Bipartisan Bill Expands Health-Care Access for Small Businesses

Yesterday, in a victory for the families of small-business owners and their employees, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that will improve accessibility of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program [SCHIP] program. Senators John Kerry [D-Mass.] and Olympia Snowe [R-Maine] attached an amendment to the legislation that will create a governmental task force to enroll more children in the program. The provision requires the Small Business Administration [SBA] to team with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of Labor to educate small business owners, employees and the self-employed about the eligibility and enrollment requirements for SCHIP.

“President Bush’s threat to veto kids’ health care means that as many as 4.4 million children, including the sons and daughters of small-business owners and the self-employed, will be denied access to health coverage,” said Sen. Kerry, chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “Democrats and Republicans came together to put the health and safety of American children ahead of politics and ideology. President Bush should drop his ill-conceived veto threat and do right by our nation’s children by giving them health care.”

"The amendment I cosponsored with Senator Kerry would create a multi-agency campaign, including the Small Business Administration, to help enroll children in the SCHIP program who are currently eligible for the program, but not currently enrolled," explained Sen. Snowe, ranking member of Kerry's committee. "Many of these children come from families who work for a small business or are self-employed. It is imperative that the SBA and its resource partners actively work to reduce the number of uninsured children in this country."

The Kerry-Snowe amendment, modeled after the Small Business Children’s Health Education Act [S. 1714], would:

* Establish an Intergovernmental Task Force to conduct a nationwide campaign of education and outreach for small businesses regarding the availability of coverage through SCHIP and/or other private insurance options;

* Encourage the use of SBA’s business partners -- including Small Business Development Centers, Certified Development Companies, Women's Business Centers, and SCORE -- as well as private and non-profit groups, to increase SCHIP enrollment;

* Create a hotline for small businesses to call with questions about SCHIP eligibility and enrollment; and

* Require SBA to provide prominent online access to information on eligibility and enrollment requirements.

GoodBiz113's take: SCHIP is far-reaching, win-win-win legislation that truly benefits current and future generations of workers, small-business owners, entrepreneurs, and self-employed people. Replete with enthusiastic support from both sides of the political aisle, SCHIP deserves to be enacted and funded ASAP.

Sources: Library of Congress, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Wikipedia
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Oct. 1: Minnesota Vikings to Host Annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, Raffle Off 2007 MINI Cooper

Next Monday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Minnesota Vikings will host their annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner at the Vikings Field House, in Eden Prairie, Minn. While supporting efforts to promote hunger relief efforts and organizations, guests will get to enjoy fantastic food from the Twin Cities' top restaurants, sip fine Gallo of Sonoma wines, and mix and mingle with local athletes and celebrities -- including current and alumni Vikings players.

During the evening, a raffle will determine the winner of a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper, courtesy of Motorwerks MINI, plus a full year of car insurance from Calhoun Insurance Agency. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on several items -- including an opportunity to travel to a 2007 Vikings road game.

All proceeds from this annual event benefit Hunger Solutions Minnesota, through the Viking Children's Fund.

Participating Restaurants
This year, chefs from 20 of the Twin Cities' leading eateries will be serving up their specialties at TNFL Minnesota:
* B.A.N.K.
* Bar Abilene
* Brackett's Crossing
* Canyon Grille
* The Capital Grille
* Cosmos
* Dakota
* Edina Grill
* Firelake
* Franklin Street Bakery
* HazelleWood Grill & Tap Room
* Jensen's Supper Club
* Joe Senser's
* Kincaid's
* Maggiano's Little Italy
* Murray's
* Northcoast Restaurant
* Rudolph's Bar-B-Que
* Tejas Restaurant
* Wildfire

TNFL Partners
In order to help channel as much money as possible to hunger-related efforts via the evening's ticket and silent auction sales, raffle, etc., TNFL Minnesota has partnered with several generous Twin Cities organizations and businesses:
* Ecolab
* Faegre & Benson LLP
* First Commercial Bank
* Gallo Family Vineyards
* Miller Lite
* Minnesota Vikings
* Motorwerks MINI
* Pepsi
* Qwest

MINI Cooper Raffle
Starting today, people can buy raffle tickets at $100 each for a chance to win a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper and a full year's worth of auto insurance. Tickets my be purchased by cash or check [no credit cards accepted] at Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Tejas Restaurant, Bar Abilene or Motorwerks MINI.

