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NEWS:
Volume 3, Number 61
April 28, 2008
April 28, 2008
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Special weather information
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
provided by:
Wendell L. Malone,
Area Skywarn Coordinator
Eddy & Culberson counties
| THE WEATHER BOX www.eddycountyskywarn.blogspot.com Today: Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Southwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Windy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to between 30 and 35 mph. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Wednesday Night: Mostly clear and windy, with a low around 59. Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. |
| The United States government's national threat level is Elevated, or Yellow. The U.S. threat level is High, or Orange, for all domestic and international flights. Only small amounts of liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage. See the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website for up-to-date information on items permitted and prohibited on airlines. |
Deadline for voter registration
EDDY COUNTY - DON'T FORGET YOU MUST REGISTER TO VOTE BY
MAY 6 to vote in the Primary Election in June! If you have moved, you will
need to call 575-885-3383 to change the information. If you have a name
change or want to change party affiliation, you will need to register in
person at the Eddy County Bureau of Elections, Eddy County
Administration Complex, Suite 312, 101 W. Greene St. Carlsbad, NM.
Primary Election Dates
* Voter Registration Closes - May 6, 2008
* Absentee Voting Begins - May 6, 2008
* Absentee Voting Ends - May 30, 2008
* Early In-Person Voting Begins - May 17,2008
* Early In-Person Voting Ends - May 31, 2008
* Primary Election Day - June 3, 2008
General Election Dates
* Voter Registration Closes - October 7, 2008
* Absentee Voting Begins - October 7, 2008
* Absentee Voting Ends - October 31, 2008
* Early In-Person Voting Begins - October 18, 2008
* Early In-Person Voting Ends - November 1, 2008
* General Election Day - November 4, 2008
Voting is not just your right - it's your responsibility.
Conservation Almanac available online
WASHINGTON - The first, single, comprehensive online database of land
conservation in America was unveiled last week by the Trust for Public
Land (TPL), a national conservation organization.
The website, www.ConservationAlmanac.org, is the definitive source of
information about land conservation at the state and federal level, including
acreage protected and dollars spent. TPL created the Conservation
Almanac as a direct response to the numerous questions posed by policy
makers, members of the media, and conservation leaders about the
growing field of land conservation in America. The data has taken five
years to collect and will be updated as new information becomes available.
"As we near another Earth Day, finally there is a single resource where
these figures are located," said Ernest Cook, director of TPL's
Conservation Finance program, which developed the Almanac. "Up until
now, there have been attempts to capture individual pieces of the picture
on land conservation in America, but none have been able to assemble this
data as consistently and completely."
Features of TPL's Conservation Almanac include:
* Original data from the source - Acres conserved and dollars spent
verified by over 100 public agencies.
* Real data, in real time - As new information becomes available, the
database will reflect it.
* Easy tools to search and compare - Data is searchable and accessible
for customized queries.
* State-by-state descriptions of conservation programs and policies.
The Conservation Almanac also displays in Google map format TPL's
LandVote database, which details the history of ballot measures supporting
land conservation across America, dating back to 1994.
The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation
organization which conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens
and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to
come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than two
million acres in 46 states. Visit TPL on the Web at www.tpl.org. The
Conservation Almanac was made possible by grants from the William and
Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Trust.
AHS students win Los Alamos Labs Scholarships
ARTESIA - Four Seniors at Artesia High School received scholarships
totaling $ 13,000 from the Los Alamos National Labs for their projects
entered in the 2008 New Mexico Super Computer Challenge. All four
students are seniors.
Tracey Franklin, who will be attending Rice University or Dartmouth, in the
Fall was awarded $ 4500 for her participation in a computational science
project dealing with how ideas move through a society. At the beginning of
the year Tracey said she did not like computers, but after a year in the
Challenge she has changed her mind.
