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    <title>Rep. Holt's Press Releases</title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/RSS.xml</link>
    <description>Press Releases released by Rep. Holt within the last 90 days</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <managingEditor>Zach.Goldberg@mail.house.gov</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>CAO HIR WSB</webMaster>

  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Holt On Health Care Vote: "Furthest We Have Come Toward Providing Affordable And Quality Health Coverage To All Americans" ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/110709.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, DC) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act, legislation that would provide secure and stable health coverage regardless of job status, ensure Americans will never be denied care if they get sick, and extend coverage to those not well served by the current system. The bill passed the House Saturday night by a vote of 220-215 and now awaits action in the Senate.  Information about the bill - including bill text, a detailed summary, and a timeline for implementation &ndash; is available at holt.house.gov. A video of Holt&rsquo;s remarks during debate can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl9tP8bp6r4.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 7 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[House Passes Extension of Unemployment Insurance Benefits ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/110509b.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) tonight joined 402 members of the House of Representatives to pass legislation that will extend unemployment benefits for millions of workers looking for employment. The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extends by 14 weeks unemployment benefits for individuals who have exhausted their current benefits in all states and by an additional six weeks for individuals who live in states, like New Jersey, with an unemployment rates above 8.5 percent.  The bill has passed both houses of Congress and is soon expected to be signed into law by President Obama.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Introduces Surveillance Reform Bill ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/110309.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today introduced a bill that would restore traditional Constitutional standards for conducting surveillance activities while preserving key counterterrorism tools used by federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.  The bill is nearly identical to a Senate version of the JUSTICE Act originally offered by Russ Feingold (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jon Tester (D-MT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in September.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt, Lautenberg, Menendez, Secure $500,000 to Improve Water Quality In Monmouth County ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/110209.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez and U.S. Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12) today announced they secured $500,000 in federal funding for a Monmouth County wastewater and water quality improvement project.  The Senators and Holt requested the funding earlier this year after County officials identified it as a priority, and it was included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior Funding Bill, which Congress passed Thursday night and which the President has since signed into law.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Leads Successful Effort to Expand Federal Commitment to Preserving Open Spaces ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/1030092.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; The Fiscal Year Interior Appropriations bill, which Congress passed last night and which the President is soon expected to sign into law, includes $453 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), an increase of $178 million from last year. Additionally, the bill provides $40 million for state matching grants, doubling the amount from last year.  The funding increase followed an effort led by U.S. Rep. Rush Holt to increase the funding for the LWCF and its State Assistance program, which provides matching funds to states and communities to preserve open spaces. During his first term in Congress, Holt secured the passage of a key amendment resurrecting the state-side grant portion of the program, and he has since fought to retain and increase funding for it. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Statement on Introduction of House Health Care Bill ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/103009.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        
                                                        
                                                            
                                                                
                                                                    
                                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today issued this statement following the introduction of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Secures $500,000 for Old Bridge Law Enforcement Communications ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/102509.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt has secured $500,000 for Old Bridge Township to improve its public safety communications system. The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Department Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which passed Congress last week and which President Obama is expected to sign into law shortly. Holt fought to include the funding in the bill after Old Bridge Township officials requested the funds. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Hosts "DC Day" for New Jersey Religious Leaders ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/102209c.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) hosted more than 60 religious leaders from throughout his Central New Jersey 12th Congressional District for another in his series of &ldquo;DC Days.&rdquo;  Participants met with Members of Congress, executive branch staff, and national religious leaders to discuss the religious landscape in America and faith-based issues facing the nation.  Participants learned how to connect with federal agencies to access resources and participate in existing programs that would benefit their communities. The day built on the recent 3 Faiths Walks that Rep. Holt helped initiate in Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Supports Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/102209b.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        Washington, D.C. &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) Wednesday issued the following statement after the House passed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 408 to 9.  The Senate passed the bill earlier this week so the bill now goes to President Obama for his signature into law.  The bill makes vital investments in HIV/AIDS research and care.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Administrators Share With Holt Experiences With Broken Health Care System ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/102209.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, DC) &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) met with New Jersey doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators in Trenton, where they shared with him their stories about working in the broken health care system. Holt heard a number of concerns about the system, including inefficiencies in delivery of care, rising costs for patients, discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, and the ability to make decisions on care without constraints of insurance companies or lawyers.  