The department operates major medical centers in Alexandria, New Orleans and Shreveport, as well as several outpatient clinics.

Information about the veterans homes in Louisiana is available on the Web at vetaffairs.com/vahomes. SOURCE: Department of Veterans Affairs # # # April 28, 2005

U.S. Transportation Loan For The Miami Intermodal Center

Innovative Loan For The Miami Intermodal Center Will Lower Costs, Speed Construction And Reduce Congestion, Bush Administration Promotes Financing Tool To Advance Transportation Projects

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced a $170 million loan for the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), which will provide safe and efficient access to transit, rail, bus, taxi and other transportation services near Miami International Airport.

The new loan is the second of two federal government loans to the Florida Department of Transportation for the MIC. The loan announced today will be used to consolidate rental car facilities into one location, improving access for users and reducing congestion around the airport terminal.

The first loan, worth $269 million, was given in 2000, and was used to improve area roads, including NW 14 St., NW 37th Ave. and LeJeune Road, an important access route to the airport. Together, the loans are expected to accelerate the MIC project’s completion and reduce its cost.

“This loan will give the project the jumpstart it needs to deliver better transportation options to residents and visitors sooner,” said Secretary Mineta
.
"I value the partnership between the federal and state governments to secure innovative financing for the Miami Intermodal Center (MIC), which will save both time and money," said Governor Jeb Bush. "Thanks to this loan, our citizens, visitors and businesses in the Miami area will all benefit from speeding up the completion of this vital project."

The loan was made under a financing program established by the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). The credit assistance program helps state and local governments deliver transportation projects using innovative funding sources, including private capital. By blending public and private funding sources, the loans advance large, capital-intensive transportation improvements that otherwise might be delayed or not built at all.

“This project demonstrates that mainstreaming non-traditional, innovative financing can deliver needed transportation improvements faster and at less cost to American taxpayers,” said Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters.

The Bush Administration wants to expand the successful loan program so that more projects around the country are eligible for assistance similar to that provided to the MIC. The Administration’s surface transportation proposal, now under consideration by Congress, contains a number of measures that encourage private sector investment in transportation.

-END- SOURCE: DOT 68-05 Monday, May 2, 2005 Contact: Nancy Singer Tel.: (202) 366-0660

President to Welcome Presidents from Central American and Dominican Republic

President to Welcome Presidents from Central American and Dominican Republic

President Bush will welcome President Abel Pacheco of Costa Rica, President Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic, President Elias Antonio Saca of El Salvador, President Oscar Berger of Guatemala, President Ricardo Maduro of Honduras, and President Enrique Bolanos of Nicaragua to the White House for a meeting on May 12, 2005. The President looks forward to discussing with his colleagues the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), as well as efforts to advance our common goal of a more democratic and prosperous Western Hemisphere.

# # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 2, 2005

nominate R. Thomas Weimer, designate David A. Sampson

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate one individual and designate one individual to serve in his Administration: The President intends to nominate R. Thomas Weimer, of Colorado, to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior (Policy, Management and Budget). Mr. Weimer currently serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior. He previously worked in the Office of Federal Government Relations for the University of California as Legislative Director for National Laboratory Affairs. Earlier in his career, Mr. Weimer served as Subcommittee Staff Director for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science. He received his bachelor's degree and first master's degree from Harvey Mudd College and his second master's degree from the University of Washington. The President intends to designate David A. Sampson, of Texas, to be Acting Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

# # # For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 2, 2005 Personnel Announcement

U.S. Signs Open Skies Aviation Agreement with Paraguay

U.S. Signs Open Skies Aviation Agreement with Paraguay

The United States is pleased to announce the signing of an Open Skies air transport agreement with Paraguay. U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay John F. Keane and Acting Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Marciel Bobadilla Guillen signed the agreement on May 2, 2005 during a ceremony held in Asunción.

This agreement modernizes U.S.-Paraguayan aviation relations by allowing airlines to make commercial decisions with minimal government intervention. It provides for open routes, capacity, frequencies, designations, and pricing, as well as opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including code-sharing. It also includes all-cargo seventh freedom rights, allowing airlines to perform international cargo operations without connecting to their homeland.

