WASHINGTON The United States has reached a final settlement of a long-running lawsuit by the Osage Tribe of Oklahoma regarding the United States accounting and management of the tribes trust funds and non-monetary trust assets.
Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division; the Interior Departments Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes, Solicitor Hilary C. Tompkins, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Michael S. Black; the Treasury Departments General Counsel George W. Madison, and the Osage Tribes Principal Chief John Red Eagle and other tribal officials commemorated the settlement during a ceremony at the Department of Interiors headquarters in Washington today.
This historic settlement resolves with finality long-standing trust accounting and trust management claims by the Osage Tribe, said Assistant Attorney General Moreno.
This settlement is the outcome of dedicated efforts by the United States and the Osage Tribe to resolve years of costly and protracted litigation.
Today, we come together in the spirit of partnership and mutual respect to recognize an important milestone on a path to a future marked by a stronger government-to-government and trust relationship. This settlement demonstrates the United States strong commitment to resolving pending tribal trust accounting and trust management cases in an expedited, fair and just manner.
Reaching a final settlement with the Osage Tribe has been a priority for this Administration, and it demonstrates President Obama's commitment to reconciliation and empowerment for American Indian nations, said Interiors Deputy Secretary Hayes.
The settlement process was fundamental to respecting the government-to-government relationship between the U.S. government and the Osage Tribe. This agreement marks a new beginning one of just reconciliation, better communication and strengthened management of tribal trust assets.
This settlement is an historic, positive development for Indian country and a major step on the road to reconciliation following years of litigation between the Osage Tribe and the United States, said Interior Solicitor Tompkins. This administration has worked in good faith to reach a settlement that is both honorable and responsible. The settlement will allow the United States and the Tribe to foster, cultivate and strengthen their trust relationship as they move together into the future.
Under the negotiated agreement, executed on Oct. 14, 2011, litigation will end regarding the Department of the Interiors accounting and management of the tribes trust accounts, trust lands and other natural resources, including the tribes mineral estate.
The United States will pay the tribe $380 million to compensate the tribe for its claims of historical losses to its trust funds and interest income as a result of the governments management of trust assets.
The parties also will implement measures that will lead to strengthened management of the tribes trust assets and improved communications between the Department of the Interior and the tribe, including procedures for delivery of periodic statements of account, annual audit information, and information relating to the management of the mineral estate to the tribe.
Importantly, the agreement also provides dispute resolution provisions to reduce the likelihood of future litigation.
The Osage Tribe brought its trust accounting and trust management lawsuits in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (CFC) in 1999 and 2000.
Also, the tribe brought a trust accounting case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2004 and dismissed that case in 2010.
The CFC litigation included numerous motions, extensive discovery, many rulings, and two trials over 12 years.
Between 2006 and 2010, the tribe obtained two judgments from the CFC against the United States for about $331 million on various claims spanning the 1972-2000 period.
A trial on significant claims remaining in this case was scheduled to begin in February 2012.
Following an incident involving a ferry in the Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter today (October 21), the Government Flying Service deployed helicopters five times to deliver nine injured persons to various hospitals between 6am and 8.55am.
Three seriously injured persons were sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. Six other injured persons were delivered to Wan Chai helipad and taken to hospitals by ambulances.
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited a number of urban redevelopment projects in Malmo, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark over the past two days after attending the World Sustainable Building Conference 2011 (SB11) in Helsinki, Finland.
On arriving in Malmo yesterday (October 20, Malmo time), Mrs Lam visited Western Harbour and Eco-city Augustenborg to learn more about the citys efforts in urban regeneration. Malmos Western Harbour waterfront is being transformed from an old industrial area into a sustainable and quality living area with premises for residential, office, commercial and education purposes.
Eco-city Augustenborg is an urban redevelopment project aimed at rejuvenating the residential area of Augustenborg in a sustainable way by substantially greening the area and improving the design and energy efficiency of buildings.
She also toured Malmo Town Hall to discover how this historic building constructed in the Middle Ages has been preserved and revitalised into a venue for official receptions and other occasions such as weddings.
In Copenhagen today (October 21, Copenhagen time), Mrs Lam received a briefing on the citys development in public space networks and took a walking tour in the city centre.
Before concluding her visit, Mrs Lam met officials from the Heritage Agency of Denmark and called on the Chinese Ambassador in Denmark, Mr Xie Hangsheng.
Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Halloween is coming! Vampires are scheduled to return to the Mongkok Blood Donor Centre of the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) next Saturday (October 29), and they cant wait any more to have fun together with the public. For the Blood Donation Night Party to be held this Halloween, the Mongkok Blood Donor Centre has specially arranged a Halloween special drink and a Halloween gift for donors to enjoy after they give blood. A spooky photographer is also well prepared to assist donors for photo-taking with the Halloween standees. Only 100 admission tickets will be distributed from 7pm on October 29 on-site at the Mongkok Blood Donor Centre on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition, donors giving blood in all Blood Donor Centres during the Halloween Blood Donation Week (from October 24 to 31) will be presented with a Halloween gift and can enjoy the special Halloween ambiance. For the location and service hours of Blood Donor Centres, please call 2710 1234 or visit the BTS website, www.ha.org.hk/rcbts .