The drawing will be held during next Monday night's TNFL Minnesota event. Winner need not be present to collect on his or her prize.

FYI: Just 500 raffle tickets are available, so enter ASAP!

Tickets
Tickets for this year's TNFL Minnesota fundraiser are $160 per person for general admission [no reserved seat], or $1,500 for a table of 10 [reserved seating]. Orders may be faxed using this registration form; phoned in [612.338.4537]; or placed online.

For more information about this year's Minnesota Vikings Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, call 612.338.4537.
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OPEN from American Express® Supports Women Entrepreneurs Through Sponsorship of Women's Leadership Exchange Conferences

The Women's Leadership Exchange® [WLE], a national leadership and business development program, is proud to announce that, for the fifth consecutive year, OPEN from American Express® is the WLE Founding Sponsor. This year, with the support of GoodBiz113 ad partner OPEN from American Express, Women's Leadership Exchange will hold its first-ever Northern California conference, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007.

Exciting, new highlights include candid, inspirational "conversations" with two extraordinary women: Dawn Lepore, chairman and CEO of Drugstore.com, who recently led the Internet-based company to record sales in excess of $100 million; and California's own Carly Fiorina, former chair and CEO of Hewlett Packard, and author of "Tough Choices."

The conference also features expert- led seminars focused on leadership and business development skills, the WLE powerful brand of Speed Coaching, QVC Product Evaluations, and more. In addition to Dawn Lepore and Carly Fiorina, speakers and honorees include Quinn Tran, founder and CEO of goQTT, and Edie Weiner, renowned futurist and co-author of "Future Think."

Built into the day are various facilitated interactions between sponsors, speakers and the attendees so that they can build relationships and become resources for each other.

Michelle Thompson-Dolberry, director, Advocacy Marketing, for OPEN from American Express, says, "Over the past five years, working closely with the Women's Leadership Exchange, we have seen women make significant strides in every arena of business.

"Women helping women is the right formula for growth, and these conferences have definitely been a contributing factor, because they bring women together in the most impactful way. All of us at OPEN are proud of our founding sponsorship of WLE and we are delighted to help bring the first event to Northern California's entrepreneurial and executive women."

WLE was one of the first national advocacy/conference programs to give corporations the opportunity to build relationships with women business owners/leaders, and OPEN stepped up to the plate early on.

"OPEN from American Express committed to the growth and success of women business owners by becoming the WLE Founding Sponsor in 2002," said WLE co-founder Andrea March, "long before most corporations understood the potential of the women's business market.

"As my co-founder, Leslie Grossman, explains in her book, 'SELLsation! How Companies Can Capture Today's Hottest Market: Women Business Owners and Executives' [WLE Press, 2006], today, rather than 'mass sell' to women, companies need to get to know them directly, understand their needs, and help them succeed."

In addition to OPEN from American Express, WLE corporate partners include IKEA, Morgan Stanley, American Airlines, Bermuda Department of Tourism, and Jones New York.

For registration information, visit http://www.womensleadershipexchange.com/; or, call 888.937.5800.

The cost to attend the Northern California conference, which includes facilitated networking, breakfast, luncheon and a cocktail reception, is $299. Members of WLE's supporting organizations save $50.

The WLE also plans all-day conferences in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta and Long Beach/Los Angeles.

Source: The Women's Leadership Exchange
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Cleveland Browns' Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner Raises $140,000-Plus to Fight Hunger, Raise Awareness

On Sept. 10, 2007, 1,000-plus people gathered in the City View Club Lounge, at Cleveland Browns Stadium, to nosh on delectable foodstuffs, sip wine, hobnob with celebrities, and raise more than $140,000 to fight hunger.

As GoodBiz113 reported two weeks ago ["Sept. 10: NFL's Regular-Season Play Kicks Off With Cleveland Browns Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner"], the Cleveland Browns have teamed with Cleveland Foodbank, chefs from more than two dozen of Cleveland's best restaurants, plus several generous sponsors, to host its annual Taste of the NFL dinner. It's one of several TNFL events held in NFL cities throughout the year to raise funds to help feed hungry people, and heighten awareness of hunger in America.

