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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Tuesday, July 6, 2004
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Kerry Used Internet to Announce His Choice of Edwards to Join Campaign Team
PITTSBURGH, PA, (SLFP.com) July 6, 2004 - Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry today sent email first to more than one million subscribers to his web site his choice of Senator John Edwards to join the campaign before making a public announcement at a rally in Pittsburgh.
"John Edwards speaks the heart of America - hope and optimism," Kerry told supporters. "He is a lifelong champion for America's families who has shown courage and conviction standing up for America's values. In the Senate, he has a record of reaching across party lines and working to reform our intelligence, combat bioterrorism, and keep our military strong. Together, we will campaign tirelessly across the country - fighting to build an America that is stronger at home and respected in the world," stated Kerry.
It was reported that more than 150,000 people had signed up for email since Kerry told reporters on Friday that his choice would be announced first via the Internet.
Over the weekend, other candidates for the Kerry's campaign VP choice circulated including Missouri Representative Richard Gephardt, Florida Senator Bob Graham and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. In a move giving significant importance to the Internet and making political history, Kerry confirmed that Edwards had the No. 2 spot.
"In the next 120 days and in the administration that follows, John Edwards and I will be fighting for the America we love," Kerry stated. "We'll be fighting to give the middle class a voice by providing good paying jobs and affordable health care. We'll be fighting to make America energy independent. We'll be fighting to build a strong military and lead strong alliances, so young Americans are never put in harm's way because we insisted on going it alone."
The formal announcement of John Edwards as Kerry's vice presidential choice will take place later this month at the Democratic convention in Boston.
Missouri and Illinois Join Forces to Combat Predatory Lending
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com) July 4, 2004 - Metro-area consumers will see a full force attack on predatory lending, thanks to a grant received by area agencies with assistance from Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Predatory lending involves extending high-rate, high-fee loans to people who have limited borrowing options due to their poor credit ratings.
The attorneys general held a joint news conference, June 30, to announce the awarding of a $54,080 grant to Beyond Housing/Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of St. Louis Inc. and Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation Inc. (LOL) to fight predatory lending and arm consumers with information. The news conference took place at the office of Beyond Housing/NHS in St. Louis.
The two non-profit organizations received the grant from the Consumer Protection and Education Fund, a fund established by the settlement of a 50-state enforcement action against Sears, Roebuck and Co. Beyond Housing/NHS and LOL submitted the grant application on behalf of the St. Louis Coalition to Promote Reputable Lending, an umbrella organization established three years ago to provide personal financial education to St. Louis-area consumers.
The grant will expand the existing "Don't Borrow Trouble" anti-predatory lending initiative used by the Coalition. Consumers in the predatory lenders' target market segment will receive information via television commercials, brochures, posters and workshops. The consumers will hear warnings about unscrupulous lenders and learn about educational programs and services designed to help them escape bad debt.
"We must fire back at the predatory lenders who lure vulnerable people to make uninformed and unwise borrowing decisions," Attorney General Nixon said. "This proactive approach will help many people enjoy home ownership without the heartache that comes from high-interest loans."
"Predatory lending practices can wipe out a family's life savings and eat away at the foundations of a community," Attorney General Madigan said. "Too often, consumers who dream of owning homes and homeowners trying to refinance are bombarded by ads with false or misleading promises. This education campaign is designed to tell them what the predatory lenders don't want them to know: that these loans are high-cost and high-risk gambles that can leave you in very deep debt or cause you to lose your home."
The mortgage fund corporation Freddie Mac developed the "Don't Borrow Trouble' public information service program and provided $25,000 in seed money to the Coalition. A toll-free number for "Don't Borrow Trouble," 866-299-2899, is already in operation. With the added resources from the Sears fund grant, the Coalition expects 5,000 people to contact member agencies and 1,500 people to receive individual financial education.
Statue of Liberty to Reopen in August
NEW YORK, (SLFP.com) July 4, 2004 - The Statue of Liberty will be opened on August 3, 2004. More than four and a half million visitors have enjoyed Liberty Island since its opening on December 20, 2001. Now park visitors will be offered a special insiders' view of the engineering marvel that is the Statue of Liberty.
To better understand this monumental work of art, visitors will be able to view inside the Statue through a glass ceiling, guided by a park ranger and an enhanced lighting and new video system. In addition, visitors will once again be able to walk out onto the Statue's observation deck to see the panoramic views of New York City and the Harbor, and witness the Statue up close from her promenades on Ft. Wood.
Visitors will have a choice of two tours into the Statue of Liberty: the Statue of Liberty Observatory Tour and the Statue of Liberty Promenade Tour. Both tours will include a visit to the Statue's original torch and a guided tour through the Statue of Liberty Museum.
To eliminate long waiting lines, these tours will be offered by timed reservations that can be made in advance or by walk up before boarding the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Advance reservations will be available by telephone beginning July 22. The telephone number will be posted on the park's web site as soon as possible. Reservations by internet will be available by September.
Even without a reservation, visitors can enjoy ranger tours around Liberty Island, view interpretive waysides, listen to an audio tour, eat at the restaurant and browse through the gift shop. For more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/stli
Family Drive Vacations Hit Peak Season
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com) July 4, 2004 - According to the Travel Industry Association, Americans taking driving vacations will continue to grow this year with a 3.4% increase over last year.
"Summer is the most popular time of the year for extended family driving vacations," stated Beth Godlin, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Access America. "Road trips require simple but specific planning for comfort and safety. With a little preparation, parents can protect their families on the road and ensure a smooth trip."
Here are a few recommendations from Access America to help you plan a safe, comfortable, and fun family vacation.
- 1. Check out the car in advance, including window wiper fluid, oil,
lights, tires, jumper cables, spare tire and a jack.
- 2. Secure loose items in the car that may become projectiles in an
accident. If you need to use a mobile phone, use a hands-free device
or pull over to a safe parking area.
- 3. Have the family agree to safety and spending rules at least a day
before you leave. Talk about emergency contact information and the
importance of staying together. Always wear your safety belts and
keep children in car seats or boosters.
- 4. Make a packing list and check off items as you put them in the car.
Be sure to bring snacks, drinks, games, pillows and blankets, camera,
sunglasses and a flashlight. Let your kids make their own list and
pack their own bags!
- 5. Plan several stops and leave room for spur-of-the-moment side-trips to
town festivals, farmers markets and scenic overlooks. Have the kids
mark up a road map with the places you plan to visit along the way.
- 6. Bring more than one copy of a list with all the important numbers on
it: hotel phone numbers, contact names and addresses, etc. Keep one
list in the car and one list in your wallet.
- 7. Buy the right kind of travel insurance. Access America now offers
travel insurance designed specifically for road trips, with coverage
for collision deductible, auto theft, trip cancellation, travel delay
and roadside assistance.
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