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Monday, December 20,2004
Headlines---
Classified Ads---Contract Administrator
Economic Events This Week
Media Capital is Now Charter Capital
Leasing News' Position on the NorVergence Scandal
Ex-CEO defends NorVergence
Cartoon
When an article has a “by-line”
“Business Leasing News” December Edition
National City Acquires Charter One Vendor Finance
New SBA Rule to Shift Billions to Small Businesses
Complete Overview Banking, Mortgages & Credit Industry
SBA Report on Small Business Now Available
News Briefs--
Sports Briefs---
"Gimme that Wine"
Cartoon
This Day in American History
American Football Poem
######## surrounding the article denotes it is a “press release”
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Classified Ads---Contract Administrator
Los Angeles, CA
Documentation Manager; 25+ years experience; strong documentation skills; solid reputation for submitting complete funding packages consistently resulting in same day fundings; will consider reasonable commute.
Email: sgrigs@netzero.net
New York, NY.
10+ years in equipment leasing/secured lending. Skilled in management & training, documentation, policy and procedure development & implementation, portfolio reporting. Strong work ethic.
Email: dln1031@nyc.rr.com
Portland, OR.
6+ years small ticket leasing/financing. Documentation/funding Policy development &implementation, management &training, process mapping, customer service, broker, vendor, portfolio experience.
Email: susanc777@hotmail.com
Full listing of all “jobs wanted” ads at:
http://64.125.68.90/LeasingNews/JobPostings.htm
Now isn't a bad time to job hunt
http://www.usatoday.com/money/jobcenter/2004-12-19-hob-hunt_x.htm
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Economic Events This Week
December 20
Monday
Leading Indicators: November
December 22
Wednesday
G.D.P. (Real Economic Growth) 3rd Qtr.
December 23
Thursday
Personal Income: November
Durable Goods Orders: November
Weekly Jobless Claims
Prices of New Homes: November
December 24
Friday
Christmas Eve
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MEDIA CAPITAL IS NOW CHARTER CAPITAL
Greg Reeve, General Manager of Media Capital, is now the General Manager of Charter Capital, Scottsdale, Arizona, as they have changed their name. Rick Wilbur, the managing partner, attributes the reasons for the change as a broadening of the company's marketing focus and a connection to the origin of the company's culture (Charter Equipment Leasing Corp).
Rick Wilbur
"I tried not working for about a year but got very bored after a week. It didn't take me long to agree to form a new leasing company in 1995 with my son and Sammy Andrade. Media Capital had a specific focus on the media, broadcast and entertainment industries, " he said. "Over the past nine years the firm has expanded its expertise into a significantly wider market, which includes medical, rental, manufacturing and production among others. We have also grown internally and now maintain a staff of 18.
"Greg, native to Phoenix, is very active in the local business community as well as community service organizations. This has presented us with new and very encouraging opportunities to provide equipment financing to local businesses and to assist the area to continue its growth. The timing is right and we forecast continued growth."
The name changes is to Rick's old company that began in operations in 1977 as Charter Equipment Leasing Corporation, which was part of a recent acquisition of L R Financial Corporation.
"To all of our existing clients and friends, we would like to thank you for your past business and assure you that we remain committed to the same critical business values and superior customer attention that you have become accustomed to," said Rick Wilbur, Managing Partner.
Effective January 1, 2005 Media Capital Associates LLC will operate as CHARTER CAPITAL. Www.mediacap.com is being transferred to their
new website: www.charteraz.com.
About CHARTER CAPITAL:
Media Capital Associates LLC dba CHARTER CAPITAL (www.charteraz.com) is a privately held financial intermediary headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. The company's roots in the commercial finance industry date to 1977, and our goal is to provide our customers with competitive financing solutions for equipment acquisitions ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000.
Contact:
Greg Reeve, CHARTER CAPITAL
480-874-5403
greg@charteraz.com
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Leasing News' Position on the NorVergence Scandal
by Christopher Menkin
As reported earlier, the Leasing News Advisory Board is discussing taking an Editorial stand on the NorVergence matter. It is not that we are afraid of controversy, and as our mission states, we are a “reform” internet trade publication, our discussion centers around what is good for the leasing industry by taking an editorial stand.
It is my understanding from talking by e-mail and telephone to perhaps over literally a 1,000 people since the beginning of this year, before the bankruptcy hearing, that the lessees thought they were signing an “Equipment Rental Agreement,” as stated on the top of the “Private Label Contract.”
“I for one had no clue I was signing an Equipment Lease, I believed it to be a service contract for telecom similar to a cell phone contract.
“It's like we contracted with someone to paint our house once a year & then found out later we signed a second mortgage on the house - and did we use a mortgage broker on the loan? Hell no, if we had known were putting our house on the line we wouldn't have done it.”
Very few of the lease contracts were originated by a “lease broker,” and from what I have been able to discern, most contracts were “explained” in “sign this or else” manner by the NorVergence salesmen, who not only made a commission from the “service contract” sale, but often points from getting the lease contract signed.
“No one even knew they were signing a lease. A leasing broker sounds like a legitimate business person that sits down and explains the terms of a lease to a customer. They never even gave me a chance to read the contract, just sign here.”
Others explained it this way:
“Norvergence was very aggressively selling a service at "drastic
savings" to the customers. The monthly ERA cost was presented as a
part of the total monthly service cost, and compared to our current
service cost.
” Kind of like cable TV - you're renting the box, it's necessary
equipment but incidental to the TV service - number of channels, etc,
which is really what the customer is buying from the cable company.
How many of you know on your cable bill how much is in box rental and how much in monthly service ?”
Robert J. Fine, the former president of the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors obviously used his position to make connections with leasing entities to set up “private label” and direct financing for NorVergence. He worked under Alex Wolfe, who reportedly was the mastermind of the sales program and its approach, plus the profits coming from “discounting” to leasing company the contracts.
Before the Bankruptcy, Leasing News was receiving complaints, which we seemed to resolve, many times talking with the NorVergence public relations person, or to Mr. Fine directly. He never explained the service provision as being part of the lease.
