THE HISTORY OF LABOR DAY

Photo:  Northern Michigan Lumberjacks.  Circa:  1890's.  Credit:  LCB 
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

ROTATION OF PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Carter from the South Carolina Army National Guard's 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade shakes hands with a role-playing police chief near a simulated protest during a Kosovo Force training exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Aug. 24, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael Sharp
Kosovo Force Rotation Prepares for Peacekeeping Mission

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2012 - As the next rotation to serve in the NATO Kosovo Force completes its final training, its members are looking beyond the warfighter skills they've refined during combat deployments to focus on the distinctly different challenges of peacekeeping.

It will be a profound departure," Army Lt. Col. Rob Stilwell, chief of staff of the South Carolina Army National Guard's 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, said in comparing the upcoming, 10-month mission to his unit's deployment to Afghanistan in 2007.

"In a peacekeeping operation, we really have to recognize that there is no enemy, and that we have to be focused on a much broader spectrum of issues than we did in Iraq or Afghanistan," he told American Forces Press Service during the mission rehearsal exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany.

Stilwell is preparing to serve as chief of staff for KFOR's Multinational Battle Group-East, an element currently led by the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

The deploying unit, to be commanded by Army Col. Blake Storey, includes National Guard members from South Carolina and eight other states, as well as members of the Army Reserve and troops from several other nations.

As part of KFOR, they will serve alongside another multinational battle group and five joint regional detachments to help set conditions for a stable, democratic, multiethnic and peaceful Kosovo.

KFOR entered Kosovo in June 1999 in support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244. The Balkans at that time were in turmoil, facing the biggest military and humanitarian crisis since World War II.

A mounting conflict between the Serb-dominated military of the Federal Yugoslav Republic and the ethnic Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army demanding independence from Belgrade had claimed some 10,000 lives and sparked the exodus of almost 1 million Albanian refugees.

At the height of the KFOR mission, 39 nations were contributing about 50,000 troops. Today, the NATO-led mission continues, supported by about 6,240 peacekeepers from 30 nations. The upcoming deployment represents the 16th for KFOR.

As Stilwell and his fellow soldiers are learning, peace support operations are vastly different than the combat missions many of them have conducted in the past.

"We train as warfighters, but in this instance, we really are not in the business of warfighting," Stilwell said. "So we can't necessarily address the issues that arise in the same manner that we would in a kinetic fight. Our enablers aren't necessarily guns and ammo. Our enablers are our ability to form relationships and having meaningful discussions and negotiations to inform and influence the population of Kosovo."

The unit mobilized three months ago to train for the mission -- first at their home station at Fort Jackson, S.C., then at Camp Atterbury, Ind., then at Hohenfels for an intensive final mission rehearsal exercise to wrap up this weekend.

When the first elements of the KFOR-16 rotation begin deploying to Kosovo next week, Army Lt. Col. Eric McFadden is committed to ensuring they arrive ready to take on whatever awaits them.

"The goal here is to replicate the challenges they might face, and in some cases, accelerate those challenges," said McFadden, senior trainer for JMRC's "Raptor" team, during a break from the training.

He and his observer-controller-trainers monitor the situation in Kosovo and travel there regularly to meet with KFOR leaders and get firsthand assessments of conditions on the ground. That, McFadden explained, helps them make the training they provide as realistic and valuable as possible.

For example, when Serb demonstrators attacked NATO peacekeepers who removed roadblocks that had shut off a main road in northern Kosovo last November, JMRC introduced a similar training scenario within days.

The current training scenarios reflect escalating tensions north of the Ebar River and ongoing challenges to the newly independent Kosovo state. "We have incorporated all those aspects into the operating environment here," McFadden said.

The scenarios typically unfold in realistic-looking Balkan mock villages with role players depicting agitated local citizens. A protest or riot may erupt, and a barrier or barricade will appear, preventing freedom of movement by not only the KFOR, but also the local people.

KFOR will be tasked to restore freedom of movement and ultimately, calm.

"They have to figure out the best way to do that," McFadden said. "The goal is to do that from a nonlethal perspective. The primary means is through negotiations."

Much of the training focuses on crowd-control techniques and negotiation and problem-solving skills required to engage with key leaders to deescalate tensions, he explained.

During their after-action reviews, McFadden and his team regularly emphasize the importance of perceptions -- by the Kosovars and the media. "One of the most significant challenges [KFOR troops] face are the potential implications of tactical actions with strategic impact that is virtually real time," he said.

Demeanor means a lot going into an operating environment, he tells them. "If you go in heavy and strong and look like you are looking for a fight, there will be a fight," he said. And a seemingly minor misstep can have unintended second and third-order consequences that could turn public opinion against KFOR.

By using cameras and audio during the training, the Raptor team helps the deploying teams understand exactly how they come across when they respond to the exercise scenarios.

"We have to think a lot harder about what we do and say, because the effects are much more subtle, but no less profound," Stilwell said.

He called the JMRC training "invaluable" in challenging him and his fellow soldiers to focus on the important nuances associated with peace operations.

"The heavy hand is not the best way to deal with every set of circumstances," he said. "So this has been a very, very good resource, here at Hohenfels, to help all of the soldiers, from E-1 to O-6, recognize that this is a very different ballgame."

It's a mission he said they're honored to take on.

"Personally and professionally, we are looking forward to another challenge," in a different part of the world, Stilwell said. "It is another opportunity to hone our skills in something other than what we have become accustomed to over the years."

Giving Thanks to Our Troops

President Obama Speaks to Troops at Fort Bliss

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PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS 'AL-PAIDA ON ROAD TO DEFEAT'

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Obama Pledges Responsible Drawdown in Afghanistan
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2012 - The United States will remain focused on the mission in Afghanistan while working toward ending the war in a responsible way that protects everything its military members have sacrificed for there, President Barack Obama said today.

