| Back to Home page NEWSLETTER Cedar Rapids Downtown Kiwanis Club Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 The meeting was called to order by President Chuck Wehage. 26 Members in attendance. Guests: Charlene Boardman tried to sneak one by but the ever vigilant Sister C. was not to be outsmarted. Happy Birthday Mom! The Club did a beautiful rendition of the birthday song and she paid handsomely to the kitty. Birthdays: None Anniversaries: None Announcements: Chuck Wehage reminded everyone of the Kiwanis day at the Kernels game was this Sunday, July 29 starting at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $7 each. Chuck also announced that John Locher has a volunteer day set for Sunday, August 12, 12:30 p.m. at Camp Tanager, located on old Mt. Vernon Highway. More info next week. Jim Platt announced that Presidential candidate, Barak Obama, will be at Roosevelt Middle School this coming Monday, August 30. Arrive by 8:30 a.m., program at 9:00. Chuck announced that the Vanderschaafts celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Happy Bucks: . Jim Platt paid one for his political announcement; Jim Moriarity – great news that his son has completed his stint with the Army and will be residing in the Twin Cities; Doug Dix – for Rick Chandler; Don Grimm – received an email from an old college buddy that he hadn’t seen in 30 some years, back when it was common for engineering students to create bionic, mechanic mice (at least according to Chuck); Keith Sutherland – he can still sit down after a half day ride at Ragbrai; Joe Nolte – family vacation next week and he can’t wait to hit Snoopy Land; or was that his son he was talking about; Kelly Allen – although absent had $5 for Rick Chandler and to assure the Club that she will be back; Dan Breitbach – for the outstanding work Joe Schmall’s son, Dan, has done detassling for his son, Tommy. Dan also had a phantom buck for his mother’s birthday – it was the same phantom buck he gets for his phantom allowance. Next week’s program: "Stay Tuned" Speaker: Dave Graeff introduced Michael Vale, Resident Agent in Charge for the CR US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office for Homeland Security. Understanding Dr. Graeff’s background will explain why he started his introduction by announcing that Mike had a dog – Honey, two cats – Pouncer and Princess, and two rabbits – Cookies and Cream. For a minute we thought he was introducing Dr. Doolittle.
Mike gave a very informative presentation, complete with video, on the ICE operation in this country and in particular, in our area. ICE has six main priorities or operations to combat criminal activities:
Operation Predator – against sexual predators, child molesters
Operation Cornerstone – against money laundering, commercial fraud, funding terrorism
Operation Ice Storm – against human trafficking, drug, human and weapons smuggling
Operation Fugitive – against top ten most wanted in country
Operation ICE in Iraq – first civilian force used
Operation Community Shield – against gang activity
The main initiatives in Mike’s office are bulk cash smuggling and money laundering, gang activity, protecting children from predators, identity theft and benefit fraud, and drug smuggling and human trafficking. It was very interesting to hear Mike’s examples of busts they’ve made that have national implications.
Cedar Rapids/eastern Iowa is part of the SAC St. Paul AOR which covers five states: MN, SD, ND, NE and IA. What does SAC and AOR stand for? See me at the next meeting.
To contact ICE: 1-866-DHS-2ICE
Thanks Mike for the great program. Word for the day: Don Grimm did not find enlightenment in the group today. The word was “orthography”. Definition: Correct or proper spelling; spelling according to accepted usage; the way in which words are conventionally written. (By extension) Any mode or system of spelling. Submitted: Dan Breitbach |