In conversations with people close to him, and involved in the corporation, they identified Alex Wolf as the mastermind of the leasing plan, the concept, and experience to implement it. I was told Fine reported to him as did most everyone else.
The owners were in the building, but the operation was run by Mr. Wolfe, I was told by many key employees.
I have a whole board of directors of the leasing association who are not happy with me, do not speak to me, and the leasing association sends me no notices and does not respond to e-mail ( perhaps I have two, maybe more.) We are on the outs for several reasons, but here primarily because of what Leasing News wrote before and after about Mr. Fine and NorVergence..
We report the facts to the best of our ability (and legality.)
I'll give you a sample of Mr. Fine (from May of this year):
Kit,
“I appreciate you giving Norvergence the opportunity to respond.
“As we have discussed before, Norvergence provides a telecommunication solution to small and mid-sized businesses. The solution is comprised of hardware and services, which are billed separately. One of the services we provide(under a reseller arrangement) is cellular phones and cellular access. WE DO NOT LEASE OR RENT CELLULAR PHONES.
“While I would love to tell you that we have 100% customer satisfaction, that's not possible with Norvergence, AT&T, Verizon or Sprint. A customer service issue with these companies is not "news" and is no different in this case.
“For the record, I did research this customer and all issues have apparently been resolved. The reimbursement referred to in the e-mail is a $63 item.(again- not "news" in my opinion)
“As for the insurance issue, our Equipment Rental Agreement clearly states that the Renter is required to provide evidence of insurance or insurance will be provided and the Renter will be charged for this service. This is not uncommon in the small-ticket marketplace. As for the claim the equipment has a replacement value of $300 I refuse to dignify that ridiculous comment with a response.
“Once again I appreciate the opportunity to respond and I trust this will provide enough information so that a complaint does not get posted on your website.
“Thank you.”
Leasing brokers seem to get a bad wrap, but in all the scandals in the last few years, including Commercial Money Center, RW Professional, and others who have filed bankruptcy such as MSM Capital, the leasing brokers were not the culprits---it was the management of the leasing company. The NorVergence example is one where if a leasing broker were involved, not only would they in the field know what they could and could not do, I am sure the leasing companies would have looked at the transactions quite thoroughly, which they obviously did not in this circumstance.
Leasing brokers to defend their reputation and purpose in the industry formed an association to represent them:
the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers.
One of the ways Leasing News has been ahead of others on this story is our participation in the various list serves, plus direct e-mail and telephone calls from users who had complaints. In the List serves, Leasing News identifies itself and participates. We advise to keep making the lease payments to not only keep their good credit rating, but if they go to court, it will not be on the defense, but offense, as it is not about not being able to make the lease payments.
We answer questions, being as fair and accurate as possible.
“ I do question your motivation, and often don't like what you tell us, but overall you have been giving very good advice. I appreciate it,” one list serve person wrote.
Another said, “I have to admit, that is the best advice I have heard from you so far. I disagree with you often and I am suspect of your motives, but you do give good advice.”
We also get information cleared, such as when there were a series bad mouthing US Bancorp, that they were getting too aggressive, and tear up all your US Bancorp cards ( they write the same about Wells Fargo, et. al.)
We were able to clarify to them that US Bancorp was a very reputable
company, 6 th largest bank in the United States, the leasing division cares about their customers, wants repeat business, and asked if any policies had changed, meaning were they more aggressive with NorVegence lessees:
“Our collection position has not changed -- we are attempting to settle with people that are willing to work with us. The only people I have sued in MN are those that tell us to "take a hike" and refuse to work with us. I have sued about 40 files in MN -- out of a total NorVergence portfolio of 900. Maybe the (the person who said this) is one I sued so in his mind US Bancorp certainly has gotten more aggressive.”
John D Docken
SVP Legal and Operations
US Bancorp BEFG
Marshall, MN
507 532 7160 phone
507 532 7729 fax
Mr. Docken basically said he was following procedure. He also appears to give his bank position that they are willing to try and work out of the situation amicably with any lessee. It should be noted, from their web site: “ U.S. Bancorp, with assets of $190 billion, is the 6th largest financial services holding company in the United States. The company operates 2,344 banking offices and 4,578 ATMs providing a full line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions.”
When asked, Leasing News position has been to continue making the lease payments, and the best business decision, is to make a settlement. Going to court to find one party who wins and one who loses, is not only a “gamble” in many circumstances, but can be expensive and quite time consuming.
Here is one who evidently agreed with us:
---
( This is from a list serve group: )
“I settled with my leasing company (US Express Leasing, one of the last into the fray). I consulted 2 attorneys I keep on retainer. Both said we may well prevail if we sued to void the lease. Both quoted about the same amount of time and money to do so. I offered the lease company the money instead, and kept my time. They agreed. I can't divulge the settlement (a condition of the agreement) but in my opinion it was fair for them and for me. I redirected legal fees to the LC, saved myself the grief and the time, and got to keep the equipment I already had.
“I'm p*ss*d at myself for being so gullible as to fall for the scam in the first place, but I'm thrilled I was able to end it amicably with my LC (another "victim" of the Norv fraud, in my opinion). I now have a vendor that will jump through hoops for me on future leases if need be, no more time invested, and no more stress over it.
“Wishing all 'a y'all the very best, both for the holidays and in your outcome.
--
The listserve group also learns things not reported elsewhere.
(This is from a list serve )
“I just spoke to Robert Walton, Esquire. He represents Patriot
in cases filed in Pennsylvania against Florida victims. He informed
me that they settled the Florida cases because Patriot only had nine
Florida victims and it was not cost effective to fight in Florida
because the laws there are tough. He said the agreement pays back
portions of sums that were paid by the victims only after the
Norvergence bankruptcy.
” He said Patriot intends to fight on in other jurisdictions where the
laws are more favorable.”
(attorney's name with held)
“All GE agreed to were the financial terms of the settlement, not the premise for it. That is not atypical. Most settling defendants simply state that the settlement is a matter of economics and is not intended by them to admit or deny any of the assertions against them (this is the analogy to a nolo contendre plea ---I do not admit guilt, but simply accept the consequences).”
