Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "During disasters, administrators of health care facilities are faced with decisions about how to operate and care for patients, including when and how to evacuate patients if the facility becomes unable to support adequate care, treatment, or services. Hospitals and nursing homes are required to have plans in place that describe how they will operate during emergencies. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were incidents of national significance that highlighted the challenges involved in evacuating vulnerable populations, including those in hospitals and nursing homes. Federal officials used the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) to help evacuate patients due to Hurricane Katrina--the first time the system has been used to evacuate such a large number of patients. Formed in 1984, NDMS is a partnership among the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We have begun work to assess the evacuation of hospital and nursing home patients due to disasters. We are performing this work under the Comptroller General's authority to conduct evaluations on his own initiative. To conduct our review, we obtained …

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In connection with fulfilling our requirement to audit the financial statements of the U.S. government, we audited and reported on the Schedules of Federal Debt Managed by the Bureau of the Public Debt (BPD) for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. As part of these audits, we performed a review of the general and application information security controls over key BPD financial systems. This report presents the issues identified during our fiscal year 2005 testing of the general and application information security controls that support key BPD automated financial systems relevant to BPD's Schedule of Federal Debt. This report also includes the results of our follow-up on the status of BPD's corrective actions to address recommendations that were contained in our prior years' audits and open as of September 30, 2004. We also assessed the general and application information security controls over key BPD financial systems that the Federal Reserve Banks (FRB) maintain and operate on behalf of BPD. We will issue a separate report to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on the results of such testing."

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Architect of the Capitol (AOC), through the Capitol Power Plant (CPP), operates five walkable utility tunnels containing steam and chilled water pipes associated with serving the heating and cooling requirements of the U.S. Capitol and 23 surrounding facilities. The tunnels also carry other utilities, such as fiber optic and telephone lines. The Office of Compliance (OOC), which is responsible for advancing safety, health, and workplace rights in the legislative branch, and the tunnel workers have raised concerns about health and safety issues in the tunnels. Specifically, in March 2006, the utility tunnel workers sent a letter to Congress complaining of unsafe working conditions in the tunnels, including falling concrete, asbestos, and extreme heat. In February 2006, OOC filed a complaint against AOC concerning hazards in the tunnels, including falling concrete, an inadequate communication system for these confined spaces, and inadequate escape exits. According to OOC officials, these conditions had been previously brought to the attention of AOC by OOC inspectors as early as 1999. Following a reinspection in mid-2005, OOC determined that AOC had not made sufficient progress in addressing them and that conditions in the tunnels …

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "About a dozen people are killed or injured in natural gas transmission pipeline incidents each year. In an effort to improve upon this safety record, the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 requires that operators assess pipeline segments in about 20,000 miles of highly populated or frequented areas for safety risks, such as corrosion, welding defects, or incorrect operation. Half of these baseline assessments must be done by December 2007, and the remainder by December 2012. Operators must then repair or replace any defective pipelines, and reassess these pipeline segments for corrosion damage at least every 7 years. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) administers this program, called gas integrity management. This testimony is based on ongoing work for Congress, as required by the 2002 act. The testimony provides preliminary results on the safety effects of (1) PHMSA's gas integrity management program and (2) the requirement that operators reassess their natural gas pipelines at least every 7 years. It also discusses how PHMSA has acted to strengthen its enforcement program in response to recommendations GAO made in 2004. GAO expects to issue two reports this fall …

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In 1995, the Department of Defense (DOD) began an effort to implement a standard departmentwide travel system. The Defense Travel System (DTS) is envisioned as DOD's standard end-to-end travel system. This testimony is based on GAO's September 2006 related report. Today's testimony highlights GAO's key findings with regard to the following objectives: (1) Were the two key assumptions made in the September 2003 economic analysis reasonable? (2) Was DOD taking action to ensure full utilization of DTS and gathering the data needed to monitor DTS utilization? and (3) Has DOD resolved several functional problems associated with weak system requirements and testing? To address these objectives, GAO (1) reviewed the September 2003 DTS economic analysis, (2) analyzed DTS utilization data, and (3) analyzed DTS flight information."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Of the 26 areas on GAO's high-risk list of federal programs or activities that are at risk for waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement, 8 are Department of Defense (DOD) programs or operations and another 6 are governmentwide high-risk areas that also apply to DOD. These high-risk areas relate to most of DOD's major business operations. DOD's failure to effectively resolve these high-risk areas has resulted in billions of dollars of waste each year, ineffective performance, and inadequate accountability. At a time when DOD is competing for resources in an increasingly fiscally constrained environment, it is critically important that DOD get the most from every defense dollar. DOD has taken several positive steps and devoted substantial resources toward establishing key management structures and processes to successfully transform its business operations and address its high-risk areas, but overall progress by area varies widely and huge challenges remain. This testimony addresses DOD's efforts to (1) develop a comprehensive, integrated, enterprisewide business transformation plan and its related leadership approach and (2) comply with legislation that addresses business systems modernization and improving financial management accountability. The testimony also addresses two sections included in …

