President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform

President Names Senators Mack and Breaux on Federal Tax Reform Panel

Personnel Announcement January 7, 2005

President George W. Bush today signed the Executive Order establishing the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform. The bipartisan panel will advise the Secretary of the Treasury on options to reform the tax code to make it simpler, fairer, and more pro-growth.

The President intends to appoint this distinguished group of experts to the Panel:

Connie Mack III (Chairman), Senior Advisor, Shaw Pittman LLP and former U.S. Senator. Senator Mack served as Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and was a member of the Finance and Banking committees.

John Breaux (Vice-Chairman), former U.S. Senator. Senator Breaux served on the Finance Committee and the sub-committee on Taxation and IRS Oversight.

William Eldridge Frenzel, former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Frenzel served on the Budget Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Frenzel is a Guest Scholar at the Brookings Institution.

Elizabeth Garrett, Professor of Law, University of Southern California. Ms. Garrett served as Legislative Director and Tax and Budget Counsel to former U.S. Senator David L. Boren.

Edward P. Lazear, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution and Professor of Human Resources, Management and Economics, Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Mr. Lazear is the founding editor of the Journal of Labor Economics.

Timothy J. Muris, Foundation Professor, George Mason School of Law and Of Counsel, O'Melveny & Myers LLP. Mr. Muris served as Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission from 2001 to 2004.

James Michael Poterba, Department of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Poterba serves as Associate Department Head. He has taught at MIT since 1982.

Charles O. Rossotti, Senior Advisor, The Carlyle Group. Mr. Rossotti served from 1997 to 2002 as Commissioner of Internal Revenue. He formerly served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of American Management Systems.

Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist, Charles Schwab. Ms. Sonders joined U.S. Trust, a division of Charles Schwab, in 1999 as a Managing Director and member of its Investment Policy Committees. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 7, 2005

Executive Order President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to assist in reforming the Federal Internal Revenue Code to benefit all Americans, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment. There is established the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform (Advisory Panel).

Sec. 2. Membership. (a) The Advisory Panel shall be composed of up to nine members appointed by the President.

(b) The President shall designate one member of the Advisory Panel to serve as Chair and one member to serve as Vice Chair.

Sec. 3. Purpose. The purpose of the Advisory Panel shall be to submit to the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with this order a report with revenue neutral policy options for reforming the Federal Internal Revenue Code. These options should:

(a) simplify Federal tax laws to reduce the costs and administrative burdens of compliance with such laws;

(b) share the burdens and benefits of the Federal tax structure in an appropriately progressive manner while recognizing the importance of homeownership and charity in American society; and

(c) promote long-run economic growth and job creation, and better encourage work effort, saving, and investment, so as to strengthen the competitiveness of the United States in the global marketplace. At least one option submitted by the Advisory Panel should use the Federal income tax as the base for its recommended reforms.

Sec. 4. Administration. (a) The Department of the Treasury shall provide, to the extent permitted by law, administrative support and funding for the Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel is established within the Department of the Treasury for administrative purposes only.

(b) The Chair of the Advisory Panel shall convene and preside at the meetings of the Advisory Panel, determine its agenda after consultation with the Vice Chair, and direct its work. The Advisory Panel shall have a staff headed by an Executive Director who shall be selected by the President and report to the Chair.

(c) Members of the Advisory Panel shall serve without compensation for their work on the Advisory Panel. Members of the Advisory Panel who are not officers or employees in the executive branch, while engaged in the work of the Advisory Panel, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in Government service (5 U.S.C. 5701 through 5707), consistent with the availability of funds.

(d) Consistent with applicable law, heads of executive departments and agencies shall provide to the Advisory Panel such assistance, including assignment or detail of personnel, and information as may be necessary for the Advisory Panel to perform its functions.

(e) The Advisory Panel may conduct meetings in appropriate locations throughout the United States to obtain information and advice from Americans of diverse backgrounds and experience and from a diverse range of American entities, including large and small for-profit and non-profit organizations, State, local, and tribal governments, and from other individuals and entities as appropriate. Public hearings shall be held at the call of the Chair.

(f) Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.) (the "Act"), may apply to the Advisory Panel, any functions of the President under that Act, except for those in section 6 of that Act, shall be performed by the Secretary of the Treasury in accordance with the guidelines that have been issued by the Administrator of General Services.

Sec. 5. Report. The Advisory Panel shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury a report containing policy options in accordance with section 3 of this order as soon as practicable, but not later than July 31, 2005.

Sec. 6. Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budget, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the United States, its departments, agencies, entities, officers, employees or agents, or any other person.

Sec. 7. Termination. The Advisory Panel shall terminate 30 days after submitting its report pursuant to section 5 of this order.

GEORGE W. BUSH THE WHITE HOUSE, January 7, 2005. # # #
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 7, 2005

Chris Matthews Nicolle Devenish Hardball

MSNBC Transcripts Hardball with Chris Matthews for Oct. 5 Read the transcript to the 10:30 p.m. ET Show Updated: 1:22 p.m. ET Oct. 6, 2004 Guest: Nicolle Devenish,

Let‘s go right now to the Chris Jansing, who is in the so-called spin room. I don‘t know how you can spin when you walk in a room called the spin room. It‘s too obvious.

She‘s with Bush-Cheney campaign communications director Nicolle Devenish—Chris.

CHRIS JANSING, NBC CORRESPONDENT: Yes, we used to call it the so-called spin room, Chris. But we don‘t even pretend that anymore. This is the spin.

But let‘s talk to Nicolle.

It‘s great to see you. Thanks for coming by.

NICOLLE DEVENISH, BUSH-CHENEY ‘04 COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Any time.

JANSING: The conventional wisdom was that the vice president had to stop—some of the polls, which show that the president lost the first debate in Miami. John Kerry was gaining ground on the Republicans. Did Dick Cheney do that tonight?

DEVENISH: Well, I disagree with part of the premise, but I think that the Democrats are wandering around behind me dazed and confused. This was a decisive victory for Dick Cheney. I think this was where the rubber met the road.

I think this is where John Edwards got first client that he couldn‘t defend. And that record that the vice president had down cold, he was able to really impeach the credibility of every political attack John Edwards launched tonight.

JANSING: Well, let‘s talk about some of the specific attacks.

First, the war on Iraq, did he really make the case that this is part of the war on terror, because that Democrats have said very clearly and some of the American people are having trouble buying the fact that we went to Iraq has made us safer.

DEVENISH: Well, I think the Democrats are so desperate now. They have convoluted their own position so much.

And, look, two questions that John Edwards wasn‘t able to answer tonight. He wasn‘t able to answer Gwen‘s very appropriate and very legitimate question about what exactly the global test was. The second was an inability to articulate whether, 27 days before Election Day, he thinks and Kerry thinks that the invasion of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein made us safer. Our record is clear. We do believe that.

Americans understand that our country is safer here and American cities are safer with Saddam Hussein out of power.

JANSING: What about the accusation that this administration is not being straight with the American people? There have been so many questions raised now about what‘s going on in Iraq. Can this administration continue to defend the progress that‘s being made?

DEVENISH: Well, look, I think that what the Kerry-Edwards ticket would like you to believe is that optimism and truth-telling can‘t coexist.

But we see plenty of debate within the administration. And we talk these policies through. But what wasn‘t truthful, what was the most dishonest thing we saw tonight was that John Edwards tackled with lies and political attacks and Dick Cheney was able to block those tackles with facts and substance.

JANSING: Well, let‘s talk about some of the facts: 45 million Americans without health care. We are standing in the city with the highest poverty rate. Do you think Dick Cheney really made the argument to a Clevelander who has lost his manufacturing job that the way to get more jobs is to be more business friendly?

DEVENISH: Well, I think he did.