(attorney's name with held )
Strangely, none of the telephone providers, who cut many of them off, have come into criticism, including their involvement with NorVergence by providing the telephone service. They look at the leasing companies, who they call “LC's,” as being part of the conspiracy with NorVergence, and strangely appear to be more the bad guys than NorVergence itself.
As soon as we as a group come to an understanding, we may have an editorial stand as the results could boomerang, as one Leasing Advisory director said:
I agree you should take a stand and I believe settlement is a valid alternative. If the leasing companies win, and probably will, the political fallout could be disastrous. Go For IT!!
Others are more cautious that a position may hunt those leasing companies caught in this apparently “no win” situation. Yes, winning in court may be one thing, but the repercussions and the edification of the various state's consumer fraud division and legislators viewpoint may have many far reaching aspects we don't want to talk about here.
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Ex-CEO defends NorVergence
By MARTHA McKAY---STAFF WRITER
New Jersey Star-Ledger
Former NorVergence CEO Peter J. Salzano testified (last) Thursday that the company's collapse, which put all 1,300 employees out of work, became inevitable when phone giant Qwest shut off service to NorVergence customers in mid-June.
Salzano testified as part of NorVergence's bankruptcy proceeding at a hearing in Newark.
Newark-based NorVergence is being investigated by a slew of federal agencies including the FBI, Labor Department, IRS and the Federal Trade Commission, which last month accused NorVergence of defrauding its 11,000 customers. The company sold discounted phone and Internet service to small businesses across the country. Customers signed five-year leases for a Matrix box that NorVergence said would deliver the discounted service.
NorVergence's main source of funding came from leasing companies who paid it more than $200 million up front for the right to collect customers' lease payments.
The company was selling as many as 200 Matrix systems a week and had developed a backlog, falling behind on connecting customers to the service.
Then NorVergence fell $13 million to $14 million behind in its payments to Qwest, by Salzano's estimate. On June 16, Qwest shut off Internet service to NorVergence customers for a day, he testified.
That incident caused concern among the leasing companies.
"When Qwest slammed the door on us, the leasing companies stopped funding us," said Salzano. The leasing companies, which previously paid NorVergence when it signed up a customer, began to withhold payment until a customer was connected, slowing NorVergence's funding.
Salzano told the bankruptcy trustee that NorVergence was expecting a $10 million cash payment from a company that wanted to buy a portfolio of leases. NorVergence was planning on selling a higher-capacity "Super Matrix." But the funding deal and a subsequent deal for an additional $10 million fell through.
NorVergence filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in July after three leasing companies forced NorVergence into bankruptcy court.
The company's abrupt end left its customers without service, with virtually worthless Matrix boxes and owing a combined total of as much as $200 million to the leasing companies. The bankruptcy has spawned dozens of lawsuits involving customers trying to get out of their leasing obligations.
During Thursday's late-afternoon hearing, Salzano gave the most detailed description yet of the failed company's ownership. NorVergence was 76 percent owned by the Sumner Avenue Trust, a trust located in the Cook Islands and mostly owned by Salzano and his brother, Thomas N. Salzano, who was paid $500,000 a year on a consulting basis.
Former employees say Thomas Salzano ran the company and held the title of chief managing officer.
Peter Salzano, who made $256,000 a year, testified that no money was paid into the trust.
"People keep asking where did all the money go," Michael Sirota, Salzano's attorney said after the hearing. "[He] testified that every cent went back into the business."
About 20 people attended the hearing, including former employee Kimberly Schomp, a customer service support technician.
"Two or three weeks before the end, there was a lot of paper shredding going on - we definitely know there is money out there," she said after the hearing.
One man who identified himself as a former employee asked during the hearing why Thomas Salzano had so much decision-making power over who in the company was paid in its final weeks. Sirota advised his client not to answer that question.
An exact account of NorVergence's assets and liabilities is not complete - the company owed at least $30 million to phone carriers including Qwest, T-Mobile and Sprint.
Qwest did not immediately return calls for comment.
The company's abrupt end left employees stunned. Most of the workforce, which numbered as high as 1,300 earlier this year, saw their final two paychecks bounce.
The company's health insurance (NorVergence was self-funded) was in disarray; scores of former employees have said medical bills dating back months before the July bankruptcy were never paid, leaving some workers with staggering bills. Salzano said he was not aware of any problems with benefits until June 2004.
Senior management, including the Salzanos, are scheduled to be interviewed next week by the bankruptcy trustee to gain further information about the company's operations and assets.
E-mail: mckay@northjersey.com
( Note, the current bankruptcy creditor form has a due date of 2/28/05. This will push further out a full listing of creditors, let alone a view of assets available. It should be noted Ms. McKay and Leasing News in the past have shared information. editor)
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When an article has a “by-line”
A by-line on Leasing News not only identifies the writer but let's reader's know that the writer has the permission of the editor to write "editorial." This not only meets the standards of the "Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Medial Law, but standard dictionary definition of an "editorial:"
“[n] an article giving opinions or perspectives [adj] of or relating to an article stating opinions or giving perspectives;
‘editorial column' [adj] relating to or characteristic of an editor; ‘editorial duties'.”
When you read articles in leasing news, they are treated as "straight news" without the perspective of the writer (unless so noted, such as here in this note. editor.)
In Leasing News, we mark all "press releases" with ##### at the top and bottom. This let's readers know the headline and the story was not written by Leasing News. Often the source is attributed at the end. It generally is more an “editorial,” as it comes from someone generally trying to promote something, and often, is in reality
“unpaid advertising.” It should be understood by definition: “ [n] an announcement distributed to members of the press in order to supplement or replace an oral presentation.”
Most who write such “hand outs,” prefer that little be changed and that no editorials be made. Often the press release can be used for background material for an interview or for expansion of the announcement.