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense's (DOD) F-22A and Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programs aim to replace many of the Department's aging tactical fighter aircraft--many of which have been in DOD's inventory for more than 20 years. Together, the F-22A and JSF programs represent a significant investment for DOD--currently estimated at almost $320 billion. GAO has reported on the poor outcomes in DOD's acquisitions of tactical aircraft and other major weapon systems. Cost and schedule overruns have diminished DOD's buying power and delayed the delivery of needed capabilities to the warfighter. Last year, GAO testified that weaknesses in the F-22A and JSF programs raised questions as to whether DOD's overarching tactical aircraft recapitalization goals were achievable. At the request of this Subcommittee, GAO is providing updated testimony on (1) the extent to which the current F-22A and JSF business cases are executable, (2) the current status of DOD's tactical aircraft recapitalization efforts, and (3) potential options for recapitalizing the air forces as DOD moves forward with its tactical aircraft recapitalization efforts."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "To lawfully work in the United States, individuals must have a valid Social Security number (SSN) and, if they are not citizens, authorization to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Noncitizens seeking work must provide both an SSN and evidence of work authorization to their employer. Yet individuals without these required authorizations have gained employment with false information. How these instances of unauthorized work can be identified or prevented challenges the federal agencies involved. Congress asked GAO to discuss how federal agencies can better share reported earnings data to identify unauthorized work. Specifically, this testimony addresses two issues: (1) the Social Security data that could help identify unauthorized employment and (2) coordination among certain federal agencies to improve the accuracy and usefulness of such data."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "For many years, GAO has reported that ineffective information security is a widespread problem that has potentially devastating consequences. In its reports to Congress since 1997, GAO has identified information security as a governmentwide high-risk issue--most recently in January 2005. Concerned with accounts of attacks on commercial systems via the Internet and reports of significant weaknesses in federal computer systems that make them vulnerable to attack, Congress passed the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA), which permanently authorized and strengthened the federal information security program, evaluation, and reporting requirements established for federal agencies. This testimony discusses the federal government's progress and challenges in implementing FISMA, as reported by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the agencies, and the Inspectors General (IGs), and actions needed to improve FISMA reporting and address underlying information security weaknesses."

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether section 533.035(e) of the Health and Safety Code, which provides that "a local mental health and mental retardation authority may serve as a provider of services only as a provider of last resort," applies to both mental health services and mental retardation services or only to mental retardation services (RQ-0392-GA)

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification; Whether The University of Texas System and The Texas A&M University System may promulgate rules setting a dollar amount under which the university systems may procure printing services without a competitive bidding process (RQ-0428-GA)

The Texas Daily Newspaper Association's deadlines for the approaching Award Contest, a list of awards and their details have been sent out to TDNA members for voting and nomination of their fellow colleagues. The list of awards are, the Bright Idea Award, Fred Hartman Excellence in Sportswriting Award, John Murphy Award for Excellence in Copy Editing, Frank Mayborn Award for Community Leadership and the Pat Taggart Award for Texas Newspaper Leader of the Year. Winners of the awards will be received at the annual TDNA meeting to be held, March 19, 2007.

Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus other names contact list with members' addresses and other contact information.

Email from Shannon Bailey to multiple recipients on May 16, 2006, discussing Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus dues and lists.

Handwritten notes from meeting on May 16, 2006, discussing tasks for members and contact information. A flyer featuring Charlie Urbina-Jones and his background to the Texas Agenda. Stonewall Democrats of Dallas Treasurer's Report made on January 1, 2006 through May 16, 2006 of an ending balance of $6,764.35. Stonewall Democrats of Dallas General Meeting on May 16, 2006, regarding reports of officers, upcoming events, and various topics. A letter from Charles Whitemore to member and future member on May 12, 2006, discussing the 23rd Senatorial Democratic Organization meeting on May 20, 2006. A tentative schedule of events for 2006 Fort Worth Democratic Party Convention on June 8-10, 2006. An email from Matthew Imber on May 16, 2006, discussing the counterpoint to the Runaway Market Argument.

Deposit summary of $25.00 made on January 16, 2006.