Obama traveled to Fort Bliss, Texas, today, to honor service members he credited with making a turnaround in Iraq and also helping Afghanistan chart its own new future.

"You left Iraq with honor, your mission complete, your heads high," the president told the assembly of active, National Guard and reserve troops and their families. "And today Iraq has a chance to forge its own destiny."

Last visiting Fort Bliss two years ago, Obama recalled reminding the troops there that "we had more work to do, including taking the fight to al-Qaida."

Flashing forward to today, the president cited progress. "With allies and partners, we've taken out more top al-Qaida terrorists than at any time since 9/11," he said. "And thanks to the courage of our forces, al-Qaida is on the road to defeat, and bin Laden will never again threaten the United States of America."

Obama recognized Fort Bliss troops who have recently returned from Afghanistan or are currently deployed there, and some scheduled to deploy soon.

"I've got to tell you the truth," he said. "This is still a very tough fight."

The president recognized the sacrifices made, noting that he met earlier today with Gold Star families who lost loved ones in the conflict. "Your loved ones live on in the soul of the nation. We will honor them always," he told the family members.

"Because of their sacrifice, because of your service, we pushed the Taliban back," the president said. "We're training forces. The transition to Afghan lead is under way. And, as promised, more than 30,000 of our troops will have come home by next month."

Obama offered assurance that "just as in Iraq, we are going to end this war responsibility."

The Afghans will take the lead for their own security next year, he noted, and the transition will be complete in 2014.

"And even as this war ends, we will stay vigilant until Afghanistan is never again a source for attacks against America -- never again," Obama said, drawing cheers from the crowd. "So we're not just ending these wars. We're doing it in a way that keeps America safe and makes America stronger."

That, the president said, includes the military. Drawing down forces, he said, will mean fewer deployments, which creates more time to train, improve readiness, prepare for the future and reconnect with families.

"So make no mistake: ending the wars responsibly makes us safer, and it makes our military even stronger," he said.

Obama emphasized, in drawing down the force in Afghanistan, that the United States must remain ready for the challenges ahead. "In a world of serious threats, I will never hesitate to use force to defend the United States of America or our interests," he said.

"At the same time, I will only send you into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary," he pledged. "And when we do, we will give you the equipment and the clear mission and the smart strategy and the support back home that you need to get the job done. We owe you that."

The president recognized that the future, post-conflict military will be leaner. He promised, however, that the United States will continue making the investments needed "to keep you the absolute best military in the world, bar none."

The United States will always maintain its military superiority, he said.

"In you, we've got the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped military in human history. And as commander in chief, I am going to keep it that way," the president said.

Obama reaffirmed his pledge that the United States will continue to support those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the nation.

"We may be turning a page on a decade of war, but America's responsibilities to you have only just begun," he said.

THE DOG WARRIOR SAVES LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEMaxx, an improvised explosive device detector dog, licks the face of his handler, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Stephen Mader, during a convoy in southern Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 26, 2012. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Buckwalter

　
Face of Defense: Dog, Handler Protect Marines By Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brian Buckwalter
Regimental Combat Team 6 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2012 - Riding in an armored truck over Afghanistan's rutted dirt roads is scarcely a smooth or comfortable experience.
Each bump is felt as springs groan and creak under the weight of the mine resistant, ambush-protected vehicle. The air conditioner circulates dusty air, and unless you're right next to the vents, you're drenched in sweat. Body armor weighs down on shoulders and compounds the pain of sitting in one spot for hours on end.
For Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Stephen Mader and his dog Maxx, this experience is routine. Mader is an improvised explosive device detector dog handler with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6.
Their MRAP hits a large bump, and water in a metal dish near the truck's back entrance splashes onto the floor. Maxx, who was dozing, stands up, puts his front paws on Mader's lap and nuzzles his head against Mader's body armor. Mader wraps his arms around Maxx, gives him a pat on the side and a scratch behind the ears, and reassures him everything is all right. Maxx settles down with his chin across Mader's boots – his spot – and closes his eyes again.
"It's basically like having a 3-year-old in Afghanistan," said Mader, who is responsible for every aspect of Maxx's care. He feeds him, cleans him and even monitors Maxx's behavior for signs of stress or fatigue.
And like a 3-year-old, Maxx, a yellow Labrador, always wants attention.
"Otherwise, he'll start licking me," Mader said.
Mader and Maxx have been together for seven months since they met at the five-week IED detector dog handler school in Southern Pines, S.C. The dogs come to the school trained to obey commands and track explosive scents. Human students go to learn how to handle the dogs.
School instructors interviewed Mader about his demeanor and personality and asked questions such as, "Are you laid-back or a hard-charger?" to get an idea of which dog to assign him. Mader said he's a mix of both.
Mader, who joined the Marine Corps in 2009, said the dogs need a good rapport with their handlers. If there is a personality clash, the dog won't perform. Maxx is a perfect match, he said.
"If I want to be playful and active, he will be," Mader said. "But, if I want to relax, he'll lay down next to me."
Overall, Maxx, who is actually 4 years old, is "pretty chill" and will sleep when he's not working, Mader said. But, Maxx does have his wild streaks, he added. The dog likes to break out of his kennel and to try to swim in the canals in the southern Helmand River Valley, where the battalion's personal security detachment often travels.
"He'll try, and I'll have to stop him," Mader said.
Unlike some military working dogs, IED detector dogs are not trained to be aggressive. Their handlers have the discretion to allow other Marines to approach or pet their dogs. Maxx is popular with the Marines and gets a lot of attention, Mader said, but when it comes time to work, he's ready to go.
"In the truck, he's like a pet, but whenever we're out there, he's like a tool," he added, noting that IED detector dogs are "a great tool to have if you use them correctly."
The duo spends a lot of time on the road. Mader said Maxx can sense where they are.
"It's weird, but he'll know what [forward operating base] we're going to," he said. When they're getting close to FOB Geronimo, a larger, more built-up base, Maxx gets excited and starts pacing. When they approach a smaller, more austere place such as Combat Outpost Rankle, "he'll just lay there," the dog handler added.
When Mader and Maxx aren't on the road or working, they're training. After missions, while other Marines are relaxing, Mader is making sure Maxx's tracking skills stay sharp. Maxx is trained with a rubber bouncy toy called a "bumper," used as a reward for performing a task successfully. When the bumper comes out, it's a morale boost for the dog, Mader said.
Even with the long hours and the extra responsibilities of being a dog handler, Mader said, it's "the best thing to happen to me in the Marine Corps."
After this deployment, Mader said, he would volunteer to be a handler again if there is a need and an opportunity. He is an infantry mortarman by trade.
"I love being with the dogs," he said.
As the Afghan army continues to take over more of the security responsibilities here, officials at Marine Corps Systems Command said they anticipate the number of dogs to be reduced in the near future, correlating with the reduction in Marine forces in the region. If Maxx is no longer needed, Mader said, he wants to adopt him.
"I don't want to give him up," he said. "I've bonded too much to give him up."
Mader looks down at Maxx, still asleep across his boots, unaware of the potential dangers outside their MRAP. The occasional hard bump in the road is the only thing that stirs him from his nap on this ride. However, if needed, the pair will be ready to go on a moment's notice to track down the scent of any explosives on the route to prevent vehicle damage, injuries or worse.
"A local kid asked if he could buy Maxx for $10," Mader said. "I had to tell him he's worth a little bit more than that."