Details for the Halloween Blood Donation Night Party are as follows:
Date and time:
October 29 (Saturday), 7pm to 10pm
Venue:
Mongkok Blood Donor Centre address: 11/F, Ginza Plaza, 2A Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mongkok, Kowloon (Mongkok MTR Station Exit E2)
Time for admission tickets distribution:
7pm onwards on October 29
Enquiries: 2770 5930
Lets join together to support the Halloween Blood Donation Week and the Blood Donation Night Party and bring more friends to share the Give Blood, Save Lives message this Halloween!
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 21) reminded members of the public to stay vigilant and take preventive measures against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in view of a recent rise in HFMD activity.
The CHP has noted that HFMD activity has been increasing recently. The number of institutional outbreaks of HFMD recorded by the CHP in the first three weeks of October (as of October 20) was 25, while 15 and 23 HFMD outbreaks were recorded in August and September respectively.
The sentinel surveillance system based at general practitioner clinics, child care centres and kindergartens has also detected an increase in HFMD activity.
A CHP spokesman said the recent increase is compatible with the seasonal pattern of HFMD in Hong Kong. While the peak season of HFMD infection in Hong Kong is usually between May and July, a small peak of HFMD activity also occurred from October to December in the past few years.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation, the spokesman said.
The spokesman added that the CHP today sent letters to child care centres and kindergartens to alert them to the latest HFMD infection situation and provide advice on prevention and control.
The spokesman reminded the public to strictly maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent HFMD infection. They are advised to:
* Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
* Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, and properly dispose of nasal and mouth discharge;
* Never share personal items such as towels and eating utensils;
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, furniture and toilets regularly with bleach and water in 1:99 concentration (one part household bleach to 99 parts water);
* Disinfect toys/places which are contaminated by secretions or excreta with household bleach and water in 1:49 concentration;
* Maintain good ventilation;
* Parents should pay attention to the health of their children and seek medical advice if their children develop symptoms of HFMD, especially if the following occurs:
- Fever does not subside
- Repeated vomiting
- Persistent sleepiness or drowsiness
- Myoclonic jerks
* Children suffering from HFMD should refrain from going to school and avoid contact with other children until they recover completely; and
* Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.
More information on HFMD infection can be found on the CHP website at www.chp.gov.hk.
The initial findings of an investigation by the Marine Department into an incident inside the Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter this morning (October 21) involving the high-speed catamaran First Ferry IX have revealed that the ferry strayed outside the navigational fairway into a mooring area.
Initial reports received showed that the First Ferry IX, which has a length of 28.84 metres, was carrying 140 passengers and four crew members and departed from Cheung Chau for Central at 5.10am.
The vessel struck a mooring dolphin inside Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter at 5.15am, causing significant casualties onboard.
In the incident, 76 people were injured and sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Mary Hospital, Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals and St John Hospital, comprising 49 males and 27 females, aged from 19 to 82.
The ferry sustained significant damage to its starboard bow.
The Marine Department investigation showed that a light beacon nearest to the mooring dolphin was lit and functioning properly in accordance with the nautical chart.
The investigation into the incident will pay special attention to the speed of the First Ferry IX at the time of the collision.
InnoTech Month 2011, with an exciting array of activities to promote a culture of innovation and technology in the community, was launched today (October 21).
Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission, with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation as campaign partners, InnoTech Month 2011 aims to offer members of the public, particularly the younger generation, an opportunity to see for themselves the achievements of innovation and technology in Hong Kong, and appreciate the importance of these achievements to our future development. By promoting and fostering interest in innovation and technology, it is hoped that more talent can be nurtured.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of InnoTech Month 2011 in Cityplaza at Taikoo Shing, Legislative Council member Mr Wong Ting-kwong said innovation and technology is one of the six industries in which Hong Kong enjoys a clear advantage, and it holds the key to the citys future development. Over the past decade, Hong Kong has doubled its expenditure on research and development (R&D).
Mr Wong said, In complementing the National 12th Five-Year Plan, the Government and the industry will further enhance co-operation with the Mainland in promoting the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong. This will bring tremendous IT opportunities for our younger generation.
Mr Wong added, To ensure sustainable and better development of innovation and technology, nurturing talent is an important issue. The Government should allocate sufficient resources for R&D and education, foster public interest in technology, expand the market for technological products and ensure sufficient manpower supply.
To promote a culture of innovation and technology, the Commission inaugurated the annual Innovation Festival in 2005. Starting from last year, the event was extended to last more than one month and renamed as InnoTech Month. The mega event has been well received by the public, students and industries, and attracted some 130 000 participants last year.
InnoTech Month 2011 will feature a wide range of activities, including roadshows, exhibitions, InnoTech workshops, seminars, a large-scale carnival, industry seminars and forums. The event aims to promote a culture of innovation and technology within the community and further develop a communication platform for the industry, which can drive Hong Kong forward as a regional innovation and technology hub.