Jessica MacKinnon, a three year participant in the Challenge, also received
$ 4500 to attend NMSU to study Anthropology. As the leader of her team,
which also included Junior Kandese Spikes, Jessica wrote a java based
program, called NET LOGO, to model group behavior.
Seniors Alex Sifuentes and Philip de la Rosa each won $ 2,000
scholarships to attend Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where
they plan to study computer science and theater arts. Both students got
involved in the Challenge as sophomores, but their team was unable to
complete the year long Challenge. Their project looked at the role of
Chaos Theory in the evolution of traffic laws.
Other students participating in the Challenge included Juniors Casey
Haldeman, Shane Wilson, and Alec Kukharsky, and Sophomores Jake
Green, JP Rivera, and Michael Van Slyke.
For information about the 2008-2009 Challenge, contact sponsors Randall
Gaylor at Artesia High, or Jose Quiroz at the Junior High or the Intermediate
School. Additional information may be found at the Challenge Web Site:
www.challenge.nm.org.
Class schedules for ENMU-R available
ROSWELL - Class schedules for the upcoming summer and fall semesters
at ENMU-Roswell are available at the following locations: ENMU-Roswell,
Chaves County Career Center in the Bank of America building (ninth floor),
Hastings Books, Music and Video, NMMI (Toles Learning Center), NM
Department of Labor, NM Income Support Division, Roswell Public Library,
K-Mart, Target, Roswell Racquet Club, Blockbuster Video, Counseling
Associates, Roswell Visitors’ Center, Roswell Chamber of Commerce,
Roswell Adult Center, Office Max, Yucca Center, Roswell Mall (food court
area), Galaxy 8 Theater, Roswell Regional Hospital, Eastern New Mexico
Medical Center, Alton’s Power Block Gym, Elite Fitness, Artesia Education
Center, Artesia Chamber of Commerce, Artesia High School, Dexter High
School, Lake Arthur High School, Hagerman High School, Roswell High
School, Goddard High School, University High School, and Christmas By
Krebs.
Online registration is now open at www.roswell.enmu.edu.
Students can also register any time on campus during regular business
hours. The campus is open from 7:30am to 6:00pm Monday through
Thursday and from 8:00am until noon on Friday. Summer classes begin
June 2. Fall classes begin August 20. For registration information, call 624-
7149.
ENMU Receives $20,000 from Intel for New Science Building
PORTALES—The Intel Corporation recently presented a check for $20,000
to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales to purchase computer-related
technology in support of the Science Building remodeling and expansion
project currently underway on the ENMU campus.
Equipment purchased will include classroom presentation systems and
laboratory computers. The Science Building will open for classes this fall.
The grant is part of Intel’s mission to support education.
“We wish to thank Elizabeth Shipley at the Intel branch office in Rio Rancho,
New Mexico, and Dr. Robert D. Long, associate professor of chemistry at
ENMU, who have been instrumental in securing this donation,” said Noelle
Bartl, director of the ENMU Foundation.
WSMR Facility Could be Mothballed with FY09 Budget Plan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thursday suggested that the
Defense Department consider shifting administration of an important high
energy laser facility at White Sands Missile Range that has faced
mothballed status under successive Army budgets.
Domenici serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee that
today conducted a hearing on the FY2009 budget requests for the DOD
Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Witnesses included Air Force Lt. Gen.
Henry Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency, and Army Lt.
Gen. Kevin T. Campbell, commander of the Army Space and Missile
Defense Command.
Based on past and current Army budget requests and the MDA’s needs,
Domenici suggested that the Missile Defense Agency assume responsibility
for the High Energy Laser Test Facility (HELSTF) at the White Sands
Missile Range facility.
“I understand that the Army’s budget concerns are driving the force to
mothball HELSTF, but at the same time I am repeatedly told by the MDA
that HELSTF’s capabilities are critical to development of the Airborne Laser
program and other laser weapons systems,” Domenici said. “I think it is
worthwhile for everyone to seriously consider transferring HELSTF to the
Missile Defense Agency, which has a vested interest in this program.”