ARYAN BROTHERHOOD OF TEXAS GANG LEADER SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Friday, August 31, 2012
Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Gang Leader Sentenced in Houston for Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering

WASHINGTON – A high ranking member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) was sentenced today for his role in an aggravated assault that took place in Tomball, Texas, in September 2008, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson of the Southern District of Texas.

Steven Walter Cooke, 48, aka "Stainless," pleaded guilty on March 16, 2012, to racketeering aggravated assault for his role in the beating of an ABT prospect member. Cooke was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison by senior U.S. District Court Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. The sentence will run concurrent with a life sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on May 3, 2012, in the Eastern District of Texas in connection with Cooke’s role in a 2008 Liberty County, Texas, homicide.

According to court documents, the defendant was a leader of the ABT, a powerful race-based, state-wide organization that operated inside and outside of state and federal prisons throughout the United States. The ABT was established in the early 1980s within the Texas prison system. The gang modeled itself after and adopted many of the precepts and writings of the Aryan Brotherhood, a California-based prison gang that was formed in the California prison system during the 1960s. According to court documents, previously, the ABT was primarily concerned with the protection of white inmates and white supremacy/separatism. Over time, the ABT has expanded its criminal enterprise to include illegal activities for profit.

According to court documents, the ABT enforced its rules and promoted discipline among its members, prospects and associates through murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault, robbery and threats against those who violate the rules or pose a threat to the enterprise. Members, and oftentimes associates, were required to follow the orders of higher-ranking members, often referred to as "direct orders."

According to court documents, Cooke, along with 11 fellow ABT gang members, participated in the beating of a prospective ABT member at Cooke’s home in Tomball on Sept. 22, 2008. The ABT prospect, who sustained serious bodily injury, including an orbital blowout fracture, was beaten by ABT gang members because he violated ABT rules of conduct.

Eleven of the 12 co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to violent crimes in aid of racketeering aggravated assault. The 12th ABT gang member, David Harlow, 43, aka "Bam Bam," was found guilty at trial by Senior Judge Werlein on March 21, 2012. Harlow was sentenced on July 27, 2012, to 120 months in prison.

This case is being investigated by a multi-agency task force consisting of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the FBI; the U.S. Marshals Service; the Texas Rangers; the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Walker County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office; the Montgomery County, Texas, Sheriff’s Department; the Houston Police Department-Gang Division; the Tomball Police Department; the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Inspector General; and the Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by David Karpel of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Hileman of the Southern District of Texas.

WMARS RADIO

Photo:  Mars Rover.  Image Credit:  NASA
FROM: NASA
Curiosity Rover Plays First Song Transmitted From Another Planet

PASADENA -- For the first time in history, a recorded song has been beamed back to Earth from another planet. Students, special guests and news media gathered at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., today to hear "Reach for the Stars" by musician will.i.am after it was transmitted from the surface of Mars by the Curiosity rover.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden addressed the crowd in a video message encouraging students to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). "Mars has always fascinated us, and the things Curiosity tells us about it will help us learn about whether or not life was possible there," Bolden said. "And what future human explorers can expect. will.i.am has provided the first song on our playlist of Mars exploration."

In opening remarks, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and space shuttle astronaut Leland Melvin said, "I can think of no greater way to honor NASA pioneer Neil Armstrong's life and legacy than to inspire today's students to follow his path. That first footprint that Neil placed on the lunar surface left an indelible mark in history. Perhaps one of our students here today or watching on NASA Television will be the first to set foot on the surface of Mars and continue humanity's quest to explore."

Musician and entrepreneur will.i.am shared his thoughts about "Reach for the Stars" becoming the first interplanetary song and an anthem for NASA education. The entertainer is a well-known advocate of science and technology education. He said, "Today is about inspiring young people to lead a life without limits placed on their potential and to pursue collaboration between humanity and technology through STEAM education. I know my purpose is to inspire young people, because they will keep inspiring me back."

After completing a journey of more than 300 million miles from Earth to Mars and back, the opening orchestral strains of "Reach for the Stars" filled the auditorium. The event added to continuing worldwide interest in Curiosity's mission.

NASA engineers spoke to attendees about the Curiosity mission, and the systems engineering and orbital mechanics involved in getting the song file back from Mars. Students had the opportunity to ask questions of all program participants. Earlier in the day, students received a guided tour of JPL to view rover models and learn about STEM career options.