Participants voiced support for reform efforts working their way through Congress.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Urges Speaker Pelosi to Address Needs Of HIV/AIDS Patients in Health Reform ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/101509.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        Washington, D.C. &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today wrote Speaker Pelosi regarding the concerns of HIV and AIDS patients in health care reform.  Holt, joined by 21 members of Congress, advocates that the final House health care reform legislation help close the Medicare doughnut hole that has prevented many HIV/AIDS patients from accessing life-saving care.  As Holt and others write, an estimated 100,000 Americans living with HIV/AIDS rely on Medicare for their medical treatment and prescription drugs &ndash; including anti-retroviral drugs, drugs used to treat side effects, and other health services to treat the issues people living with HIV/AIDS experience.  The America&rsquo;s Affordable Health Choices Act, as introduced in July, incorporates a provision similar to the Helping Fill the Medicare Rx Gap Act (H.R. 2777), legislation that Holt introduced earlier this year. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[House Passes Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act in Response To Flight 3407 Crash Near Buffalo Legislation Includes Holt Aviation Safety Provisions ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/101409b.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        Washington &ndash; The Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act (H.R. 3371) - which the House of Representatives passed today &ndash; incorporates key provisions from legislation introduced by Reps. Rush Holt (NJ-12), Brian Higgins (NY-27), and Chris Lee (NY-26).  In July, the Congressmen introduced the Ensuring One Level of Aviation Safety Act of 2009. The bill would correct the serious safety deficiencies in the Federal Aviation Administration&rsquo;s oversight of regional air carriers exposed by the National Transportation Safety Board&rsquo;s investigation of the crash of Continental flight 3407 near Buffalo, New York.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Chairman Miller, Holt Respond To NAEP Math Report ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/101409.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), issued the following statement after the National Assessment Governing Board released its report on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), which measures the performance of fourth and eighth grade students in math. The report, &ldquo;The Nation&rsquo;s Report Card: Mathematics 2009,&rdquo; studies student achievement in mathematics at the state and national level. The report shows eighth grade students made gains in math, while fourth grade students made no significant improvements from 2007 to 2009 for the first time since 1990. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Announces Congressional Oversight Hearing On Sean Goldman, International Child Abduction ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/100909.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, DC) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today announced that on October 29, the Oversight subcommittee of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing &ndash; at Holt&rsquo;s request &ndash; on international parental child abduction.  The first congressional hearing on the issue, it will highlight the plight of Sean Goldman and other kidnapped children. One witness is expected to be David Goldman, the father of Sean, an 9-year-old American citizen and resident of Holt&rsquo;s congressional district who the Brazilian government has prevented from returning home to the U.S. Representatives from the State Department, and possibly the Department of Justice, also will be testifying.  Holt has urged Brazil to comply immediately with its obligations under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Parental Abduction.  ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 9 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Hails Passage of Hate Crimes Prevention Bill ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/100809b.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        Washington, D.C. &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today issued the following statement after the House passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 as part of the Defense Authorization for FY 2010. The bipartisan bill, which previously passed the House in April, will give state and local law enforcement the tools and resources they need to prevent and prosecute hate crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability to the victim.  The bill is expected to pass the Senate and President Obama is expected to sign it into law. Video of Rep. Holt speaking on the bill earlier this year can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdzZQF0sBIk.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 8 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Detainee Interrogation Recording Provision To Strengthen Intelligence Collection Included In Defense Authorization Bill ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/100809.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; The FY10 Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization Act conference report, which the House passed today and which the President is soon expected to sign into law, includes an initiative from U.S. Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12) to maximize intelligence derived from interrogations and help prevent detainee abuses such as those that happened in Abu Ghraib. Earlier this year, Holt, Chair of the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel and a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, included an amendment that would require the videorecording of each strategic interrogation of any person who is in the custody of the DOD or under detention in a DOD facility. These records would be kept at the appropriate level of classification, and would be available to intelligence personnel who could examine them for any potential intelligence benefit. The bill explicitly states that troops in the field in contact with the enemy would not be required to videotape or otherwise electronically record tactical questioning sessions of detainees. The Senate still needs to pass the conference report.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 8 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Statement on United Flight 93 Memorial ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/100709.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        U.S. Rep. Rush Holt issued the following statement in support of House Resolution 7945, which honors the people of Shanksville, Pennsylvania and the Flight 93 Ambassadors for creating a temporary memorial for the passengers of United Flight 93 and urges the National Park Service to complete a national memorial by 2010. Eighteen New Jerseyans, including Todd Beamer of Cranbury, were among the men and women on the flight who prevented a fourth attack on September 11 against American citizens. The House is expected to pass the Resolution tonight. Below are Rep. Holt&rsquo;s remarks. Video of the remarks can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEemJFbzN3w.