Establishing Open Skies as the basis of U.S.-Paraguayan aviation relations is an important step toward spurring trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations.

With this signing, Paraguay is the 68th country with which the United States has negotiated a bilateral Open Skies agreement.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/458 Released on May 2, 2005 Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 2, 2005

Joint United States – France Statement on Lebanon

Joint United States – France Statement on Lebanon, Following is the text of a joint United States – France statement on Lebanon.

BEGIN TEXT:

Lebanon is a sovereign, independent state that aspires to freedom and democracy. The United States and France, together with the rest of the international community, pledged in Resolution 1559 to stand with Lebanon in fulfilling these aspirations. We support the extension of the sole and exclusive control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory, and stand ready to assist in this. We expect the full implementation of all provisions of the Resolution. We expect all parties to cooperate fully to this end within the ongoing political process.

The UN Secretary-General's report on the implementation of Resolution 1559 notes Syria's announced withdrawal of its troops and intelligence apparatus. A UN team is now in Lebanon to verify the completion of this withdrawal. The end of any residual Syrian presence or continued interference in Lebanon is necessary to establish a balanced and equitable relationship between the two countries.

France and the United States also expect the immediate implementation of Resolution 1595 establishing an international commission of inquiry to investigate the assassination of Mr. Hariri and the other murdered Lebanese citizens. We expect the parties concerned to cooperate fully to uncover the truth. The commission must deploy to Lebanon soon in order to properly investigate this terrorist attack.

We welcome the formation of a new Lebanese government which has pledged to hold free and fair democratic elections beginning at the end of May in accordance with the constitution and using a balloting method accepted by all parties. We welcome the Lebanese government's acceptance of UN technical assistance to prepare for the upcoming parliamentary elections and we expect the Lebanese authorities to invite an independent international team of observers to monitor the entire electoral process itself. The international community is ready to assist in this effort.

France and the United States stand ready to respond to requests for assistance by a sovereign and democratic Lebanese government formed as a result of the forthcoming elections.

END TEXT. SOURCE: state.gov 2005/459 Released on May 2, 2005 Joint Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC May 2, 2005

Expansion of GovBenefits.gov

Labor Department Announces Expansion of GovBenefits.gov, Award-Winning Web site Now Features GovLoans.gov En Español , More Programs

WASHINGTON—U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Steven J. Law today announced the launch of GovLoans.gov en Español and the expansion of the GovBenefits.gov Web site to more than 1,000 federal and state benefit programs. The announcement was made during a celebration of the Web site's third anniversary.

GovLoans.gov En Español offers Spanish-speaking communities greater access to available federal and state loan program information. GovBenefits.gov was among the Top 25 finalists for the 2005 Excellence.gov Award from the Industry Advisory Council. The Web site is one of the key initiatives that comprise the President's E-Government Strategy which focuses on making government programs and information more accessible to the public.

“GovBenefits.gov offers diverse and extensive benefit program information for veterans, seniors, students, teachers, children, people with disabilities, dependents, disaster victims, farmers, caregivers, job seekers, prospective homeowners and more,” said Deputy Secretary Law. “The Web site has attracted more than 17 million visitors since it went online in April 2002, increasing citizens' access to benefit programs and information they may not have known existed.”

Joining Law for the celebration event were Karen Evans, administrator of the Office of Management and Budget's Office of e-Government and Information Technology, and Patrick Pizzella, assistant secretary of labor for administration and management and chief information officer (CIO).

Managed by the Department of Labor, GovBenefits.gov also announced the launch of “Customized Connections,” which allows agencies to customize their Web sites with GovBenefits.gov functionality. Specifically, agencies can reuse the GovBenefits.gov pre-screening questionnaire and search capabilities, while maintaining their own branding and overall design.

GovBenefits.gov is a collaborative effort of 10 federal agencies, including the Departments of Labor, Agriculture, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, State, Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration.