Among the celebrities at last week's fundraiser: John Lanigan, from WMJI ["Majic 105.7"]; and Tim White and Romona Robinson, from WKYC-TV ["Channel 3"], Cleveland's NBC affiliate, who served as emcees. Browns alumnus Kevin Mack and current player Simon Fraser were honorary co-chairs. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson [pictured above with young fan] was on hand, too.

What were the evening's highlights? "There was a great group of Cleveland Browns players and alumni – almost 40 in all – that really mixed and mingled with the guests," said Karen Ponza, communications manager of Cleveland FoodBank, the targeted nonprofit group that will channel funds to help feed Cleveland's hungry people. "The silent auction had a lot of great prizes as well."

How much money was raised? "We raised more than $140,000," Ponza told GoodBiz113. "That's about $25,000 more than last year -- thanks, mostly, to a jump in 10-pack sales. We had a great volunteer on our committee who really helped recruit new companies to buy 10-packs of tickets."

Way to score, Cleveland! Stay tuned to GoodBiz113 for reports about additional TNFL events happening soon.

Source: Cleveland Foodbank
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Hillary Clinton's New Health-Care Strategy Will Benefit Small Businesses

Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton says only 37 percent of Iowa's small businesses provide health-care coverage to their workers. The universal-health-care strategy she unveiled Monday -- her $110 billion American Health Choices Plan -- seeks to provide a tax break to small companies, so more small businesses will start offering a health-care benefit to workers.

"They will have new incentives to provide you with coverage that makes it affordable for you and the small business, but they will not be required to do so," Clinton said today during a telephone interview with Radio Iowa. If you can't get insurance through your employer, her plan allows you to buy into the government-subsidized health-care system. When all is said and done, the 47 million Americans who currently don't have health insurance -- those who are fully employed or otherwise -- will finally have coverage.

It's important to note that small businesses won't be forced into the system. In fact, Clinton's plan even rewards small businesses that already provide health insurance. How? With a tax credit.

Republican critics say Clinton hopes to get more citizens used to a "government-run system," so she can eventually shift all Americans away from private insurance. Clinton's response: "I anticipate that those who do not want to solve the problems we face, and who do not understand the human and economic costs that our current health-care system is imposing on our people and businesses, will come up with all kinds of criticism."

Some of Clinton's Democratic critics say she's too willing to work with the insurance and pharmaceutical industries on this issue. Clinton says she's not only willing to work with insurance and drug company representatives, she will work with any willing Republicans. "The bottom line is," she noted, "we cannot have health-care reform unless we have a bipartisan majority to do it."

Clinton and four other Democratic presidential candidates will be in Davenport tonight to talk about health-care reform and retirement security issues at a forum sponsored by the Divided We Fail coalition, which includes AARP and other health care-oriented organizations.

Sources: Associated Press [photo], Radio Iowa, TIME.com
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Sens. Kerry and Snowe to Press Administration on Women’s Business Center Funding, Contracting Program

Today, Senators John Kerry [D-Mass., pictured] and Olympia J. Snowe [R-Maine], chairman and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, outlined specific questions about Women’s Business Center funding they expect the Bush administration to answer at a hearing on Thursday.

Kerry and Snowe have called on the administration to comply with the law, and to fund established and successful Women’s Business Centers as soon as possible. The committee is holding a hearing on women’s business issues on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, featuring testimony from female entrepreneurs, the Small Business Administration [SBA], the agency’s inspector general, and the Government Accountability Office [GAO].

“The law was meant to help these successful centers train and assist women entrepreneurs, not starve them of the resources they need to complete their mission,” said Kerry. “I’m disappointed that the SBA is stalling to implement this important program, and at Thursday’s hearing we will demand answers and accountability. I strongly urge Administrator Preston and the rest of the agency to do what’s in the best interest of Women’s Business Centers and their clients, and make these grants available as soon as possible.”

