National Cyber Security Awareness Month to Promote Online Safety
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), October 9, 2005 - Many Missourians who use a computer to stay in contact with friends and family, for research, or to conduct business and stay current on the latest news, are increasingly finding themselves under attack from wicked viruses and loss of privacy due to spyware and adware.
Joining 30 governors across the U.S., Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt announced that the month of October 2005 is Cyber Security Awareness Month. "It is important that all of us keep in mind the dangers that exist in the Internet age," Blunt said. "Missourians need to be aware of the risks associated with the Internet in order to protect themselves from Internet predators."
The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a not-for-profit, public-private partnership focused on increasing online security awareness among home users, small business and the education community, announced that Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, chairman of the House Science Committee, introduced a Congressional Resolution declaring October National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
A key part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month is the involvement of federal and state governments to help raise awareness surrounding cyber security issues affecting Americans of all ages. With cyber crimes, specifically identity theft, on the rise, there is more interest from all levels to promote safe behaviors online. This year more than twice as many Governors as last year signed proclamations -- a true testament demonstrating the importance of heightening awareness and promoting programs to help stop criminal activities online at the state level.
As part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the education community is also stepping up to thwart cyber security issues and wrongful behaviors at universities nationwide. Currently, 31 academic institutions ranging from community colleges to major universities have implemented programs to heighten awareness and aid in the education of its students and employees.
"We appreciate the participation of all of our partners, and are overjoyed with the amount of agencies, both public and private, actively involved in boosting awareness surrounding such an important issue," said Ron Teixeira, executive director, National Cyber Security Alliance.
"Ultimately, we all have the same goal ... we want to ensure the safest, most productive online experience among all Internet users. Because when people fall prey to viruses, spam, spyware or any number of online threats, it isn't just annoying -- it diminishes the positive power and productivity of the Internet and compromises the many online activities to which we have become accustomed."
Chairman Boehlert said, "Progress is being made on cyber security, but we as a nation still have a long way to go. The connectedness of the Internet means that each person contributes to the nation's cyber security and cyber vulnerability, and I applaud the associations, companies, organizations, and agencies involved in National Cyber Security Awareness Month for their efforts to help all of us to become more responsible, safer computer users."
MCI Agrees to Pay Missouri $24 Million in Back Taxes
JEFFERSON CITY, (SLFP.com), October 9, 2005 - The Missouri Department of Revenue announced that MCI-WorldCom has agreed to a settlement with Missouri of over $24 million as payment of back taxes owed to the Department of Revenue.
The settlement with MCI-WorldCom concludes more than a year of negotiations between the parties. MCI will pay Missouri $24,220,913.49, representing nearly 78 per cent of the tax and interest owed to the state by the company.
"I am very pleased that the state will receive a lump sum payment of MCI's back taxes without having to resort to a lengthy and costly trial process," said department director Trish Vincent.
The settlement provides for immediate payment. Without the settlement agreement, MCI-WorldCom as a Chapter 11 debtor could have elected to make payments for up to 6 years, so Director Vincent is satisfied with the results. "The state of Missouri can certainly use these dollars," she said. "I am delighted that we were able to work with so many other states and arrange for a settlement that protected our taxpayers from trial proceedings that may or may not have ended so favorably."
Missouri joined Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia in the settlement. MCI-WorldCom filed the settlement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York earlier this week. Its approval is pending.
The final agreement allocated $315 million to 15 states and the District of Columbia.
St. Louis' Diabetes Health May Be In Jeopardy
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire), September 30, 2005 - New data has revealed that from 2003 to 2004, approximately three out of four (over 70%) type 2 diabetics in St. Louis who were analyzed in a recent study were not in control of their blood sugar -- failing to meet the A1C goal of 6.5% or less, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists' (AACE's) "State of Diabetes in America" Report.
Calling St. Louis residents into action, a proclamation declaring October 3rd through 7th "Diabetes Control Week," has been issued by Mayor Francis Slay. In addition, a statewide resolution sponsored by State Sen. Maida Coleman (D), has been issued by the members of the Missouri Senate 93rd General Assembly observing "Diabetes Control Week."
Approximately 301,000 people in Missouri are diagnosed with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, accounts for 90 to 95% of all diagnosed diabetes cases. The A1C test, typically taken in a healthcare professional's office, measures a person's average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months. It complements the daily blood sugar monitoring that type 2 diabetics conduct on their own. AACE recommends an A1C target level of 6.5% or less to ensure good diabetes management. This is important since every 1% increase above 6% elevates a person's risk of serious - and potentially life-threatening - diabetes-related complications, such as stroke, heart attack and loss of limbs.
"Type 2 diabetes is of urgent concern and these Report findings must serve as a wake-up call that more needs to be done to help manage A1C levels to less than 6.5%. We need to provide diabetic patients in St. Louis and Missouri with the knowledge, correct tools and encouragement to take control in order to delay or prevent diabetes-related complications that can be disabling or life threatening," said diabetes specialist, Dr. Charles Kilo, Sr., Professor of Clinical Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine and Chairman of the Kilo Diabetes & Vascular Research Foundation.
Kilo continued, "Diabetes is killing one American every three minutes and every thirty seconds a new case of diabetes is diagnosed. The total cost of diabetes is also staggering. The current diabetes epidemic is a major medical and budgetary crisis -- accelerated by increasing rates of obesity and lack of physical activity -- and continues despite major medical advances and available tools including diabetic meal plans, exercise and walking programs, blood sugar monitoring meters, oral medications and/or insulin."
AACE is urging St. Louis residents with type 2 diabetes to join others in taking an "oath" to better manage their diabetes. For more information and to receive a free diabetes-friendly cookbook and brochure, residents can visit www.stateofdiabetes.com or call (800) 704-4694.
"This week is an important week for all people of St. Louis. Type 2 diabetes is a serious health concern for many of our neighbors and loved ones -- but the good news is that we can do something about it," said Mayor Slay. "I urge all people affected by type 2 diabetes in St. Louis to take action during "Diabetes Control Week" by striving for lower A1C levels. The message is clear -- residents of St. Louis need to better control their blood sugar levels."
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