Media Availability: Either Assistant Secretary and CIO Pizzella or a GovBenefits.gov expert is available for interviews. Please call 202-693-7909 or 693-4676 to schedule an interview.

SOURCE: The United States Department of Labor OPA News Release: [04/29/2005]Contact Name: Peggy Abrahamson or Camille Anderson Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x7909 Release Number: 05-597-NAT

CONSULAR OFFICER PLED GUILTY

FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT CHIEF CONSULAR OFFICER PLED GUILTY TO RECEIVING ILLEGAL BENEFITS FROM FOREIGN NATIONALS

WASHINGTON, DC-Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and Joe Morton, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State, announced today that Patricia Raikes, a former State Department employee and former Chief Consular Officer at the United States Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, pled guilty to a one count information charging her with a conflict of interest in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 209 and 216. The Honorable Ricardo M. Urbina of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia set Raikes’ sentencing for August 16, 2005.

According to the plea documents, Raikes, as Chief Consular Officer, was responsible for oversight of the full range of consular activities at the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon, including the issuance of visas and the enforcement of established embassy regulations. From 1999 through 2001, while serving as Chief Consular Officer, Raikes received thousands of dollars of benefits from foreign businesspeople in the form of paid airline travel and hotel stays for Raikes and her family members. After receiving these benefits, Raikes subsequently issued and/or approved more than 35 visa applications submitted or referred by the aforementioned foreign businesspeople. The plea documents further stated that many of the individuals who received visas issued and/or approved by Raikes were in fact ineligible to have received tourist visas under the then-existing embassy policy.

This matter was handled by Trial Attorneys Peter R. Zeidenberg and Sabrina A. Houlton of the Public Integrity Section, headed by Section Chief Noel L. Hillman. This matter was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service. ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2005 SOURCE: USDOJ.GOV CRM (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888

Special Trustee for American Indians (OST)

The Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) Opens Nationwide Trust Beneficiary Call Center, toll-free (888) 678-6836 ext. 888

New OST Trust Beneficiary Call Center is a toll-free information center for all Indian Trust beneficiaries.

During the first four-and-a-half months of pilot testing focused on the Concho and Anadarko agencies in Oklahoma, Call Center staff handled more than 18,000 phone calls from Indian Trust beneficiaries.

More than 94% of all calls were resolved immediately, with staff providing answers to inquiries in a matter of minutes.

Indian Trust beneficiaries now have a nationwide toll-free location to call for information on their trust account.

OST began the Trust Beneficiary Call Center service as a pilot-program in the Concho and Anadarko agencies in Oklahoma. By December of 2005, beneficiaries across the nation will have direct access to the Call Center, without even having to dial an extension.

During the first four-and-a-half months of operation, Call Center staff members answered 18,908 calls from Indian Trust account holders. The majority of calls were concerning specific account information, but many callers asked questions about other issues such as realty, mineral leases, and new probate laws. Of these calls, 17,775 of the callers had their questions answered immediately. In the past, callers may have contacted their local BIA office, where employees often had to spend many hours finding answers to inquiries. By contacting the Call Center, it is estimated that more than 963 hours were saved for Department of the Interior field staff to focus on other Indian trust-related issues.

According to Special Trustee Ross Swimmer, "This is the first time Indian Trust beneficiaries have had a convenient, one-stop resource for trust asset information. In a matter of minutes, beneficiaries can now get answers to their questions. In the past it could take hours or days of telephone tag between Interior employees for people to get answers. The time saved by Interior field staff, who now can focus on their responsibilities to beneficiaries, is invaluable for Indian Country and is sure to translate into increased productivity."

Call Center staff also help with other Indian Affairs projects, such as locating Indian trust account holders who do not have a current address on file, and whose whereabouts are unknown. Last year, one Call Center staff member was able to help identify a trust beneficiary whose whereabouts were previously unknown, and who had more than $100,000 in an Indian Trust account.