And here‘s something else. We are in Ohio. We‘re in a crisis state for medical malpractice. And John Edwards, this was one fact that you would think he would have straight. He did not have his facts straight when he talked about the real savings and the real economic impact of an out-of-control and broken-down medical liability system. So I think people in Ohio will be most disturbed by the distortions that came out of John Edwards tonight.

This is a state that knows, that lives with the results of a broken medical liability system, and John Edwards just gave them spin and political attacks.

JANSING: Nicolle Devenish, communications director for Bush-Cheney ‘04, thanks very much—Chris, back to you.

MATTHEWS: Thank you, Chris Jansing.

Copy: Content and programming copyright 2004 MSNBC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Transcription Copyright 2004 FDCH e-Media Inc. (f/k/a/ Federal Document Clearing House Inc., eMediaMillWorks, Inc.), ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

bush radio address 01/08/05 full audio, text transcript

President's Radio Address FULL STREAMING AUDIO

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Americans continue to mourn the victims of the devastating tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. More than 150,000 lives are now feared lost, including tens of thousands of children.

Communities have been decimated from Indonesia, to Thailand, to India, to East Africa. Thousands are missing, or injured; and millions are thought to be homeless, or without food and clean water.

The world has united behind this urgent cause, and the United States is taking a leading role. We're working with other governments, relief organizations, and the United Nations to coordinate a swift and effective international response. We are rushing food, medicine, and other vital supplies to the region. And we are focusing efforts on helping the women and children who need special attention, including protection from the evil of human trafficking.

This past week, I sent a delegation led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and Governor Jeb Bush, of Florida, to the Indian Ocean region. They surveyed the damage in several countries, met with local and regional leaders, assessed the relief efforts in place and began to evaluate what more can be done to help. Secretary Powell reported that American relief efforts are making major visible progress.

We have made an initial commitment of $350 million in aid. And those funds are being distributed promptly to organizations on the ground. Navy vessels, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, have moved into the region to help provide, food, medical supplies and clean water. Helicopters and other military aircraft are meeting critical needs by airlifting supplies directly to victims in remote areas. As in so many other places, our servicemen and women are showing the courage and compassion of our nation to the world.

We're also seeing the good heart of America in an outpouring of generosity here at home. Private citizens are showing their compassion in creative and inspiring ways. On a rainy day in Washington state, children sold hot chocolate by the side of the road and gave their profits to charity. Seven professional basketball players pledged to donate a thousand dollars to UNICEF for every point they scored in a game. American businesses have contributed cash and products, and many are matching donations by their employees. Churches, temples, synagogues, mosques and other religious congregations are taking up special collections for disaster victims.

To draw even greater amounts of private donations, I asked former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush to lead a nationwide charitable fundraising drive. Their mission is to encourage contributions both large and small, directly to the organizations with recovery efforts underway in the disaster area.

I am grateful to the courageous relief groups that have responded so quickly to this catastrophe, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Salvation Army, Catholic Relief Services, Save The Children, CARE, AmeriCares and many others. Many of these organizations have long experience with natural disasters and in-depth knowledge of the recovery needs. They're in the best position to use donations wisely and effectively.

To encourage support for these groups, I have signed legislation allowing Americans to deduct from their 2004 federal income tax cash contributions made to tsunami relief efforts this month. I urge all Americans to contribute as they are able. More information about making a donation is available on the Internet at www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

In this time of grief for so many around the world, Americans have come together to pray for the victims and families of the tsunami disaster. We think especially of the children who have been lost, and the survivors searching for their families. And we offer our sustained compassion and generosity as the people of the devastated region begin to rebuild.

Thank you for listening. END

Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.)

Message to the Congress of the United States

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), I transmit herewith an Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation extending the Agreement Between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Russian Federation on Mutual Fisheries Relations of May 31, 1999, with annex, as extended (the "Mutual Fisheries Agreement"). The present Agreement, which was affected by an exchange of notes in Moscow on March 3, 2003, and January 30, 2004, extends the Mutual Fisheries Agreement to December 31, 2008.

In light of the importance of our fisheries relationship with the Russian Federation, I urge the Congress to give favorable consideration to this Agreement at an early date.

GEORGE W. BUSH THE WHITE HOUSE, January 6, 2005. # # #
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 6, 2005

Bush Kwasniewski White House

President to Welcome Polish President Kwasniewski to the White House

President Bush will host Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski at the White House for a meeting and lunch on February 9. Poland is a close friend and ally of America, and continues to play a vital role in bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq. President Kwasniewski has demonstrated his commitment to these same ideals through his recent involvement in helping further Ukraine's democratic process. President Bush and President Kwasniewski will discuss a range of issues, including ways to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Europe on the many common challenges we face. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 6, 2005

tsunami disaster relief tax deduction

Baucus and Grassley Applaud Passage of Proposal to Aid Tsunami Victims, disaster relief tax deduction

Senators Say Legislation Encourages Charitable Donations for Relief Effort

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined by Chairman Chuck Grassley, applauded the passage of tax legislation to allow extra time for Americans to make cash donations (deduction) to charities supporting relief operations in the Indian Ocean basin. The measure was passed by unanimous consent in both the Senate and the House. Baucus proposed this legislation on Tuesday.

Under the new law, taxpayers will be permitted to claim a tax deduction in tax year 2004 for cash donations made before January 31, 2005, for tsunami disaster relief. Under current law, taxpayers would have to wait until 2006 to claim a tax deduction for tsunami-related gifts made after December 31, 2004.

“The passage of this legislation will be a great benefit to those in need,” Baucus said. “I commend my Congressional colleagues for prompt and timely action on this bill. The American people are some of the most generous in the world, and this proposal will give them an extra incentive to support this great cause. Today, Americans have been given an even greater opportunity to support the relief efforts currently underway to help victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.”

Grassley said, “I appreciate the quick action on this proposal. Americans continue to give generously to tsunami relief, and I hope this extension will encourage them to give even more.

Charitable organizations have been issuing support of the tax proposal since it was
announced earlier this week. Today, those coordinating relief efforts praised the legislation’s finalpassage. The Catholic Relief Services released this statement regarding the tax proposal.

“Catholic Relief Services supports this legislation and appreciates the efforts of Senators Grassley and Baucus in introducing it. Given the terrible effects of the tsunami, CRS believes it is critical to provide as much support as possible to victims of the region, particularly considering that the needs for long-term reconstruction will be enormous. Each year as the deadline for making taxdeductible
donations approaches, many donors express their preference to us to receive a tax
deduction for their charitable gift in the current tax year. By extending the 2004 deadline to January 31, we expect that many donors will choose to respond with giving patterns similar to the traditional deadline at the end of the calendar year.”

The legislation approved by Congress today will be sent to President for his signature. -30-

RELATED:

• tax deduction tsunami relief donations - Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today joined Sen. Max Baucus, ranking member, in announcing a plan to extend the period of time in which Americans can claim tax deductions for charitable donations to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on December 26.
• Baucus and Grassley Applaud Passage of Proposal to Aid Tsunami Victims
• IRS Publication 3833, Disaster Relief: Providing Assistance through Charitable Organizations (PDF 507K), explains how the public can use charitable organizations to help victims of disasters, and how new organizations can obtain tax-exempt status.

Bush-Cheney '04, Inc. Announces Campaign Staff

Friday, May 30, 2003 Bush-Cheney '04, Inc. Announces Campaign Staff
Contact: Nicolle Devenish (703) 647-2700

Ken Mehlman, Campaign Manager for Bush-Cheney '04, Inc., announced several members of the senior campaign staff today.

Kelley McCullough will serve as Deputy to the Campaign Manager for Campaign Operations. Prior to joining the campaign, McCullough was the Republican National Committee's Regional Political Director for the South and Director of Political Education. McCullough served as Associate Director of Political Affairs for the White House from January 2001 to January 2002.  McCullough also worked as the Alabama Director for Karl Rove + Company from 1997 to 2000.