In his prepared testimony, Campbell said HELSTF “is serving as a key
lethality test bed for MDA’s Airborne Laser Program,” and asked the
subcommittee for continued support for it and other testing ranges.
Campbell called HELSTF an “important national facility.” But he told
Domenici the Army, while still looking to shut down HELSTF for budget
reasons, wanted to retain the facility’s capabilities for future use.
The FY2009 budget recommends $2.83 million for HELSTF, which is well
below the $8.8 million Domenici helped secure to operate the facility in
FY2008. The Army budget suggested a similar $2.8 budget level last year
and the outlook for FY2010 is similar.
Rather than embracing Domenici’s suggestion, Obering stated the ongoing
need for HELSTF capabilities. He also indicated that the MDA has, and will
continue, to try to shift funding to HELSTF to support ongoing work at
WSMR for the Airborne Laser, Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser
(MIRACL) and other projects.
As the debate over FY2009 HELSTF funding progresses, Domenici noted
his defense authorization and appropriations request for an additional $15
million in FY2009 for the facility. The Senate Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee is expected to begin crafting its 2009 spending bill later this
spring.
“The Army’s FY2009 budget proposes reducing funding and mothballing
the MIRACL laser system despite the Missile Defense Agency’s assertions
that that system might be needed through at least FY2010. I have
requested the additional $15.0 million to continue this program and retain
its current capabilities,” Domenici said.
HELSTF, a Defense Department Major Range and Test Base Facility, is
used by all branches of the armed services, including the Air Force and
Navy. It is the nation’s center of excellence for developing and
demonstrating high energy laser weapon programs.
EDDY COUNTY - DON'T FORGET YOU MUST REGISTER TO VOTE BY
MAY 6 to vote in the Primary Election in June! If you have moved, you will
need to call 575-885-3383 to change the information. If you have a name
change or want to change party affiliation, you will need to register in
person at the Eddy County Bureau of Elections, Eddy County
Administration Complex, Suite 312, 101 W. Greene St. Carlsbad, NM.
Primary Election Dates
* Voter Registration Closes - May 6, 2008
* Absentee Voting Begins - May 6, 2008
* Absentee Voting Ends - May 30, 2008
* Early In-Person Voting Begins - May 17,2008
* Early In-Person Voting Ends - May 31, 2008
* Primary Election Day - June 3, 2008
General Election Dates
* Voter Registration Closes - October 7, 2008
* Absentee Voting Begins - October 7, 2008
* Absentee Voting Ends - October 31, 2008
* Early In-Person Voting Begins - October 18, 2008
* Early In-Person Voting Ends - November 1, 2008
* General Election Day - November 4, 2008
Voting is not just your right - it's your responsibility.
Conservation Almanac available online
WASHINGTON - The first, single, comprehensive online database of land
conservation in America was unveiled last week by the Trust for Public
Land (TPL), a national conservation organization.
The website, www.ConservationAlmanac.org, is the definitive source of
information about land conservation at the state and federal level, including
acreage protected and dollars spent. TPL created the Conservation
Almanac as a direct response to the numerous questions posed by policy
makers, members of the media, and conservation leaders about the
growing field of land conservation in America. The data has taken five
years to collect and will be updated as new information becomes available.
"As we near another Earth Day, finally there is a single resource where
these figures are located," said Ernest Cook, director of TPL's
Conservation Finance program, which developed the Almanac. "Up until
now, there have been attempts to capture individual pieces of the picture
on land conservation in America, but none have been able to assemble this
data as consistently and completely."
Features of TPL's Conservation Almanac include:
* Original data from the source - Acres conserved and dollars spent
verified by over 100 public agencies.
* Real data, in real time - As new information becomes available, the
database will reflect it.
* Easy tools to search and compare - Data is searchable and accessible
for customized queries.
* State-by-state descriptions of conservation programs and policies.