In addition to Women’s Business Center funding, Thursday’s hearing will also focus on the Women’s Procurement Program which was signed into law in 2000. Despite repeated, bipartisan calls, the Bush administration has failed to implement this program over the last seven years.

“We hope it’s the intention of the SBA to come to this hearing prepared to provide detailed answers on how they plan to implement this crucial new grant program,” Sen. Snowe said. “It’s imperative that these centers who are aiding dedicated and successful women entrepreneurs get the funding necessary to their cause.”

Sens. Kerry and Snowe sent a letter to the SBA in August to encourage the agency to temporarily tailor its grant-making process so that Women’s Business Centers could receive renewal grants by Jan. 1, 2008. Instead of taking the advice of Congress, the SBA contends that they are not able to do so under present law. In May, Kerry also asked the Inspector General to investigate funding delays to some Women’s Business Centers.

The Women’s Business Center Renewal Grants program was passed as part of the emergency appropriations bill signed by President Bush in May, and builds on the Women's Business Center Sustainability Pilot Program introduced by Sen. Kerry in 1999. Since then, Congress has worked in a bipartisan way to ensure that centers with a proven track record of success continue to receive matching funding from the SBA.

* * *

Following, is the text of the letter that Kerry and Snowe sent to SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston:

Dear Administrator Preston:

Thank you for replying to our letter regarding Women’s Business Centers and implementation of the Renewal Grants program. We are concerned with your response to specific issues, and would like your agency to come prepared to fully answer questions outlined below at the hearing, “Expanding Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs: The Future of Women’s Small Business Programs,” on Sept. 20, 2007.

The hearing will partly focus on the management and benefits of the Women’s Business Center program, including renewal grants for graduated and graduating centers. Please be prepared to address the following issues and further explain some of the statements in your letter:

* Implementation and authority. On May 25, 2007, the President signed into law a bill that created the Renewal Grants program. The program became effective immediately and, therefore, the SBA had the authority to provide grants under sub-section [m]. Nevertheless, the reply says, “The SBA cannot operate under the newly legislated guidelines until the date to repeal the old guidelines [October 1, 2007] has passed.” What is preventing the SBA from using this authority?

* Funding and the Grant Process. The SBA contends that it cannot implement the program because, “Until the agency is funded for FY2008, grant disbursement is not possible.” We understand that the SBA cannot obligate or disburse funds until it has appropriations. However, it is our understanding that the request for proposals could be published and responses accepted, with the caveat of being subject to funding, before this time. This would give the SBA additional time and allow for the funds to be awarded immediately after the appropriations bill is enacted, thus helping established centers receive their funding more quickly. Is there anything precluding the agency from requesting proposals before the FY2008 appropriations bill is signed into law?

* Selection criteria. The reply correctly notes that the new law gives graduated centers “funding priority,” but then incorrectly contends that “The graduated center priority implies that all graduated centers would qualify based on years in the program, and not on performance.” This amendment requires grant approval to be based upon criteria developed by the SBA. These criteria are required to be based on the same conditions that are currently being used in awarding grants under the Sustainability Pilot program. Centers must meet those criteria in order to receive a grant. Please explain where the legislation states that centers should receive funding based on years in the program, “regardless of their performance.”

* Funding of New Centers. The SBA contends that the priority funding for graduated centers will preclude the funding of new centers. This is not the case. The amendment states that if funding is limited, established centers should be funded before new centers. We want to see access to counseling for women business owners expanded through new centers. At the same time, it is fiscally responsible for the government to continue building on its investment instead of losing those investments and starting new funding commitments that it might need to abandon later. Women’s Business Centers would receive a significant increase in the Senate appropriations for FY2008 -- $16.88 million, or $4 million more than last year. That should be sufficient to fund existing, graduated, and new centers. Please tell us how much the SBA requested for FY2007 and FY2008 for Women’s Business Centers, and on what appropriation the SBA based its conclusion that it could not fund new centers.

* Implementation. Please describe, in detail, the plan the SBA expects to follow in implementing the new renewal grant program. Please be prepared to tell us when [with specific dates] the SBA expects to publish the announcement, how soon the awards would be made after enactment of SBA’s appropriations for FY2008, and when the actual funds will be disbursed.

