Leasing News - information, news, education and entertainment for the commercial bank, finance and leasing industry

You May Have Missed ---
California Budget Deficit Ballons to $68 Billion
Golden State no More?

######## surrounding the article denotes it is a press release, it was not written by Leasing News nor has the information been verified, but from the source noted. When an article is signed by the writer, it is considered a byline. It reflects the opinion and research of the writer.

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Dext Capital Expands Beyond Healthcare
into Thriving New Industries

Dext Capital, known for its expertise in healthcare equipment financing, is expanding into a select group of diverse industries. This strategic move reflects “Dexter’s” commitment to extending its support beyond the healthcare sector leveraging its proprietary breakthrough technology, DART (“Dext Access Real-Time”). The new program will deliver decisions in minutes and enable their partners to control the customer documentation process through Quickdocs.

Dext Capital recently announced that it has achieved $1 billion in new originations over its first five years of business operations.

Kyin Lok, Dext Capital CEO, said, “The milestone underscores Dext Capital’s reputation as a reliable direct lender providing expert, flexible financing solutions to underserved small and medium-sized business across a number of industries.

"We are excited to take our proven playbook combining a customer-centric approach and stable access to flexible capital to support our clients in the fitness, technology, convenience store and automotive industries.

He said the company’s new goal aims to leverage its experience and financial strength to benefit a broader range of businesses including:

Fitness Industry: Recognizing the increasing demand for fitness services, Dext Capital is eager to offer flexible financing options to fitness centers, gyms, and personal trainers seeking to invest in top-notch equipment and expand their operations.

Technology: Dext Capital provides innovative financing solutions to several leading technology vendors and their essential small and medium businesses.

Convenience Stores: With the thriving c-store and gas station industry in mind, Dext Capital is ready to assist convenience store owners with financing solutions tailored to their unique needs, whether for equipment upgrades, inventory expansion, or new locations.

Automotive: In the dynamic automotive sector, Dext Capital is well-prepared to support automotive shops and dealerships in acquiring the latest equipment and technology. Whether for auto repair shops or car dealerships, Dext Capital's financing solutions aim to help businesses stay competitive and efficient.

For More Information:
https://dextcapital.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiA98WrBhAYEiwA2WvhOpP__mJPkdDwjnXVaMYU0vQ-GHucG5NsBKm37m0RgL5x4FzqjwhiIhoCRboQAvD

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TopMark Funding Exceeds its Goal
Total Transactions Foundered Third Quarter

TopMark Funding has become the premier funding destination for commercial vehicle dealerships and small to midsize fleets, closed the third quarter of 2023 with a slight increase in the total number of funded transactions from the previous quarter and 8.6% increase of total number of year-to-date funded transactions year over year.

Building on that positive momentum, the company also celebrated its recent recognition as one of America’s fastest growing private companies by Inc. 5000.

Managing Director and Co-Founder Evan Lang commented, “While this year’s margins are experiencing a tightening due to rising interest rates and the economic realities of the day, the TopMark Funding team continues to generate results for our dealerships and truck owners.

“Sourcing the right funding solutions for our partners is even more critical in moments like these and we’re encouraged about what the next 12 – 18 months holds for the industry overall.”

The company, which has seen transaction growth despite the economic shifts and industry-wide transportation slowdowns, knows that its biggest ongoing growth opportunity is in its Dealer Division. TopMark continues to focus resources on both technology and talent in this category.

As TopMark sprints towards the end of this year, the company expects to hold its position in the marketplace, and it is looking at additional commercial vehicle categories that hold growth opportunities. In addition to category expansion, the company has made some key hires in critical departments that will help set the stage for continued momentum in 2024.

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Leasing and Finance Industry Help Wanted

LAST CALL!
Survey for Commercial Leasing & Finance Originators
Scott Wheeler, CLFP, Wheeler Business Consulting

Wheeler Business Consulting is committed to the commercial equipment leasing and finance industry. We provide a free "Sales Tip" to thousands of finance and leasing professionals on a weekly basis. Today we are asking for your assistance.

For seven years, Wheeler Business Consulting has facilitated an annual survey of originators' production numbers and incomes. The survey results are shared on the website and through a monthly newsletter.

2022 has been a dynamic and robust year for many originators and these results will be interesting to originators throughout the industry. Your participation is greatly appreciated and is needed to increase the value of the data.

The survey requires only 2 to 5 minutes to complete.

Start the survey by CLICKING HERE
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3FVXGQ6

Questions and suggestions regarding the survey are welcome.
Phone: 410-877-0428
email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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Visualizing $97 Trillion of Government Debt in 2023
Graphic with Rank Countries by Government Gross

Global government debt is projected to hit $97.1 trillion this year, a 40% increase since 2019.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments introduced sweeping financial measures to support the job market and prevent a wave of bankruptcies. However, this has exposed vulnerabilities as higher interest rates are amplifying borrowing costs.

Below, we rank countries by their general government gross debt, or the financial liabilities owed by each country:

Source: Visual Capitalist
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/97-trillion-of-global-debt-in-2023

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How U.S. Consumer Prices Have Evolved
Since February 2020 by Felix Richter, Statista

Consumer prices in the United States have risen sharply over the past three years after generous COVID stimulus spending combined with COVID-related supply chain disruptions and Russia’s inflation of Ukraine form a perfect storm of inflationary pressures. As of October 2023, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was up 18.7 percent compared to February 2020, the last month before the COVID-19 pandemic. Assuming the Fed’s targeted 2-percent inflation rate, prices would only have increased by 7.5 percent during that period, illustrating how severe the recent inflation surge has been.

Not all prices are created equal, however, and while some expenditure categories have seen prices rise even more steeply than 18.7 percent since February 2020, others have barely budged. As our chart shows, the Consumer Price Index for Transportation, which includes new and used vehicles, airline fares, gasoline and others transportation-related goods and services, has risen most quickly since February 2020, The CPI-U for Education and Communication, including for example tuition, postage and telephone services, increased by just 4.1 percent over the same period.