The Conservation Almanac also displays in Google map format TPL's
LandVote database, which details the history of ballot measures supporting
land conservation across America, dating back to 1994.
The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation
organization which conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens
and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to
come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than two
million acres in 46 states. Visit TPL on the Web at www.tpl.org. The
Conservation Almanac was made possible by grants from the William and
Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Doris Duke Charitable Trust.
AHS students win Los Alamos Labs Scholarships
ARTESIA - Four Seniors at Artesia High School received scholarships
totaling $ 13,000 from the Los Alamos National Labs for their projects
entered in the 2008 New Mexico Super Computer Challenge. All four
students are seniors.
Tracey Franklin, who will be attending Rice University or Dartmouth, in the
Fall was awarded $ 4500 for her participation in a computational science
project dealing with how ideas move through a society. At the beginning of
the year Tracey said she did not like computers, but after a year in the
Challenge she has changed her mind.
Jessica MacKinnon, a three year participant in the Challenge, also received
$ 4500 to attend NMSU to study Anthropology. As the leader of her team,
which also included Junior Kandese Spikes, Jessica wrote a java based
program, called NET LOGO, to model group behavior.
Seniors Alex Sifuentes and Philip de la Rosa each won $ 2,000
scholarships to attend Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where
they plan to study computer science and theater arts. Both students got
involved in the Challenge as sophomores, but their team was unable to
complete the year long Challenge. Their project looked at the role of
Chaos Theory in the evolution of traffic laws.
Other students participating in the Challenge included Juniors Casey
Haldeman, Shane Wilson, and Alec Kukharsky, and Sophomores Jake
Green, JP Rivera, and Michael Van Slyke.
For information about the 2008-2009 Challenge, contact sponsors Randall
Gaylor at Artesia High, or Jose Quiroz at the Junior High or the Intermediate
School. Additional information may be found at the Challenge Web Site:
www.challenge.nm.org.
Class schedules for ENMU-R available
ROSWELL - Class schedules for the upcoming summer and fall semesters
at ENMU-Roswell are available at the following locations: ENMU-Roswell,
Chaves County Career Center in the Bank of America building (ninth floor),
Hastings Books, Music and Video, NMMI (Toles Learning Center), NM
Department of Labor, NM Income Support Division, Roswell Public Library,
K-Mart, Target, Roswell Racquet Club, Blockbuster Video, Counseling
Associates, Roswell Visitors’ Center, Roswell Chamber of Commerce,
Roswell Adult Center, Office Max, Yucca Center, Roswell Mall (food court
area), Galaxy 8 Theater, Roswell Regional Hospital, Eastern New Mexico
Medical Center, Alton’s Power Block Gym, Elite Fitness, Artesia Education
Center, Artesia Chamber of Commerce, Artesia High School, Dexter High
School, Lake Arthur High School, Hagerman High School, Roswell High
School, Goddard High School, University High School, and Christmas By
Krebs.
Online registration is now open at www.roswell.enmu.edu.
Students can also register any time on campus during regular business
hours. The campus is open from 7:30am to 6:00pm Monday through
Thursday and from 8:00am until noon on Friday. Summer classes begin
June 2. Fall classes begin August 20. For registration information, call 624-
7149.
ENMU Receives $20,000 from Intel for New Science Building
PORTALES—The Intel Corporation recently presented a check for $20,000
to Eastern New Mexico University in Portales to purchase computer-related
technology in support of the Science Building remodeling and expansion
project currently underway on the ENMU campus.
Equipment purchased will include classroom presentation systems and
laboratory computers. The Science Building will open for classes this fall.
The grant is part of Intel’s mission to support education.
“We wish to thank Elizabeth Shipley at the Intel branch office in Rio Rancho,
New Mexico, and Dr. Robert D. Long, associate professor of chemistry at
ENMU, who have been instrumental in securing this donation,” said Noelle
Bartl, director of the ENMU Foundation.