The new Trust Beneficiary Call Center is just one of a number of trust reform efforts that Interior is undertaking to improve both services and information for Indian Trust beneficiaries across the country. Other projects include providing Direct Deposit of funds for account holders, creating a nationwide system for all trust data, establishing a secure "lock-box" procedure for collections, and updating trust asset title information. All of these projects fall under the umbrella of the Fiduciary Trust Model adopted by the Department of the Interior in 2004. For a copy of the model, see doi.gov/ost.

The Trust Beneficiary Call Center is open from Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mountain Time. Hours will be extended to evenings and weekends in coming months. -DOI-

SOURCE: U.S. Department of the Interior OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS Contact: Maria Streshinsky FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2005 (202) 208-4289

William O. Russell Housing Authority of Sarasota (HACS)

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SELECTED TO RUN SARASOTA HOUSING AUTHORITY

Former HUD employee responsible for managing housing and community development programs and policies in New York City selected to help improve public housing

WASHINGTON - The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), as receiver of the Housing Authority of Sarasota (HACS), has selected William O. Russell as the new executive director of the troubled housing authority.

Russell most recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Housing and Voucher Programs at HUD. In this capacity, he directed operations of HUD's public housing and Section 8 - the agency's two largest programs with a budget totaling $18 billion. He managed a staff of more than 200 employees at Headquarters and HUD's regional offices.

"As receiver of this housing authority, I now know first hand the kind of leadership lacking at HACS," said Carmen Valenti, the HUD-appointed receiver, who serves as the HACS board of commissioners. "In his time at HUD, Mr. Russell has demonstrated his ability to manage people, execute budgets and develop policies and procedures to improve operations. We are confident Mr. Russell will serve the people of Sarasota well.

Russell will begin his official duties at HACS on May 16, with an annual salary of $140,000. He will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the housing authority. This will include ensuring the 588 public housing units and 780 Section 8 units are safe, decent and sanitary for the residents. He will also work closely on the transformation of the housing authority by building ties with residents and the local community.

Prior to HUD, Russell managed all housing and community development programs and policies for former New York City Mayor Rudolf Giuliani. He advised and coordinated with the city's housing agencies on legislative developments.

Russell has a master's degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs and a bachelor's degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at hud.gov/ and espanol.hud.gov. ###

HUD No. 05-064 Donna White (202) 708-0685 hud.gov/news/ For Release Monday May 2, 2005

Arab Women"s Business Summit Tunis

Upcoming Business Women’s Summit Will Advance Leadership and Entrepreneurial Skills of Arab Women

The Middle East Partnership Initiative will host a three-day forum in Tunis May 24-26, 2005 featuring practical business training for almost 200 women entrepreneurs from 16 countries and territories in the Middle East and North Africa. The attendees are recognized businesswomen and organizational leaders from the region and are graduates of Middle East Partnership Initiative programs, such as the Middle East Entrepreneur Training in the U.S. and Business Internship Program. They demonstrate strong leadership abilities and a desire to expand economic opportunities and spur job growth in their countries. The conference is timely as the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) is becoming a new global market opportunity, and entrepreneurs across the region are pursuing economic reforms as well as business challenges.

Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky will offer the keynote address on the opening day of the conference on the theme of women’s potential to expand their business leadership to other realms, including the advancement of democracy and women’s empowerment. The U.S. delegation also includes Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs, Patricia Harrison, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Elizabeth Cheney, and Vice Chair, Export-Import Bank, April Foley. American businesswomen will provide training under the auspices of WE, Inc., an American nonprofit business association advocating policy solutions that encourage business ownership by women and that assist entrepreneurs at all stages of their business development.

Women attendees will build peer networks, learn from regional and American experts, and find new venture partners. As business owners and executives, they recognize their leading role in economic reform through business expansion, entry into international trade, and dynamic joint ventures to take advantage of the opportunities offered by reformed economic systems and trade agreements.

The forum organizer is the Beyster Institute at the Rady School, University of California, San Diego, which is implementing the Middle East Entrepreneurship Training in the U.S., also a Middle East Partnership Initiative. More information about the Middle East Partnership Initiative can be found at: mepi.state.gov.