Other expenditure categories with above-average price increases since the start of the pandemic are food and beverages as well as housing, which are up 23.4 and 19.8 percent since February 2020, respectively, while prices in recreation, apparel and medical care have seen more modest increases over the past 45 months.

Please note that we followed the Bureau of Labor Statistics' definition of eight major expenditure groups for this analysis, meaning that energy prices aren't a category of their own, but are instead included in other categories according to their purpose. For example, gasoline prices are included in the transportation category while household energy is included in housing. When looked at separately, energy prices have seen the biggest increase of all, rising 33.4 percent since February 2020.

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### Press Release ############################

Jupiter Financial Announces Exciting Rebrand
as Jupiter Equipment Finance

Jupiter, FL, — Jupiter Financial, a leading provider of commercial equipment financing solutions, is pleased to announce its strategic rebranding as Jupiter Equipment Finance. This rebranding reflects the company's unwavering commitment to providing top-
tier equipment financing solutions to businesses nationwide. With a renewed focus and expanded offerings, Jupiter Equipment Finance is poised for exceptional growth in the ever-evolving equipment finance sector.

Sean Coburn, President & CEO, said, “The decision to rebrand as Jupiter Equipment Finance reflects our specialized focus on providing equipment finance offerings, our dedication to vendor and customer success, and market expansion.

“Businesses need to have quick and easy access to financing. They often need to make decisions quickly to maximize opportunities and we are there for them to find solutions that work. Our core strength lies in creating customized options that fill the gaps of traditional banks. With 78% of businesses investing in and financing their equipment to maintain a competitive edge, Jupiter Equipment Finance is well-prepared to help facilitate this growth.”

The rebranding will take effect today. All existing and future equipment manufacturers, dealers, and distributors selling equipment and small businesses needing to finance equipment will continue to benefit from Jupiter Equipment Finance's commitment to helping businesses finance the equipment they need to achieve their goals. Existing customers will not be affected by the rebranding. They will continue to receive the same service and support they have come to expect from Jupiter Financial, now under the name Jupiter Equipment Finance. Customers, vendor partners, and stakeholders will see the new name and branding in all company communications and materials moving forward.

Over the years, Jupiter Financial has gained a reputation for its exceptional customer service and expertise in equipment financing, assisting businesses in various industries with their financing needs. As Jupiter Equipment Finance, the company aims to take its
services to the next level by providing a wider range of tailored solutions and reaching an even broader audience.

For more information about Jupiter Equipment Finance and its rebranding, please visit the new website at https://jupfin.com/ or contact Petra Rowland at petra@jupfin.com

#### Press Release #############################

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Watch at Home
by Fernando Croce, Leasing News Movie Reviewer

Ranging from the visceral to the thoughtful, the latest batch of Criterion releases offer a set of perverse horrors (“Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers”), a humanistic political protest (“No Bears”), a master’s underrated nightmare (“The Trial”), provocative sci-fi (“Videodrome”) and a singular coming-of-age tale (“Walkabout”).

Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers: One cinema’s earliest masters of horror, director Tod Browning always had a marked fascination with the circus and the tricksters and illusionists who dwell within. Three of his fascinatingly perverseearlyfilmsare included in this collector’s set, which showcaseshis affection forbizarre outsiders. The most obscure title is “The Mystic” (1925), following a Hungarian carnival worker (Aileen Pringle) who moves to New York to bilk the rich through fake séances. In “The Unknown” (1927), Browning’s favorite player Lon “Man of a Thousand Faces” Chaney memorably starsin a delirious maelstrom of desire and madness. The dark jewel of the set, as well as Browning’s masterpiece, is the controversial “Freaks” (1932), an unforgettable tale of malice and solidarity among circus performers that magnificently blurs the sordid and the compassionate.

No Bears (2022): Iranian director Jafar Panahi (“This is Not a Film”) continues his layered, self-reflexive examinations of cinema and freedom with this ingenious and courageous drama, secretly filmed while he was imprisoned in his home. With a story following parallel couples, Pahani moves between exiles in Turkey and illicit lovers in a village in Iran while playing a fictionalized version of himself in Zoom meetings. As the lines separating documentary and fiction turn increasingly blurred, can romance survive in the face of superstition, corruption and brutality? Making use of gentle observation that gradually darkens into suspense, this is cinema as defiant political protest, at once angry and joyous, acerbic and hopeful. One of last year’s finest releases, finally available on physical media. With subtitles.

The Trial (1962): Orson Welles tackles Franz Kafka in this stunning paranoid thriller, a cinematic nightmare whose power has only grown in the decades since its release. Anthony Perkins stars as Josef K., a young bureaucrat in a bizarre totalitarian land. His plight begins when he’s awakened by dark-suited men who might be part of the police force but refuse to identify themselves one way or the other. He faces a spreading avalanche of accusations everywhere he goes, from detectives accusing him of unspecified crimes to bosses upbraiding him for illicit romance. With the world closing in on him, the protagonist considers an explosive escape. Bleakly funny and composed with vertiginous camera angles, this is one of Welles’ boldest later works. The cast includes Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider, and Welles himself.

Videodrome (1983): Always one to lace his visceral eruptions with provocative concepts, David Cronenberg reached a subversive pinnacle with this brilliantly gruesome, deeply disturbing portrait of technology shading into madness. James Woods is terrific as Max Renn, the president of a tiny Toronto TV station that specializes in sleazy programs. When he stumbles upon an illicit show featuring weirdly realistic torture acts, Max thinks he’s hit the jackpot of forbidden thrills. Soon, he becomes obsessed with this “Videodrome” show, which leads him to track down the enigmatic visionary behind it. What he uncovers is a malevolent mind-control plan that gradually engulfs him as well as his girlfriend, Nicki (Deborah Harry). Heady, sardonic, and brimming with unforgettable images, this is Cronenberg at the top of his twisted powers.