It is the intent of this legislation that successful, established centers begin receiving grants as soon as possible. We recognize for this to occur, that it will require everyone to work together, and we assure you that we are fully committed to working with you. Women business owners are an integral and vital part of our economy, and Women’s Business Centers play an important role in supporting them.

We look forward to your response at the hearing this week.

Sincerely,

John Kerry
Olympia Snowe

Sources: Peace Corps Online [photo], U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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Sept. 20: Jacksonville Jaguars to Host 5th Annual Taste of the NFL Fundraiser to Help Fight Hunger

This Thursday, Sept. 20, the Jacksonville Jaguars will host their Fifth Annual Taste of the NFL "party with a purpose" to benefit LSS Second Harvest Food Bank.

The event kicks off with a reception at 6 p.m. in the Crown Royal Touchdown Club West, in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. At 7 p.m., guests will enjoy a six-course dinner and wine pairings prepared by chefs of some of the area's top eateries:
* Charles Charbonneau, executive chef of the Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa
* Shane Cheshire, executive chef partner of Shay T's Catering Concepts
* Tom Gray, executive chef and partner of Bistro AIX
* Liz Grenamyer, owner-chef of Catering by Liz
* Tom Hoch
* Matthew Medure, owner-chef of Matthew's Restaurant

Tickets are $250 per person. All proceeds go to LSS Second Harvest Food Bank, a program of Lutheran Social Services. Last year, the event raised nearly $112,000 in net revenue -- which translates to more than 415,000 meals for hungry families in Northeast Florida.

LSS works in cooperation with over 500 community-based nonprofit partner agencies that serve individuals and families in need in 17 counties in Northeast Florida: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, Union.

This event is one of several local Taste of the NFL fundraisers held in NFL cities throughout the U.S. -- about which GoodBiz113 originally reported about in January ["Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America"]. Individually and collectively, the gatherings -- plus TNFL's big Super Bowl Eve gala -- raise millions of dollars to raise awareness about hunger in America and to help feed hungry people of all ages.

For more information and/or tickets for Thursday night's annual fundraising event, call 904.739.7074; or, visit http://www.lssjax.org/.

Sources: LSS Second Harvest Food Bank, Taste of the NFL
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American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation Launch Program in Chicago Metro Area; Public Open House, Sept. 15-16

American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation recently launched a community-based historic preservation initiative supporting the Chicago metro area as part of the American Express Partners in Preservation program. American Express is committing $1 million in preservation grants to Chicagoland, and is encouraging members of the community to participate in the initiative by voting for their favorite historic place from a slate of 25 sites across five Chicagoland counties.

Launched in 2006, the Partners in Preservation program is a philanthropic initiative in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, pledged $5 million over a five-year period toward preserving historic sites in the United States. In September 2006, American Express allocated $1 million in preservation grants to 13 sites in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"As Mayor and on behalf of the City of Chicago we welcome the Partners in Preservation program and thank them for preserving part of our city's past for future generations," said Mayor Richard M. Daley, Honorary Chair of the Partners in Preservation Advisory Committee. "I encourage everyone to take part in this wonderful program and learn more about our area's historic sites."

"Through the Partners in Preservation program and online voting, our goal is to re-introduce historic sites in Chicagoland to the local community, support tourism and spur economic development, while also saving a piece of the local history," said Timothy J. McClimon, president, American Express Foundation. "We encourage everyone to vote online daily and help us choose the winning site to receive grant funding."

"Architecture, history, design and folklore are at the heart of the Windy City's history and contribute to the many reasons people love Chicago," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "Every vote counts towards providing a better future for Chicago's historic treasures. We invite you to vote early and vote often, for historic preservation."

The American Express Partners in Preservation program was created to help preserve historic sites that reflect Chicago's rich cultural history, architecture and landscape, while also engaging the community in preservation, driving tourism and stimulating economic development.

Additionally, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation developed the slate of 25 sites in an effort to raise awareness of some of the region's most important, but often not widely recognized "hidden gems." The public's participation in the grant selection process will ensure that this remains a community-centered initiative.