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 7 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Holt Hosts "DC Day" For New Jersey High Tech Small Businesses ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/093009.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, DC) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today hosted more than 50 representatives from high tech small businesses throughout his Central New Jersey 12th Congressional District for another in his series of &ldquo;DC Days.&rdquo;  Participants met with members of Congress, executive branch leaders, and small business leaders, discussing the importance of science and innovation to the U.S. economy and small business grant opportunities. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Urges Obama to Raise Sean Goldman's Return With Brazilian President ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/092409.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, DC) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) this week wrote President Obama, in advance of the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh, urging him to press for Sean Goldman&rsquo;s return to the U.S. with Brazilian President Lula. In the letter, Holt wrote the President to urge President Lula and the Brazilian legislature to take whatever actions are necessary to bring Brazil into immediate compliance with its obligations under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Parental Abduction.  Last week Holt met with Brazil&rsquo;s ambassador to the U.S. and several members of Brazil&rsquo;s Congress. Holt expressed that resolution of this case &ndash; per the terms of the Hague Convention - is of paramount importance to the United States. The text of the letter is below.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Holt Supports Extension of Unemployment Insurance Benefits ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/092209.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) tonight supported the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009, H.R. 3548, which would extend an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who have exhausted their current benefits in states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent.  With New Jersey&rsquo;s unemployment rate at 9.4 percent, it is estimated that 22,000 New Jerseyans will have exhausted their unemployment benefits by the end of September.  This bill would provide them with direct relief.  The House is expected to pass the bill tonight.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Backs House-Passed Legislation to Make College More Affordable ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/091709.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12), a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, today helped pass legislation in the House of Representatives intended to make college more affordable for millions of Americans, while generating an estimated $87 billion in savings over the next ten years by converting all new federal student lending to a more stable and cost-effective Direct Loan program. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, of which Holt is an original sponsor, would increase the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship to $5,550 in 2010 and $6,900 by 2019; strengthen the Perkins Loan program, which provides low-cost federal loans to students; and keep interest rates low on need-based federal student loans by making the interest rates on these loans variable beginning in 2012. The bill also would create an Early Leaning Challenge Fund to increase high-quality, early-learning opportunities for low-income children; invest in Holt&rsquo;s Green Schools modernization initiative; and give community colleges the tools to replicate successful programs that educate and train students in high-wage, high-demand industries.  Holt also succeeded in including language to protect the Stafford Loan program, which assists qualified graduate and professional students with subsidized loans.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Statement Commemorating Eighth Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/091109.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) issued the following statement today on the eighth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Statement On President Obama's Health Care Speech ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/090909.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (Washington, D.C.) &ndash; Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) released the following statement tonight after President Obama&rsquo;s health care speech to Congress. Holt&rsquo;s guest for the speech was Adira Riben, a New Jersey resident who recently lost her job and has since been without insurance. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 9 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Statement On The Death Of Senator Edward M. Kennedy ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/082609.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (West Windsor, NJ) &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today issued the following statement on the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Announces $1.3 Million in Recovery Funding for Neighborhood Improvements in Fair Haven and Hopewell ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/081409b.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (West Windsor, NJ) &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) announced today more than $1.3 million in Recovery Act funding for neighborhood improvements in Fair Haven and Hopewell Borough.  Through the state&rsquo;s Transportation Enhancement Program, Fair Haven will receive $477,000 to for its River Road Streetscape West project and Hopewell Borough will receive $917,000 for the second phase of its Streetscape Improvements Project.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Mourns Loss of Sgt. Bill Cahir ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/081409.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        (West Windsor, NJ) &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today expressed sadness over the death of United States Marine Corps Sgt. William J. Cahir of the 4th Civil Affairs Group (CAG), who was killed in action yesterday in Afghanistan&rsquo;s Helmand Province.  As a reporter for the Easton Express-Times, Cahir frequently covered events in Central New Jersey.  Cahir enlisted in the Marines at age 34 after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and he completed two tours in Iraq (from August 2004 to March 2005 and from September 2006 to April 2007).  Cahir had deployed to Afghanistan this spring with the 4th CAG.  In January 2008, Cahir left journalism to run in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania&rsquo;s 5th Congressional District.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <title><![CDATA[Holt Debuts Interactive Web Map of Economic Recovery Funding For Central NJ ]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/nj12_holt/081209.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                                        West Windsor, NJ &ndash; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today launched an interactive map on his website today that allows Central New Jersey residents to track funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that the 12th Congressional District has received.  The interactive map, which will be updated as new funding comes to the region, can be found on Holt&rsquo;s homepage: Holt.house.gov. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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