During the event, will.i.am's i.am angel Foundation and Discovery Education announced a $10 million classroom education initiative that will reach 25 million students annually, including many from underserved communities. Focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) educational themes, the Discovery Education initiative will incorporate NASA content and space exploration themes as part of the curriculum.

CFTC CHARGES CALIFORNIA RESIDENT IN ALLEGED COMMODITY POOL FRAUD SCHEME

FROM: U.S. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced the filing of a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, charging defendant Jeffrey Gustaveson of Carlsbad, Calif., with fraud, misappropriation, and issuing false statements in an approximate $2.5 million commodity pool scheme.

According to the CFTC complaint, filed on August 29, 2012, from at least January 2010 through approximately July 2010, Gustaveson accepted at least $2,495,000 million from at least four individuals to invest in a commodity futures pool. However, rather than trade pool participants’ funds as promised, Gustaveson allegedly only used approximately $400,000 of the funds to trade commodity futures, which resulted in a net loss. Gustaveson kept the remaining funds in a checking account from which he used at least $400,000 of pool funds to pay his personal expenses, including hotels, restaurants, and online gambling, according to the complaint.

Furthermore, to conceal his fraud, Gustaveson allegedly distributed false trading account statements to pool participants that misrepresented the value of the pool, reported false profits, and failed to disclose Gustaveson’s misappropriation of pool participants’ funds. When his fraud was exposed, Gustaveson allegedly repaid a portion of pool participants’ funds, but, despite repeated requests to do so, Gustaveson allegedly has not returned $415,000 of pool participants’ money. According to the CFTC complaint, Gustaveson admitted in a California state court proceeding that he had misappropriated investor money and falsified financial statements in connection with the acts described in the CFTC complaint.

In its continuing litigation, the CFTC seeks restitution to defrauded customers, a return of ill-gotten gains, civil monetary penalties, trading and registration bans, and permanent injunctions against further violations of federal commodities laws, as charged.

CFTC Division of Enforcement staff members responsible for this case are Lindsey Evans, Mary Beth Spear, Diane Romaniuk, Ava M. Gould, Scott R. Williamson, Rosemary Hollinger, and Richard B. Wagner.

U.S. PARALYMPIC VOLLYBALL TEAM

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion, based in Heidelberg, Germany, with staff and team of the 2012 U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Paralympic squad at the University of East London, Aug. 30, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

Wounded Warriors Gain Inspiration From U.S. Paralympic Volleyball Team

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

LONDON , Aug. 30, 2012 - Watching the 2012 Paralympic Games today left a group of Europe-based wounded warriors inspired, especially after they were able to meet some of the U.S. athletes.

Soldiers assigned to Warrior Transition Units in Germany, Italy and Belgium, and participating in adaptive reconditioning programs, met the U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Paralympic Team at the University of East London during a trip sponsored by the U.S. Paralympic Committee, the Wounded Warrior Project and Red Cross.

Army Master Sgt. Major Luckett, a food supply noncommissioned officer and 25-year veteran, said he was thrilled during the meet and greet with the athletes.

"I was really excited to get a chance to see the team with their experience," he said. "They explained their training and we had a chance to meet some of the players. I met [Kari] Miller, a former soldier. It was real exciting."

Motivation and inspiration were often used by the wounded warriors to describe their feelings during and after meeting the paralympians.

"We get great motivation [from meeting them]," Luckett said. "Going through the type of stuff I've been through, and then seeing these individuals with these disabilities perform; it [lets] me know I [only] have a limit [right now]. But I know I can go out and make myself better going into the things I do to train for," he said. "Things I've never done or I stopped doing since I had my injuries."

Luckett was assigned to the WTU after being plagued by persistent knee and back problems and recently underwent a medical review board with results still pending.

"I had an opportunity to visit several events, and it built my confidence inside [for] what I can do with the injuries that I had," the Petersburg, Va. native said.

"I had chills going through my body," he added. "It was great, and I enjoyed it. It's one of three things that I'll experience in my life. It was a real big motivator for me. Go USA!"

Army Spc. Maurice Walter, an information systems operator-analyst, and native of Huntsville, Ala., also had the chance to meet the U.S. Paralympic volleyball team.

"I actually met quite a few," he said. "I met Heather [Erickson] and Kari [Miller]. We have similar injuries so it's motivating to actually see them out here and to talk to them."

Walter said he reinjured his leg in Iraq during the course of day-to-day activities. He noted it aggravated a previous injury from an assignment in Korea resulting in his assignment to the WTU.

"I got some great insight from them," Walter said. "They were telling us to push through no matter what it is, don't hold back and just get it done. It's really inspiring to see them," he said. "Number one, they're not letting their injuries hold them back from what they want to do."

Walter said one of the volleyball players told him she grew up playing volleyball, and when she injured her leg she didn't want to stop. "So she didn't give up, so it inspires me to do anything that I want to do," he said.

Although he enjoyed the trip, Walter noted the opportunity to meet the Paralympic volleyball team topped his list of activities during the trip.

"The visit to London was amazing," he said. "But meeting the volleyball team was the best thing that came out of this trip. Of course, the sights and stuff are great, but meeting these individuals and seeing them – it's really motivating and inspiring," Walters said.

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SPACE COMMAND HISTORY: LAUNCH OF FIRST BLOCK II GPS SATELLITE

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND
The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world.  Credit:  U.S.  Air Force Space Command.

AFSPC Milestone: First Block II GPS satellite launched
8/28/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- As Air Force Space Command approaches its 30th Anniversary on 1 Sep, here is a significant milestone from the command's history...

On 14 February 1989, the first Block II GPS satellite was launched, marking the beginning of the deployment of the operational constellation. The Global Positioning System is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world. The constellation is designed and operated as a 24-satellite system, consisting of six orbital planes, with a minimum of four satellites per plane.