2005/456 Released on May 2, 2005 Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC May 2, 2005

Whitehouse Correspondents Dinner 04/30/05

Whitehouse Correspondents Dinner - First Lady Laura Bush roasts the President. real media format. Running time is 1:57:35. Stage presentations begin at aprox. 56:40, Laura Bush at aprox. 1:14:00 and Cedric the Entertainer follows Mrs Bush. 04/30/05 c-span, created by cable, provided as a public service

Ramos v. Chertoff

NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT CHICAGO – Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced that a settlement has been reached in the case Ramos v. Chertoff (02 C 8266, Northern District, Illinois). This lawsuit involved individuals who filed applications for adjustment of status under Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act between January 29, 1997, and April 30, 2001, with the Chicago Office of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Individuals who filed their applications during this period of time, which were processed and denied because their applications were either premature, or defective because an approvable visa petition had not been filed for them, may be eligible for a credit for their filing fees and other relief under the settlement announced today.

Individuals who filed 245(i) applications between January 29, 1997, and April 30, 2001, who believe they might be eligible for relief, should contact class representatives at (312) 660-1898.

THIS IS NOT AN ANMESTY. This settlement creates no new rights or means for obtaining residency status in the United States.

The Court has preliminarily approved the settlement in this case and has scheduled a hearing on the fairness of this settlement for June 10, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. Class members who object to any of the terms of the settlement must file their written objections with the Office of the Clerk, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Everett McKinley Dirksen Building, 219 South Dearborn Street, 20th Floor, Chicago, Illinois, 60604, by May 27, 2005. Class members may hire their own attorney to represent them or contact the class representatives at (312) 660-1898. Class counsel advises that immigration authorities should not be directly contacted at this time.

SOURCE: USCIS.gov Press Release April 29, 2005 Press Office U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Indian Health Service (IHS), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE SHARES ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD SYSTEM WITH NASA

Health Information Technology Transfer Between Federal Agencies Exemplifies President’s Goal for Increased Coordination

Washington, D.C. - The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has signed a memorandum of understanding to share the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS), a suite of applications which includes an electronic health record (EHR), with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This transfer of technology will be specifically used in NASA’s Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO). The memorandum of understanding was signed April 21, 2005. Over two years ago, NASA’s OCHMO
began a process of identifying a health management system for the Agency’s complex array of occupations. Numerous health management systems in public and private sectors were extensively reviewed. Based upon functionality, applicability, and cost, the IHS system best met NASA’s needs.

“We are pleased to be of assistance to NASA in the development of a product that combines the spirit of creativity and innovation of both agencies, for their use in improving the health services and health outcomes for their employees” said W. Craig Vanderwagen, M.D., Assistant Surgeon General and Acting Chief Medical Officer for the Indian Health Service.

The Indian Health Service is a pioneer in the use of computer technology to capture clinical and public health data. The primary clinical component of RPMS, Patient Care Component (PCC), was launched in 1984 in collaboration with the Veterans Administration’s VistA program. The IHS RPMS is an integrated solution for the management of clinical and administrative information in healthcare facilities of various sizes and orientations. In a 2004 program performance review by OMB, the
RPMS received top ratings.

“NASA plans to develop state of the art approaches to recording and assessing occupational health issues with this record system, and Indian health will benefit since we do not have such a tool in our existing system. NASA’s commitment to seeing the application of a tool that can and will improve patient safety and quality of care is another critical part of the partnership formalized in the signing of this document,” says Dr. Vanderwagen.

As part of the President’s initiative to coordinate health information technology across the federal government via the appointment of David J. Brailer, M.D., PhD, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, IHS is providing NASA with the RPMS applications suite as a Federal open-source application. NASA sought out IHS’ RPMS for its integrated suite of software applications with data capture and retrieval capabilities for patient and population-level clinical and administrative data.