Walkabout (1971): In the 1960s and 1970s, British director Nicolas Roeg went on a string of ferociously creative pictures ranging from psychedelic gangster fantasies (“Performance”) to Gothic horror stories (“Don’t Look Now”). For many viewers, however, this breathtaking film may be his most immediately accessible and emotionally engaging work. Set in Australia, it tells the simple, almost parable-like tale of a teenage girl (Jenny Agutter) and her little brother (Luc Roeg), who find themselves lost in the middle of the vast Outback desert after their father goes mad during a family outing. Chances for survival seem slim until they run into a young aborigine (David Gulpilil), who’s undergoing a ritual into adulthood and becomes their guide and friend. Chock full of beauty and mystery, it’s a coming-of-age tale unlike any other.

Fernando Croce is a nationally recognized film reviewer and has been contributing to Leasing News since 2008. His reviews appear each Friday.

White German Shepherd Mix
Milwaukie, Oregon Adopt-a-Dog

Gala
Female
Young (less than a year)
Medium coat
White/Cream
Spayed
House Trained
Good in a Home with
Other dogs, cats, children
Adoption Fee: $400

Meet Gala

Gala is a little under a year old. Great with dogs of all sizes and temperaments - she's super submissive. She is lovely with kitty cats and super gentle with human children. She's house-trained, crate-trained, and walks on a leash.

Since going into her foster home in Portland, we have noticed some fear-based barking directed at other dogs when she's on a leash, behavior that never happens when she meets dogs off-leash. Gala is an energetic dog and will do best in an active home -

She will make the perfect hiking buddy for some lucky human! She can be timid initially but warms up QUICKLY, and then she's a cuddle love bug.

We are happy to assist the right adopter with some training sessions to help Gala feel comfortable with meeting other pups while leashed. Check out our Instagram @thepuertoricodogfund to see more of the work we do!

The Puerto Rico Dog Fund
Milwaukie, Oregon
thepuertoricodogfund@gmail.com
(787) 908-6923

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The Corporate Transparency Act: Does It Apply To
California Finance Law Lenders And Brokers?
By Kenneth C. Greene, Leasing News Emeritus

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), a landmark federal law, was enacted to equip law enforcement with crucial beneficial ownership details of reporting companies. This measure is chiefly targeted at curbing financial misconduct such as money laundering, tax evasion, financial fraud, and similar illegal financial activities. A vital feature of the CTA is its mandate for reporting companies to make proactive disclosures to regulatory bodies, which wield the authority to enforce hefty civil and criminal sanctions for non-compliance.

The implementation timeline for the CTA is structured as follows: For companies established in 2024, the rules become applicable ninety days after their formation or registration. This period is shortened to thirty days for entities founded or registered after 2025. Existing entities have until January 1, 2025, to submit their initial reports.

Under the CTA, these reports, directed to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the Department of Treasury, must encapsulate personal data about the beneficial owners. Beneficial owners are individuals who either directly or indirectly own at least 25% of the ownership stakes or who exercise substantial control over the company.

The Act gives me pause concerning lenders and brokers, especially within the California Finance Law. My concern is whether these firms are considered "reporting companies" under the Act. The CTA defines a reporting company to include corporations, limited liability companies, and similar entities established through filings with a secretary of state or equivalent office and foreign entities registered to operate within the U.S. It does not address unregistered sole proprietorships, partnerships, or joint ventures that are not established through filings or registration.

The Act does delineate exemptions. Excluded from the reporting company classification are entities like publicly traded companies, governmental bodies, banks, credit unions, and organizations that satisfy specific criteria like employing over 20 full-time staff in the U.S., reporting over $5 million in annual gross receipts or sales, and maintaining a physical U.S. office.

The Act does not expressly exclude finance lenders and brokers. Consequently, many California Finance Law lenders and brokers may not be exempt, as they often do not meet the employee, revenue, or physical presence benchmarks. This positions them within the CTA’s regulatory purview, which could necessitate compliance with its reporting demands. This seems counterintuitive, as the basis for exclusions is that those excluded entities already have sufficient oversight. That would seem to be true of California Finance lenders and brokers. Let’s hope FinCEN agrees. The “good news” is that most existing companies will have a year to find out. Unfortunately, that is not the case for entities formed or registered before 2025.

The ramifications for non-compliant entities are substantial. Non-compliance or deliberately submitting inaccurate ownership information could result in severe penalties, including significant fines or imprisonment. Hence, it is imperative for affected and potentially affected entities, including those in the California Finance Law sector, to thoroughly comprehend their responsibilities under the CTA and undertake necessary adherence measures. Counsel should be retained to navigate these uncertain waters.

Ken Greene
Law Office of Kenneth Charles Greene
Tel: 818.575.9095
ken@kengreenelaw.com
www.kengreenelaw.com

News Briefs---

McDonald Announces New Targets for Development,
Loyalty Members and Cloud Technology
https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/mcd-mailbox-message://nobody@Local%20Folders/Inbox#1841announces-targets-development-loyalty-membership-cloud-tech.html

ADP National Employment Report: Private Sector
Employment Increased by 103,000 Jobs in November
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adp-national-employment-report-private-sector-employment-increased-by-103-000-jobs-in-november-annual-pay-was-up-5-6-302007536.html

What Your Friends Can Teach You About Money
Millennials and Gen Z don’t trust banks, and they are tired of information overload
https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/what-your-friends-can-teach-you-about-money-6d2e74c9?st=dncjolcqtaezelt&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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California Budget Deficit Ballons to $68 Billion
Golden State no More?
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/12/07/golden-state-no-more-california-budget-deficit-balloons-to-68-billion/

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Sports Briefs---

Former 49ers kicker Robbie Gould, No. 10 in
all-time scoring, retires day after turning 41
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/12/07/former-49ers-kicker-robbie-gould-retires-day-after-turning-41/