***** are put around “announcements” on Leasing News to bring more prominence than a press release, as often they have “dated” information, meaning they should be read sooner than another article as it may pertain to a specific time and place or action to happen at a specific date. It may also indicate information about a specific topic or event.
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David G. Mayer's “Business Leasing News” December Edition
1.Proposed Environmental Diligence Rules Set Trap for the Unwary
2.U.S. Ratifies Cape Town Convention
3.Dynamic Growth Projected for Business Aircraft
4.Case & Comment: Stillwater v. CIT – Lender's Security Interest Wins Over Purported Sale to Lessor
5.Leasing 101: What Is an "Aircraft"?
6.BLN Briefs: State Tax Systems Obsolete; Colorado Passes Renewable Energy Initiative
7.Reader Feedback; Recent Publications; Training Offered; Correction
8.About Patton Boggs LLP and My Law Practice
http://www.pattonboggs.com/Newsletters/Bln/Release/bln_2004_12.htm
(Amazon at this time has six used editions available of David's Book “Leasing for Dummies.” It is out of print, but available at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764553704/
qid=1103318298/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-4152454-0998365?v=glance&s=books
|
### Press Release #####################
National City Acquires Charter One Vendor Finance
( Kropschot Financial Services was the M&A advisor to the seller.)
CLEVELAND, -- National City Bank announced signing a definitive agreement for National City to acquire Charter One Vendor Finance, LLC, a subsidiary of Charter One Bank, N.A.
Charter One Vendor Finance serves major vendors, such as manufacturers, value-added resellers, and select specialized lessors, in middle- and large-ticket equipment and software markets, and finances equipment and real estate or franchisees of selected, leading franchisors. The group currently provides these vendors with ongoing programmatic lease and debt financing capabilities for their end-user customers. The company, based in Lisle, Illinois, has 20 employees.
It is expected that the business will be renamed "National City Vendor Finance," and will continue to be managed by its current senior management team of Chuck Schultz, John Cortese and Jim McLean.
"This acquisition rounds out National City Commercial Capital's vendor finance suite of products and aligns well with National City's strategy to expand the commercial banking business," said Vince Rinaldi, president and CEO National City Commercial Capital. "The experience, superior credit quality and demonstrated growth capability of this business will clearly allow National City to advance its position as a leading player in the vendor finance marketplace."
The companies expect to close the transaction in January 2005, subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino statutory review. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About National City Commercial Capital
National City Commercial Capital is a national, high-growth, multi-channeled equipment finance company that provides a broad array of products and services to both new and existing customers and markets. It is one of the largest bank-affiliated leasing companies in the country. National City Commercial Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC) and is based in Cincinnati. For more information about National City Commercial Capital, visit the company's Web site at NC-4.com.
About National City
National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation's largest financial holding companies. The company operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses include commercial and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing, consumer finance and asset management. For more information about National City, visit he company's Web site at NationalCity.com.
SOURCE National City Corporation
Web Site: http://www.nationalcity.com
( As noted in the Leasing News List: Charter One Bank was acquired Aug. 31, 2004 by Citizens Financial Group (Providence, RI), which is owned by The Royal Bank of Scotland.)
#### Press Release ####################
Enforcement of New SBA Rule to Shift Billions in Federal
Contracts to Small Businesses
Advocacy Group Celebrates Huge Win as SBA Institutes New Rule Preventing Large Businesses From Winning Small Business Contracts
NOVATO, Calif., -- Effective Tuesday, December 21, a long overdue rule by the Small Business Administration (SBA) goes into effect, ensuring a small business purchased or acquired by a large business is no longer eligible for small business contracts. Sounds like a "no-brainer," but this distinction is made only after years of protest and countless demands for reform -- most of which came from the American Small Business League (ASBL). ASBL estimates implementation of this rule will shift $20 billion a year in federal contracts to small businesses.
"This rule is a step in the right direction -- in effect reversing
egregious government polices that have allowed federal contracts meant for small businesses to go to large, often multinational, companies," said Lloyd Chapman, president and founder of the ASBL. "This is a fight we've been waging for more than 15 years, and no other organization has done as much as the ASBL to drive the reform necessary within the SBA."
"Earlier this year, the SBA requested public comment on reducing the size standard of a small business from 500 to 100 employees, and 98 percent of the responses they received were in support of the change," added Chapman. "More than 90 percent of those were a direct result of a national campaign by the ASBL to let people know that many of the SBA's current rules and regulations hurt, rather than help, small business owners."
The final rule (RIN: 3245-AE92, "Small Business Size Regulations; Rules of Procedure Governing Cases Before the Office of Hearings and Appeals")
amends the SBA's small business size regulations, which are used to determine eligibility for all SBA and Federal programs that require a business be officially defined or designated as "small." With numerous sections and at a length of 38 pages, most of the rule went into effect June 21, 2004. A delay of six months was allowed regarding this aspect of the rule, which provided time to notify no voting companies, or companies in the midst of acquiring small businesses, that they will no longer be eligible for small business contracts.
SITUATION HISTORY
In October 2004, the ASBL filed a complaint against the SBA demanding the disclosure and release of a report on small business contracting abuse, citing the Freedom of Information Act. The SBA's refusal to release the report came just days after the Center for Public Integrity released its own report, which found the Defense Department had awarded more than $47 billion in small business contracts to some of the largest firms in the United States and Europe with the full knowledge and approval of the SBA.