WSMR Facility Could be Mothballed with FY09 Budget Plan
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Thursday suggested that the
Defense Department consider shifting administration of an important high
energy laser facility at White Sands Missile Range that has faced
mothballed status under successive Army budgets.
Domenici serves on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee that
today conducted a hearing on the FY2009 budget requests for the DOD
Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Witnesses included Air Force Lt. Gen.
Henry Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency, and Army Lt.
Gen. Kevin T. Campbell, commander of the Army Space and Missile
Defense Command.
Based on past and current Army budget requests and the MDA’s needs,
Domenici suggested that the Missile Defense Agency assume responsibility
for the High Energy Laser Test Facility (HELSTF) at the White Sands
Missile Range facility.
“I understand that the Army’s budget concerns are driving the force to
mothball HELSTF, but at the same time I am repeatedly told by the MDA
that HELSTF’s capabilities are critical to development of the Airborne Laser
program and other laser weapons systems,” Domenici said. “I think it is
worthwhile for everyone to seriously consider transferring HELSTF to the
Missile Defense Agency, which has a vested interest in this program.”
In his prepared testimony, Campbell said HELSTF “is serving as a key
lethality test bed for MDA’s Airborne Laser Program,” and asked the
subcommittee for continued support for it and other testing ranges.
Campbell called HELSTF an “important national facility.” But he told
Domenici the Army, while still looking to shut down HELSTF for budget
reasons, wanted to retain the facility’s capabilities for future use.
The FY2009 budget recommends $2.83 million for HELSTF, which is well
below the $8.8 million Domenici helped secure to operate the facility in
FY2008. The Army budget suggested a similar $2.8 budget level last year
and the outlook for FY2010 is similar.
Rather than embracing Domenici’s suggestion, Obering stated the ongoing
need for HELSTF capabilities. He also indicated that the MDA has, and will
continue, to try to shift funding to HELSTF to support ongoing work at
WSMR for the Airborne Laser, Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser
(MIRACL) and other projects.
As the debate over FY2009 HELSTF funding progresses, Domenici noted
his defense authorization and appropriations request for an additional $15
million in FY2009 for the facility. The Senate Defense Appropriations
Subcommittee is expected to begin crafting its 2009 spending bill later this
spring.
“The Army’s FY2009 budget proposes reducing funding and mothballing
the MIRACL laser system despite the Missile Defense Agency’s assertions
that that system might be needed through at least FY2010. I have
requested the additional $15.0 million to continue this program and retain
its current capabilities,” Domenici said.
HELSTF, a Defense Department Major Range and Test Base Facility, is
used by all branches of the armed services, including the Air Force and
Navy. It is the nation’s center of excellence for developing and
demonstrating high energy laser weapon programs.
National Day of Prayer proclaimed
A Proclamation by the President of the United
States of America
"America trusts in the abiding power of prayer
and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in
times of joy and of trial. As we observe this
National Day of Prayer, we recognize our
dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for
the many blessings He has bestowed upon us,
and we put our country's future in His hands.
"From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer
has guided our leaders and played a vital role in
the life and history of the United States.
Americans of many different faiths share the
profound conviction that God listens to the voice
of His children and pours His grace upon those
who seek Him in prayer. By surrendering our
lives to our loving Father, we learn to serve His
eternal purposes, and we are strengthened,
refreshed, and ready for all that may come.
"On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's
continued blessings on our country. This year's
theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield,"
is taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,
and I am helped." On this day, we pray for the
safety of our brave men and women in uniform,
for their families, and for the comfort and
recovery of those who have been wounded.
"The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as
amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm
the role of prayer in our society by recognizing
each year a "National Day of Prayer."
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as a National Day
of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give
thanks, each according to his or her own faith,
for the freedoms and blessings we have
received and for God's continued guidance,
comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to
join in observing this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year
of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and thirty-second."