GPS satellites orbit the earth every 12 hours, emitting continuous navigation signals. With the proper equipment, users can receive these signals to calculate time, location and velocity. The signals are so accurate, time can be figured to within a millionth of a second, velocity within a fraction of a mile per hour and location to within 100 feet. Receivers have been developed for use in aircraft, ships and land vehicles, as well as for hand carrying.

GPS capabilities were put to the test during the United States' involvement in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Allied troops relied heavily on GPS to navigate the featureless Arabian Desert. During operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and Iraqi Freedom, GPS contributions increased significantly. During OIF, the GPS satellite constellation allowed the delivery of 5,500 GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions with pinpoint precision (to about 10 feet) and with minimal collateral damage. This was almost one-fourth of the total 29,199 bombs and missiles coalition forces released against Iraqi targets. GPS continues to fill a crucial role in air, ground and sea operations guiding countless service members and equipment to ensure they are on time and on target.

U.S. Department of Defense Armed with Science Update: NAVAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE

U.S. Department of Defense Armed with Science Update

U.S. CONSULATE GUARD TRIED SELLING INFORMATION TO CHINA FOR MILLIONS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Thursday, August 30, 2012

Former U.S. Consulate Guard Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Communicate National Defense Information to China

WASHINGTON – Bryan Underwood, a former civilian guard at a U.S. Consulate compound under construction in China, pleaded guilty today in the District of Columbia in connection with his efforts to sell for personal financial gain classified photographs, information and access related to the U.S. Consulate to China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).

At a hearing today before U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle, Underwood pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to communicate national defense information to a foreign government with intent or reason to believe that the documents, photographs or information in question were to be used to the injury of the United States or to the advantage of a foreign nation.

The guilty plea was announced by Lisa Monaco, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Ronald C. Machen Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Eric J. Boswell, Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security.

Underwood, 32, a former resident of Indiana, was first charged in an indictment on Aug. 31, 2011, with two counts of making false statements and was arrested on Sept. 1, 2011. On Sept. 21, 2011, he failed to appear at a scheduled status hearing in federal court in the District of Columbia. The FBI later located Underwood in a hotel in Los Angeles and arrested him there on Sept. 24, 2011. On Sept. 28, 2011, Underwood was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of attempting to communicate national defense information to a foreign government, two counts of making false statements and one count of failing to appear in court pursuant to his conditions of release. Sentencing for Underwood has been scheduled for Nov. 19, 2012. He faces a maximum potential sentence of life in prison.

"Bryan Underwood was charged with protecting a new U.S. Consulate compound against foreign espionage, but facing financial hardship, he attempted to betray his country for personal gain," said Assistant Attorney General Monaco. "This prosecution demonstrates that we remain vigilant in protecting America’s secrets and in bringing to justice those who attempt to compromise them."

"Bryan Underwood was determined to make millions by selling secret photos of restricted areas inside a U.S. Consulate in China," said U.S. Attorney Machen. "His greed drove him to exploit his access to America’s secrets to line his own pockets. The lengthy prison sentence facing Underwood should chasten anyone who is tempted to put our nation at risk for personal gain."

"Bryan Underwood sought to benefit from his access to sensitive information, but his attempted betrayal was detected before our nation’s secrets fell into the wrong hands," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. "Together with our partners, the FBI will continue to work to expose, investigate and prevent acts of espionage that threaten our national security."

"The close working relationship between the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office resulted in the capture and conviction of Bryan Underwood before he could harm the security of our country," said Assistant Secretary of State Boswell. "The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to thoroughly investigating all potential intelligence threats to our nation."

According to court documents, from November 2009 to August 2011, Underwood worked as a cleared American guard (CAG) at the construction site of a new U.S. Consulate compound in Guangzhou, China. CAGs are American civilian security guards with Top Secret clearances who serve to prevent foreign governments from improperly obtaining sensitive or classified information from the U.S. Consulate. Underwood received briefings on how to handle and protect classified information as well as briefings and instructions on security protocols for the U.S. Consulate, including the prohibition on photography in certain areas of the consulate.

Plan to Sell Information and Access for $3 Million to $5 Million

In February 2011, Underwood was asked by U.S. law enforcement to assist in a project at the consulate and he agreed. In March 2011, Underwood lost a substantial amount of money in the stock market. According to court documents, Underwood then devised a plan to use his assistance to U.S. law enforcement as a "cover" for making contact with the Chinese government. According to his subsequent statements to U.S. law enforcement, Underwood intended to sell his information about and access to the U.S. Consulate to the Chinese MSS for $3 million to $5 million. If any U.S. personnel caught him, he planned to falsely claim he was assisting U.S. law enforcement.

As part of his plan, Underwood wrote a letter to the Chinese MSS, expressing his "interest in initiating a business arrangement with your offices" and stating, "I know I have information and skills that would be beneficial to your offices [sic] goals. And I know your office can assist me in my financial endeavors." According to court documents, Underwood attempted to deliver this letter to the offices of the Chinese MSS in Guangzhou, but was turned away by a guard who declined to accept the letter. Underwood then left the letter in the open in his apartment hoping that the Chinese MSS would find it, as he believed the MSS routinely conducted searches of apartments occupied by Americans.

In May 2011, Underwood secreted a camera into the U.S. Consulate compound and took photographs of a restricted building and its contents. Many of these photographs depict areas or information classified at the Secret level. Underwood also created a schematic that listed all security upgrades to the U.S. Consulate and drew a diagram of the surveillance camera locations at the consulate. In addition, according to his subsequent statements to U.S. law enforcement, Underwood "mentally" constructed a plan in which the MSS could gain undetected access to a building at the U.S. Consulate to install listening devices or other technical penetrations.

According to court documents, the photographs Underwood took were reviewed by an expert at the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security who had original classification authority for facilities, security and countermeasures at the U.S. Consulate. The expert determined that many of the photographs contained images classified at the Secret level and that disclosure of such material could cause serious damage to the United States.