This report summarizes the Border Trade Advisory Committee's meeting on July 19th, 2006, during which their goals, strategies, and principles were discussed.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Kenney. When Kenney finished high school in 1941 in Houston, Texas, he went to work for a railroad company before volunteering for service in the Navy. He trained in San Diego before going to signal school. After signal school, Kenney was assigned to the Armed Guard. He was assigned to an oil tanker that the Merchant Marines operated. He spent 18 months aboard the vessel hauling oil from points in teh Carribean to points in the Pacific for the fleet oilers stationed there. Kenney also recalls serving aboard a victory ship, the SS Paducah Victory (1945), and hauling ammunition aboard it to Okinawa. Kenney describes the methods and procedures of signalling between ships in a convoy. Kenney also describes life aboard a tanker as a signalman.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Pierre Kennedy. Kennedy was born in France 20 February 1923. He graduated from high school in Massachusetts in 1940. He was called into active service in January 1943 at Brigantine Field, New Jersey. Upon completing basic training he went to the University of Pittsburg as an aviation cadet. After washing out, he went to Tyndall Field, Florida to attend gunnery school. He then was assigned as the tail gunner on a B-24. In August 1944 the crew flew a new B-24 to Foggia, Italy. Upon arrival the crew was assigned to the 781st Bomb Squadron, 465th Bomb Group (H). On 13 October 1944, after flying eighteen combat missions, Kennedy replaced the tail gunner on another B-24. During a bomb run over an oil refinery, Kennedy’s plane was damaged by flak and he bailed out. He was captured by German soldiers and was taken to Dulag Luft, near Frankfort, for interrogation. He was then taken by train to Stalag Luft IV where he stayed until 6 February 1945. Before the advancing Russian Army, the prisoners began a forced march that lasted eighty-six days and covered 500 miles. Kennedy describes …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Loren W. ""Bud"" Gregg. Gregg grew up in Indiana and was attending college in Michigan when he volunteered for service in the Navy late in December, 1941. He was trained at Great lakes and then reported aboard the USS Talbot (DD-114). He recalls being at Dutch Harbor, Alaska when the Japanese attacked. Buetell also speaks of the conversion operation the Talbot underwent in order to transform her into the USS Talbot (APD-7), a high speed transport. From there, the Talbot proceeded to the Solomon islands where Buetell discusses landing troops on beaches. Buetell also discusses working with UDTs and landings in the Philippines. Buetell served asa gun captain and recalls shooting down some Japanese aircraft around Luzon. He also recalls serving aboard the Talbot as she made landings at Okinawa and then was on picket duty in the area just to the north. In October, 1945 Buetell mustered out of the Navy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Brooks. Brooks joined the Navy in September 1939. He was assigned to the USS Houston (CA-30) and became an electrician’s mate. Brooks describes several Japanese air attacks including one that killed most of his damage-control party. He describes the battles of the Java Sea and Sunda Strait. Brooks discusses abandoning ship and seeing her sink. He describes his capture, seeing the Lost Battalion arrive at the prison camp, and the conditions on board a hell ship. Brooks details the conditions he endured while building a railroad including the poor diet, diseases, and cruel treatment. He also describes the techniques and equipment used to build the railroad. Brooks details his liberation and return to the US. He remained in the Navy until August 1948.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Johnson. Johnson was born on 23 December 1921 in Mitchell, Missouri. Rather than risk getting drafted, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on 16 December 1939. His first duty was with the 15th Marine Artillery Regiment in San Diego. The 15th Marines was disbanded and the personnel sent to Pearl Harbor. Johnson was assigned to the 1st Marine Division Defense Battalion, eventually sent to fortify Wake Island, arriving there in August 1941. After the Japanese attacked, Johnson surrendered with the rest of the garrison and the civilians on 23 December 1941. Johnson and the other American personnel were taken prisoner. They were initially sent to Shanghai, China to do manual labor. In May 1945 they were moved to Manchuria, then to Pusan, Korea, and finally to Hokkaido in Japan, working in coal mines. Following the Japanese surrender, Johnson and others were moved to Yokohama, sent to Guam by ship, and flown to Hawaii on NATS aircraft. In Hawaii they were given time to recuperate from their ordeal, issued uniforms and given back pay. Johnson was then sent to Olathe, Kansas. After four years in Japanese prison camps, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W.F. Needham. Needham entered the Navy through the V-5 training program in March 1944. The program was shutdown in March 1945 and he was sent to boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Needham was trained as a corpsman and stationed at a Navy hospital in Seattle for the remainder of the war. He describes some of the work that he performed and the types of patients he treated. Needham describes escorting a wounded serviceman in a full-body cast from Seattle to Corpus Christi. He also mentions an incident where a fellow corpsman overdosed on pills and was sent to Fort Worth for treatment. Needham was discharged a few weeks after V-J day.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jay Summers. Summers joined the Texas National Guard in 1937. His unit was mobilized and he became a supply sergeant. Summers was sent Java at the beginning of the war and became a prisoner of war soon after. He describes the locations that they were sent and the work performed. Summers was a part of the POW workforce that was sent to Burma to build a railroad which included a bridge over the River Kwai. He describes the hardships the prisoners endured due to malnourishment, harsh treatment, and disease. Summers mentions some friends he made with Dutch and Australian prisoners, including one who helped save his life. He describes an incident where a Japanese guard was injured during repair work on the railroad. Summers discusses how they learned the war had ended and his journey back to the US. He was discharged in June of 1946 after he had recovered in a hospital.