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California News Briefs---

Calif.'s high-speed train Brightline connecting
Los Angeles, Las Vegas stays on course
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/ca-explainer-brightline-high-speed-train-la-vegas-18527703.php

California cannabis tax revenues dip 6%
from second to third quarter
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/california-cannabis-tax-revenues-drop-6-from-summer-to-fall-quarters/

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Gimme that Wine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

At Napa’s quirkiest new wine spot,
the vintners cook you lunch
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/the-bungalow-downtown-napa-18533153.php

Baton Rouge Doctor Creates Test that Tells You What
Wine You Will Like With 95 Percent Accuracy: https://www.vinotastr.com/
https://www.wbrz.com/news/baton-rouge-doctor-creates-test-that-tells-you-what-wine-you-will-like-with-95-percent-accuracy/

Jackson Family's Proposed Hotel at Freemark Abbey in St. Helena
Receives Feedback from Napa Board of Supervisors
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/280335

Mouton Rothschild Releases its Latest Art Label
and Lets the 2021 Vintage Soar
https://www.winespectator.com/articles/artist-chiharu-shiota-paints-newest-mouton-rothschild-label

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     1765 – Eli Whitney (d. 1825) was born in Westborough, Massachusetts Bay Colony. American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin. This was one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the economy of the Antebellum South. Whitney's invention made upland short cotton into a profitable crop, which strengthened the economic foundation of slavery in the US. Reportedly one of his slaves invented the device, but Blacks could not file for a patent. Despite the social and economic impact of his invention, Whitney lost many profits in legal battles over patent infringement for the cotton gin. Thereafter, he turned his attention into securing contracts with the government in the manufacture of muskets for the newly formed United States Army. He continued making arms and inventing until his death in 1825.
    1776 - George Washington's retreating Continental Army crossed the Delaware River from New Jersey to Pennsylvania.
    1850 - The first female African-American college graduate was Lucy Ann Stanton of Cleveland, OH, who graduated from Oberlin College, Oberlin OH, receiving the Bachelor of Literature degree.
http://www.oberlin.edu/archive/holdings/finding/RG5/SG4/S3/graduates.html
    1861 - William “Billy” Durant (d. 1947) birthday, Boston, MA. Almost forgotten by US history. He was a leading producer of carriages at Flint, Michigan; promoter of the Buick car; co-founder of Chevrolet and founder, in 1908, of General Motors. He lost, regained and again lost control of GM, after which he founded Durant Motors, went bankrupt in the Great Depression, and operated a Flint bowling alley in his last working years. He died a penniless man.
http://www.classiccar.com/articles/william_durant.asp
    1863 - President Abraham Lincoln issued a" proclamation of amnesty and reconstruction," offering full pardon to all southerners who voluntarily took a "prescribed oath." When the Civil War was over, there was great political strife toward forgiving the South and various plans that Abraham Lincoln had in place were ignored, except for this proclamation, which also halted the hanging of Jefferson Davis as hatred was more popular at the time than coming together as one nation. Historians believe that if Abraham Lincoln were not assassinated, he would have changed the history of Southern reconstruction and would have united the nation with this action. President Lincoln issued another proclamation on March 26,1864. President Andrew Johnson issued supplemental proclamations on May 29, 1865, September 7, 1867, July 4, 1868 and December 25, 1868.
    1879 - Louisiana ratifies a new state constitution, also moving the state capital from New Orleans to Baton Rouge
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec08.html
1880 - At the annual National League meeting, the league rejected the Washington Nationals’ bid for admission, in favor of Detroit, chosen for geographic reasons, to replace Cincinnati.
1881 – The National League adopted new playing rules: the three-foot corridor along the first base line is adopted for the first time; runners can no longer be put out returning to their bases after a foul ball not caught; the fine for pitchers hitting batters with pitches is repealed; the "block ball" rule allowing runners to take as many bases as possible on balls going into the crowd, the fielding team being able to put them out only after returning the ball to the pitcher in his box, is also repealed.
1886 - Birthday of Diego Rivera (d. 1957), at Guanajuato, Mexico. Mexican painter whose murals became center of political controversy.
http://www.diegorivera.com/
http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/rivera_diego.html
    1894 - James Grover Thurber (d. 1961) was born at Columbus, OH. American humorist and artist, long-time contributor to the New Yorker.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/thurber.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~ritter/thurber/index.html
    1894 - Popeye creator Elzie Crisler Segar (d. 1938) was born at Chester, IL. Originally called Thimble Theater, the comic strip that came to be known as Popeye had the unusual format of a one-act play in cartoon form. Centered on the Oyl family, especially daughter Olive, the strip introduced a new central character in 1929. A one-eyed sailor with bulging muscles, Popeye became the strip's star attraction almost immediately. Popeye made it to the silver screen in animated form and, in 1980, became a movie with Robin Williams playing the lead.
http://home.earthlink.net/~thimbletheatre/ecsegar.html
    1912 - Clarinetist Irving Fazola was born Irving H. Prestopnik (d. 1949), New Orleans, La.
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/fazola_irving/bio.jhtml
http://www.centrohd.com/biogra/f2/irving_fazola_b.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/artist/glance/-/
195844/104-3191958-8595946
    1913 - Trumpeter-violinist Ray Nance (d. 1976) born Chicago, Ill, with Duke Ellington from 1940 to 1963.
http://www.artistdirect.com/music/artist/bio/0,,472065,00.html?artist=Ray+Nance
http://trumpetjazz.netfirms.com/Artists/Ray_Nance.html
http://www.theiceberg.com/artist/24957/ray_nance.html
    1917 - A severe winter storm struck the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. Buffalo, NY was buried under 25 inches of snow with wind gusts to 78 mph. 26 inches fell at Vevay, IN with drifts to 14 feet