In early August 2011, Underwood was interviewed several times by FBI and Diplomatic Security agents, during which he admitted making efforts to contact the Chinese MSS, but falsely claimed that he took these actions to assist U.S. law enforcement. On Aug. 19, 2011, Underwood was again interviewed by law enforcement agents and he admitted that he planned to sell photos, information and access to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou to the Chinese MSS for his personal financial gain.

The U.S. government has found no evidence that Underwood succeeded in passing classified information concerning the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou to anyone at the Chinese MSS.

This investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security. The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Brandon L. Van Grack from the Counterespionage Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

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US Navy Videos

Un equipo de astronautas busca nuevas formas de vida subterránea

Un equipo de astronautas busca nuevas formas de vida subterránea

AFGHANISTAN ISAF NEWS FOR AUGUST 31, 2012

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Detains Several Suspected Insurgents
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 31, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Haqqani bomb maker in the Pul-e 'Alam district of Afghanistan's Logar province today, military officials reported.

The sought-after Haqqani leader facilitates the construction of improvised explosive devices and directs their use in the Pul-e 'Alam district, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- In the Gelan district of Ghazni province, a combined force detained many suspects during a search for a Taliban leader. The sought-after insurgent leader manages the finances, supplies and the movement of foreign fighters into the area.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Taliban leader in the Gelan district of Ghazni province. The sought-after insurgent leader plans and coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in southern Ghazni province.

-- Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the Aug. 29 arrest of a Taliban leader during an operation in the Andar district of Ghazni province. The detained insurgent leader prepared and conducted attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces. He also facilitated the movement of weapons and supplies, including IEDs, throughout the Andar district.

In Afghanistan operations yesterday:

-- A combined force killed two armed insurgents during a precision airstrike in the Sayyid Karam district of Paktiya province. No civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

GSA SAYS GOVERNMENT CAN SAVE MONEY USING CLOUD EMAIL

U.S. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
GSA Announces Cloud Email Services for Federal Government

Blanket purchase agreements streamline cloud transition, saves taxpayer dollarsAugust 30, 2012

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. General Services Administration announced that it is now offering cloud based email services, making it easier for government agencies to move to cost saving cloud services. Through 20 blanket purchase agreements awarded to 17 businesses today, federal, state, local and tribal governments will have access to cloud based email services. Cloud based email services supports the Obama Administration’s mandates and initiatives to bring cloud services into the federal government and reduce federal data centers, which save taxpayer dollars.

"GSA has added another excellent option for agencies looking to rapidly move their email to the cloud to save time, resources and taxpayer dollars," said Mary Davie, Acting Commissioner of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service. "Our innovative cloud solutions are another example of how GSA offers the best value, low cost services that help agencies serve the American people."

GSA is offering these email services through a blanket purchase agreement with the cloud service providers, which allows for simplified ways of fulfilling recurring needs for these services. Transitioning to a cloud solution lowers the cost of email by up to 50 percent annually and saves $1 million for every 7,500 email boxes. Cloud computing provides flexible platforms that enable increased efficiency, agility, and innovation.

Last year, GSA was the first federal agency to move to a cloud based email system, saving $2 million dollars to date. Over the next five years, GSA will see another 50 percent savings with an estimated $15 million reduction in IT costs.

GSA’s award of these cloud email service contracts allows vendors to provide government entities with email, cloud-based office automation, electronic records management, migration services, and integration services.

President Obama has asked government agencies to leverage cloud services to become more efficient. The implementation of 25 Point Federal IT Reform Plan, and "Cloud First" mandates require federal agencies to consider cloud-based solutions the new default IT solution.

GSA has awarded 20 blanket purchase agreements to 17 cloud service providers, 4 of which are small businesses. The businesses that received these contracts are:

Accenture Federal Services LLC, Autonomic Resources LLC, CGI Federal Inc., Ciracom Inc., Computer Sciences Corporation, Dell Federal Systems L.P., DLT Solutions, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., Harris IT Service Corporation, IBM Global Business Services, Lockheed Martin, Onix Networking Corp, Science Applications International Corporation, Smartronix Inc., Systems Research and Applications Corporation, Technosource LLC, and Unisys.

West Wing Week: 8/31/12 or, "It's Summer Mailbag Time!" | The White House

West Wing Week: 8/31/12 or, "It's Summer Mailbag Time!" | The White House

MARINER 2 LAUNCHED TO STUDY VENUS 50 YEARS AGO

FROM: NASA, NASA HISTORY
Kennedy Receives Mariner 2 Model
This 1961 photo shows Dr. William H. Pickering, (center) JPL Director, presenting a Mariner spacecraft model to President John F. Kennedy, (right). NASA Administrator James Webb is standing directly behind the Mariner model.

Mariner 2 launched 50 years ago on Aug. 27, 1962.

The Mariner 2 probe flew by Venus in 1962, sending back data on its atmosphere, mass, and weather patterns. It stopped transmitting in 1963 after delivering a wealth of scientific information.

Image Credit: NASA

Arne Answers your Questions on Pell Grants and the Cost of College

READY TO HANDLE ISAAC AFTERMATH

FORT RUCKER, Ala. - Soldiers from the 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division land at Cairns Army Airfield, Fort Rucker, Ala., as a staging area awaiting the call to assist relief efforts resulting from Hurricane Isaac. The Soldiers and a combination of HH-60 Alpha Plus Black Hawk and CH-47F Chinook helicopters stand ready to support our federal and State partners.
(U.S. Army photo by Kelly Pate)

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

National Guard, Northcom Support Isaac EffortAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2012 - Governors of four states have activated more than 7,500 National Guard soldiers and airmen to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaac, Defense Department officials said today.

In Louisiana, where the storm made landfall yesterday as a hurricane, 5,761 Guardsmen have been activated. Alabama has activated 177 Guard members, 17 are activated in Florida, and Mississippi has activated 1,547 citizen-soldiers and airmen.