Terry Nelson will serve as Political Director. Nelson was the Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Political Operations for the RNC prior to joining the campaign. Nelson also worked as the Political Director for the National Republican Congressional Committee during the 2000 election cycle. Previously, Nelson served as the NRCC's National Field Director and as a Regional Political Director. He was also Campaign Manager for Congressman Jim Nussle and served as Majority Staff Director of the Iowa Senate.


Nicolle Devenish will serve as Communications Director. Prior to joining the campaign, Devenish was Special Assistant to the President and Director of Media Affairs at the White House where she oversaw regional press strategy and outreach. Devenish was Florida Governor Jeb Bush's Press Secretary in 1999 and Communications Director for the Florida State Technology Office in 2000. Devenish also served California's Assembly Republican Caucus from 1997 to 1998 and worked for the California Republican Party in 1998.

Mathew Dowd will serve as Senior Strategist. Currently, Dowd is the Senior Advisor to the Republican National Committee. Dowd served as Director of Polling and Media Planning for the Bush-Cheney 2000 campaign. Prior to the 2000 campaign, Dowd served as President and Founding Partner of Public Strategies Inc., an international public affairs firm based in Austin, Texas.

Thomas J. Josefiak will serve as General Counsel to the campaign. Josefiak was the chief counsel to the RNC where he served from1992 to 2003. Josefiak was appointed to a six-year term as Commissioner on the Federal Election Commission in 1985. He served as FEC Chairman during the 1988 presidential election and as Vice Chairman of the FEC and Chairman of its Finance Committee in 1987. Prior to his appointment as FEC Commissioner, Josefiak was Special Deputy to the Secretary of the Senate and represented the Secretary at the FEC from 1981 to 1985.

Ben Ginsberg will serve as chief outside counsel, as he did for the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign.

open, count, certify votes Electoral College

Congress in Joint Session witnesses the President of the Senate (Vice President of the U.S.) open, count, and certify the votes of the Electoral College from the 2004 general election.

1/6/2005: WASHINGTON, DC: 25 min. Joint Session of Congress on 2004 Electoral Vote Count FULL STREAMING VIDEO

Congress in Joint Session witnesses the President of the Senate (Vice President of the U.S.) certify the votes of the Electoral College from the 2004 general election.

1/6/2005: WASHINGTON, DC: 30 min. certify the votes of the Electoral College FULL STREAMING VIDEO

tax deduction tsunami relief donations

To: Reporters and Editors Re: Extended tax deduction proposal for tsunami donations Day: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today joined Sen. Max Baucus, ranking member, in announcing a plan to extend the period of time in which Americans can claim tax deductions for charitable donations to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on December 26.

The tax proposal comes a day after the announcement of the President’s naming of former Presidents Clinton and Bush to lead a massive fund-raising drive for the disaster. Under this proposal, taxpayers would be permitted to claim a tax deduction in tax year 2004 for donations made for tsunami disaster relief until Jan. 31, 2005.

Under current law, taxpayers would have to wait until next year’s filing season to claim a tax deduction for tsunami-related gifts made after Dec. 31, 2004.

The proposal would be limited to cash gifts made specifically for disaster relief. Sen. Grassley made the following comment on the new tax proposal. “Americans are giving generously to tsunami relief, as they did after Sept. 11. I hope this extension will encourage them to give even more. As they do, I hope they’ll make sure the charities they choose match their good intentions

Inevitably some con artists will try to turn this tragedy into a profit-making venture. Instead of falling victim to opportunists, Americans should consider the many good sources of information about legitimate charities. For example, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and GuideStar both have resources online to guide donors. A little research can go a long way toward stopping crooks in their tracks.”

Baucus Pushes for Prompt Passage of Tsunami Relief Relief Organizations Throw Support Behind Baucus’ Tax Proposal to Aid Relief Effort

For Immediate Release Contact: Jon Selib Wednesday, January 5, 2005 202-224-4515

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont), continued to push for the
quick passage of legislation that would extend the period of time Americans can make charitable donations in order to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on December 26. The Baucus/Grassley measure has received widespread support from both parties in Congress as well as backing from the charitable organizations coordinating the relief efforts in the region.

Under this proposal, taxpayers would be permitted to claim a tax deduction in tax year 2004 for donations made before January 31, 2005 for tsunami disaster relief. Under current law, taxpayers would have to wait until 2006 to claim a tax deduction for tsunami-related gifts made during January 2005.

“Americans are rising to the occasion and leading the world in assisting disaster victims in Southeast Asia,” Baucus said. “Giving the American people an added incentive to make a donation to those in need will give us the opportunity to live up to its image as being a compassionate and benevolent country.”

Aid for Tsunami Victims May be Tax Deductible

Contributions to domestic, tax-exempt, charitable organizations that provide assistance to individuals in foreign lands qualify as tax-deductible contributions for federal income tax purposes provided the U.S. organization has full control and discretion over the uses of such funds.

Publication 3833, Disaster Relief: Providing Assistance through Charitable Organizations ( PDF 507K), explains how the public can use charitable organizations to help victims of disasters, and how new organizations can obtain tax-exempt status.

Contributions are deductible for the year in which they are actually made.
SOURCE: IRS

Margaret Spellings Education nomination hearings

Message from Senator Mike Enzi, Chairman:
Welcome to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The policies we shape on this committee have a profound impact on people's lives...from ensuring that every child in America receives a quality education to making sure all Americans have access to quality health care, to protecting workers and their pensions.

FULL STREAMING VIDEO Margaret Spellings Education nomination hearings. more on margaret spellings

Michael Johanns Agriculture Nomination Hearing

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Room SR-328A Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC. 20510-6000 Telephone: 202-224-2035 TTY/TDD: 202-224-2587

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Nomination Hearing FULL STREAMING VIDEO c-span created by cable offered as a public service

Thursday, January 6, 2005 from Senate Dirksen Office Building Room 106. Mr. Michael Owen Johanns of Nebraska - President Bush's nominee for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. more mike johanns

Daniel Bartlett Nicolle Devenish Communications.

President George W. Bush today announced that he has named Daniel Bartlett Counselor to the President, and he has named Nicolle Devenish Assistant to the President for Communications.

"Dan Bartlett has been a trusted adviser for more than ten years. I appreciate his good judgment and sound counsel and his continued service in a second term," stated President Bush.

"Nicolle Devenish played a vital role in coordinating my campaign's communications strategy. Her expertise will be a huge asset to my Administration," stated President Bush.

Bartlett currently serves as Assistant to the President for Communications. Prior to that, he was Deputy Assistant to the President and White House Communications Director. Before being named Communications Director, he was Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy to then Counselor to the President, Karen Hughes.

Before joining the Bush Administration, Bartlett served as a senior spokesman and the Director of Rapid Response for the Bush for President campaign in Austin, Texas. He has served President Bush since 1993, working on both successful campaigns for Governor of Texas. From 1994 to 1998, Bartlett worked in the Governor's Office as Deputy to the Policy Director. During the 1998 reelection campaign, he served as Issues Director. Earlier in his career, Bartlett worked for Karl Rove + Company, an Austin-based public affairs firm. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas at Austin.

Nicolle Devenish: Hometown—Orinda, Calif. served as Communications Director for Bush-Cheney '04. Prior to joining the campaign, Devenish was Special Assistant to the President and Director of Media Affairs at the White House where she oversaw regional press strategy and outreach. Before joining the Bush Administration, Devenish was Florida Governor Jeb Bush's Press Secretary and later Communications Director for the Florida State Technology Office (some evidence of that Governor Bush Appoints Robert A. Rosenberg To The 17th Judicial Circuit).