Sites on the slate reflect the diversity of Chicagoland's heritage -- encompassing cemeteries and Viking ships, farmsteads and cultural centers, and lighthouses and cathedrals. The scope of the preservation needs at these sites ranges from fixing leaking roofs, repairing foundations, restoring original terracotta to adapting buildings for further use as assets in the community.

Vote to Preserve
American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation encourage all Chicagoland residents, and people who care about Chicagoland, to cast their vote from Sept. 6 to Oct. 10, 2007, through a dedicated website, http://www.partnersinpreservation.com/index.php?sec=vot.

The public can vote once daily through Oct. 10. The community will also be able to share their memories, photos and thoughts about each landmark on the website, encouraging others to vote for their favorite sites.

American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and a special advisory committee comprised of local Chicago dignitaries will review the public's votes, along with each site's monetary needs, to determine how the $1 million in preservation grants will be awarded. The site that receives the highest number of popular votes is guaranteed to receive funding.

The sites being awarded American Express Partners in Preservation grants will be announced to the public in November 2007.

Public Open House
A public open house at all 25 sites will be held on September 15-16, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. both days, for the community to tour and learn more about each of the historic sites on the slate. Information on the site locations, activities during the open house weekend and further details can be found on the Partners in Preservation website at http://www.partnersinpreservation.com/.

Historic Chicagoland Sites on the Slate
American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation used specific criteria to select the 25 sites on the slate including their historic, architectural and cultural significance, demonstrated community support for the sites, ability to complete a preservation project by June 2009, and potential to contribute to tourism or community development. The 25 selected sites are as follows:

Cook County
* ABLA Animal Court Sculptures
* Bohemian National Cemetery
* Chicago Cultural Center
* Fountain of Time Sculpture
* Grosse Point Lighthouse
* Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral
* Humboldt Park Stables and Receptory
* Independence Park Bungalow
* International Museum of Surgical Science
* On Leong Merchants Association Building [Pui-Tak Center]
* Pleasant Home
* Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church
* Robie House
* Roger Brown Study Collection
* Homan Square Power Plant
* South Side Community Art Center
* Unity Temple
* Von Steuben High School

DuPage County
* Peabody Estate at Mayslake

Kane County
* Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall
* Viking Ship

Lake County
* Great Lakes Naval Station, Building 42 [The Hostess House]
* Ragdale Foundation

McHenry County
* Petersen Historic Farmstead

More information about each of these sites can be found at http://www.partnersinpreservation.com/index.php?sec=invs.

About American Express
GoodBiz113 ad partner American Express Company [http://www.americanexpress.com] is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

Historic preservation has long been the hallmark of American Express' involvement in the community, reflecting its recognition of the contribution of sites and monuments to a sense of national and local identity and the role that their preservation can play in attracting visitors and revitalizing neighborhoods.

As early as 1983, American Express launched a cause-related marketing effort that raised $1.7 million for the preservation of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. From 1996 to 2005, American Express contributed more than $10 million to help preserve 126 historic sites in 62 countries from the World Monuments Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites.

In June 2006, the company announced the American Express Partners in Preservation initiative, with the National Trust for Historic Preservation as its partner in the U.S. and the World Monuments Fund as its partner internationally.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation [http://www.nationaltrust.org] is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities.

Recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the National Trust for Historic Preservation was founded in 1949 and provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to protect the irreplaceable places that tell America's story. Staff at the Washington, D.C. headquarters, six regional offices and 28 historic sites work with more than 270,000 members and thousands of preservation groups in all 50 states.

Sources: American Express Company, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Wikipedia
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Kerry Praises Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Today, Sen. John Kerry [D-Mass.], chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, made the following statement in honor of 2007 National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week:

“From barrier-breaking pioneers like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Justice Thurgood Marshall, to media moguls like Oprah Winfrey,” said Kerry, “Historically Black Colleges and Universities have produced some of our nation’s brightest minds and most courageous leaders.

“As we celebrate the milestones and accomplishments of HBCUs this week, we hope it also inspires the next generation to make their mark. We can do more to invest in their dreams and encourage their business aspirations by passing legislation which will foster entrepreneurship for minority students and give them the tools to build their own piece of the American dream.”