“NASA’s decision to institute an EHR was driven by its desire for a fuller understanding of the health status of their workforce and as part of an agency-wide initiative aimed at standardizing health care delivery and improving the care of all of its employees. We are pleased that NASA’s contributions of an occupational health module will provide a more flexible, usable system that will benefit other federal agencies,” says Richard S. Williams, M.D., FACS, NASA’s Chief Health and Medical Officer.

“The agreement between IHS and NASA is an example of the type of collaborative relationships that are being forged to leverage and share health information technology across the federal enterprise,”says David J. Brailer, M.D., PhD. "This is a prime example of how the government can share technology across agencies and departments in an effort to unify architectures and benefit from other successful implementation models."

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) was instrumental in identifying the IHS product for NASA. AHRQ plays a critical role in advancing the use of health IT, especially for tracking health outcomes and advancing quality of care.

"To realize the benefits of health IT as quickly as possible, we need to use our resources effectively and strategically. AHRQ was gratified to be able to help bring about this agreement between agencies," says AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy.

SOURCE: Indian Health Service NOTICE TO EDITORS: For additional information on this subject, please contact the IHS Public Affairs Staff at 301-443-3593. Additional information about the IHS is available on the IHS website ihs.gov and info.ihs.gov

Indian Health Service Press Release IHS-10-2005 April 26, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: (301) 443-3593, FAX (301) 443-0507

Yes, it is an exoplanet 2M1207 system

Yes, it is the image of an exoplanet

Astronomers confirm the first image of a planetAn international team of astronomers reports today confirmation of the discovery of a giant planet, approximately five times the mass of Jupiter, that is gravitationally bound to a young brown dwarf. This puts an end to a year long discussion on the nature of this object, which started with the detection of a red object close to the brown dwarf.

In February and March of this year, the astronomers took new images of the young brown dwarf and its giant planet companion with the state-of-the-art NACO instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in northern Chile. The planet is near the southern constellation of Hydra and approximately 200 light years from Earth.

"Our new images show convincingly that this really is a planet, the first planet that has ever been imaged outside of our solar system," tells Gael Chauvin, astronomer at ESO and leader of the team of astronomers who conducted the study.

"The two objects - the giant planet and the young brown dwarf - are moving together; we have observed them for a year, and the new images essentially confirm our 2004 finding," says Benjamin Zuckerman, UCLA professor of physics and astronomy, member of NASA's Astrobiology Institute, and a member of the team. "I'm more than 99 percent confident." The separation between the planet and the brown dwarf is 55 times the separation of the Earth and Sun.

Anne-Marie Lagrange, another member of the team from the Grenoble Observatory in France, looks towards the future: "Our discovery represents a first step towards one of the most important goals of modern astrophysics: to characterize the physical structure and chemical composition of giant and, eventually, terrestrial-like planets."

Last September, the same team of astronomers reported a faint reddish speck of light in the close vicinity of a young brown dwarf (see ESO PR 23/04). The feeble object, now called 2M1207b, is more than 100 times fainter than the brown dwarf, 2M1207A. The spectrum of 2M1207b presents a strong signature of water molecules, thereby confirming that it must be cold. Based on the infrared colours and the spectral data, evolutionary model calculations led to the conclusion that 2M1207b is a 5 Jupiter-mass planet. Its mass can be estimated also by use of a different method of analysis, which focuses on the strength of its gravitational field; this technique suggests that the mass might be even less than 5 Jupiters.

At the time of its discovery in April 2004, it was impossible to prove that the faint source is not a background object (such as an unusual galaxy or a peculiar cool star with abnormal infrared colours), even though this appeared very unlikely. Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, obtained in August 2004, corroborated the VLT/NACO observations, but were taken too soon after the NACO ones to conclusively demonstrate that the faint source is a planet.
The new observations show with high confidence that the two objects are moving together and hence are gravitationally bound.