ABOUT LLOYD CHAPMAN, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF ASBL
As a long-time advocate for small business, Lloyd Chapman has had a 15-year running battle with the SBA to oppose policies and programs that have allowed larger and larger firms to receive U.S. government contracts meant for small business. In November 2002, Chapman uncovered information on fraud and abuse that prompted an investigation by the GAO. The resulting GAO report identified billions in small business contracts going to very large businesses, prompting the Committee on Small Business for the House of Representatives, Congress of the United States to call a hearing on the matter. In May 2003, Chapman testified at the hearing and provided ASBL's findings and data. Chapman also provided information to the SBA that forced the removal of more than 600 large businesses from the SBA's database of small businesses. The GAO investigation and subsequent Congressional hearing prompted a host of changes in government small business policies, such as recertification for small businesses, changes in SBA protest procedures, reexamination of small business size standards and the GSA "Get It Right" program.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS LEAGUE (ASBL)
The American Small Business League was formed to promote and advocate policies that provide the greatest opportunity for small businesses -- the 98 percent of U.S. companies with less than 100 employees. The ASBL monitors existing policies and proposed policy changes by the SBA, and other federal agencies that affect its members, and helps to coordinate any response required to safeguard the interests of small businesses. The organization achieves significant and measurable results for small businesses across America, seeking their congressionally mandated 23 percent share of federal contracts. Prior to Sept. 1, 2004, ASBL was known as the Microcomputer Industry Suppliers Association (MISA). On the net:
http://www.asbl.com.
SOURCE American Small Business League
Web Site: http://www.asbl.com
#### Press Release ###################
Research And Markets: View This Complete Overview And Industry Analysis Of The Banking, Mortgages And Credit Industry In 2005.
Dublin, Ireland-----The lending industry is comprised of a wide variety of sectors, such as banking, credit cards, mortgages, leasing and consumer finance. Many of these sectors have interconnections and synergies. In addition, a large number of related services and technologies have a major influence on the lending and credit business. These services include e-commerce, credit risk analysis, call centers and information technologies. Rapid changes have taken place in lending in recent years. For example, large amounts of business and consumer debt are now syndicated or securitized. Meanwhile, non-bank firms, such as GE, have become immense competitors in the lending arena, and international acquisitions are shaping up the globalized banking industry of the near future.
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c4707) has announced the addition of Banking, Mortgages & Credit Industry Almanac 2005 to their offering This carefully-researched book (which includes a database of leading companies on CD-ROM) is a banking, credit and mortgages market research and business intelligence tool-- everything you need to know about the business of banking, credit cards, mortgages and lending, including:
- Money center banks.
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- Globalization of the banking and lending industries, including our profiles of the world's leading international banking firms.
- Mortgage banking and brokerage.
- Home equity loans.
- Credit cards.
- Lending and other services provided by non-bank enterprises.
- Significant trends in banking and lending technologies.
- Risk analysis, payment processing, call centers and other support services.
- Online banking trends.
- ATM trends and technologies.
- Banking industry software.
You'll find a complete overview, industry analysis and market research report in one superb, value-priced package. It contains thousands of contacts for business and industry leaders, industry associations, Internet sites and other resources. This book also includes statistical tables, an industry glossary and thorough indexes. The corporate profiles section of the book includes our proprietary, in-depth profiles of the 350 leading companies in all facets of the banking, credit cards, lending, mortgages and leasing industry. Here you'll find complete profiles of the hot companies that are making news today, the largest, most successful corporations in the business. Purchasers of either the book or PDF version can receive a free copy of the company profiles database on CD-ROM, enabling key word search and export of key information, addresses, phone numbers and executive names with titles for every company profiled.
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To order call +44 (0) 20 7779 8999 or toll free in the US +1 800 437 9997 to receive your 10% discount. You can also order on line at |
#### Press Release ####################
**** Announcement ***************************
"SBA Report on Small Business Now Available"
The Small Business Administration (SBA) just released The Small Business Economy - A Report to the President. The publication comes from the SBA's Office of Advocacy and reviews the economic environment for small businesses in 2003.
A few of the topics discussed are small business trends, including financial trends and procurement.
To download the report, visit
www.sba.gov/advoc/stats/sb_econ2004.pdf
****Announcement****************************
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News Briefs---
A Busy Year for IT in DC
http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3449601
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/
2004/12/20/let_it_snow_let_it_snow_let_it_snow/
30-, 15-year mortgage rates fall for second straight week
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/housing/
2004-12-16-mortgages_x.htm
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Sports Briefs----
Patriots keeping focused http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/
2004/12/20/patriots_keeping_focused/
Cowboys let one slip away, 12-7
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/
122004dnspocowlede.265c4f4f.html
Raiders offense shines as Collins throws 5 TDs
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/12/20/RAIDERS.TMP
Chargers continue remarkable turnaround by beating Cleveland 21-0, clinching AFC West
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/
20041219-1524-fbn-chargers-browns.html
Rams leave Tempe empty
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/rams/story/
C185DDA3D51B172186256F700020BA04?OpenDocument&Headline
=Rams+leave+Tempe+on+empty
Jets Make Stand to Get Better View of Playoffs
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/sports/football/20jets.html
Ravens Keep Manning From Tying Marino's Mark for Scoring Passes in a Season
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/sports/football/20colts.html
Bengals out of playoff contention with loss
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/sports/football/20giants.html
Cut off at the pass, 49ers fizzle out
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/10453363.htm
NFL Standings
http://sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=nytimes&page=
nfl/scores/live/scoreboard.aspx?date=
NBA Standings
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-BKN-NBA-Standings.html
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“Gimme that Wine”
Where's the most visited winery in American? Would you believe ... North Carolina?
http://www.napanews.com/templates/index.cfm?template=
story_full&id=F053D327-4883-4E08-BC25-9223EB853419
Best Wineries in California
http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/taste/story/
11772715p-12657564c.html
Brother Timothy's last blend on sale
http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/taste/story/
11772717p-12657572c.html
Grape growers, wineries take promotion to new level
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91~3089~
2602246,00.html
This Day in American History
1606-Three small ships, departed London, England, bound for America,( "Susan Constant", "Godspeed" and "Discovery", destined for America. Captain Christopher Newport commanded the three tiny ships, which are now on display at Jamestown village in Virginia) where the royally chartered Virginia Company's approximately 120 persons established the first permanent English settlement Jamestown, Virginia. They arrived May 14,1607. When the next ship arrived a year later with additional provisions, there were no survivors. What happened is still a mystery today. It is believed that the survivors joined Indian tribes, and were not murdered or died from disease as there was no evidence to this conclusion. This was not the first attempt at permanent settlement in the United States. The Norwegians, Dutch, Spanish, and perhaps even Africans, landed here and established colonies. Many of them were invaded by subsequent landings, some were assimilated into Indian life, such as in New Foundland, Florida and the islands, where it is believed Africans were the first to land in this area, including South America.