    1923 - Norman Rockwell’s “Christmas,” one of his earliest covers for the Saturday Evening Post when they were still in black and red, depicted a trio performing Christmas carols. In Rockwell's biography, he reveals that not one of his three models had an iota of musical talent.
http://posters.barnesandnoble.com/search/Product.asp?userid=
4Z1KKRMDX1&WRK=3346590
http://www.satevepost.org/
http://www.nrm.org/norman/
    1925 - Birthday of Sammy Davis, Jr. (d. 1990), born at New York, NY. The son of vaudevillians, he first appeared on the stage at the age of four. He made his first film appearance in “Rufus Jones for President” in 1931. He then joined the Will Mastin Trio. The popular song-and-dance team was popular on the night club circuit and, as Davis matured, his singing, dancing and impersonations became the center of the act. Davis began performing on his own in the 1950s, headlining club engagements, appearing on television variety shows and making numerous records. His Broadway debut came in 1956 in the hit musical “Mr. Wonderful,” and in the late '50s and early '60s he starred in a number of films, including a series with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.
http://www.sammydavisjunior.com
http://www.celebritystorm.com/bluesandjazzandfolk/pics/SammyDavisJr/
  1933 – Comedian Flip Wilson (d. 1998) was born in Jersey City. Best known for his television appearances during the late 1960s and 1970s. In the early 1970s, Wilson hosted his own weekly variety series, “The Flip Wilson Show.” The series earned Wilson a Golden Globe and two Emmys, and at one point was the second highest rated show on network television. At this time, there was no one hotter in TV than Wilson. Wilson also won a Grammy Award in 1970 for his comedy album “The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress.”
    1937 - Birthday of James MacArthur (d. 2010), Los Angeles, California. Played Danny "Danno" Williams, the reliable second-in-command of the fictional Hawaiian State Police squad in the long-running television series “Hawaii Five-O”... “Book ‘em Danno, murder one.” Son of actress Helen Hayes.
http://www.jamesmacarthurfanclub.com/biography.shtml
http://www.jmdigitalscrapbook.com/javaindex.html
    1938 - The temperature at La Mesa, CA, soared to 108 degrees to set a U.S. record for the month of December.
    1938 – The birthday of The Iceman, Jerry Butler, Sunflower, MS. The original lead singer of the Impressions and a 1991 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Butler co-wrote “For Your Precious Love” (which is ranked No. 327 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time). The Impressions auditioned for Chess and Vee-Jay, eventually signing with the latter where they released "For Your Precious Love" in 1958. It became The Impressions' first hit and gold record. He co-wrote, with Otis Redding, “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” in 1965. Butler's solo career had a string of hits, including the Top 10 successes "He Will Break Your Heart," "Find Another Girl," "I'm A-Telling You" (all written by fellow Impression Curtis Mayfield and featuring Mayfield as harmony vocal), the million selling "Only the Strong Survive," "Moon River," "Need To Belong" (recorded with the Impressions after he went solo), "Make It Easy on Yourself," "Let It Be Me" (with Betty Everett), He serves as a Commissioner for Cook County, IL, having first been elected in 1985. As a member of this 17-member county board, he chairs the Health and Hospitals Committee, and serves as Vice Chair of the Construction Committee.
    1940 - Birthday of David Carradine, born John Arthur Carradine (d. 2009), Hollywood, California. He was known for his leading role as a Shaolin monk in the 1970s television series “King Fu.” The oldest child of actor John Carradine and his wife, Ardanelle Abigail (McCool). He was a half-brother of Bruce, Keith, Christopher, and Robert, and an uncle of Ever Carradine and Martha Plimpton. http://www.ieway.com/~ckbales/david.html
http://www.davidcarradine.org/
    1940 - The Chicago Bears won the NFL championship by defeating the Washington Redskins, 73-0, the most one-sided victory in the league’s title game. Played at Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, the Bears won the Ed Thorp Memorial Trophy. This game was also the first professional football championship game broadcast on radio. The Mutual Broadcasting System paid $25,000 for the rights to the game, which was broadcast by Red Barber.
    1941 - Jimmy Dorsey band records, “Tangerine,” Decca 4123
    1941 - Trumpet/flugelhorn player Franco Ambrosetti born Lugano Switzerland
http://www.weinmanntours.ch/current/artists/franco_ambrosetti/franco_ambrosetti.html
http://www.enjarecords.com/FRANCO_AMBROSETTI.htm
http://www.inderbinen.com/franco.htm
http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/ambrosetti_franco/bio.jhtml
    1941 - America's Pacific fleet lay in ruins at Pearl
Harbor following the dawn sneak attack by Japanese forces on December 7. President Franklin Roosevelt requests, and receives, a declaration of war against Japan. Leaning heavily on the arm of his son James, a Marine captain, FDR walked haltingly into the House of Representatives at noon to request the declaration from the House and address the nation via radio. "Yesterday," the president proclaimed, "December 7, 1941-a date which will live in infamy-the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory." Roosevelt's 10-minute speech, ending with an oath-"So help us God"-was greeted in the House by thunderous applause and stamping of feet. Within one hour, the president had his declaration of war, with only one dissenting vote, from a pacifist in the House. FDR signed the declaration at 4:10 p.m., wearing a black armband to symbolize mourning for those lost at Pearl Harbor. On both coasts, civilian defense groups were mobilized. In New York, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia ordered the rounding up of Japanese nationals, who were transported to Ellis Island and held in custody indefinitely. In California, antiaircraft batteries were set up on Long Beach and the Hollywood Hills. Reports on supposed spy activity on the part of Japanese Americans began pouring into Washington, even as Japanese Americans paid for space in newspapers to declare unreservedly their loyalty to the United States. War is also declared upon Japan by British, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the Free French, several South American countries. China declares war upon Germany, Italy and Japan. The latter is a formal declaration only as a de facto state of war has existed between China and Japan for 7 years. Montanan Jeanette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress and a dedicated lifelong pacifist, casts the sole Congressional vote against the U.S. declaration of war on Japan.
    1941 - Japanese troops occupy the city of Shanghai and capture a small US garrison in the foreign section.
