Historic Mount Vernon To Host French President Sarkozy

George Washington's estate has been meeting place for many dignitaries

Washington – When French President Nicolas Sarkozy comes to Washington November 6, President Bush will host the French leader at historic Mount Vernon, the Virginia estate of George Washington.

It will be the first time in six years that a French president has made an official visit to the United States, and the stage for the meeting is symbolic because it was at Mount Vernon that the French hero of the American War of Independence, the Marquis de Lafayette, established a strong and lasting relationship with America’s first president.

Lafayette visited Mount Vernon several times between 1784 and 1825, but the French connection to the new nation had been strong since the young aristocrat joined General Washington’s army to help lead America’s revolutionary fight against the British. The marquis named his son George Washington Lafayette.

Today Mount Vernon continues to be a significant meeting place for U.S. presidents and visiting dignitaries. President Bush chose Mount Vernon as the place to hold meetings with Sarkozy to reaffirm the “deep historical bonds” shared by the two countries, according to the White House.

Although Sarkozy visited the president at the Bush family home in Maine this summer, this will be his first visit to Washington since taking office in May. After dinner at the White House on November 6, the two leaders will travel to Mount Vernon November 7 to discuss working together to strengthen security and democracy in Afghanistan and prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Talks also are scheduled to include Middle East peace efforts, ending the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and fostering democratic change in Burma.

“We are most definitely entering a dynamic new era in U.S.-France relations, one that is full of potential and positive energy,” said R. Nicholas Burns, U.S. under secretary for political affairs, in remarks in Paris on October 31. “From a global perspective, we have no more vital ally on the great issues of our time – climate change, Darfur, Burma, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq – than France.”

AHFA Position

AHFA believes that enforcement alone cannot ensure the safety and health of America’s workforce. Government and the private sector must be encouraged to work together to create a culture where safety and health is a number-one priority. AHFA supports initiatives that will provide relief from the inspect-and-fine enforcement mindset that has dominated federal regulation of the workplace.

Action
AHFA is seeking cosponsors for a package of reforms introduced by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY)designed to make OSHA and businesses better partners in creating safe working environments for employers and employees alike. His bills (S. 2065, S. 2066, and S. 2067) would, among other things, encourage employers to engage the services of highly qualified third-party safety consultants, provide for recovery of attorney's fees by smaller businesses that prevail in lawsuits against the government in an OSHA claim, permit employers to correct a non-serious violation within 72 hours before a citation could be issued, and provide for simplification of current hazard communications standards. AHFA has been working with representative Charles Norwood R-GA to prohibit OSHA from adopting standards written by organizations like ACGIH without verifying their scientific validity.

Current Legislative Issues

Export Promotion

Domestic manufacturers seeking to do business abroad face obstacles such as high tariffs, burdensome administrative requirements and inadequate protection of intellectual property rights.

AHFA Position

American-made products should be able to compete on a level playing field in foreign markets.

Action

AHFA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Commerce to reduce barriers that block access to foreign markets, including lowering tariff rates and ensuring that trading partners abide by World Trade Organization rules and regulations. At AHFA’s invitation, top Commerce Department officials have visited the High Point Market and held a manufacturing roundtable discussion on key issues. These exchanges resulted in recommendations to the Bush Administration on ways to level the international playing field for U.S. manufacturers. AHFA strongly supported enactment of the U.S.-Australia free trade agreement, which will immediately eliminate duties on a wide range of exports of American-made consumer products to Australia, including furniture.

Furniture

For the supply of 5 different manufactured brand of office furniture. Discounts and product lines offered have been negotiated directly with the manufacturers and ensures that their authorized resellers all offer the same discounts as those offered by the manufacturer. Discounts offered vary from product line to product line but are generally significantly lower than current list price. End users should be aware that the authorized resellers vary from CSA to CSA. They should review each individual CSA resellers list prior to ordering furniture to ensure the supplier is authorized to sell that specific brand of office furniture. NOTE: The resellers list does change from time to time.

Note to all users: Ministries and other Public Sector Agencies who acquire mobile filing systems or ARC rotary filing systems should contact ARES and/or their building landlord prior to ordering product to ensure that the flooring weight/load ratio is sufficient for their building. “Movable Walls” are not covered under any of the furniture CSA’s. All government ministries are to submit a requisition along with detailed specifications (as outlined below) on all “movable wall” requirements over $5,000 All government ministries are to contact ARES(Accommodation & Real Estate Services) and other Public Sector Agencies should contact ARES and/or their building landlord to ensure the building’s HVAC system would not be compromised should “movable walls” be installed.

Furniture

For the supply of 5 different manufactured brand of office furniture. Discounts and product lines offered have been negotiated directly with the manufacturers and ensures that their authorized resellers all offer the same discounts as those offered by the manufacturer. Discounts offered vary from product line to product line but are generally significantly lower than current list price. End users should be aware that the authorized resellers vary from CSA to CSA. They should review each individual CSA resellers list prior to ordering furniture to ensure the supplier is authorized to sell that specific brand of office furniture. NOTE: The resellers list does change from time to time.