Devenish also served California's Assembly Republican Caucus from 1997 to 1998 and worked for the California Republican Party in 1998 (a Former Sacramento press agent fired by the state Assembly Republican caucus for getting too cozy with reporters. "I was seen talking and laughing and looking too trusting of the California press corps," said Ms. Devenish, who at the time, 1998, was a spokeswoman for the Republican caucus of the California State Assembly. She was dismissed by a staff member for an assemblyman - she won't say who - and responded by crying for an hour and a half in the car of a friend, Dan Schnur, a Republican political strategist who has worked on four presidential campaigns. Nicolle, 32, told Elisabeth Bumiller of the New York Times. SOURCE: SacBee).

She received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkley and her master's degree from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

# # #
Personnel Announcement For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 5, 2005

RELATED:

• Chris Matthews Nicolle Devenish Hardball FULL TEXT Transcript
• Kerry Statement on Terry Holt Nicolle Devenish - “In two sentences, Nicole Devenish and Terry Holt articulated why George Bush is unfit for another four years in the White House.
• Nicolle Devenish on Social Security (Real Audio) March 16, 2005 Nicolle Devenish, Assistant to the President for Communications, talks with Bill Lumaye, WPTF, Raleigh, NC.

Claude A. Allen Domestic Policy

UPDATE: March 12, President Briefed by Joint I E D Task Force - THE PRESIDENT: If the allegations are true, Claude Allen did not tell my Chief of Staff and legal counsel the truth, and that's deeply disappointing. If the allegations are true, something went wrong in Claude Allen's life, and that is really sad. When I heard the story last night I was shocked. And my first reaction was one of disappointment, deep disappointment that -- if it's true -- that we were not fully informed. But it was also one -- shortly thereafter, I felt really sad for the Allen family.

UPDATE: March 11, 2006 Bush Shocked by Arrest of Former Adviser - WASHINGTON - President Bush on Saturday said he was shocked to learn that his former domestic policy adviser was charged with theft for allegedly receiving phony refunds at department stores. "I was shocked and my first reaction was one of disappointment, deep disappointment — if it's true — that we were not fully informed,"

UPDATE: March 10, 2006 Former White House Adviser Arrested - COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- A former White House adviser and Bush administration nominee to the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has been arrested and charged with theft for receiving phony refunds at department stores.

UPDATE: February 9, 2006 President Thanks Domestic Policy Advisor Claude Allen for Service - Claude Allen has been a trusted advisor since 2001. As Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, he worked hard to improve the health and welfare of all Americans. During the past year, he has served as my top domestic policy advisor at the White House and has helped develop policies that will strengthen our Nation's families, schools, and communities.
Personnel Announcement

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to name Claude A. Allen Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. He will fill the position held by Margaret Spellings.

Claude A. Allen

"Claude Allen has been a valuable member of my Administration since 2001, helping to improve the health and welfare of all Americans. He is a dedicated public servant and a tireless advocate for those in need. I look forward to his continued service in this new role as my domestic policy advisor," stated President Bush.

Mr. Allen currently serves as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services. He previously served as Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the State of Virginia and served in the Virginia Attorney General's Office. He was an associate at Baker & Botts in Washington, D.C., from 1991 to 1995 and served as a professional staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1985 to 1987. Mr. Allen is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and Duke University Law School.

###
For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 5, 2005

Biography of Claude A. Allen

Claude A. Allen was confirmed by the Senate as the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services on May 26, 2001.

As Deputy Secretary, Allen works closely with the Secretary on all major policy and management issues, and he serves as the department's chief operating officer.

Prior to joining HHS, Allen was Secretary of Health and Human Resources for the Commonwealth of Virginia, leading 13 agencies and 15,000 employees. Allen led Governor Gilmore's initiative for Virginia's new Patients Bill of Rights passed in 1999, allowing patient appeals for adverse coverage decisions made by health plans, and direct access to physician specialists. Allen also spearheaded Virginia's welfare reform initiative and provided leadership to overhaul the state's mental health institutions and community services. Additionally, Allen was responsible for implementing the Governor's private health insurance program for children and families, offering lower-cost coverage options to thousands of uninsured Virginians.

Before joining the Gilmore administration, Allen was Counsel to the Attorney General, and later, Deputy Attorney General for the Civil Litigation Division in the Office of the Attorney General, Virginia. He reported directly to then-Attorney General Gilmore on legal, legislative, and policy matters, including all health, education and welfare issues. Before joining the Office of the Attorney General, Allen practiced law in Washington, D.C., specializing in government contracts, litigation, and legislative affairs.

Allen holds both a Juris Doctorate and a Masters of Law in International and Comparative Law from Duke University Law School. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning degrees in Political Science and Linguistics.

Allen is married to the former Jannese Mitchell and is father of Claude Alexander III, Lila-Cjoan, and Christian Isaiah.
Last revised: January 21, 2005
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 Memorandum

Memorandum for the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense
Presidential Determination No. 2005-16

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

SUBJECT: Provision of Emergency Disaster Relief Assistance to Twelve Countries Affected by the Asian Tsunami, including the Drawdown Under Section 506(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended, of Articles and Services

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, including my authority as Commander in Chief, I hereby direct the Secretary of Defense to provide such disaster assistance to Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Malaysia, Burma, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Bangladesh, and the Seychelles as is necessary to prevent further loss of life, as determined by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State.

In addition, pursuant to section 506(a)(2) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2318(a)(2) (FAA), I hereby determine that it is in the national interest of the United States to draw down articles and services from the inventory and resources of the Department of Defense, for the purpose of providing international disaster relief assistance to countries affected by the Asian tsunami.

I therefore direct the drawdown of up to $65 million of defense articles and services from the inventory and resources of the Department of Defense for these countries for the purposes and under the authorities of chapter 9 of part I of the FAA related to international disaster assistance.

The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to report this determination to the Congress and to arrange for its publication in the Federal Register.

GEORGE W. BUSH # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 4, 2005

bush tort legal reform

Legal Reform: The High Costs of Lawsuit Abuse

Today's Presidential Action

• Today, President Bush highlighted the need for common-sense medical liability reform to protect patients, to stop the sky-rocketing costs associated with frivolous lawsuits, to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans, and to keep necessary services in communities that need them most.
• The President's plan will help reduce the rising cost of health care while improving quality and safety. President Bush's framework for addressing the medical liability crisis in America seeks to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans by making the medical liability system more stable and predictable, and to protect patients by reducing the disincentives for reporting medical errors and complications.
• The President also stressed the need for class action lawsuit reform and asbestos litigation reform, and he urged Congress to enact proposed reforms. Class action lawsuits are an important part of the U.S. legal system. However, when the ability to bring a class action lawsuit is abused, it truly harms injured parties and undermines the American judicial system. The growing problem of asbestos litigation is similarly hurting workers, bankrupting businesses, and delaying relief for the truly sick claimants.

Background on Today's Presidential Action

The costs of litigation per person in the United States are far higher than in any other major industrialized nation in the world. Lawsuit costs have risen substantially over the past several decades, and a significant part of the costs from lawsuits goes to paying lawyers' fees and transaction costs -- not to the injured parties. This explosion in litigation is creating a logjam in America's civil courts and threatening jobs across America. Small businesses spend, on average, about $150,000 per year on litigation expenses. The President is urging Congress to pass legislation that reduces the burden of frivolous lawsuits on our economy. President Bush supports enactment of medical liability reform, class action lawsuit reform, and asbestos litigation reform to expedite resolutions and curb the costs of lawsuits for all Americans.