1669-History records the first rebellion by colonists happened against an English governor in Delaware, Governor Francis Lovelace, and was led by Marcus Jacobson, “The Long Finne, who claimed to be the son of General hans Christoph Konigsmark. He was trapped and turned over to the English commandant. On December 20, 1669, he was condemned for insurrection in the first trial by jury in Delaware. He was lashed in public, branded with a letter R, and sold in chains as a slave in Barbados.
1790-The first cotton mill to spin cotton yarn successfully was stated by Samuel Slater in Pawtucket, RI. It was 40 feet long, 26 feet wide, and two stories high, with an attic. Power was obtained from the old fulling mill water wheel in Ezekiel Carpenter's clothier's shop on the east bank of the Blackstone River. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, in his report of December 5, 1791, said, “ The manufactory at Providence has the merit of being the first in introducing into the United States the celebrated cotton mill, which not only furnishes materials for the manufactory itself but for the supply of private families, for household manufacturing.”
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/dec20.html
1803-One of the greatest real estate deals in history was completed , when more than a million square miles of the Louisiana Territory were turned over to the US by France, for a prize of about $20 per square mile. This almost doubled the size of the US, extending its western border to the Rocky Mountains.
1820 - Missouri enacted legislation taxing placing a $1 tax “ on every unmarried free white male, above the age of 21 years and under 50 years.”
1821- The first record of a “Christmas tree” was mentioned in the diary of Matthew Zahm of Lancaster, PA. Sahm and other German immigrants to Pennsylvania brought the custom of decorated trees from their homeland.
1833- birthday of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd (born near Bryantown, MD, In the hysteria of the time, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for giving medical aid to disguised John Wilkes Booth, fleeing assassin of Abraham Lincoln. Imprisoned four years before being pardoned by President Andrew Johnson. Died on Jan 10,1883.
1856 -Newberry College was chartered in Newberry, SC, under Lutheran auspices. The campus moved to Walhalla, SC, in 1868, but returned to Newberry in 1877
http://www.newberry.edu/
1860- In response to the victory of Republican Abraham Lincoln in the presidential election six weeks before, the South Carolina legislature voted to secede from the US, the first state to do so. “ ...are hereby repealed; and that the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States under the name of the United States of America, is hereby dissolved.” Within six weeks, five more states seceded. On February 4, 1861, representatives from the six states met at Montgomery, Alabama, to establish a government on February 9, Jefferson Davis was elected president of the Confederate States of America. by June 1861, 11 states had seceded from the Union.
1868- American industrialist, businessman and founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Harvey Samuel Firestone was born at Columbiana County, OH. A close friend of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and John Burroughs, Firestone was also author of two books about rubber. He died at Miami Beach, FL, Feb 7,1938.
1880 - Broadway, New York's main thoroughfare, was illuminated by electricity for the first time, between 14th and 26h Streets.
1881- Wesley Branch Rickey, Baseball Hall of Fame player, manager and executive born at Lucasville, OH. Rickey was baseball's most innovative general manager. He invented the farm system, instituted unique training and teaching methods and, most prominently, signed Jackie Robinson to play major league baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1967. Died at Columbia, MO, Dec 9,1965.
http://newschannel2000.com/sh/sports/columnist/stories/
columnists-20000821-134738.html
1886- Hazel Virginia Hotchkiss Wightman, tennis player born at Healdsburg, CA., Known a the “Queen Mother of Tennis,” Wightman was a championship player, an instructor, a benefactor and the donor of the Wightman Cup, a trophy offered for competition between teams of women players from the US and England. Died at Chestnut Hill, MA. December 5, 1974.
1893- George passed a statue against lynching, “ an act to prevent mob violence in this state...” Violators were guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to 20 years. If death resulted, a murder charge could be instituted.
1895- Susanne Langer, a leading American philosopher, author of Philosophy in a New Key: A Study in the Symbolism of Reason, Rite, and Art, was born at New York, NY. Her studies of esthetics and art exerted a profound influence on thinking in the fields of psychology, philosophy and the social sciences. She died at Old Lyme, CT, July 17, 1985.
1907-Birthday of lyricist Paul Francis Webster, New York City , Died March 22,1874,Los Angeles, CA.
http://www.imdb.com/Name?Webster,+Paul+Francis
http://awards.fennec.org/w/webster_paul_francis.html
http://www.basstabs.net/tab/bass/Paul_Francis_Webster.asp
1914 - The high temperature of 28 degrees at Atlanta, GA, was their earliest daily high below the freezing mark.
1918-Birthday of saxophone player John Hardee, Corsicana, TX “Hardee was a multi-instrumentalist who played piano, mellophone, C-melody saxophone, alto, and tenor sax. He worked with Don Albert as a tenor player before returning to college. After graduation, he worked as a band director in Texas and also played the clarinet in the military band. Hardee went to New York to pursue his musical career, and worked with Tiny Grimes from 1946 to 1948. Most of the work he recorded was done on 78 rpm records at the precise time that the LP format was killing off 78s as the recorded medium of choice. His work wasn't released on LP and was lost and forgotten for some time, even though his playing put him on a par with Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster. So what happened? Basically a crisis of self-confidence. The jazz scene in New York was extremely competitive at the time, and Hardee simply didn't have the stomach for it. He felt that he could have filled the chair vacated by Ben Webster in the Duke Ellington orchestra, and the recorded evidence, now available on CD, supports that assertion. I strongly recommend either the Chronological Jazz Series release John Hardee: 1946-1948 or the EMI import John Hardee Swingtettes: Tired. We're very lucky to have these performances saved and available for our pleasure. Had Hardee continued to be part of the New York scene he would undoubtedly have become a major tenor player whose contribution and influence would still be widely discussed. Hardee returned to Texas, teaching in Dallas for most of the rest of his life. No doubt he passed on a lot of wisdom to the kids who learned music from him.” Marshall Bowden
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_mucontrib.php/mu_artist=
John+Hardee/ut=0cea001161ce67c0
1920 - An English-born comedian Leslie Downes, who would later be known as Bob Hope, became an American citizen today. Having lived in the United States since 1908, he became one of the nation's true ambassadors for show business and charity.