    1941 - A US tanker was shelled by a Japanese submarine off Cape Mendocino.
    1941 - USS Wake (PR-3), a river gunboat moored at Shanghai, is only U.S. vessel to surrender during World War II.
    1941 - The Japanese attack begins with the capture of Bataan Island and the creation of an airstrip for plane refueling. Japanese invasion troops leave Paulau for the Philippines. The main attack begins with massive air bombardment which reduces the American defenses to 17 B-17's and less than 40 fighters. Most of the planes are destroyed on the ground. American General Douglas MacArthur has under his command 130,000 troops (20,000 Americans). His plan to defend the island becomes nonviable after the destruction of the main portion of his air force and the losses at Pearl Harbor.
    1941- Fears of offending American public opinion by violating Thailand's neutrality have prevented the British from preparing defenses in Thailand and difficulties with Thai border guards prevent a quick response to the Japanese landings further north.
    1941 - Japanese aircraft attacked Wake Island within hours of the fateful attack on Pearl Harbor. Marines of the 1st Defense Battalion and Marine Fighting Squadron 211 resisted Japanese invasion attempts for over two weeks before finally succumbing to an overwhelming force. A small Japanese landing force leaves Kwajalein escorted by a cruiser and two destroyers.
    1941 - Japanese General Yamashita began his attack against the British army at Singapore. General Tomoyuki Yamashita earned the name “Tiger of Malaya” for his masterful capture of Singapore and the whole Malay Peninsula from the British, who had a superior number of troops. Yamashita’s forces landed on the northern Malay Peninsula and southern Thailand on December 8, 1941, and moved rapidly southward toward Singapore, which surrendered on February 15, 1942. The peninsula and Singapore remained under Japanese control throughout the war. Later in the war, while defending the Philippines from Gen. MacArthur‘s return, Yamashita's troops wantonly slaughtered more than 100,000 Filipinos in Manila. He was later tried and executed for war crimes.
    1942 - Eight PT boats (PT 36, PT 37, PT 40, PT 43, PT 44, PT 48, PT 59, and PT 109) turn back 8 Japanese destroyers attempting to reinforce Japanese forces on Guadalcanal.
    1943 - U.S. carriers sank two cruisers and down 72 planes in the Marshall Islands.
    1943 - Birthday of James Morrison (d. 1973), Melbourne, FL. Singer, songwriter, known as "The Lizard King," lead singer of The Doors, Jim Morrison is considered to be one of the fathers of contemporary rock.
http://www.americanlegends.com/morrison/
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/morrison.htm
http://www.thedoors.com/band/jim/?fa=home
    1944 - An American naval force, commanded by Admiral Smith and consisting of 3 heavy cruisers and a destroyer escort, bombarded Iwo Jima.
    1944 - On Leyte, the US 77th Division advances from its beachhead to within 1 mile of Ormoc. Attacks by the Japanese 26th Division, near Buri, are repulsed by other US forces.
    1944 - FRYAR, ELMER E., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company E, 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division. Place and date: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 8 December 1944. Entered service at: Denver, Colo. Birth: Denver, Colo. G.O. No.: 35, 9 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Fryar's battalion encountered the enemy strongly entrenched in a position supported by mortars and automatic weapons. The battalion attacked, but in spite of repeated efforts was unable to take the position. Pvt. Fryar's company was ordered to cover the battalion's withdrawal to a more suitable point from which to attack, but the enemy launched a strong counterattack which threatened to cut off the company. Seeing an enemy platoon moving to outflank his company, he moved to higher ground and opened heavy and accurate fire. He was hit, and wounded, but continuing his attack he drove the enemy back with a loss of 27 killed. While withdrawing to overtake his squad, he found a seriously wounded comrade, helped him to the rear, and soon overtook his platoon leader, who was assisting another wounded. While these 4 were moving to rejoin their platoon, an enemy sniper appeared and aimed his weapon at the platoon leader. Pvt. Fryar instantly sprang forward, received the full burst of automatic fire in his own body and fell mortally wounded. With his remaining strength, he threw a hand grenade and killed the sniper. Pvt. Fryar's indomitable fighting spirit and extraordinary gallantry above and beyond the call of duty contributed outstandingly to the success of the battalion's withdrawal and its subsequent attack and defeat of the enemy. His heroic action in unhesitatingly giving his own life for his comrade in arms exemplifies the highest tradition of the U.S. Armed Forces.
    1945 - The Toyota Motor Company received permission from the occupation government to start production of buses and trucks--vehicles necessary to keep Japan running. After World War II ended with Japan's surrender on September 3, 1945, Japan remained under Allied occupation ruled by an occupation government. Its war industries were shut down completely. This was the first rumble of the postwar auto industry in Japan.
    1945 - Top Hits
“It’s Been a Long, Long Time” - The Harry James Orchestra (vocal: Kitty Kallen)
“That’s for Me” - Dick Haymes
“It Might as Well Be Spring” - The Sammy Kaye Orchestra (vocal: Billy Williams)
“It’s Been So Long Darling” - Ernest Tubb
    1946 - The first snow-melting apparatus using pipes embedded in the sidewalk was tested by Best and Company, a department store in New York City, which installed a system of 15 coils comprising 4,530 feet of pipe. A solution of about 67 percent water and 33 percent antifreeze by volume was circulated as protection against freezing temperatures as low as five degrees below zero. The system was put into full operation during a blizzard on December 26.
    1949 - As they steadily lose ground to the communist forces of Mao Zedong, Chinese Nationalist leaders depart for the island of Taiwan, where they establish their new capital. Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek left for the island the following day. This action marked the beginning of the "two Chinas" scenario that left mainland China under communist control and vexed U.S. diplomacy since.
    1950 - Ralph J Bunche becomes the first Black person awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
http://www.michmarkers.com/startup.asp?startpage=S0363.htm
http://www.nobelprizes.com/nobel/peace/1950a.html
http://www.ralphbunche.com/
http://www.pbs.org/ralphbunche/