"Given the rather unusual properties of the 2M1207 system, the giant planet most probably did not form like the planets in our solar system," says Gael Chauvin. "Instead it must have formed the same way our Sun formed, by a one-step gravitational collapse of a cloud of gas and dust."
The paper describing this research has been accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

The same European/American team has had another paper just accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics; this paper reports the imaging discovery with the same VLT/NACO instrumentation of a lightweight companion to AB Pictoris, a young star located about 150 light years from Earth. The estimated mass of the companion is between 13 and 14 times the mass of Jupiter, which places the companion right on the border line between massive planets and the lowest mass brown dwarfs.
###

SOURCE: DOE Public release date: 30-Apr-2005 Contact: Henri Boffin hboffin@eso.org +49-89-3200-6222 European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Spellings Extols Excellence In Student Achievement

Spellings Extols Excellence In Student Achievement, Georgia Schools Honored for Dramatic Gains, High Performance, Secretary's Remarks.

ATLANTA -- U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings tonight honored 83 Georgia schools for excellence in academic performance, saying they "put student achievement first." Spellings attended the Georgia Schools of Excellence in Student Achievement Banquet in Atlanta to recognize the 20 Georgia public and public charter schools chosen for that distinction this year. Ten are in the state's top 10 percent as measured by student achievement in reading/language arts and math. Ten others have demonstrated the greatest gains in those subjects over the past three years.

"You have not forgotten what makes a school truly excellent," Spellings said. "It's not how many seats it fills or hours it stays open, but how well its children learn, period. The people in this room tonight have shown us all what is possible when we see our children's potential and push them to reach it."

"Some schools have overcome great challenges and made great strides forward," Spellings said. "Others have achieved great academic heights. But all share one great philosophy: that student achievement comes first."

Sixty-three other schools were honored as Title I Distinguished Schools, Title I public and public charter schools that have met or exceeded Georgia's adequate yearly progress goals for three or more years running, or that have made the greatest gains in closing their achievement gaps.

"Day in and day out, these schools carry out the president's mission to teach every child and leave no child behind," Spellings said.

Spellings noted the elements that educators say have contributed to this performance, including dedicated teachers and support staff, involved parents and a focus on accountability under the No Child Left Behind Act.

One educator, Principal Sheila Brock of Downtown Elementary Magnet School, a Title I Distinguished School, called No Child Left Behind "the single most unifying factor in my 26-plus years of education," according to Spellings. Because of it, Brock said, test results "are now being used to draw a road map to future success."

"The No Child Left Behind Act has indeed changed the education landscape in this country," Spellings added. "It has taught us all a new equation: high standards plus accountability plus resources equal results. While a few try to undermine the law in the courts and elsewhere, every one of you in this room has chosen to make it work."

Spellings also praised Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox for the state's success under the law. President Bush has recognized Georgia for its progress in raising student achievement and narrowing the achievement gap.

In addition, more than 94 percent of Georgia's teachers have achieved "highly qualified" status.

"You've given us reason not just to be proud, but also optimistic about the future of education in America," said Spellings. "And you're getting it done by following the 'bright line' goals of No Child Left Behind."

Under the law, all teachers of core academic subjects must be highly qualified in their subject by the end of the 2005-06 school year. In her remarks, Spellings noted that the president has proposed the Teacher Incentive Fund to attract the best educators to serve in the most challenging schools. And the U.S. Department of Education has more than tripled loan forgiveness rates for special education, math and science teachers who choose to work at high-need schools.

"Schools that could benefit the most from good teachers often have the most difficult time attracting them," Spellings said. "We are working to change that."

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education ### FOR RELEASE: April 29, 2005 Contact: (202) 401-1576

Secretary of Defense 2004 Environmental Award Winners

Secretary of Defense 2004 Environmental Award Winners Named

Ten military installations and individuals have been identifed to receive the 2004 Secretary of Defense Annual Environmental Awards in an awards ceremony planned for May 4, 2005, in the Pentagon. A panel of expert judges from the government, non-profit and private sectors recognized the winners for excellence in five categories: cultural resources management, environmental quality, environmental restoration, natural resources conservation, and pollution prevention.