Note to all users: Ministries and other Public Sector Agencies who acquire mobile filing systems or ARC rotary filing systems should contact ARES and/or their building landlord prior to ordering product to ensure that the flooring weight/load ratio is sufficient for their building.

“Movable Walls” are not covered under any of the furniture CSA’s. All government ministries are to submit a requisition along with detailed specifications on all “movable wall” requirements over $5,000 All government ministries are to contact ARES (Accommodation & Real Estate Services) and other Public Sector Agencies should contact ARES and/or their building landlord to ensure the building’s HVAC system would not be compromised should “movable walls” be installed.

Remedies to Indoor Air Quality Problems

Living Areas

Paneling, pressed-wood furniture and cabinetry

These products may release formaldehyde gas. Remedy: Ask about formaldehyde content before buying furniture or cabinets. Some types of pressed-wood products, such as those with phenol resin, emit less formaldehyde. Also, products coated with polyurethane or laminates may reduce formaldehyde emissions. After installation, open windows. Maintain moderate temperature and humidity.

Carpet

Biological pollutants can grow on water-damaged carpet. New carpet can release organic gases. Remedy: Promptly clean and dry water-damaged carpet, or remove it altogether. If adhesives are needed, ask for low-emitting ones. During installation, open doors and windows, and use window fans or room air conditioners. Vacuum regularly. Consider area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpet. Rugs are easier to remove and clean, and the floor underneath also can be cleaned.

Floor tiles

Some contain asbestos. Remedy: Periodically inspect for damage or deterioration. Do not cut, rip, sand or remove any asbestos-containing materials. If you plan to make changes that might disturb the asbestos, or if materials are more than slightly damaged, contact a professional for repair or removal.

Moisture

Moisture encourages biological pollutants, including allergens such as mold, mildew, dust mites and cockroaches. Remedy: If possible, eliminate moisture sources. Install and use exhaust fans. Use a dehumidifier if necessary. Remove molds and mildew by cleaning with a solution of chlorine bleach (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon water). Maintain good fresh air with natural and mechanical air circulation.

Fireplace

Your fireplace can be a source of carbon monoxide and combustion pollutants. Remedy: Open the flue when using the fireplace. Have the flue and chimney inspected annually for exhaust backdrafting, flue obstructions or cracks, excess creosote or other damage. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Air conditioner

This can be a source of biological allergens. Remedy: If there is a water tray, empty and clean it often. Follow all service and maintenance procedures, including changing the filter.

Gas or kerosene space heater

These devices can release carbon monoxide and combustion pollutants. Remedy: Never use unvented kerosene or gas space heaters. In the room where the heater is located, provide fresh air by opening a door to the rest of the house, turning on an exhaust fan and slightly opening a window.

Tobacco smoke

Smoke contains harmful combustion and particulate pollutants, including carbon monoxide and combustion byproducts. Remedy: Do not smoke in your home or permit others to do so, especially near children. If smoking cannot be avoided indoors, open windows or use exhaust fans, and restrict smoking to one space.

Draperies

New draperies may be treated with a formaldehyde-based finish and emit odors for a short time. Remedy: Before hanging, air draperies to ventilate odors. After hanging, ventilate the area. Maintain moderate temperature and humidity.

Lead-based paint

Paint manufactured before l978 may contain lead. Remedy: Leave lead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition. Before removing paint, test for lead. Do-it-yourself lead test kits are available from hardware or building supply stores. Do not sand, burn off or remove lead-based paint yourself; hire a person with special training to correct lead-based paint problems.

Animals

Many animals leave allergens, such as dander, hair, feathers or skin, in the air. Remedy: Keep pets outdoors as often as possible. Clean the entire house regularly. Deep clean areas where pets are permitted. Clean pets regularly.

House dust mites

Biological allergens can trigger asthma. Remedy: Clean and vacuum regularly. Wash bedding in hot water above 130 degrees F. Use more hard-surface finishes; they are less likely to attract and hold dust mites.

Kids Corner Marine Art/Poster Contest

The Massachusetts Marine Educators and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary have jointly sponsored an annual Marine Art/Poster Contest for several years. Since 2003, the winners and honorable mention selections have been posted on this web site.

Over the years there have been many wonderful submissions. The judges have had a hard time choosing among all of the talented young artists who have submitted work. We hope you enjoy the artwork posted on the pages linked below.

Contest judges will continue to be:

Robert Lyn Nelson -- internationally renowned marine artist
Dave Blanchette -- children's book illustrator and painter
Dennis Huston -- graphic artist (Creative Resources Group)
Richard Wheeler -- educator, naturalist, explorer and artist
Nathalie Ward -- author of Field Guide to the Stellwagen Bank NMS
Anne Smrcina -- education coordinator of the Stellwagen Bank NMS