NEWS RELEASE AUG SEP OCT Close 1 captures 25 25 Sep 06 - 25 Sep 06 Help 2005 2006 2007 5 January 2004 Governor Sebelius Signs Proclamations, Including American Beef Week and George Washington Carver Day Today, Governor Kathleen Sebelius will sign several proclamations, which will include photo availability. Among the proclamations, Governor Sebelius will proclaim today, January 5 as George Washington Carver Recognition Day and January 4 - 10 as American Beef Week. The proclamation signing will be Monday, January 5th at 1:30PM in the Governor's Ceremonial Office, 2nd floor. George Washington Carver was a world-renowned agricultural scientist, botanist and humanitarian. Through his efforts, Southern farmers learned to rotate crops and rather than depending only on cotton, started growing peanuts and sweet potatoes. His extensive experiments in soil building and plant diseases helped revolutionize the economy of the South. Dr. Carver spent time in Kansas. On January 5, 1946, President Harry Truman declared a day in his honor, becoming the first federal day given to honor an American scientist. Governor Sebelius also joins a number of her fellow governors in proclaiming January 4 - 10 as American Beef Week. The U.S. beef industry forms the largest part of the nation's food and fiber industry and agriculture is a significant segment of the U.S. economy. It is responsible for 16.3 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 17.4 percent of the populations. Governor Sebelius says, "The cattle and beef produced in the U.S. is the highest quality product in the world. Not only is the safety and integrity of food and meat supply in the U.S. closely monitored by a host of state and federal agencies, but the livestock industry is continuously undertaking efforts to ensure the safety of the beef they produce. The beef industry needs the support of consumers to keep its industry strong." Other proclamations being signed today include the National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, Project Topeka Month, Kansas Radon Action Month, and Kansas READ Week. http://web.archive.org/web/20060925234933/http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/nr-04-0105a.htm[6/14/2011 12:57:30 PM] NEWS RELEASE AUG SEP OCT Close 1 captures 25 25 Sep 06 - 25 Sep 06 Help 2005 2006 2007 7 January 2004 Governor Sebelius Recommends Steps for Meningitis Prevention to the Board of Regents In a letter to the Kansas Board of Regents yesterday, Governor Kathleen Sebelius highlighted the growing health concern for our nation and the state of Kansas--the spread of the potentially life- threatening bacterial infection known as meningitis. The disease tends to be contracted by a predictable segment of the population, namely, those that live in group living arrangements such as college dormitories, making it possible to effectively curtail the further spread of this disease. Meningococcal disease strikes about 2,500 Americans each year, leading to death in approximately 10 to 15 percent of cases. It is estimated that 100 to 125 cases of meningococcal disease occur annually on college campuses and 5 to 15 students die as a result. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College of Health Association (ACHA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that college students, particularly freshmen that plan to live in dormitories, and their parents, learn about meningococcal disease and the potential benefits of vaccination. As a result, Governor Sebelius has asked Reggie Robinson, President/CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, to takes steps that will protect Kansas students from meningitis. She says, ÒSpecifically, I am asking the Board to consider raising awareness about immunization for meningitis among incoming college freshmen and their parents through student housing contracts. From a public health standpoint, a suggested policy regarding a standard question/disclosure for meningitis immunizations that is included within student housing contracts would be very beneficial.Ó Governor Sebelius said that taking measures to educate students and parents of the risks of meningitis is a positive step towards preventing the further spread of this disease. http://web.archive.org/web/20060925235003/http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/nr-04-0107a.htm[6/14/2011 12:58:24 PM] NEWS RELEASE AUG SEP OCT Close 1 captures 25 25 Sep 06 - 25 Sep 06 Help 2005 2006 2007 9 January 2004 Governor Sebelius Introduces Kansans to be Proud Of In her role as Chief Executive of the state of Kansas, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has many opportunities to meet great Kansans. Today, Governor Sebelius introduced two moreÑKevin Willmott and Colonel Tod Bunting. Willmott, Lawrence, is a native Kansan whose latest film, C.S.A.: Confederate States of America, will be shown at the Sundance Film Festival Jan. 15 Ð 25 in Park City, Utah. The Sundance Film Festival is recognized internationally as a showcase for the best in new American independent film. Governor Sebelius said, ÒKevin is the first filmmaker to live and make a film in Kansas to be shown as a feature film at the Sundance Film Festival. He is a great promoter in bringing the film industry to Kansas. We want to make sure Kansans know about this talent in our midst before he becomes an international star at Sundance.