Curbing Lawsuit Abuse with Needed Medical Liability Reform

• Frivolous lawsuits and excessive jury awards are driving many health care providers out of communities and forcing doctors to practice overly defensive medicine. This reduces access to medically necessary services and raises the costs of health care for all. The President has proposed proven reforms, such as common-sense limits on non-economic damages, to make the medical liability system more fair, predictable, and timely.
• The President's framework for addressing the medical liability crisis includes:
• Securing the ability of injured patients to get quick, unlimited compensation for their "economic losses," including the loss of ability to provide unpaid services like care for children or parents;
• Ensuring recoveries for non-economic damages do not exceed a reasonable amount ($250,000);
• Reserving punitive damages for egregious cases where they are justified, and limiting damages to reasonable amounts;
• Providing for payments of judgments over time rather than in a single lump sum, to ensure that appropriate payments are made when patients need them;
• Ensuring that old cases cannot be brought to court years after an event; and
• Providing that defendants pay judgments in proportion to their fault.

Returning Justice to the Truly Injured with Class Action Reform

• The President supports class action reforms to limit the abuse of large, nationwide class action cases and return justice to the truly injured parties. Class action lawsuits are an important part of the U.S. legal system. However, the class action system is heavily abused, which in turn does not benefit injured parties and undermines the American judicial system. In particular, injured parties often receive awards of little or no value while lawyers receive large fees. The proposed class action reform legislation recognizes that large interstate class action lawsuits deserve Federal court access because they typically affect more citizens, involve more money, and implicate more interstate commerce issues than any other types of lawsuits. These reforms do not alter the right of a plaintiff to bring a legitimate claim, or change controlling substantive law, but they do provide additional protection and information to class members.

Aiding Asbestos Victims with a Fair System and Long-Term Solution

• Victims of asbestos-related diseases deserve a fair system and a long-term solution. The current system may leave little or no funds to pay current and future asbestos victims; is costly to administer (future transaction costs are estimated at between $145 and $210 billion); will impose large, indirect costs on the economy; and has driven exposed defendants, including small businesses, into bankruptcy. Asbestos, as the longest-running mass tort litigation in U.S. history, has led to the bankruptcies of at least 74 companies. Within the past few years, there have been sharp increases in the number of asbestos claims filed annually. The President has stressed the need for reform and commended Congress for aggressively working on this problem, but more work needs to be done to pass legislationfor the President to sign that provides a fair and permanent solution.

###

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 5, 2005

Susan Collins Homeland Security

SENATOR COLLINS RE-ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Washington, DC – Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today was re-elected by her peers in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to serve as Chairman for the 109th Congress. Senator Collins received unanimous support from the Republican members of the Committee to maintain the role in which she has served since January 2003.

“My goal this year is to continue promoting a bipartisan working environment in the Committee so that we can focus on tackling the important issues facing this country. I hope that the success we had at the end of last year with the bipartisan Collins-Lieberman intelligence reform legislation will start us off on the right foot this year,” said Senator Collins.

“I anticipate building on our work in the last Congress to strengthen our national security by, among other things, overseeing and improving the Department of Homeland Security and investigating sources of terrorism financing. I also plan to investigate wasteful government spending, modernize the United States Postal Service, investigate the United Nations “Oil for Food” Program, and enhance federal employee benefits,” Collins added.

Senator Collins first became Chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs on January 15, 2003. The Committee was renamed this year as the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to reflect its expanded oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Senator Collins is the first woman to Chair the Committee and the 15th woman in history to serve in the U.S. Senate. Prior to becoming Full Committee Chairman, she chaired the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Senator Collins has been a member of the Senate since 1996. ###

January 05, 2005 Contact: Elissa Davidson (202) 224-4751

426th Civil Affairs Battalion Mosul Iraq

Northern Iraq Village has Electricity for First Time in Years

Mosul, Iraq -- The 426th Civil Affairs Battalion worked with local Iraqis in northern Iraq to provide Alkishki Village with much needed electrical lines.

The $50,000 project provided 250 residents of Alkishki Village electricity. It is the first time the village’s school has had electricity.

“Throughout the construction schedule we received excellent support from the Dahuk Electrical Power Department,” said Maj. Robert Schultz, 426th team leader. “They had inspectors at the site on a regular basis to make sure the work was being done properly so the effort wouldn’t be wasted.”

More than a thousand meters of high capacity aluminum electrical wiring has been run to the village. A junction box and transformer added the finishing touch to the project. Release #050105w

Civil Affairs helps Blanket the Cold

Mosul, Iraq -- The 426th Civil Affairs Battalion has provided new shelter, blankets and kerosene heaters to the Amedi District in northern Iraq.

Computers, copiers and fax machines were also provided to the mayor’s office. These donations will enable communication to be more effective, and the new office equipment increases the office’s efficiency in assisting the displaced people of Amedi.

About 300 blankets and 60 kerosene heaters were purchased with funds from the Commander’s Emergency Response Program and handed out to internally displaced persons in the area.

Fifteen concrete homes are currently being erected for IDP’s. The project began in September and crews have been working to complete the construction before winter. The three-room structures provide a living room, kitchen and bedroom with working bathroom. Electricity will also be in the structures to power lights and heat the home. Release #050105t

Chuck Grassley Committee on Finance

To: Reporters and Editors Re: Extended tax deduction proposal for tsunami donations Day: Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today joined Sen. Max Baucus, ranking member, in announcing a plan to extend the period of time in which Americans can claim tax deductions for charitable donations to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on December 26.

The tax proposal comes a day after the announcement of the President’s naming of former Presidents Clinton and Bush to lead a massive fund-raising drive for the disaster. Under this proposal, taxpayers would be permitted to claim a tax deduction in tax year 2004 for donations made for tsunami disaster relief until Jan. 31, 2005.

Under current law, taxpayers would have to wait until next year’s filing season to claim a tax deduction for tsunami-related gifts made after Dec. 31, 2004.

The proposal would be limited to cash gifts made specifically for disaster relief. Sen. Grassley made the following comment on the new tax proposal. “Americans are giving generously to tsunami relief, as they did after Sept. 11. I hope this extension will encourage them to give even more. As they do, I hope they’ll make sure the charities they choose match their good intentions.

Inevitably some con artists will try to turn this tragedy into a profit-making venture. Instead of falling victim to opportunists, Americans should consider the many good sources of information about legitimate charities. For example, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and GuideStar both have resources online to guide donors. A little research can go a long way toward stopping crooks in their tracks.”

Samuel W. Bodman Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee

COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES NOMINATION HEARING FOR DOE SECRETARY NOMINEE SAMUEL BODMAN
Business meeting slated for the following week

Washington, D.C. – The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee will hold a full committee hearing January 19th at 2:30 p.m. in SD-366 to consider the nomination of Samuel W. Bodman to be Secretary of Energy.

The committee will hold a full committee business meeting January 26th at 9:30 a.m. in SD-366 to consider pending calendar business.

Pete V. Domenici Energy Natural Resources Committee

PETE V. DOMINICI SELECTED CHAIR OF ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE BY COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS

Washington, D.C. – The Republican members of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee today selected Senator Pete V. Domenici to chair the committee for the 109th Congress. Chairman Domenici’s statement:

“This year will be a dynamic year for the energy committee. We are going to make a push to develop our vast oil resources in the Arctic Refuge in a way that leaves the environment pristine while stabilizing oil prices and enhancing our energy independence. I expect to receive instructions in the Budget Resolution to report ANWR language to the Budget Committee by early May. I will fight on the Senate floor to keep those instructions in the resolution and will fight again to defend our legislation in the budget reconciliation vote later this year.

“I am pleased by the strong support for an energy bill expressed by the White House and the House of Representatives. I was pleased to see Speaker Dennis Hastert earlier today reaffirm the House’s commitment to delivering an energy bill the President this year. Energy will clearly be a priority and we have already begun serious discussions about how we will proceed.