The Louisiana National Guard has 5,761 soldiers and airmen on duty to support citizens, local and state authorities. The governor yesterday authorized activation of all Louisiana Guardsmen, which would bring total forces in the state to more than 8,000, officials said. The Louisiana Guard has already assisted in the rescue or evacuation of more than 3,400 people.

In Orleans Parish, Guardsmen delivered more than 34,500 bottles of water to an emergency operations center in New Orleans as well as a 350-kilowatt generator to the Padua Skilled Nursing facility, also in New Orleans. In Plaquemines Parish, Guard members rescued 141 people while assisting local authorities in Braithwaite, conducting search and rescue missions with 14 high-water vehicles and five boat teams.

The Louisiana Guard also has 14 Humvees assisting the parish in evacuating a nursing home in the Belle Chasse area. As of this morning, Guardsmen had delivered 6,336 packaged meals and 17,280 bottles of water and had transported 400 cots, along with linen and pillows, to the Belle Chasse YMCA.

Guardsmen also transported 1,200 meals and water to the naval air station-joint reserve base gym in Belle Chasse, along with 150 cases of water and 1,500 meals to the base itself. The Guard also delivered a 350-kilowatt generator to a nursing home in Belle Chase.

Mississippi National Guard missions include presence patrols, traffic control points, search and rescue, commodity distribution, and emergency communications. The Mississippi Guard is assisting local authorities in evacuating residents from flooded areas and is helping others as needs are determined by the governor and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

Military aircraft have been flown out of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Tyndall Air Force Base, Duke Field and Eglin Air Force Base, all in Florida, and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans in Louisiana.

U.S. Northern Command is coordinating Defense Department support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and to state and local response activities. Northcom has staged four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Fort Campbell, Ky., and two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters from Norfolk Naval Air Station, Va., to Fort Rucker, Ala., to assess and support potential search and rescue efforts.

A search and rescue planner also has been activated and deployed to the Baton Rouge Emergency Operations Center in Louisiana. Four emergency planner liaison officers are deployed to the National Response Coordination Center in the nation's capital in support of FEMA, and Fort Polk, La., has been designated as a federal team staging area.

The command has activated its Region 6 defense coordinating officer and defense coordinating element to Baton Rouge to validate, plan and coordinate potential DOD support of FEMA's hurricane response operations and to aid support for federal and state partners.

Northcom also deployed portions of its Region 1 defense coordinating officer and defense coordinating element assets to Clanton, Ala., and Region 7 defense coordinating officer and defense coordinating element members are in Pearl, Miss., to backfill Region 4 defense coordinating officer and defense coordinating element members deployed to the Florida Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.

Additionally, Northcom has designated Meridian Air Station, Miss., as an incident support base, and Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., as a federal support area.

Women, obesity, and rheumatoid arthritis

Women, obesity, and rheumatoid arthritis

DRIVE FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES LED BY SOLDIER

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Army Sgt. Johnny Merical puts together a display of donated school supplies at Mae Stevens Elementary School in Copperas Cove, Texas, Aug. 22, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Wrigley
Face of Defense: Soldier Leads Drive for School Supplies

By Army Sgt. Richard Wrigley
1st Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas, Aug. 29, 2012 - A 1st Cavalry Division soldier here headed a fundraiser to provide school supplies for the Mae Stevens Elementary school in Copperas Cove, Texas.

"It's about giving back to a community that has given so much to you," said Army Sgt. Johnny Merical, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer for Company B, 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade.

After more than a month of collecting donations, and with help from other soldiers in his platoon, Merical bought school supplies and presented them to the school Aug. 22.

Merical and his fellow soldiers set up a display of the new school supplies in the school's gymnasium, and members of the community -- along with children, parents and faculty members -- came by to hear him explain why he led the drive.

"I've been here almost six years, and have lived here the whole time," he said. "I'm leaving now, but the community has supported me whenever I needed it, and the school district really looked out for my family when they allowed my children to stay in Mae Stevens, even though the rezoning could have forced them to go to a different school."

While this is the biggest volunteer effort Merical has undertaken, he is no stranger to volunteer work, said Army Capt. Nicholaus Cortez, a platoon leader in Company B, 615th ASB.

"He's done a lot of volunteering for the unit and the surrounding community," Cortez said. "When I think of Sergeant Merical, I think of selfless service."

The captain added that Merical's professionalism and work ethic are unparalleled at his level in the platoon.

The school's students and their families were in dire need of the supplies, Merical said. Joe Burns, the superintendent for the Copperas Cove Independent School District, agreed.

"About 63 percent of this campus' student population consists of kids who receive free or reduced lunches," he explained. "This means that a lot of the families that have kids who attend here simply don't have the resources to provide [the children] with all the things they need for school. This donation Sergeant Merical put together ... will go a long, long way to meeting the needs of those families."

Another school district official talked about how donations will benefit the students as they begin this school year.

"Many of these students are used to getting hand-me-down materials," said Rick Kirkpatrick, the deputy superintendent. "Just imagine how happy these students will be to have a brand-new notebook or binder this year."

Merical said he hopes that his and his fellow soldiers' efforts to help will have a lasting impact.

"My family and I are about to leave, but the good that this has done for the community will last much longer than that," he said.

SEC. OF LABOR SOLIS ANNOUNCES $75.7 MILLION IN YOUTHBUILD GRANTS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announces $75.7 million in YouthBuild grants for programs nationwide
74 programs across 28 states and the District of Columbia receive funding
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced more than $75 million in YouthBuild grants to help out-of-school youth earn a high school or General Educational Development diploma while learning critical occupational skills in construction, health care, information technology and other fields.

"YouthBuild offers young people the opportunity to earn academic and industry-recognized credentials, practice the skills they'll need to succeed at work, and experience what it means to contribute to their own success and that of their communities," said Secretary Solis.