    1953 - President Eisenhower delivers his "Atoms for Peace" speech, which leads to an American program to supply equipment and information on nuclear power to schools, hospitals, and research institutions around the world.
    1953 - Top Hits
“Rags to Riches” - Tony Bennett
“Many Times” - Eddie Fisher
“Vaya Con Dios” - Les Paul & Mary Ford
“There Stands the Glass” - Webb Pierce
    1953 - Los Angeles, California became the third largest city in the United States, edging out Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the distinction in a special census. Today, Los Angeles is the second largest United States city and the 16th most populated city in the world.
    1953 – Actress Kim Basinger was born in Athens, GA. She won the Academy Award, Golden Globe and SAG Award, all for Best Supporting Actress, for her performance as Lynn Bracken in the 1997 film “L.A. Confidential.” Basinger came to prominence playing Bond girl Domino in the 1983 film, “Never Say Never Again,” and went on to receive a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Memo Paris in “The Natural” (1984). She also starred in the controversial erotic romantic drama “91/2 Weeks” (1986) and as Vicki Vale in “Batman” (1989), which remains the highest-grossing film of her career.
    1956 - "Singing the Blues" by Guy Mitchell tops the Billboard chart for the first of an eleven week stay. Marty Robbins' version of the same song was released simultaneously and peaked at number 17.
    1958 - "The Chipmunk Song" by David Seville and the Chipmunks entered the Billboard Top 40 chart on its way to a four-week stint at #1.
    1959 - The first movie with scent was “Behind the Great Wall,” a travelogue of modern China, presented at the De Mille Theatre, New York City. The film depicted a tiger hunt, fishing with cormorants, a May Day parade in Beijing and other scenes. The scent was forced through ceiling vents by the Aromarama process.
http://www.tvguide.com/movies/database/showmovie.asp?MI=19386
    1959 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: "Heartaches by the Number," Guy Mitchell.
    1961 - The Supremes begin recording their third single, the Smokey Robinson penned "Your Heart Belongs To Me," which will become the group's first Billboard charting record, peaking at #95.
    1961 - The Beach Boys first recording, "Surfin'," is released on Candis Records, a small LA-based company, becoming a local hit in Los Angeles, California, but only making it to #75 nationally. The song was written by Brian Wilson and his cousin Mike Love and recorded with Brian's brothers, Carl and Dennis and their friend Alan Jardine. Carl played acoustic guitar, Al played double bass and Brian kept time on a garbage can. The surfing music craze wouldn't sweep across America for another year. By the time "Surfin’ Safari" hit Top 40, in September 1962, the Beach Boys were riding a wave of popularity.
    1961 - Top Hits
“Please Mr. Postman” - The Marvelettes
“Goodbye Cruel World” - James Darren
“The Twist” - Chubby Checker
“Big Bad John” - Jimmy Dean
    1962 - International Typographical Union's striking workers closed nine New York City newspapers. The strike lasted 114 days, before it ended on April 1, 1963, affecting a total of 5,700,000 readers. The loss of coverage made people turn on radio and television. The San Francisco Chronicle basically just closed this department as they announced all typeset is now digital, not with film or negatives that made print. Hot lead typesetting, linotype, went out in the early 1960’s.
    1963 – 19-year-old Frank Sinatra, Jr. was abducted at gunpoint from his hotel room at Harrah's Casino in Lake Tahoe, California. Two days later, he was released unharmed after his father paid the kidnappers' $240,000 ransom demand. Three amateur criminals were rounded up within a week and later tried, convicted and sent to prison.
    1963 - Lightning caused the crash of a jet airliner, killing 81 persons at Elkton, MD
    1964 - Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
http://www.almaz.com/nobel/peace/MLK-nobel.html
    1965 - On Broadway, Humphrey Bogart’s wife, Lauren Bacall, opened in "Cactus Flower," also starring Barry Nelson. The production ran for 1,234 performances and was awarded Best Play honors.
    1967 - Traffic's "Mr. Fantasty" LP is released.
    1968 - TAYLOR, KARL G., SR., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company 1, 3d Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 December 1968. Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Born: 14 July 1939, Laurel, Md. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving at night as a company gunnery sergeant during Operation MEADE RIVER. Informed that the commander of the lead platoon had been mortally wounded when his unit was pinned down by a heavy volume of enemy fire, S/Sgt. Taylor along with another marine, crawled forward to the beleaguered unit through a hail of hostile fire, shouted encouragement and instructions to the men, and deployed them to covered positions. With his companion, he then repeatedly maneuvered across an open area to rescue those marines who were too seriously wounded to move by themselves. Upon learning that there were still other seriously wounded men Lying in another open area, in proximity to an enemy machinegun position, S/Sgt. Taylor, accompanied by 4 comrades, led his men forward across the fire-swept terrain in an attempt to rescue the marines. When his group was halted by devastating fire, he directed his companions to return to the company command post; whereupon he took his grenade launcher and in full view of the enemy, charged across the open rice paddy toward the machinegun position, firing his weapon as he ran. Although wounded several times, he succeeded in reaching the machinegun bunker and silencing the fire from that sector, moments before he was mortally wounded. Directly instrumental in saving the lives of several of his fellow marines, S/Sgt. Taylor, by his indomitable courage, inspiring leadership, and selfless dedication, upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service.
    1969 - Top Hits
“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” - Steam
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” - Peter, Paul & Mary
“Down on the Corner/Fortunate Son” - Creedence Clearwater Revival
“Okie from Muskogee” - Merle Haggard
    1972 – The first crash of a Boeing 737 occurred after aborting its landing attempt at Chicago Midway Airport, killing 45.
    1977 - Top Hits
“You Light Up My Life” - Debby Boone
“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” - Crystal Gayle
“How Deep is Your Love” - Bee Gees
“Here You Come Again” - Dolly Parton
    1980 - Former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, arrived at New York's Dakota, the apartment house in which they lived, after an early-evening recording session. As they walked through the apartment gates, a lone gunman stopped and fired five bullets into Lennon, killing him almost instantly. The gunman, a crazed fan named Mark David Chapman, did not attempt to escape and was immediately apprehended. Lennon's untimely death set off a week of worldwide mourning, and the murder was considered to be the most shocking in the history of rock music.