1938- The kinescope, today known as the cathode-ray tube, was patented by Russian immigrant Vladimir Zworykin. It is still used today in computer monitors and television sets.
1939-Birthday of singer Kim Weston, Detroit, MI http://www.delafont.com/music_acts/Kim-Weston.htm
1940- Tony Pastor records “Paradddile Joe.” Bluebird 11008 )
1942-Birthday of piano player Larry Willis, New York City
1945- Eddie Condon's club opens in the Village, New York City.
http://search.centerstage.net/music/whoswho/EddieCondon.html
http://www.edsite2.fsnet.co.uk/Eddie%20Condon.htm
1949 - Harry Belafonte recorded his second session at Capitol Records, waxing the songs "Whispering" and "Farewell to Arms". With eight song recorded and little enthusiasm from record buyers, Capitol decided not to renew the singer's contract. He relocated to RCA Victor in April, 1952 where he enjoyed a successful career.
1949—Top Hits
I Can Dream, Can't I? - The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (vocal: Jack Leonard)
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Mule Train - Tennessee Ernie Ford
1952 - Jimmy Boyd hit #1 on the record charts with the Christmas song of the year, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus .
1954 - The Buick Motor Company signed Jackie Gleason to one of the largest contracts ever with an entertainer. Gleason would produce 78 half-hour long shows over two years for $6,142,500.
1956-The Montgomery Bus Boycott came to an end when the US Supreme Court ruling of Nov 13,1956, calling for integration of the Montgomery, AL, public bus system was implemented. Since Dec 5, 1955, the black community of Montgomery had refused to ride on the segregated buses. The boycott was in reaction to the Dec 1, 1955, arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to relinquish her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white man.
1957—Top Hits
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
At the Hop - Danny & The Juniors
My Special Angel - Bobby Helms
1957-Elvis Presley receives his draft notice.
1961-Birthday of Dallas Cowboy premier lineman Nathaniel “Nate” Newton, Jr.
1965- “the Dating Game” premiered on TV. Another game show developed by Chuck Barns, it typically featured a “bachelorette” who questioned three men who were hidden from her view and decided, based on their answers, which guy appealed to her the most. The couple was then sent on a date, courtesy of the show. Occasionally, a bachelor would question three women. Jim Lange was the host of the network series and two syndicated ones. Elaine Joyce and Jeff MacGregor hosted one season each on the retitled “The New Dating Game.”
1965—Top Hits
Turn! Turn! Turn! - The Byrds
Over and Over - The Dave Clark Five
I Got You (I Feel Good) - James Brown
Make the World Go Away - Eddy Arnold
1966- The NBA granted a franchise to Seattle for the 1967-68 season. the SuperSonics, as the team was nicknamed, were joined by the San Diego Clippers, to become the league's 11 and 12 th team.
1966 -- Otis Redding Show opens at the Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, California.
http://rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=177
1967-The Hollies' "He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother)" is released.
1969 - Leaving on a Jet Plane, recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary, jumped into the Number 1 spot on this date on Billboard's Top 40 record charts and was in the top slot for one week.
1973—Top Hits
The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
Amazing Love - Charley Pride
1973 - Multi-talented entertainer Bobby Darin, best remembered for his Grammy-winning single Mack the Knife, died at age 37 at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles while undergoing surgery to remove two artificial valves in his heart which were malfunctioning. According to the biography written by son Dodd, Darin's hospitalization and subsequent death was brought on by not taking prescribed antibiotics before a teeth-cleaning procedure. Darin had a history of heart problems. He did not die of a spinal infection as is commonly rumored. He left a legacy of memories in rock 'n' roll and pop tunes, as well as on television and in movies (even an Oscar nomination for his role in "Captain Newman, M.D."). The story of Darin being groomed to replace Frank Sinatra at Capitol Records is absolutely true. Unfortunately, Capitol didn't think the grooming was going so well, and withheld many of Darin's songs for many years; releasing them in a compilation CD in 1995. Good stuff to listen to: "Splish Splash", "Queen of the Hop", "Dream Lover", "Mack the Knife", "Beyond the Sea", "If I Were a Carpenter", etc. At the end, Darin, who had recorded for Atco, Capitol and Atlantic Records had just begun recording for Motown.
1975 - Paul Simon's "50 Ways to leave Your Lover" jumped on U.S. singles charts. It hit number one (for three weeks) Feb 7, 1976. For you trivia fans out there, this is Paul Simon's only #1 single (so far). “Just slip out the back, Jack; Make a new plan, Stan; You don't need to be coy, Roy; Just get yourself free...”
1975--Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" is released.
1975 -- Buffalo's O.J. Simpson scores a touchdown (vs. Minnesota) in his 14th straight game. The streak started against the New York Jets on Sept. 21.
http://images.nfl.com/history/images/1220.jpg
1979 - Knots Landing debuted on CBS, starring Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark as Gary and Valene Ewing.
1980 - Television experimented with football when NBC covered the meaningless NFL game between the New York Jets (4-11) and the Miami Dolphins (8-7) with no announcers in the booth. The only thing heard were field noises and spectators as the pictures tried to get across the emotion of the game. The next day headlines read, "Jets Silence Dolphins 24-17." 1983 - Joe Gibbs of the Washington Redskins was named NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press. He became the first head coach to receive this honor in consecutive years since 1961-62 (when Allie Sherman, of the New York Giants, was so honored). Joe Gibbs took the Redskins to a 14-2 finish in the 1983 season.
1981—Top Hits
Physical - Olivia Newton-John
Waiting for a Girl like You - Foreigner
Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire
All Roads Lead to You - Steve Wariner
1983- Guy Lafleur of the Montreal Canadians scored the 500 th goal of his career in a 6-0 victory over the New York Rangers. Lafleur played 17 years in the NHL and finished his career with 560 regular-season goals.