InnoTech Month 2011 will feature a key event, InnoCarnival 2011, from November 5 to 13 in Hong Kong Science Park. The nine-day event will have three main themes: Health Science, Green and Quality Living, and Information and Communication Technology. For the first time, McMug, a popular cartoon icon, will be appointed as the ambassador of InnoCarnival.
Members of the public are welcome to join the activities at InnoCarnival 2011, all of which are free of charge. Some activities will require advance online registration. For details of the programmes and enrolment for the activities, please visit www.itm.gov.hk or contact the InnoCarnival partner, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (Tel: 2561 6149, email: itmonth@hkfyg.org.hk).
Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the President of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, Dr Peter Tsoi, and the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Miss Janet Wong.
Sarasota, FL – October 21, 2011 – The Education Foundation of Sarasota County has announced the resignation of Cindy Kaiser, the organization’s executive director since 2007. Carlotta Cooley was appointed Interim Executive Director this week to head the organization during its transition to new leadership. Dr. Cooley, a well-known area educator and past member of the foundation’s board of directors, starts on October 31.
Board chairman Mike Bryant, said, “Cindy has served the Education Foundation well these past four years. We are proud of her leadership and accomplishments during a particularly challenging economic period. She will be missed, and we wish her and her family well.”
Ms. Kaiser will depart at the end of October to attend to long-term family health issues. Bryant said that the search for her replacement is underway, led by current and past members of the Education Foundation board.
Dr. Cooley retired from Sarasota County Schools in 2003 after more than thirty years in public education. She worked as a professor in educational leadership at Argosy University until August 2011. An Education Foundation board member from 2003 to 2009, she has remained active with the group as a volunteer, donor and advisor.
About the Education Foundation. Dedicated to quality education for all children, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County was founded in 1988 as an independent, not-for-profit organization working in partnership with Sarasota County Schools and the community. With the support of individuals, families, businesses, civic groups and foundations, the Education Foundation awards more than a million dollars each year to initiatives that elevate our public schools to the top of Florida’s education system: teacher classroom grants, fine arts programs, scholarships and mentorships, Literacy for Life, the Texcellence Home Computer Donation Program, Teacher of the Year, Academic Olympics and the Regional Science, Engineering and Technology Fair. For more information visit EdFoundation.net or call 941-927-0965.
About Carlotta Cooley. Dr. Carlotta T. Cooley holds an EdD in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, a MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida, and a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Dr. Cooley taught elementary and middle school students for a number of years in Iowa, Arizona, and with the Department of Defense in Okinawa, Japan. She and her husband relocated to Sarasota in 1977. She taught math and science at Booker Middle School until 1981 when she became an assistant principal at Ashton Elementary School. In 1982 she became principal at Gocio Elementary School and served there until 1995 when she was appointed principal at Phillippi Shores Elementary School. After retiring from the Sarasota County Schools in 2003 with over 30 years in public education, she worked as a professor in educational leadership at Argosy University. She retired from Argosy University in August 2011.
The nine flagship performing companies of the Cultural Center of the Philippines perform their best works in a fundraising gala on 3 November 2011 at 8:00 p.m. at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater). In a rare dance and musical revue, dancers, singers, musicians, and actors from the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Ballet Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Philippine Madrigal Singers, Philippine Ballet Theater, UST Symphony Orchestra, NAMCYA and Bayanihan perform to raise funds for the Center’s arts education and audience development program.
The CCP Gala launches the Membership Program that seeks to encourage and solicit the support of individuals and corporations to fund programs that will bring the shows of the CCP to public schools and underserved communities. The fund shall also enable teachers to teach arts in the classroom and develop materials on Philippine art and culture. While the CCP receives government funding, it is continually challenged by the rising cost of production and expenses related to the expansion of programs, especially in the area of arts education and audience development.
CCP MEMBERS will have access to an array of EXCLUSIVE PRIVILEGES such as discounts, invitations to special events, access to working rehearsals and more. MEMBERS become PARTNERS in making “art matter to the life of every Filipino.”
Join the CCP Membership Program for as low as P1,000.00. Call 832-1125 local 1800 and 1808 or email marketing@culturalcenter.gov.ph.
Watch superhero Greenilda of the Green Planet as she wipes out the Litterbugs in the Halloween Family Concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 4 PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
The concert entitled “Greenilda vs. The Litterbugs” will feature the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra (MMCO) with Josefino Chino Toledo, conductor in a concert for children of all ages. Now on its 5th year, the concert introduces the symphony orchestra and its music to children in a fun way. Pre-concert activities include the musical instruments petting zoo, wherein the children get to experience playing different orchestral instruments assisted by members of the MMCO, and trick or treats at the Little Theater and Main Theater lobbies at 2:30PM. The children are highly encouraged to come in their costumes. The concert is presented by CCP and the MMCO, and sponsored by Alveo Land.
For more information, please call the CCP Music Division at 832-1125 loc. 1604/1605.
