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Helping Feed and Care for the Pets in our Communities
Jul 8, 2010
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Last week, I had the opportunity to visit and tour the Kent County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Kent County SPCA Outreach Director Mary Ann D'Amato explained that, during the summer months, more animals tend to be in need of rescue and shelter and many of our shelters, like the Kent County SPCA, are facing shortages with regard to food and supplies. The Kent County SPCA is in the midst of a donation drive to fill the critical need for food and supplies for the animals in the shelter, as well as to supplement their "Pet Pantry," available to owners in tough financial situations who need food for their pets.
I was happy to help bring awareness to their important cause of caring for animals whose owners can no longer do so, as well as stray pets, and was equally pleased to be able to make a donation myself. There is a critical need to help the SPCA through food, supplies, and adoption, and I hope you can join me in doing so. Donations of food stuffs and supplies, including gently used items like towels, leashes, and toys, can be dropped off at any of the following SPCA locations:
New Castle County SPCA: 455 Stanton Christiana Road, Newark, DE 19713
Kent County SPCA: 32 Shelter Circle, Camden, DE 19934.
Sussex County SPCA: 22918 Dupont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947
If you have any questions about this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me, the Kent County SPCA, or Delaware SPCA.
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Passport Renewal Information
Jul 2, 2010
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Summer travel season is upon us and while some of you may choose to stay local this summer and visit some of Delaware's beaches and state parks, for those of you planning on traveling internationally, I wanted to let you know about some new policies and helpful hints having to do with obtaining your U.S. Passport. Details are below, including information about fee increases that will take effect July 13, 2010. I encourage you to address such matters in a timely fashion in order to avoid any last minute troubles. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or concerns.
U.S. Passport Resources
- For general information about passports and travel and to access the application for a U.S. Passport, please visit www.travel.state.gov
- Also, please check www.travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date application processing times. Currently routine applications are being processed 4-6 weeks from the time of application, and requests for expedited services, which include overnight delivery to and from the Passport Agency is approximately 2-3 weeks.
- For appointments and status inquiries please call 1-877-487-2778
- Finally, the U.S. Passport Agency's new fee schedule will go into effect on July 13, 2010. New passport fees are as follows:
- $135 for a first-time U.S. passport book for adults (age 16 or older)
- $110 for U.S. passport book renewal (age 16 or older)
- $105 for a U.S. passport book for minors (under age 16)
- $55 for a first-time U.S. passport card for adults (age 16 or older)
- $30 for a U.S. passport card for adults (age 16 or older) who have a fully valid U.S. passport issued within the last 15 years
- $40 for a U.S. passport card for minors (under age 16)
- $82 for additional visa pages
- $150 for file search and verification of U.S citizenship
- The fee for expedited passport services will remain $60
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Issue Spotlight: Student Financial Aid
Jul 1, 2010
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As I am sure most of you are aware, especially those of you who have applied to receive federal student financial aid, the U.S. Department of Education provides billions of dollars each year to millions of students and families seeking a postsecondary education.
Beginning today, July 1, all postsecondary institutions offering federal student loans are required to provide and begin originating direct loans, in which the Education Department provides loans to students through their colleges. While a small percentage of schools are in the process of transitioning into the Direct Loan program, many of you may wonder what this means for you or your family if you are considering attending a postsecondary institution.
As someone who believes in the value of education and job training programs, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a number of links that may answer some of your questions as well as provide some resources which may be helpful as you begin considering your options for financing a postsecondary education.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or to share your thoughts on this issue. To learn more about my work on college access and affordability, please visit the education page of my website.
Federal Student Aid and Direct Loan Resources
FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov
FAFSA Forecaster: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
Information about College: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
Information about Job Training: www.careervoyages.gov
Direct Loan Information: http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DirectLoan/index.html
Direct Loan Announcements: http://www.ifap.ed.gov/ifap/processing/directLoans.jsp
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Issue Spotlight: Special Education Teachers
Jun 30, 2010
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As Congress continues to work on revising and updating the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and prepares for the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) next year, I was pleased that earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed legislation to highlight the critical role special education teachers play in providing equity and support for students with disabilities.
As the Senior Republican of the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, which has jurisdiction over this issue, as the author of the 2004 IDEA, and as a cosponsor of the Everyone Deserves Unconditional Access to Education (EDUCATE) Act to provide full federal funding of IDEA, I was proud to cosponsor this bill, and I welcome this opportunity to commend special education teachers for their dedication to providing individuals with special needs with quality life skills. I look forward to working with them and others in the advocacy community, as well as my colleagues in the House of Representatives to ensure students with disabilities receive the same high-quality education as their peers.
To voice your support for all educators or to learn more about my work on education and other important issues, please visit my website.
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National Men's Health Week
Jun 22, 2010
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As you may know, on average men have a shorter life expectancy and have more health problems than women. In part, this is because men are more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior, and less likely than women to adopt preventative health measures. Many of the conditions that impact men 1.5 times more than women, such as cancer and heart disease, could be prevented with increased awareness and screening. As a male, I am deeply concerned with these facts, which not only affect men, but which significantly impact those around them, including women who because of their longer life expectancy have seen the men in their lives suffer or die prematurely.
For this reason, I was pleased to lend my support to bipartisan legislation honoring National Men's Health Week -- to help raise awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases affecting men -- when it was considered earlier today on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Because this is such an important issue, I urge all Delawareans to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle and to get screened regularly for diseases and conditions that could develop with age. Early detection, screening, and treatment are critical to living a full and healthy life.
For more information about Men's Health Week, please visit www.menshealthweek.org. Additionally, for more information about my work on Health Care and prevention, please visit my website.
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