1985- Denis Potvin of the New York Islanders assisted on Mike Bossy's goal against the New York Rangers to earn the 916 th point of his career, breaking Bobby Orr's NHL record for the most career points by a defenseman
1985 - Robert Penn Warren was designated Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry of the U.S. Library of Congress for 1986-1987. The library has used consultants since 1937, when Joseph Auslander was appointed the first Consultant in Poetry, but Robert Penn Warren was the first to be called Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.
1986 - The Bangles' "Walk like an Egyptian" moved to the top of the "Billboard" "Hot 100". It was #1 for three weeks. “Foreign types with the hookah pipes say; Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh; Walk like an Egyptian...”
1988 - Warner Chappell, a division of Warner Communications and the largest music publisher in the world, agreed to pay $25 million for the song "Happy Birthday to You." The song, owned by Birchtree Ltd., reportedly generated $1 million a year in royalty fees. The copyright would expire after the year 2010 and is expected to fall into the public domain.. The melody of probably the most often sung song in the world was composed by Mildred J. Hill, a schoolteacher. Her younger sister Patty Hill was the author of the lyrics which was first published in 1893 as “Good Morning to All, “ a classroom greeting published in the book Songs Stories for the Sunday School. The lyrics were amended in 1924 to include a stanza beginning “Happy Birthday to You.” Now it is sun some where in the world every minute of the day. Although the authors are believed to have earned very little from song. Mildred Hill died at Chicago, Il, June 5, 1916, without knowing that her melody would become the world's most popular song.
1988 - Thunderstorms developing ahead of a fast moving cold front produced severe weather in the Upper Ohio Valley and the Middle Atlantic Coast Region during the afternoon and early evening. Thunderstorm winds gusted to 69 mph at Kennedy Airport in New York City, and winds along the cold front itself gusted to 56 mph at Cincinnati OH. The same storm produced snow in Kansas, Missouri and Illinois, with eight inches reported at Rolla MO.
1989—Top Hits
We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel
Another Day in Paradise - Phil Collins
Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville)
Two Dozen Roses - Shenandoah
1989-The US launched operation “Just Cause,” invading Panama in an attempt to seize Manuel Noriega and bring him to justice for narcotics trafficking. Seven months after Noriega had ruled unfavorable election results null and void, the US toppled the Noriega government and oversaw the installation of Guillermo Endara as president. Although the initial military action was declared a success, Noriega eluded capture. He surrendered to US troops on Jan 4,1990, and was tried, convicted and imprisoned in the US..
1989 - Low pressure brought thunderstorms and high winds to the northeastern U.S. There were 193 reports of damaging winds with thunderstorms in New York State, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Tornadoes touched down near Seaside Park NJ and McAlevys Port PA. Winds with thunderstorms gusted to 92 mph at Poughkeepsie NY, and reached 94 mph at Newburgh NY. High winds in the Washington D.C. area, gusting to 73 mph, resulted in one death.
1995 - "Nixon" opened in U.S. theatres. The film starred Anthony Hopkins as Richard M., Joan Allen as the president's wife, Pat, Powers Boothe as Alexander Haig, Ed Harris as E. Howard Hunt, Bob Hoskins as J. Edgar Hoover, E.G. Marshall as John Mitchell, David Paymer as Ronald Ziegler, David Hyde Pierce as John Dean, Paul Sorvino as Henry Kissinger, Mary Steenburgen as Hannah Nixon, J.T. Walsh as John Ehrlichman, and James Woods played H.R. Haldeman.
1996-The NBA granted a franchise to Seattle for the 1967-68 seasons. The Super Sonics, as the team was nicknamed, were joined by the San Diego Clippers, to become the league's 11 th and 12 th teams.
1998 - Green Bay's Brett Favre connected three times with Antonio Freeman in the first half against the Tennessee Oilers en route to a 30-22 victory this day. In doing so, Favre became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for 30 or more touchdowns in five consecutive seasons (33 in 1994, 28 in 1995, 39 in 1996, 35 in 1997, and 30 in 1998).
1989 - Low pressure brought thunderstorms and high winds to the northeastern U.S. There were 193 reports of damaging winds with thunderstorms in New York State, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Tornadoes touched down near Seaside Park NJ and McAlevys Port PA. Winds with thunderstorms gusted to 92 mph at Poughkeepsie NY, and reached 94 mph at Newburgh NY. High winds in the Washington D.C. area, gusting to 73 mph, resulted in one death.
1998- President Bill Clinton was impeached by a House of Representatives that was divided along party lines. He was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice stemming from a sexual relationship with a White House intern. He was then tried by the Senate in January 1999. On Feb 12,1999, the Senate acquitted him on both charges. Clinton was only the second US president to undergo impeachment proceedings. He did not run for re-election because he had served the maximum two terms as president. His wife Hillary was elected to the U.S. Senate from New York.
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Your One stop solution for training and reference material for the Leasing Professional
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American Football Poem
Hope Is a Tattered Flag
by Carl Sandburg
Hope is a tattered flag and a dream of time.
Hope is a heartspun word, the rainbow, the shadblow in white
The evening star inviolable over the coal mines,
The shimmer of northern lights across a bitter winter night,
The blue hills beyond the smoke of the steel works,
The birds who go on singing to their mates in peace, war, peace,
The ten-cent crocus bulb blooming in a used-car salesroom,
The horseshoe over the door, the luckpiece in the pocket,
The kiss and the comforting laugh and resolve—
Hope is an echo, hope ties itself yonder, yonder.
The spring grass showing itself where least expected,
The rolling fluff of white clouds on a changeable sky,
The broadcast of strings from Japan, bells from Moscow,
Of the voice of the prime minister of Sweden carried
Across the sea in behalf of a world family of nations
And children singing chorals of the Christ child
And Bach being broadcast from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
And tall skyscrapers practically empty of tenants
And the hands of strong men groping for handholds
And the Salvation Army singing God loves us….
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