“Water legislation continues to be one of my top priorities. I am delighted by the passage last year of CalFed, my dam safety bill and the Arizona Water Settlement Act. However, there is much more work to be done. I will continue working to resolve outstanding Indian water rights claims. I am also considering legislation that will create and fund a rural water program within the Bureau of Reclamation. I will work with committee senators to find out comprehensive approaches to solving our western water challenges.” ###

Judiciary Committee Alberto R. Gonzales

"Executive Nomination " Senate Judiciary Committee Full Committee

DATE: January 6, 2005 TIME: 10:00 AM ROOM: SH 216
OFFICIAL HEARING NOTICE / WITNESS LIST:

December 20, 2004 NOTICE OF HEARING

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on the nomination of The Honorable Alberto R. Gonzales, Counsel to President George W. Bush, to be the Attorney General of the United States on Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in Senate Hart Building Room 216.

Senator Specter will preside. By order of the Chairman

LIVE WEBCAST Senate Judiciary Committee on the nomination of The Honorable Alberto R. Gonzales

Commerce Committee Carlos Gutierrez

HEARING AND EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF CARLOS GUTIERREZ TO BE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE

c-span FULL STREAMING VIDEO created by cable offered as a public servuce
Full Committee Mark-up Wednesday, January 5 2005 - 4:00 PM - SR-253

Description: The Commerce Committee has scheduled a Full Committee hearing on the nomination of Carlos Gutierrez to be the Secretary of Commerce at 4pm on Wednesday, January 5th in Room 253 of the Russell Building. Immediately following that hearing, Senators Stevens and Inouye intend to bring the Committee into executive session to vote on reporting out the nomination.

Webcast: HEARING AND EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF CARLOS GUTIERREZ TO BE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
view a live webcast of this hearing. day of hearings only.

Powell Phuket, Thailand Diane Sawyer

Interview on ABC's Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer at the Wall of the Disappeared at City Hall Disaster Relief Center

Secretary Colin L. Powell Phuket, Thailand January 4, 2005 (7:02 a.m. EST

powell sawyer

MS. SAWYER: This morning, the Secretary and the President's brother got their firsthand account of the disaster. With the U.S. now giving $350 million in aid, questions persist about the U.S. initial offer, which was small, just 15.

"As you know, there's all kinds of second-guessing going on that America missed a great opportunity, particularly in an intensely Muslim area, to show good faith in the beginning."

SECRETARY POWELL: But, Diane, hang on, hang on, hang on. A little while ago, the Thai Foreign Minister and I gave a press conference, and what he said was the first person to call him, the first person to call the Thai Government, was me, last Sunday night. And I said to him, "What do you need?" And what we've --

MS. SAWYER: "But other countries were giving more."

SECRETARY POWELL: No, Diane, that's not right. We have to get this right because everybody keeps lingering on this story. The Japanese initially gave a fairly modest amount. It was only at the end of the week, when they realized the scale of the disaster, did they go up to 500 million. And so the United States has been in the lead: our ships were launched; our disaster teams were launched; task forces were set up; money started to flow immediately.

MS. SAWYER: And what about delivery of the aid? It could be several days before the remote and hardest hit regions get anything at all. A plane landing at Indonesia's main hub for aids flight crashed after hitting two water buffalo and delayed planes coming in. So far, relief groups have only been able to deliver one-eighth of the 400,000 tons of food flown into Indonesia.

SECRETARY POWELL: Well, this is what I will be looking at when I get to Jakarta and when I get up to Aceh. This is not a simple matter. Everybody thinks you can just magically move aircraft and helicopters and aircraft carriers across an ocean in a day, and why wasn't it done immediately, why didn't we just beam them in? It takes time. It's not just money. It's getting the food and the water and the other things, medical supplies, in place and then retail distribution through trucks, through helicopters, through air drops perhaps, through C-130 on remote landing strips. And so it takes time to generate such an effort.

2005/29 [End] Released on January 4, 2005

DoD Policy Prevention Response Sexual Assault

DoD Announces New Policy on Prevention and Response to Sexual Assault

The Department of Defense announced today that Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David S.C. Chu delivered the department’s new sexual assault policy to Congress. The policy provides a foundation through which the department will improve prevention of sexual assault, significantly enhance support to victims and increase accountability.

“The department is moving forward to make real changes and to make those changes stick,” Chu said. “Sexual assault is a crime, and is not tolerated.”

Over the past year, the department has been working collaboratively with the services, members of Congress, and national experts to address the crime of sexual assault within the armed forces. As a result, the Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response was established in October 2004 as the single point of accountability for the department’s sexual assault policy. Its initial task was to develop policy incorporating the criteria set forth in Public Law 108-375, the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2005, which directed the department to have a sexual assault policy in place by Jan. 1, 2005.
The department needs consistent sexual assault prevention education across the services to create a greater understanding of what constitutes a sexual assault, risk factors, and preventive measures. Service implementation of these policies will have a substantial impact on creating a culture of prevention and an environment that protects the health and well being of our uniformed service members. The sexual assault policy will ensure that there is uniformity in the standards of care and the same support systems are standard throughout the services.

The policies reflect recommendations from the department’s Joint Task Force on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault. Core areas include specific guidelines for how to investigate complaints, medical treatment and care for victims, commander’s checklists for response actions, reporting of sexual assault information, and expanding access to care through collaboration between military installations and local community support. To view a summary of the policy click here.

In order to meet the Jan. 1, 2005, requirement from Congress, the department issued directive-type memorandums as the first step of a comprehensive, consistent policy. The department will be working closely with the services to implement the policies in an effective and timely manner. The joint task force will continue to provide oversight of the process.

The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn

Cassini Huygens 1

The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn is the most ambitious effort in planetary space exploration ever mounted. A joint endeavour of the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA and the Italian space agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Cassini-Huygens is sending a sophisticated robotic spacecraft to orbit the ringed planet and study the Saturnian system in detail over a four-year period.

On board Cassini is a scientific probe called Huygens that will be released from the main spacecraft to parachute through the atmosphere to the surface of Saturn’s largest and most interesting moon, Titan.

Saturn is the second largest planet in the Solar System. Like the other gaseous outer planets – Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune – it has an atmosphere made up mostly of hydrogen and helium. Saturn’s distinctive, bright rings are made up of ice and rock particles ranging in size from grains of sand to a freight container.

More moons of greater variety orbit Saturn than any other planet. So far, observations from Earth and space have found Saturnian satellites ranging from small asteroid-size bodies to the aptly named Titan, which is the second largest moon of the Solar System (after Jupiter's Ganymede) and is larger than the planet Mercury.

Cassini Huygens 2

Cassini Huygens 3

Titan is a fascinating world because its thick nitrogen-atmosphere is very rich in organic compounds which are constantly reacting. If they were found on a planet with Earth-like conditions, their presence would be considered as a sign of life.

If water exists on Titan, it cannot be in liquid form because its surface is far too cold (at minus 180°C). In fact very little is yet known about the surface and scientists speculate that Huygens may find lakes or even oceans of a mixture of liquid ethane, methane and nitrogen.

The Cassini-Huygens mission is named after two European astronomers from the 17th century. The Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695) discovered Saturn's rings and Titan.

A few years later the French-Italian Astronomer Jean-Dominique Cassini (1625-1712) discovered Saturn’s four other major moons – Iapetus, Rhea, Tethys and Dione. He also discovered that Saturn’s rings are split largely into two parts by a narrow gap, known since as the 'Cassini Division'.

Cassini Huygens 4

Objectives

The 12 scientific instruments on the Cassini orbiter are conducting in-depth studies of the planet, its moons, rings and magnetic environment. The six instruments on the Huygens probe, which was dispatched from Cassini during its first orbit of Saturn on 25 December 2004, will provide our first direct sampling of Titan’s atmospheric chemistry and the first photographs of its hidden surface. Huygens will make a detailed on-the-spot study of Titan's atmosphere. It will also characterise the surface along the descent ground track and near the landing site. Studying the complex organic chemistry at work on Titan may provide clues on how life began on Earth.

