Jefferson City Passes Smokefree Restaurants Policy
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com) December 21, 2003 - The City Council of Missouri's state capital took a decisive step toward protecting its residents' health on Dec. 15. By a vote of 6 to 4, the Council voted to amend the city's current clean air law to ban smoking in restaurants. Mayor John Landwehr has until Jan. 5 to sign or veto the legislation.
Following the passage of smokefree restaurant ordinances in Springfield and Maryville, Jefferson City is the third community in Missouri to pass this public health policy. More than 1,640 communities in the country have some type of law in place to restrict where smoking is allowed. Of that number, approximately 300 municipalities and seven states offer 100 percent smokefree protection in select public places.
In a statement, Deborah Boldt, Executive Director, Missouri Partnership on Smoking or Health, said, "The network of advocates who made this happen in Jefferson City has taken an active role in protecting their community's health."
The Missouri Partnership on Smoking or Health, a statewide tobacco prevention coalition, provided assistance to those advocating for this ordinance. The right to breathe clean air is an issue that needs to be addressed at the community level, just as Jefferson City has done. Individuals and community groups need to take initiative to make this happen in their areas," staated Boldt.
The Cole County Partners for Clean Air, Jefferson City's local clean air coalition, has been conducting an educational campaign about the danger of secondhand smoke for more than a year. A wide range of community groups, individuals and businesses supported the ordinance. For example, more than 100 local residents formed an e-mail chain and "phone tree" to keep the community informed about the status of the ordinance and encourage support.BR>
Several area restaurants took the initiative and went "smokefree" prior to the Council's vote. Jim Fisher, owner and operator of Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, made his smokefree announcement on November 20, the date of the American Cancer Society's Great American SmokeOut. "I decided my restaurant should be smokefree because of my concern for customers' and employees' health," Fisher said. "The response has been far beyond my expectations. Dozens of people have made an effort to express their appreciation to me, and even some children have sent thank-you notes."
A key message of the Cole County Partners for Clean Air was that tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death today. "Given that fact, this issue is a major health concern," said Heather Wilson, chair of the Cole County Partners. "The passage of this ordinance indicates that our community leaders are genuinely concerned about residents' health."
The Missouri Partnership on Smoking or Health provides support to communities working to become smokefree through training, technical assistance, and tools. "We encourage other communities to follow Jefferson City's lead," said Dalen Duitsman, PhD, Southwest Missouri State University and co-chair of the Partnership on Smoking or Health. "Such efforts have the best chance of success when those who have the most to gain -- residents -- lead the charge."
The Partnership is a non-partisan, tobacco-use prevention organization comprised of local, regional and statewide health and mental health organizations, statewide associations, nonprofit and minority organizations, physicians and individuals interested in reducing the toll of tobacco use. For more information about the Partnership, visit www.smokingorhealth.org
Three Flags Festival to Commemorate the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com) December 21, 2003 - Beneath the famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the nation will commemorate the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial during the Three Flags Festival onMarch 10-14, 2004. This bicentennial event is the grand finale of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial and is the only national "Signature Event" devoted to the Purchase.
To commemorate its significance, the United States Mint will publicly release the new Jefferson nickel, the first in the Westward Journey Nickel Series, in St. Louis during the Festival. Nickels will be available to the public during that time. The United States Mint has not released a new nickel since 1938.
In a statement, United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore said, "This is an important moment for our nation, as we mark the historic significance of the Louisiana Purchase. This is the first coin of the Westward Journey Nickel Series and it celebrates both the vision of President Thomas Jefferson and the spirit of our young United States of America."
The recently unveiled nickel design commemorates the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. The final transfer of the Upper Louisiana Territory in 1804 made it possible for Lewis and Clark to begin their journey west. Before the now modern 11 states in the Upper Louisiana Territory became part of America, the Spanish administrators had forbidden the explorers to cross the Mississippi River. The Three Flags Festival is the third national "Signature Event" of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial and the first to take place in Missouri.
Elizabeth Gentry Sayad, co-chair of the National Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Committee, said, "St. Louis has long been known as the Gateway to the West. This festival commemorates the reasons for that moniker, including the final ceremony of the Louisiana Purchase and the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It's a perfect setting for the public release of the new Jefferson nickel."
Activities at the Three Flags Festival range from a scholarly symposium and exhibits of significant art, artifacts, and historical documents to family-style festivals, religious ceremonies, a variety of concerts and a tour of the historic Creole Corridor in Missouri and Illinois. The festival will culminate with the Three Flags Ceremony on the banks of the Mississippi on the grounds of The Gateway Arch. Noted historian and author Dayton Duncan will emcee the ceremony. Dignitaries and performers from around the world will participate.
The Native American Osage Nation will play an important role in the festival. The Saint Louis Art Museum will open its acclaimed exhibit "Art of the Osage" during the festival. Osage participants will offer an Opening Prayer Ceremony at the Three Flags Ceremony, and Principal Chief James Gray will represent the nation in all formal ceremonies and events.
The Choir of the Prince of Asturias Foundation, representing the heir to the Spanish throne, also has confirmed its participation. The choir will honor the Spanish administration of the Upper Louisiana Territory, which lasted from 1763-1804. In one of its rare U.S. appearances, the Choir recently performed to rave reviews in New York City at St. Patrick's Cathedral and Lincoln Center.
"In many ways, St. Louis is as significant to our nation's history and identity as is Philadelphia or Boston," said Sayad. "We are certainly honored that the United States Mint as well as our European and Native American friends will be part of our celebration."
Anti-Consumer Subpoena Process Struck Down by Appeals Court
WASHINGTON, (SLFP.com) December 21, 2003 - Verizon declared victory for consumer safety and privacy today when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia announced it has struck down a controversial lower-court ruling that had forced Internet service providers to reveal the identity of any Internet subscriber accused of music piracy.
In an announcement, Sarah Deutsch, vice president and associate general counsel for Verizon, stated that "Today's ruling is an important victory for Internet users and all consumers. The court has knocked down a dangerous procedure that threatens Americans' traditional legal guarantees and violates their constitutional rights.
"This decision removes the threat of a radical, new subpoena process that empowers copyright holders or anyone merely claiming to be a copyright holder to obtain personal information about Internet users by simply filing a one-page form with a court clerk. This harmful procedure exposes anyone who uses the Internet to potential predators, scam artists and crooks -- including identity thieves and stalkers.
"Copyright holders seeking personal information about Internet subscribers will now have to file a traditional lawsuit. These requests will undergo scrutiny by a judge, thus preserving the privacy, safety and legal rights of every Internet subscriber.
"Today's decision also confirms that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act strikes a fair and reasonable balance between the rights of consumers and the rights of copyright holders. Copyright infringement is a serious problem. We remain committed to working with the copyright community to find a solution that balances the needs of artists, Internet providers and consumers."
This case stems from a new type of subpoena filed last year by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This test subpoena, issued by the clerk of a court, rather than a judge or magistrate, demanded that Verizon Online turn over the name of a customer whom the RIAA accused of possessing illegal copies of copyrighted music files on the customer's personal computer. Verizon refused, noting that the subpoena did not comply with the requirements of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which applies only to files hosted on an Internet provider's network and not to private communications on a subscriber's home computer.
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