GEORGE W. BUSH
*************************************************************
Inciweb - The place to go for
information on active wildfires
Inciweb is the new interagency national website
that has really "caught fire"! Inciweb is the best
place to search for information on active
wildfires, such as the Trigo Fire.
Follow the link to see where wildfires are already
burning throughout the nation and consider
bookmarking the site for information on New
Mexico's 2008 fire season.
Not too late to file for stimulus payment
WASHINGTON — Even though April 15 has
passed, the Internal Revenue Service Thursday
reminded retirees, disabled veterans and others
who normally do not file a tax return that there is
still time to submit a 2007 form to receive an
economic stimulus payment.
People who have no tax filing requirement but
have at least $3,000 in qualifying income should
file a simple Form 1040A. Qualifying income
includes any combination of earned income,
nontaxable combat pay as well as certain
payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs
and Railroad Retirement.
“Don’t worry if you did not file a return by April
15. If you meet the criteria, you are still eligible
for a stimulus payment. The quicker you file, the
quicker you’ll get your payment,” said Doug
Shulman, IRS Commissioner. People must file a
return by October 15 to receive an economic
stimulus payment this year.
Shulman urged friends and family members to
reach out to acquaintances or relatives who
may either be unaware of the Economic
Stimulus Payment or unable to file the tax return
themselves. “We need everyone’s help to make
sure all eligible people get the economic
stimulus payments,” he added.
For taxpayers who are required to file an
income tax return, the IRS will use the 2007 tax
return to determine eligibility for economic
stimulus payments of up to $600 ($1,200 for
married couples). There also is a payment of
$300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.
Those not required to file a return because their
income is too low or nontaxable must file a tax
return to obtain their economic stimulus
payment. The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008
provides a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for
married couples) plus the $300 payment per
eligible child, if the person (or married couple)
has at least $3,000 in qualifying income.
The types of Social Security benefits that are
considered qualifying income include retirement,
disability and survivor payments. Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) is not qualifying income.
The types of Veterans Affairs benefits that are
considered qualifying income include disability
compensation, disability pension and survivor
payments. Qualifying Railroad Retirement
payments include the social security equivalent
portion of Tier 1 benefits.
People not otherwise required to file an income
tax return must file a simple Form 1040A with
basic information to ensure that they receive the
economic stimulus payment. This information
includes their name; address; dependents, if
any; amount of their qualifying income (which
must be $3,000 or more); direct deposit
information and their signatures. Forms 1040A
and instructions are available at www.irs.gov.
Eligible people, including their qualifying
children, must have Social Security numbers.
Also, people cannot be claimed or be eligible to
be claimed as a dependent on another’s tax
return. People with Individual Taxpayer
Identification Numbers are not eligible.
There are IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers
open during the week to provide assistance. To
find an IRS office near you, go to IRS.gov and
click on “Contact IRS,” then “Contact Your Local
IRS Office.” These sites offer free tax
preparation and filing for individuals and families
whose income is $40,000 or less. A select
number of volunteer tax assistance sites in local
communities may also remain open. People can
call 1-800-906-9887 to find the volunteer tax
assistance site closest to them.
If people want to file their own return
electronically, they can still use Free File –
Economic Stimulus Payment, also available at
www.irs.gov. This program provides free
software and free electronic filing of Form
1040A, and it remains open after April 15.
A Proclamation by the President of the United
States of America
"America trusts in the abiding power of prayer
and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in
times of joy and of trial. As we observe this
National Day of Prayer, we recognize our
dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for
the many blessings He has bestowed upon us,
and we put our country's future in His hands.
"From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer
has guided our leaders and played a vital role in
the life and history of the United States.
Americans of many different faiths share the
profound conviction that God listens to the voice
of His children and pours His grace upon those
who seek Him in prayer. By surrendering our
lives to our loving Father, we learn to serve His
eternal purposes, and we are strengthened,
refreshed, and ready for all that may come.