Some of the questions scientists would like to answer are:


Mysteriously, Saturn emits 87 percent more energy than it absorbs from sunlight. Which is the source of heat inside Saturn to produce the excess energy?
What is the origin of Saturn’s rings?
Where do the subtle colours in the rings come from?
Are there any other moons to discover?
Why has the moon Enceladus such an abnormally smooth surface? Has it recently melted to erase craters?
What is the origin of the dark organic material covering one side of the moon Iapetus?
Which chemical reactions are occurring in the Titan atmosphere?
What is the source of the very abundant methane, an organic compound that on Earth is associated to biological activity?
Are there any oceans on Titan?
Do more complex organic compounds and pre-biotic molecules exist on Titan?

Cost

NASA’s investment in Cassini represents a total of approximately 2100 million Euros. ESA’s contribution for the Huygens probe is about 360 million Euros. An additional investment of about 100 million Euros by universities and research institutes funded the development of the instruments on board Huygens. ASI’s contribution for the high-gain antenna, portions of three science instruments on board Cassini and one full instrument on board Huygens, is about 145 million Euros. All figures are adjusted to today’s economic conditions.

Launch

15 October 1997 (Titan-IVB/Centaur from Cape Canaveral, United States).

Journey

On its seven-year journey to Saturn Cassini-Huygens performed four gravity-assist swing-by manoeuvres: Venus (April 1998), Venus (June 1999), Earth (August 1999), and Jupiter (December 2000). The gravity assists gave Cassini-Huygens the cumulative boost to reach Saturn. The spacecraft arrived at Saturn on 1 July 2004, when it entered orbit and begin its detailed scientific observations. On 25 December 2004, Huygens was released on its 22-day cruise to Titan. Its entry into Titan's atmosphere occurs on 14 January 2005.

Planned mission lifetime

Cassini’s four-year prime mission will last until 1 July 2008. Huygens will be fully activated for a few hours. Most of the data will be collected while descending through the atmosphere, which will take two to three hours. Upon a successful landing, Huygens will continue to send information back to Cassini up to two hours until its batteries run out. In any case, Cassini will listen to Huygens for four and a half hours, until it disappears below Titan’s horizon.

Spacecraft

Design

The Cassini spacecraft, including the orbiter and the Huygens probe, is one of the largest, heaviest and most complex interplanetary spacecraft ever built. Of all interplanetary spacecraft, only the two Phobos spacecraft sent to Mars by the former Soviet Union were heavier.

The antenna subsystem consists of the high-gain antenna and two low-gain antennas. The primary function of the high-gain antenna is to support communication with Earth. It is also used for scientific experiments. To shield the harmful hot rays of the sun from the spacecraft’s instruments during most of the early portion of the long journey to Saturn, the high-gain antenna was positioned toward the Sun, functioning an umbrella. Cassini was the first planetary spacecraft to use solid-state recorders without moving parts instead of the older tape recorder.

Huygens is built like a shellfish: a hard shell to protect a delicate interior from extreme temperatures experienced during the descent through the atmosphere. It consists of two parts: the Entry Assembly Module and the Descent Module. The Entry Assembly Module carries the equipment to control Huygens after the separation from Cassini, and has a shield that will act as a brake and as thermal protection. The Descent Module has the scientific instruments. The probe will use three different parachutes in sequence during the descent.

Mass

The Cassini orbiter alone weighs 2125 kilograms. Total mass of the Huygens probe is 349 kilograms, including payload (49 kilograms) and Probe Support equipment on the orbiter (30 kilograms). The launch mass of Cassini-Huygens was 5.82 tonnes of which 3.1 tonnes were propellant.

Dimensions

The Cassini spacecraft stands more than 6.7 metres high and is more than 4 metres wide. The magnetometer instrument is mounted on an 11-metre boom that extends outward from the spacecraft. The diameter of the Huygens probe is 2.7 metres.

International involvement

Hundreds of scientists and engineers from 16 European countries and the United States make up the team responsible for designing, building, flying and collecting data from the Cassini orbiter and Huygens probe.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Cassini-Huygens mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington D.C. JPL designed and assembled the Cassini orbiter.

Development of the Huygens Titan probe was managed by ESA’s European Space Technology and Research Centre (ESTEC), the Netherlands, whose prime contractor for the probe is Alcatel in France. ASI managed the realisation of the high-gain antenna and the other instruments of its participation. Equipment and instruments for the mission were supplied from many European countries and the United States.

What's on board?

Orbiter:
Imaging Science Subsystem - ISS
Takes pictures in visible, near-ultraviolet and near-infrared light.

Principal Investigator: Carolyn C. Porco, Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO, USA

Cassini radar - RADAR
Maps surface of Titan using radar imager to pierce veil of haze. Also used to measure heights of surface features.

Principal Investigator: Charles Elachi, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, USA

Radio Science Subsystem - RSS
Searches for gravitational waves in the universe; studies the atmosphere, rings and gravity fields of Saturn and its moons by measuring telltale changes in radio waves sent from the spacecraft.

Principal Investigator: Arvydas J. Kliore, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, USA

Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer -INMS
Examines neutral and charged particles near Titan, Saturn and the icy satellites to learn more about their extended atmospheres and ionospheres.

Principal Investigator: J. Hunter Waite, SPRL, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Visible and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer - VIMS
Identifies the chemical composition of the the surfaces, atmospheres and rings of Saturn and its moons by measuring colours of visible light and infrared energy given off by them.

Principal Investigator: Robert H. Brown, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

Composite Infrared Spectrometer - CIRS
Measures infrared energy from the surfaces, atmospheres and rings of Saturn and its moons to study their temperature and composition.

Principal Investigator: Michael Flasar, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA

Cosmic Dust Analyser - CDA
Studies ice and dust grains in and near the Saturn system.

Principal Investigator: Ralf Srama, Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany

Radio and Plasma Wave Spectrometer - RPWS
Investigates plasma waves (generated by ionised gases flowing out from the Sun or orbiting Saturn), natural emissions of radio energy and dust.

Principal Investigator: Donald A. Gurnett, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

Cassini Plasma Spectrometer - CAPS
Explores plasma (highly ionised gas) within and near Saturn’s magnetic field.

Principal Investigator: David T. Young, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, USA

Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph - UVIS
Measures ultraviolet energy from atmospheres and rings to study their structure, chemistry and composition.

Principal Investigator: Larry Esposito, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA

Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument - MIMI
Images Saturn’s magnetosphere and measures interactions between the magnetosphere and the solar wind, a flow of ionised gases streaming out from the Sun.

Principal Investigator: Stamatios M. Krimigis, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, MD, USA

Dual-technique Magnetometer - MAG
Studies Saturn’s magnetic field and its interactions with the solar wind, the rings and the moons of Saturn.

Principal Investigator: David J. Southwood/ Michelle Dougherty (acting), Imperial College, University of London, United Kingdom

The interdisciplinary scientists (IDS) for Cassini are: Michel Blanc, OAMP, Toulouse, France (Plasma Circulation and Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling) Tamas Gombosi, SPRL, Univ. Michigan, Ann-Arbor, MI, USA (The plasma environment in Saturn's magnetosphere) Jeffrey Cuzzi, NASA Ames, Moffet Field, CA, USA (Rings and Dust in the Saturn System) Darrel Strobel, JHU, Baltimore, MD, USA (Aeronomy / Magnetosphere & Solar Wind Interaction) Tobias Owen, Institute for Astronomy, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (Atmospheres: Composition, Origin, and Evolution) Laurence A. Soderblom , United States Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ, USA (Satellites)

Probe:

Huygens Atmosphere Structure Instrument - HASI
HASI will measure physical and electrical properties of the atmosphere during the entry, descent and after landing.

