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October 2008

Bayh Connects Employers, Job-Seekers at 6th Annual Indiana Job Fair Series

Senator Bayh hosted his 6th Annual Job Fair series across the state in October, with fairs in Evansville, Terre Haute, Hammond, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis and Marion. More than 3,000 career opportunities were available from hundreds of employers who participated in the job fairs. Across the state, thousands of Hoosier job-seekers attended the fairs, networking with potential employers and taking advantage of myriad resources available, including resume-writing assistance and interview training.

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Bayh Unveils Plan to Cut Loan Fees to Small Businesses, Spark Job Creation

Senator Bayh recently unveiled his legislation to cut onerous fees to entrepreneurs who take out loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The proposal could lead to $190 million in new SBA loans available to Indiana small businesses. If enacted, the Small Business Lending Stabilization Act could create 5,700 additional jobs in Indiana and would immediately reduce the cost of credit to small businesses borrowing through the SBA.

Because of the credit crisis, small businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to secure loans through commercial banks. Bayh's proposal targets small businesses that are seeking capital to grow. As more than 85% of Indiana's employers are businesses with fewer than 20 people, it is essential that Hoosier small businesses have the access to capital to expand and create more jobs.

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Bayh Calls on Hoosier Youth to Answer Call to Service at 6th Annual Summit in Indianapolis

Senator Bayh hosted more than 150 high school students from across the state for his sixth annual Service Leader Summit in Indianapolis on National Make a Difference Day to recognize Indiana's outstanding student volunteers.

Bayh and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) co-hosted the summit, which focused on using Martin Luther King's Five Pillars of Community Service as a blueprint for creating high-impact service projects and inspiring volunteerism in others.
 
"Dr. King taught us that it is up to each of us to do our part to better this country," Bayh told the service leaders.
 
As part of the summit, students participated in community service projects with local service organizations across Indianapolis, including Habitat for Humanity, the Felege Hiywot Center, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., DAMAR Services and Gleaners Food Bank.

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 Bayh Legislation to Protect U.S. Innovators Becomes Law

President Bush recently signed legislation with key provisions authored by Senator Bayh to give greater protection to American innovators. The legislation, a sweeping overhaul of federal intellectual property (IP) rights enforcement, includes specific measures proposed by Bayh that will significantly increase resources for Department of Justice programs to combat IP theft. It also provides better coordination and strategic planning of federal efforts against counterfeiting and piracy. 

"This is an enormous victory for this country's innovators and a wake-up call for foreign counterfeiters who believe they can steal our ideas with impunity," Senator said.

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Bayh Continues Fight
for Indiana National Guard Soldiers

Prompted by an inquiry from Senator Bayh, the Department of Defense (DoD) is conducting an investigation into the exposure of Indiana National Guard soldiers to toxic chemicals while serving in Iraq. The results of the investigation are expected this November.

Bayh has introduced legislation to ensure these soldiers receive the best medical care possible and lifelong support from the Veterans Administration (VA). He has proposed creating an Agent Orange-style registry for U.S. military personnel exposed to hazardous chemicals while serving in the line of duty. The Bayh proposal would guarantee access to follow-up medical evaluations and priority status at VA medical facilities for military personnel exposed to toxins while deployed.

“We must diligently track which soldiers may have been placed at risk and ensure they have access to expanded health care options if symptoms develop,” Bayh said. “This is an extremely serious matter."

[ read more ]

Resources to be Protected
Under Great Lakes Compact

Legislation supported by Senator Bayh that will preserve the water of the Great Lakes for the benefit of Indiana's regional economies, has been signed by President Bush. The Great Lakes Basin Compact will ensure that that economic and natural resources of the Great Lakes will be preserved for years to come.

The Great Lakes Basin Compact bans water diversions from Lakes Michigan, Erie, Superior, Huron and Ontario to any state other than the eight Great Lakes states.  The agreement also establishes conservation policies to monitor the use of Great Lakes water and protect the Lakes for future generations.

"This measure will have wide-ranging benefits for Hoosiers, protecting everything from our drinking water to our recreational boating and commercial fishing industries," Bayh said.

[ click here to learn more about the Great Lakes Compact]

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