"On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's
continued blessings on our country. This year's
theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield,"
is taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,
and I am helped." On this day, we pray for the
safety of our brave men and women in uniform,
for their families, and for the comfort and
recovery of those who have been wounded.
"The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as
amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm
the role of prayer in our society by recognizing
each year a "National Day of Prayer."
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH,
President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as a National Day
of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give
thanks, each according to his or her own faith,
for the freedoms and blessings we have
received and for God's continued guidance,
comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to
join in observing this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.
"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year
of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America
the two hundred and thirty-second."
GEORGE W. BUSH
*************************************************************
Inciweb - The place to go for
information on active wildfires
Inciweb is the new interagency national website
that has really "caught fire"! Inciweb is the best
place to search for information on active
wildfires, such as the Trigo Fire.
Follow the link to see where wildfires are already
burning throughout the nation and consider
bookmarking the site for information on New
Mexico's 2008 fire season.
Not too late to file for stimulus payment
WASHINGTON — Even though April 15 has
passed, the Internal Revenue Service Thursday
reminded retirees, disabled veterans and others
who normally do not file a tax return that there is
still time to submit a 2007 form to receive an
economic stimulus payment.
People who have no tax filing requirement but
have at least $3,000 in qualifying income should
file a simple Form 1040A. Qualifying income
includes any combination of earned income,
nontaxable combat pay as well as certain
payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs
and Railroad Retirement.
“Don’t worry if you did not file a return by April
15. If you meet the criteria, you are still eligible
for a stimulus payment. The quicker you file, the
quicker you’ll get your payment,” said Doug
Shulman, IRS Commissioner. People must file a
return by October 15 to receive an economic
stimulus payment this year.
Shulman urged friends and family members to
reach out to acquaintances or relatives who
may either be unaware of the Economic
Stimulus Payment or unable to file the tax return
themselves. “We need everyone’s help to make
sure all eligible people get the economic
stimulus payments,” he added.
For taxpayers who are required to file an
income tax return, the IRS will use the 2007 tax
return to determine eligibility for economic
stimulus payments of up to $600 ($1,200 for
married couples). There also is a payment of
$300 for each qualifying child younger than 17.
Those not required to file a return because their
income is too low or nontaxable must file a tax
return to obtain their economic stimulus
payment. The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008
provides a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for
married couples) plus the $300 payment per
eligible child, if the person (or married couple)
has at least $3,000 in qualifying income.
The types of Social Security benefits that are
considered qualifying income include retirement,
disability and survivor payments. Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) is not qualifying income.
The types of Veterans Affairs benefits that are
considered qualifying income include disability
compensation, disability pension and survivor
payments. Qualifying Railroad Retirement
payments include the social security equivalent
portion of Tier 1 benefits.
People not otherwise required to file an income
tax return must file a simple Form 1040A with
basic information to ensure that they receive the
economic stimulus payment. This information
includes their name; address; dependents, if
any; amount of their qualifying income (which
must be $3,000 or more); direct deposit
information and their signatures. Forms 1040A
and instructions are available at www.irs.gov.
Eligible people, including their qualifying
children, must have Social Security numbers.
Also, people cannot be claimed or be eligible to
be claimed as a dependent on another’s tax
return. People with Individual Taxpayer
Identification Numbers are not eligible.
There are IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers
open during the week to provide assistance. To
find an IRS office near you, go to IRS.gov and
click on “Contact IRS,” then “Contact Your Local
IRS Office.” These sites offer free tax
preparation and filing for individuals and families
whose income is $40,000 or less. A select
number of volunteer tax assistance sites in local
communities may also remain open. People can
call 1-800-906-9887 to find the volunteer tax
assistance site closest to them.
If people want to file their own return
electronically, they can still use Free File –
Economic Stimulus Payment, also available at
www.irs.gov. This program provides free
software and free electronic filing of Form
1040A, and it remains open after April 15.