The award winners by category are:

Lt. Colonel Michael Tarpley - Camp Beauregard, La. Individual - Cultural Resources Management

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Installation - Cultural Resources Management (tie)

15th Airlift Wing, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Installation - Cultural Resources Management (tie)

Naval Air Depot Cherry Point, N.C. Industrial Installation - Environmental Quality

Misawa Air Base, Japan, Overseas Installation - Environmental Quality

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Hawaii, Installation - Environmental Restoration (tie)

Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Installation - Environmental Restoration (tie)

Fort Drum, N.Y. Large Installation - Natural Resources Conservation

Tinker Air Force Base Pollution Prevention Team, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. Individual/Team - Pollution Prevention

Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Va. Installation - Pollution Prevention

Recognizing excellence in environmental management is a crucial element in Department of Defense efforts to support the twin imperatives of producing the best-trained military force in the world while providing the best environmental stewardship possible. Each year, the secretary of defense honors installations, teams and individuals for outstanding environmental management by military and civilian personnel, at both domestic and overseas bases, to sustain military readiness, and training and operational capabilities.

This year’s Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4, at 3 p.m. EDT in the Pentagon Auditorium and will be open for media coverage. The ceremony is also scheduled to be broadcast live on the Pentagon Channel at pentagonchannel.com/, or check local television listings for specific channel information.

Detailed information on the secretary’s Environmental Awards can be found at denix.osd.mil/Public/Library/Awards/ .

No. 418-05 IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29, 2005

U.S. Department of DefenseOffice of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)News Release On the Web: defenselink.mil/releases/2005/ Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131
Public contact: dod.mil/faq/comment or +1 (703) 428-0711

Carlos M. Gutierrez 1st Quarter GDP

SECRETARY CARLOS M. GUTIERREZ STATEMENT ON 1st QUARTER GDP

Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today released the following statement on First Quarter GDP:

"America's economy continues on a steady and sustainable path of expansion. Businesses continue to spend and invest and more Americans are working today than ever before. Our economy has kept a solid pace of growth for the past two years. Our growth for this quarter of 3.1 percent comes on top of last year’s strong 4.4 percent growth. But there is still more work to do. The President’s pro-growth economic policies include moving America toward greater energy independence and eliminating barriers to trade so that businesses have the best conditions to hire more workers and succeed."

SOURCE: Department of Commerce FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, April 28, 2005

International Food Aid Conference VII

JOHANNS TO ADDRESS INTERNATIONAL FOOD AID CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2005 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will be the keynote speaker at the International Food Aid Conference VII, "Strengthening the Food Aid Chain," to be held May 3-5, 2005, at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, Missouri. The conference provides the food aid community with an opportunity to gain perspectives on current challenges, practices and programs related to food aid. The event is hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

"Our efforts to strengthen the food aid chain focus on working with our partner agencies and organizations to improve coordination, cooperation and communication," said Johanns. "This conference provides an opportunity to enhance these relationships and meet the challenge of reducing hunger worldwide."

Other conference speakers include U.S. Senator Pat Roberts from Kansas; Andrew Natsios, USAID administrator; Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, U.S. Global AIDS coordinator; Dr. J.B. Penn, USDA under secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; John Powell, deputy executive director for Fundraising and Communications, United Nations (U.N.) World Food Program (WFP); James Little, USDA Farm Service Agency administrator; and Lauren Bush, honorary spokesperson for the U.N. WFP.

During the conference, government agencies, as well as the U.N. WFP, private voluntary organizations, non-government organizations and agricultural industry representatives will discuss food aid in the post 9/11 environment, the changing landscape of world trade negotiations, the role of food aid in national security and strengthening the food aid chain through partnerships. This year's conference, the seventh, is expected to attract nearly 800 participants from all segments of the food aid community, both domestic and international.

Persons with disabilities, who require accommodations to attend or participate in this conference, please contact Debbie Crow at (816) 926-6301, or at Deborah.Crow@kcc.usda.gov. For more information about the conference, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/daco/default.htm.

SOURCE: United States Department of Agriculture Last Modified: 04/29/2005 Release No. 0141.05 Contact: Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623 Stevin Westcott (202) 720-4178