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METROPOLIS, IL - Bob and Milley Wegman, who were returning home to Mackinaw, IL, from a vacation in Tennessee, took advantage of the beautiful fall weather to stop and see the Superman statue. "He was from our era and we grew up with Superman. He was a part of history and we hated to see his demise come along," stated Bob. A black armband has been placed on the statue in tribute of the September 11 events.

National Park Entrance Fees To Be Waived Over Veterans Day Weekend
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), Oct 28, 2001 - On Veterans Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, November 10 - 12, all entrance fees to national park areas will be waived to allow Americans and international visitors the opportunity to seek solace and inspiration from the nation's parks, monuments, and memorials. This nationwide observance will extend to all of the country's 84 million acres of National Park Service land, including the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park (Gateway Arch), monuments, battlefields, military and historic parks and sites, lakeshores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, national parks, and the White House.

"We all continue to be saddened and horrified by the magnitude of tragedy our nation has undergone, but we cannot give hate-filled terrorists a victory by forcing us to live in fear," said Gale Norton, Interior Secretary. "It's tragedies like these that make healing necessary so we can recover and rebound. What better places to begin that healing process than in our parks, where Americans can draw strength from national icons of freedom and peace from splendors of nature."

The Secretary said that one of these national icons - Federal Hall National Memorial, which was just three blocks from the World Trade Center and where George Washington took the first presidential oath of office - became a refuge to many fleeing the destruction of buildings all around it.

"Federal Hall, though damaged, still stands as a beacon of hope and of American perseverance in adversity," said Norton.

She also commended many members of Congress for their strong interest and support in urging all Americans to look to national parks and other public lands for the comfort and encouragement these special places provide.

"This Veteran's Day weekend, I encourage all Americans to join together with family and friends to honor the victims of our recent tragedies along with the veterans who protect our Nation's freedom and democracy," said Norton. "And I urge everyone to take advantage of this special opportunity to visit our nation's historic, cultural and natural treasures to reconnect with the values that have made this nation great."

The National Park Service, an Interior Department agency, manages the National Park System, which comprises 385 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every state (except Delaware), the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House.

St. Louisan At 'Ground Zero' Donates Gear to History Museum

Photographs of "Ground Zero" at the World Trade Center and personal items donated to the Missouri History Museum by Dennis Grooms are on display in the lobby of the Emerson Center. Grooms, a cardiology technician at SSM Saint Mary's Health Center, who spent a week at 'Ground Zero' helping with rescue efforts. @ Bob Moore, SLFP.com

Personal firefighter gear donated by Dennis Grooms on display at the Missouri History Museum. @ Bob Moore, SLFP.com

Travel and Tourism Industry Seeks Support From Congress
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), Oct 5, 2001 - With Congress and the Bush administration expected to act on a package of tax relief and other initiatives designed to stimulate economic growth, the Travel Business Roundtable (TBR), has called on lawmakers to take immediate action to help the travel and tourism industry recover from the devastating economic fallout that followed the terrorist events of September 11.

How to Donate:

To give blood:
1-800-448-3543
To make financial contributions:
1-800-HELP NOW and
1-800-SAL ARMY
To volunteer medical services:
1-518-431-7600
To volunteer general services:
1-800-801-8092
Red Cross Organization
www.redcross.org

NEW YORK STATE CENTRAL DONATIONS COORDINATION HOTLINE 800 801-8092 OPEN 24 HOURS (100 operators) This number is for the public to call for information on volunteering and donating goods for the New York disaster relief.

THIS DONATIONS FUND IS AFFILIATED WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DONATIONS COORDINATION HOTLINE (see above)

World Trade Center Relief Fund
Box 5028
Albany, NY 12205

DONATE TO THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEE EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE (FEEA) This fund is set up for federal families affected by the disasters in both New York and Virginia.

FEEA World Trade Center/Pentagon Fund
8441 W. Bowles Avenue Suite 200
Littleton, CO 80123

In a letter distributed to all members of Congress, Jonathan M. Tisch, chairman of the TBR and chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels, said that the terrorist attacks have crippled the industry as public confidence in the safety of travel has been severely undermined.

"Hard data as well as anecdotal experience suggest that meetings are being postponed; all but critical corporate travel is being delayed; and individuals are canceling or postponing personal travel plans within the U.S. and abroad," wrote Tisch. "These disturbing trends are all occurring against the backdrop of an overall U.S. economy that is in decline."

According to Tisch, travel and tourism activity-related federal, state and local tax revenues, which were nearly $100 billion in 2000, stand to be significantly impacted as well. Local governments often rely on hotel room or hospitality surcharges for revenue to fund projects such as stadiums or convention centers.

With a significant decrease in this revenue source, servicing the debt on existing projects will be difficult and new civic projects could be stalled, or abandoned altogether.

TBR urged Congress to adopt immediate and long-term measures that would help the travel and tourism industry get back on its collective feet. Specific measures for Congress to include in an economic stimulus package are:

Steps to help displaced workers. Including, direct assistance by the federal government to those states that may be overwhelmed with worker compensation and unemployment claims resulting from the September 11 attacks, and assurance by the federal government that health benefits will be continued for displaced workers.
Measures to encourage people to travel again. Including the full restoration of the business meal and entertainment deduction, and restoration of the tax deduction for travel expenses of a spouse accompanying an employee on a business trip to 100 percent.
Actions to ensure liquidity for the industry. Including payroll tax relief for employers and employees, and the extension of eligibility for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Relief Program to otherwise qualified small businesses across the country that are unable to meet necessary financial obligations as a result of the September 11 attacks. TBR also requested that the SBA Administrator be granted discretionary authority to adjust the size standards for eligibility to ensure that firms falling outside the SBA's definition of "small" are not inadvertently left behind.

In addition to the stimulus package, TBR reaffirmed its call for the creation of a Presidential Advisory Council on Travel and Tourism that would be comprised of representatives from the public, private and non-profit sectors, and would work with the Executive Branch on tourism policymaking and implementation.

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