    1980 - Pat Benatar receives a platinum record for her debut album, "In the Heat of the Night." The former waitress and bank teller was discovered late one night at the Catch a Rising Star club in New York. Her album made it to the Top Ten and the follow up, "Crimes of Passion," will go to #2.
    1984 - "Out Of Touch" becomes Hall and Oates' sixth US number one single, confirming their status as the most successful duo in Rock history
    1985 - Top Hits
“Broken Wings” - Mr. Mister
“Never” - Heart
“Say You, Say Me” - Lionel Richie
“I Don’t Mind the Thorns (If You’re the Rose)” - Lee Greenwood
    1987 - Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first goalie in NHL history to shoot the puck into the opposing team’s net in a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.
    1987 - A cold front crossing the northwestern U.S. continued to produce high winds along the coast, and heavy snow blanketed parts of the western U.S. Snowfall totals in the mountains of western Nevada ranged up to 18 inches at Heavenly Valley, and near the Boreal Ski Resort, and winds at Reno gusted to 56 mph. Thunderstorms over southern Florida deluged the Florida Keys with up to five inches of rain. Strong winds, gusting to 48 mph at Gage, OK, ushered wintry weather into the Central High Plains. Goodland KS, which one day earlier was 63 degrees, was blanketed with two inches of snow.
    1988 - Santa Ana winds buffeted southern California, with gusts to 92 mph reported at Laguna Peak. The high winds unroofed buildings, and downed trees and power lines, igniting five major fires, and numerous smaller ones. Damage was estimated at 15 to 20 million dollars
    1990 - Stevie B's "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)" reaches No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100, a position it holds for four weeks. Billboard ranks it the top song of 1990.
    1991 - The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ceased to exist, as the republics of Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine signed an agreement at Minsk, Byelorussia, creating the Commonwealth of Independent States. The remaining republics, with the exception of Georgia, joined in the new Commonwealth as it began the slow and arduous process of removing the yoke of Communism and dealing with strong separatist and nationalistic movements within the various republics. Khrushchev was long buried as were many communist leaders who had threatened to “bury the U.S.”
    1991 - Kimberly Bergalis, the first patient believed to have contracted the AIDS virus from a health care professional, died at Fort Pierce, FL. It is theorized she was infected from her dentist while receiving dental care. Her case sparked controversy over how the disease is transmitted and incited calls to ban infected health care professionals form the workplace.
http://www.aegis.com/news/mh/1991/MH911212.html
    1992 - Barry Bonds signs the richest contract in Major League history. Bobby's son will make $43 million over the next six years with the Giants.
    1993 - President Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement which cut tariffs and eliminated other trade barriers among the US, Canada and Mexico. The Agreement went into effect Jan 1, 1994.
    1994 - Top Hits
“On Bended Knee” - Boyz II Men
“Here Comes The Hotstepper” (From "Ready To Wear") - Ini Kamoze
“Another Night” - Real McCoy
“Always” - Bon Jovi
    1995 - The Grateful Dead announced they were breaking up, four months after the death of lead guitarist Jerry Garcia.
    1999 - Top Hits
“Smooth” - Santana Featuring Rob Thomas
“Back At One” - Brian McKnight
“I Wanna Love You Forever” - Jessica Simpson
“My Love Is Your Love” - Whitney Houston
    2008 - Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told the Guantanamo war crimes tribunal he would confess to masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks; four other men also abandoned their defenses. He was a member of bin Laden’s organization, leading al-Qaeda's propaganda operations from around 1999 until late 2001. Mohammed was captured on March 1, 2003, in Pakistan by a combined operation of the CIA and Pakistan's intelligence. Immediately after his capture, Mohammad was sent to secret CIA prison sites in Afghanistan, then Poland, where he was interrogated by U.S. operatives. By December 2006, he had been transferred to Guantanamo. In March 2007, after significant interrogations, Mohammed confessed to masterminding the September 11 attacks; the Richard Reid shoe bombing attempt to blow up an airliner; the Bali nightclub bombing in Indonesia; the 1993 World Trade Center bombing; the murder of Daniel Pearl; and various foiled attacks as well as numerous other crimes. He was charged in February 2008 with war crimes and murder by a US military commission at Guantanamo Bay detention camp, which could carry the death penalty if convicted. In 2012, a former military prosecutor criticized the proceedings as insupportable due to confessions gained under torture. The Supreme Court had also drawn into question the legality of the methods used to gain such admissions and the admissibility of such admissions as evidence in a criminal proceeding. On August 30, 2019, a military judge set a trial date of January 11, 2021, for Mohammed's death penalty trial. His trial was further postponed on December 18, 2020, due to the pandemic. Mohammed's trial restarted on September 7, 2021. Mohammed, in a letter submitted to the court on July 26, 2019, communicated the willingness to help the 9/11 attack victims and their families in their lawsuit against Saudi Arabia. The mastermind is said to have demanded the elimination of his death sentence in the exchange for his cooperation. Experts say at the rate the case is proceeding, there could be another decade of procedural hearings.
    2010 - With the second launch of the Falcon 9 and the first launch of the SpaceX Dragon, Space X becomes the first private company to successfully launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft.
    2011 – Jon Corzine, former governor of New Jersey and former CEO of MG Global and Goldman Sachs, testifies before a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, stating he doesn't know where $1.2 billion of his customers' money has gone. On January 5, 2017, Corzine and the CFTC agreed to a settlement order requiring Corzine to pay a $5 million penalty for his role in MF Global's collapse. Corzine also agreed to be permanently barred from working for a futures commission merchant or registering with the CFTC in any capacity.

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