NEWS EXTRA

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SOURCE:  Office of Senator Mitch McConnell

Antonin Scalia U.S. Supreme Court. Photo Courtesy: Steve Petteway, Staff Photographer of the Supreme Court

Justice Antonin Scalia

‘Through the sheer force of his intellect and his legendary wit, this giant of American jurisprudence almost singlehandedly revived an approach to constitutional interpretation that prioritized the text and original meaning‎ of the Constitution.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Saturday on the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia:

“Today our country lost an unwavering champion of a timeless document that unites each of us as Americans. Justice Scalia’s fidelity to the Constitution was rivaled only by the love of his family: his wife Maureen his nine children, and his many grandchildren. Through the sheer force of his intellect and his legendary wit, this giant of American jurisprudence almost singlehandedly revived an approach to constitutional interpretation that prioritized the text and original meaning‎ of the Constitution. Elaine and I send our deepest condolences to the entire Scalia family.

“The American people‎ should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President.”

SOURCE:  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

The Administration and Congress Should Work Together to Address the Zika Virus

By Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

February 12, 2016

Like many Kentuckians, I’m concerned about the Zika virus and the growing number of reports of people infected. In a recent meeting with President Obama at the White House, I raised the spread of this virus and what it could mean for Kentucky and the country as we head into warmer weather this spring and summer.

Millions of people in Latin America and the Caribbean have been diagnosed with the Zika virus, which is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. There are several isolated cases of Americans suffering from the virus, most of them due to recent travel to affected areas. Cases have been confirmed in neighboring Indiana and Ohio.

Being infected with Zika virus can lead to a fever, a rash, joint pain and other mild symptoms. There is also evidence that pregnant women who have Zika can give birth to children suffering from a birth defect, causing their babies to have unusually small heads and brains.

Brazil, the epicenter of the Zika outbreak in the Americas, has seen a surge in babies born with this condition, called microcephaly.

Here in the U.S., concern about the Zika virus is growing in our country, and Americans deserve to have a clear understanding of what preparations their government is making to protect them.

That’s why, as Senate Majority Leader, I recently requested that Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sylvia Burwell come to the Senate to give Senators of both parties a briefing on the

Senator Mitch McConnel (R-KY) photographed at the Capitol on December 2, 2008. Photograph by Karen Ballard

facts about Zika and how the federal government is readying a response.

At the briefing we heard not only from Secretary Burwell, but representatives from the National Institutes for Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well. I pressed them to get a better understanding of the Administration’s plans to fight Zika, and where it fits within the HHS department’s priorities. The Administration is asking Congress for $1.8 billion in emergency funding, primarily to reduce transmission and create protective measures for pregnant women and their babies.

Over the coming weeks, various Congressional committees will hold hearings to evaluate this funding request and learn more about how the Administration would plan to spend these federal dollars. Congress must ensure appropriate steps are being taken to address the threat of Zika, while protecting taxpayer funds.

Some of the important work to fight the spread of the Zika virus is happening right here in Kentucky. The world’s leading mosquito experts will gather this March in Brazil to share ways to control and manage the type of mosquito known to carry the virus, and a University of Kentucky researcher, Dr. Grayson Brown, is one of the leaders in this international effort.

Meanwhile, the University of Louisville Center for Predictive Medicine is hosting a discussion to bring together infectious disease researchers to address the Zika virus.

Our state and national public health agencies are working hard to learn more about this virus and prevent its widespread transmission in the United States. And our smartest scientists, doctors and researchers are ardently searching for ways to contain it, treat it, and develop a vaccine for it.

While the CDC recommends that women who are pregnant consider postponing travel to the impacted areas, it’s important to remember that the mosquito that normally carries the virus is not known to be circulating in our state’s mosquito population.

So Kentuckians should be sure to stay safe and stay informed. I will continue to make the health and safety of Kentuckians and all Americans a high priority. And I’ll work my hardest to protect people, especially children, from communicable disease—whether it is Zika or any other threat.

One of last year’s VIP networking events hosted by HBCU Connect  Photo Courtesy:  Blacknews.com

SOURCE:  BLACKNEWS.COM

BLACK TECH PROFESSIONALS ON THE WEST COAST TO MEET FOR AN EVENING OF NETWORKING ON FEB 18TH

Mountain View, CA — HBCUConnect.com, in partnership with Symantecs Black Employee Resource Group, is hosting a networking event for HBCU Alumni and other African-American professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event will give them the opportunity to meet with representatives from Symantec to learn more about career opportunities, network with their peers, as well as open up one on one discussions that could lead to future employment.

HBCUConnect.com, a professional social media platform for students and alumni of Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), has facilitated similar events in the past on the east coast where African-American professionals enjoyed networking and took advantage of career opportunities that resulted in many hires at some of the best companies in the country.

This particular event, however, is especially for HBCU Alumni as well as African-American professionals specifically living or working in the San Francisco Bay Area. Symantec is excited about the opportunity to host the event and network with talent in the area, introducing them to the amazing staff at Symantec and also some of the cool things about working there.

This is an excellent opportunity for African-Americans living or working on the West Coast to make new connections, expand their network, and explore new career opportunities.

The event will be held on February 18th from 5pm to 7pm and will be RSVP only. Once attendance is confirmed, the exact location will be shared as well as details on parking and the agenda for the evening.