Principal Investigator: Marcello Fulchignoni, Universite de Paris VII / Dept. de Recherche Spatiale, Observatoire de Paris-Meudon, France.

Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer - GCMS
GCMS will analyse the chemical composition of the gas in the atmosphere.

Principal Investigator: Hasso Niemann, NASA/GSFC, MD, USA

Aerosol Collector and Pyrolyser - ACP
ACP will collect aerosols for chemical-composition analysis.

Principal Investigator: Guy Israel, CNRS Service d'Aéronomie, Verrières-le-Buisson, France

Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer - DISR
DISR will take images and make spectral measurements.

Principal Investigator: Marty Tomasko, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

Doppler Wind Experiment - DWE
DWE will study the propagation of radio signals through the atmosphere to understand its properties.

Principal Investigator: Michael Bird, Universität Bonn, Germany

Surface Science Package - SSP
SSP will determine the physical properties of the surface at the impact site and provides unique information about its composition

Principal Investigator: John Zarnecki, Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

A group of interdisciplinary scientists has developed models to simulate the conditions the probe will face during the descent and is helping to coordinate the planning of Titan's observations by the orbiter. They are: Daniel Gautier, Observatoire de Paris-Meudon, France (Titan aeronomy) Jonathan Lunine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States (surface-atmosphere interactions) Francois Raulin, Université-Paris 12, Creteil, France (organic chemistry and exobiology)

Operations

Saturn Orbit Insertion: Upon reaching Saturn on 1 July 2004 Cassini fired its main engine for 96 minutes to brake the spacecraft’s speed and allow it to be captured as a satellite of Saturn. Passing through the dusty, outermost ring (called E-ring), Cassini swung in close to the planet – to an altitude only one-sixth the diameter of Saturn itself – to begin the first of 75 orbits during the rest of its four-year mission. Huygens was dormant during the long journey to Saturn, but it was 'woken up' every six months by ESA’s flight controllers for a complete check-up.

Descent to Titan: A system of alarm clocks will wake Huygens at a pre-programmed time a few hours before it reaches the outer fringe of Titan's atmosphere. During the first three minutes inside the atmosphere, Huygens will have to decelerate from 18000 to 1400 kilometres per hour. The heat developed by the friction on its shield may reach temperatures up to 1800°C. The robotic controls will then fire a pilot parachute to pull out the main parachute at a speed of about 1500 kilometres per hour. Within a minute, the speed will go down to less than 300 kilometres per hour. The shell of the Entry Assembly Module will then fall away and expose the scientific instruments to Titan's atmosphere, at a height of about 160 kilometres. The atmospheric temperature may then be about -120°C. At about 120 kilometres, the main parachute will be cut away and replaced by a smaller one. At an altitude of about 45 kilometres the probe will go through the coldest layer of the atmosphere (tropopause) where the temperature will be about –200°C. Within two and a half hours, the descent will be complete. The landing will take place at the relatively low speed of about 20 kilometres per hour.

Exploration of Saturnian system: During the course of the Cassini orbiter’s mission, it will execute close fly-bys of particular bodies of interest – including more than 44 encounters of Titan and seven of selected icy moons of greatest interest. Many more distant fly-bys of other moons are also planned. Cassini’s orbit will allow it to study Saturn’s equatorial zone as well as its polar regions.

Ground control:

Cassini flight operations are conducted from JPL using stations of NASA’s Deep Space Network in California, Spain and Australia. Huygens flight operations are conducted from the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. All telecommands are prepared at ESOC and sent via NASA's Deep Space Network to Cassini which stores them on board for release to Huygens at a pre-determined time. Data are received back via the reverse path. Experiment data are distributed to the scientific teams by JPL and ESOC.

ESA Mission Manager and Project Scientist: Jean-Pierre Lebreton
NASA Mission Managers: Mark Dahl and Robert T. Mitchell
NASA Project Scientists: Jay Berstralh and Dennis Matson
ASI Programme Manager and Programme Scientist: Enrico Flamini

For further information, please contact:

Franco Bonacina
ESA Media Relations Division, Paris, France
tel: +33 1 5369 7155
fax: +33 1 5369 7690

Guido De Marchi
ESA Science Communication Service, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
tel: +31 71 565 3273
fax: +31 71 565 4101

Don Savage
NASA Headquarters, Washington DC, USA
tel: +1 202 358 1727
fax: +1 202 358 3093

Carolina Martinez
JPL Media Relations Office, Pasadena, USA
tel: +1 818 354 9382
fax: +1 818 354 4537

Francesco Rea
ASI Media Relations, Rome, Italy
tel: +39 06 856 7235
fax: +39 06 841 6265

US Bans Non-Detectable Landmines

United States Bans Non-Detectable Landmines

The United States has become the first major military power to terminate its use of any landmines that cannot be located with the standard metal detectors used by military and humanitarian deminers around the world.

“The U.S. landmine policy recognizes that non-detectable landmines pose a particularly insidious threat to humanitarian deminers as well as innocent civilians in a post-conflict environment,” remarked Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr., the Special Representative of the President and Secretary of State for Mine Action who also serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs. “Our action meets the first major goal in our new policy, which forswears the use by the United States of non-detectable mines now and all persistent mines after 2010.”

This prohibition on the use of non-detectable landmines covers both anti-personnel as well as anti-vehicle mines. The United States action surpasses the detectability requirements of both international landmine treaties: the Amended Mines Protocol to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to which the United States is a party, and the “Ottawa Convention” which relates to anti-personnel mines.

To learn more about United States landmine policy and the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program, visit To Walk the Earth in Safety: The U.S. Commitment to Humanitarian Mine Action 2005/24 [End] Released on January 3, 2005 Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC January 3, 2005

Asa Hutchinson DHS Entry-Exit System

DHS Entry-Exit System Meets 2004 Goals Ahead of Schedule

Monday, Jan 3, 2005 Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security at the United States Department of Homeland Security, announced today that the Department of Homeland Security met a major milestone by implementing the US-VISIT entry-exit system at the 50 busiest land ports of entry ahead of schedule. Congress mandated that DHS complete this phase of an entry-exit system by December 31, 2004. As of December 29, 2004, US-VISIT was operational at the 50 busiest land border ports. The first results indicate that these new US-VISIT biometric procedures at land border ports of entry are also saving visitors time crossing the border. FULL TEXT DHS Entry-Exit System Meets 2004 Goals Ahead of Schedule

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary Contact: 202-298-5200 (Kimberly Weissman January 03, 2005

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is assisting U.S. government agencies in their effort to assess the extent and scope of damage caused by the December 26th tsunami in the Indian Ocean. NGA is providing imagery products of the affected areas on a daily basis to: the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA); the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), in whose region the tsunami occurred; and to other U.S. government agencies supporting humanitarian relief activities.

NGA continues to use its commercial satellite imagery contracts to fulfill customer requests for information. The products show the scope of the damage caused by the earthquake and resulting tsunami. OFDA and USPACOM are using the products to determine the priorities for emergency relief efforts and where life supporting supplies and personnel need to be deployed.

NGA is also assessing impacts to infrastructure, which includes damage to roads, bridges, ports, and airfields and how that damage affects access in and out of the damaged areas. This assessment will assist the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) and others providing assistance in the region.

NGA is a Department of Defense combat support agency and a member of the National Intelligence Community whose mission is to provide timely, relevant and accurate geospatial intelligence in support of our national security. Geospatial intelligence is the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., NGA has major facilities in the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and St. Louis, Mo., areas with NGA support teams worldwide. - 30 -

Office of Corporate Relations Public Affairs 4600 Sangamore Road Bethesda, MD 20816-5003

MEDIA RELEASE: NGA-04-14 DATE: December 29, 2004 CONTACT: Stephen Honda, 301-227-2057; Stephen.Honda@nga.mil Howard Cohen, 301-227-3105; cohenh@nga.mil