Ó Each year at the Sundance Film Festival, thousands of films are submitted, reviewed, and fewer than 150 are chosen for screening before the 20,000 person audience. The Kansas film industry generated $11 million last year. He is a playwright who co-wrote the play, T-Money and Wolf, with Ric Averill. As a screenwriter, he co-wrote, Shield Green and the Gospel of John Brown, with Mitch Brian. He has also co-wrote Civilized Tribes, Little Brown Brothers, and adapted the book, Marching to Valhalla, by Michael Blake. For television, he co-wrote with Brian, House of Getty and The 70Õs, both mini-series for NBC. Willmott wrote, produced, co-directed, and even acted in Ninth Street, an independent feature film, starring Martin Sheen and Isaac Hayes. He most recently authored Colored Men and adapted The Watsons Go to Birmingham for CBS, Columbia Tri-State and Executive Producer, Whoopi Goldberg. He is an Assistant Professor in the film department at the University of Kansas. Governor Sebelius also introduced Colonel Tod Bunting, who she appointed in December as KansasÕ Adjutant General. Colonel Bunting started his new position on January 2, 2004. In 2002, he began serving as the Air National Guard Director of Diversity, Personnel and Training in Washington, D.C, until Governor SebeliusÕ appointment in December. He began his military service in 1979 and has served in the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Forbes Field, in the 184th Tactical Fighter Group (now the 184th Air Refueling Wing), McConnell AFB, in the Adjutant GeneralÕs Office as an executive support staff officer from 1993 to 1997. He left Kansas in 1997 to serve as ANG advisor to the Commander of the Air Force Personnel Centers in Colorado and Texas. The Adjutant General must be confirmed by the Kansas Senate. http://web.archive.org/web/20060925234936/http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/nr-04-0109a.htm[6/14/2011 12:58:55 PM] NEWS RELEASE AUG SEP OCT Close 1 captures 25 25 Sep 06 - 25 Sep 06 Help 2005 2006 2007 14 January 2004 Governor Sebelius Brings Change to Employment and Training and Food Safety: Aligns programs to better serve Kansans In her continuing drive to streamline State government and promote job and economic growth in Kansas, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today issued Executive Reorganization Order (ERO) #31, which transfers the Employment and Training Division of the Kansas Department of Human Resources to the Kansas Department of Commerce. This move is part of the Economic Revitalization Plan. "The creation of a single point of contact for businesses will promote accountability and efficiency in State government," says Governor Sebelius. "Integration of workforce training programs with functions that promote job creation, retention, and attraction will improve the coordination of services - a significant step towards creating a seamless, market-driven system." "The consolidation will better meet the needs of Kansas businesses and citizens by creating a streamlined workforce development system that provides qualified employees for any employer in any part of the state," explains Governor Sebelius. "It will put Kansas in a position to compete favorably with any other state in attracting new businesses and ensure all Kansans, including persons with disabilities, have access to meaningful employment opportunities through this new, integrated workforce system." The transfer of programs will affect approximately 250 employees of the Employment and Training Division, the majority of whom are located in field offices throughout the state. Recommendations to move in this direction have consistently been made by a number of task forces and committees for as long as 15 years. Also under the ERO, the Kansas Department of Human Resources is renamed the Kansas Department of Labor. The change better reflects the remaining responsibilities of the agency, Governor Sebelius says. In another effort to streamline government, Governor Sebelius today also issued Executive Reorganization Order (ERO) #32, which transfers several program responsibilities from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to the Kansas Department of Agriculture. She says, "This reorganization is part of my administration's continuing search for changes in government to better serve Kansans. The creation of single points of contact for Kansas businesses increases responsiveness on the part of state government, while continuing to strengthen the safety of food in Kansas." In today's environment, managing food safety is of paramount importance. With a heightened concern for terrorism, there have been changes in national food safety and security measures.