The grants range from $700,000 to $1.1 million each and together will fund 74 YouthBuild programs in 28 states and the District of Columbia. They will help nearly 5,000 young people obtain the certifications and skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Including today's grantees, the Labor Department now actively funds 127 YouthBuild programs around the country.

The YouthBuild grants announced today are the first awarded under new program regulations published in February 2012, which expand occupational skills training beyond construction to include fast-growing industries such as health care and information technology. The construction skills training programs funded teach valuable skills to participants who build or rehabilitate housing for low-income or homeless individuals and families in their communities. The non-construction skills training programs funded include leadership development and community service elements to ensure that youth maintain a connection to their communities through service and volunteerism.

YouthBuild is a nonresidential, community-based alternative education program that provides classroom instruction and occupational skills training to at-risk individuals ages 16-24. Many participants have been in the juvenile justice system, are aging out of foster care, have dropped out of high school, or are otherwise at-risk of failing to reach key educational milestones and opportunities that lead to career fulfillment.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING AUGUST 25, 2012

FROM:  U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENTUNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS REPORT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 374,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised figure of 374,000. The 4-week moving average was 370,250, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 368,750. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending August 18, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending August 18, was 3,316,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the preceding week's revised level of 3,321,000. The 4-week moving average was 3,321,500, an increase of 9,000 from the preceding week's revised average of 3,312,500. UNADJUSTED DATA The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 309,923 in the week ending August 25, a decrease of 1,864 from the previous week. There were 336,761 initial claims in the comparable week in 2011. The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.4 percent during the week ending August 18, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate. The advance unadjusted number for persons claiming UI benefits in state programs totaled 3,103,455, a decrease of 65,115 from the preceding week. A year earlier, the rate was 2.8 percent and the volume was 3,473,182. The total number of people claiming benefits in all programs for the week ending August 11 was 5,532,245, a decrease of 62,253 from the previous week. Extended Benefits were only available in Idaho during the week ending August 11. Initial claims for UI benefits by former Federal civilian employees totaled 1,291 in the week ending August 18, an increase of 145 from the prior week. There were 2,611 initial claims by newly discharged veterans, an increase of 22 from the preceding week. There were 17,558 former Federal civilian employees claiming UI benefits for the week ending August 11, an increase of 102 from the previous week. Newly discharged veterans claiming benefits totaled 38,976, an increase of 489 from the prior week. States reported 2,273,317 persons claiming EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits for the week ending August 11, a decrease of 53,318 from the prior week. There were 3,118,042 persons claiming EUC in the comparable week in 2011. EUC weekly claims include first, second, third, and fourth tier activity. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending August 11 were in Puerto Rico (4.4), theVirgin Islands (4.1), Pennsylvania (3.9), New Jersey (3.8), Connecticut (3.6), Alaska (3.6), California (3.4), Rhode Island (3.1), New York (3.0), and Nevada (3.0). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending August 18 were in Michigan (+2,383), Florida (+1,558), Colorado (+781), South Carolina (+774), and Texas (+517), while the largest decreases were in California (-5,549), Ohio (-1,379), Oregon (-1,098), Wisconsin (-539), and Virginia (-480). UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DATA FOR REGULAR STATE PROGRAMS WEEK ENDING Advance August 25 August 18 Change August 11 Prior Year1 Initial Claims (SA) 374,000 374,000 0 369,000 407,000 Initial Claims (NSA) 309,923 311,787 -1,864 317,680 336,761 4-Wk Moving Average (SA) 370,250 368,750 +1,500 364,500 407,000 　 　 WEEK ENDING Advance August 18 August 11 Change August 4 Prior Year1 Ins. Unemployment (SA) 3,316,000 3,321,000 -5,000 3,313,000 3,727,000 Ins. Unemployment (NSA) 3,103,455 3,168,570 -65,115 3,180,011 3,473,182 4-Wk Moving Average (SA) 3,321,500 3,312,500 +9,000 3,305,000 3,717,000 Ins. Unemployment Rate (SA)2 2.6% 2.6% 0.0 2.6% 3.0% Ins. Unemployment Rate (NSA)2 2.4% 2.5% -0.1 2.5% 2.8% 　 INITIAL CLAIMS FILED IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS (UNADJUSTED) WEEK ENDING August 18 August 11 Change Prior Year1 Federal Employees 1,291 1,146 +145 1,743 Newly Discharged Veterans 2,611 2,589 +22 2,742 　 PERSONS CLAIMING UI BENEFITS IN ALL PROGRAMS (UNADJUSTED) WEEK ENDING August 11 August 4 Change Prior Year 1 Regular State 3,159,836 3,172,438 -12,602 3,545,584 Federal Employees (UCFE) 17,558 17,456 +102 26,016 Newly Discharged Veterans (UCX) 38,976 38,487 +489 38,033 EUC 20083 2,273,317 2,326,635 -53,318 3,118,042 Extended Benefits4 5,404 4,236 +1,168 556,162 State Additional Benefits 5 5,665 5,741 -76 4,405 STC / Workshare 6 31,489 29,505 +1,984 46,182 TOTAL 5,532,245 5,594,498 -62,253 7,334,424 　 FOOTNOTES SA - Seasonally Adjusted Data, NSA - Not Seasonally Adjusted Data 1 - Prior year is comparable to most recent data. 2 - Most recent week used covered employment of 127,495,952 as denominator. 3 - EUC weekly claims include first, second, third, and fourth tier activity. Tier-specific EUC data can be found here: http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/docs/persons.xls 4 - Information on the EB program can be found here: http://www.ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/extenben.asp 5 - Some states maintain additional benefit programs for those claimants who exhaust regular, extended and emergency benefits. Information on states that participate, and the extent of benefits paid, can be found starting on page 4-5 of this link: http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/uilawcompar/2010/special.pdf 6 - Information on STC/Worksharing can be found starting on page 4-9 of the following link: http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/uilawcompar/2010/special.pdf