Kerry authored the Entrepreneurial Development Act [S. 1671], which includes the creation of a Minority Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pilot Program [S. 2586], designed to expand minority business ownership in highly skilled fields like engineering and computer science by creating an entrepreneurial curriculum at Historically Black Colleges and Universities [HBCUs], Hispanic Serving Institutions [HSI], and Tribal Colleges.

The legislation also creates the Minority Access to Information Distance Learning Pilot Program, which increases small businesses' ability to compete with larger firms for federal contracts, and establishes an Office of Minority Small Business Development at the Small Business Administration [SBA] to give minority entrepreneurs an advocate in the agency. Kerry's committee passed the bill in June.

Kerry has also sponsored the Max Cleland Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act [S. 1650] to invest in technology and education for students at HBCUs and other minority serving institutions. The Commerce committee passed the bill in June.

Sources: Library of Congress, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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Sept. 10: NFL's Regular-Season Play Kicks Off With Cleveland Browns Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner

This week marks the first official week of the NFL's 2007-08 season. To help kick it off, next Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, the Cleveland Browns will host their annual Taste of the NFL [TNFL] Celebrity Dinner to raise money for the Cleveland Foodbank, which serves as a clearinghouse for donated and rescued food in the entire Cleveland area.

As we reported last January ["Cuisine Concepts at Heart of Taste of the NFL -- AKA 'Super Bowl Party...With a Purpose' -- to Tackle Hunger in America"], GoodBiz113 profilee Cuisine Concepts launched TNFL in 1992, when Minneapolis hosted Super Bowl XXVI.

Since then, the far-reaching fundraising initiative has stretched to NFL cities from coast to coast, with anuual TNFL dinners held on the eve of Super Bowl, in the host city. Throughout the year, several NFL teams also sponsor local celebrity dinners to benefit area not-for-profit groups that serve hungry and/or homeless people.

TNFL events feature the "best of the gridiron and the griddle." They provide opportunities for premier restaurants to showcase their specialties, as well as bring NFL alumni, players, coaches, team owners and civic-minded celebrities, business leaders and citizens together to help support local foodshelves.

This year's Cleveland Browns TNFL event will be held in the spectacular City View Club Lounge, in Cleveland Browns Stadium, and features a celebrity party, silent auction, wine and culinary tasting, and live entertainment provided by Run Avril Run.

Participating restaurants include:
* Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern
* Blue Point Grille
* Boulevard Blue
* The Cabin Club
* Delmonico's Steakhouse
* Downtown 140
* Epiq Bistro
* Fahrenheit
* Flying Fig
* John Q's Steakhouse
* Johnny's Downtown
* Levy Restaurants of the Cleveland Browns
* Metropolitan Café
* Momocho
* Moxie, the Restaurant
* One Walnut
* Paladar
* Pearl of the Orient
* Players on Madison
* Primo Vino
* Red, the Steakhouse
* Salmon Dave's Pacific Grille
* Sans Souci in The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel
* Table 45
* Three Birds
* Vivo Cleveland
* XO Prime Steaks

Monies raised from the event will go to Cleveland Foodbank, a member of America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, which feeds America's hungry through a nationwide network of food banks and engages people in the fight to end hunger.

Cleveland Foodbank solicits donations from local and national food suppliers and manufacturers, and then distributes that food to hunger programs. In 2006, the organization distributed over 19.5 million pounds of food to more than 450 hunger programs -- which included area food pantries, hot meal programs, shelters, and other agencies, such as child-care centers and homes for the elderly. This was enough food for its member agencies to serve over 15 million meals to hungry individuals in the community.

Every dollar raised by the Cleveland Browns Taste of the NFL 2007 Celebrity Dinner will help Cleveland Foodbank provide enough food for four healthy meals. It is estimated that 50 percent of the recipients at Cleveland's local hunger centers are children and the elderly.

For tickets to the Cleveland Browns' TNFL event, phone 216.738.2046, or go online: https://www.clevelandfoodbank.org/events/tnfl.asp.

Taste of the NFL XVII will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at the Phoenix Convention Center, on the eve of Super Bowl XLII. For information and tickets, go to: http://www.tasteofthenfl.com/.

Sources: America's Second Harvest, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Foodbank, Taste of the NFL
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