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INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER

4-6 Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania

Phone: (+40-21) 200-3692, Fax: (+40-21) 200-3723 E-mail: StoianL@

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June 18, 2012

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Stars and Stripes Honored on Flag Day

America’s national flag has many nicknames: Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, the Star-Spangled Banner. It billows over monuments and memorials, is carried in parades and is planted in cemeteries during many U.S. holidays, but June 14 is dedicated to the flag itself.

Flag Day celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of America’s official flag in 1777. The first flag was 13 stars on a field of blue and 13 alternating red and white stripes, representing the original colonies. It has been modified since then, and today there is a star for each of the 50 states.

In 1814, the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, following bombardment by British forces, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was set to music and later became America’s national anthem. The original Fort McHenry flag is among the most treasured artifacts in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. The British attack on Fort McHenry was part of that war, which is often called America’s “second war of independence” against Britain.

Father's Day Honors Paternal Bonds and Influence

Father’s Day, a celebration honoring fathers and father figures, highlights the contributions of fathers to their children’s lives and to society as a whole. Many countries — including the United States — observe Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June, but it is also celebrated on other days in many parts of the world.

Founded in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, Father’s Day was conceived as a holiday complementing Mother’s Day, which honors mothers and motherhood.

Dodd was inspired by her own father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, who raised his six children as a single parent after the death of his wife. This was uncommon at the time, as many widowers of that era placed their children in the care of others or quickly married again.

Although Dodd eventually succeeded in establishing Father’s Day as a national celebration, the day did not become a permanent national holiday until President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

Today, Father’s Day is often marked by family outings, cards and gifts. Here, a father teaches his 4-year-old son how to fish while enjoying Father’s Day at the Sacajawea Park lagoon in Livingston, Montana.

Tennessee at a Glance

Sounds Good to Me

Planes, trains, automobiles or boats — whichever way you travel, you’ll find something worthy of your journey in Tennessee. In fact, 65 percent of the U. S. population is within a day’s drive of Tennessee. But there’s so much to do there, you’ll want to stay.

Find out more about Tennessee at .

Capital: Nashville

Population: About 6.5 million people live in Tennessee.

Geography: Tennessee has a lot of neighbors. The Volunteer State is bordered by Kentucky and Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to the south, and Arkansas and Missouri to the west. The Great Smoky Mountains, a part of the Appalachian Mountains, form the state’s eastern landscape while the Mississippi River flows along the state’s western border.

Higher Education: Vanderbilt University, or Vandy for short, is the state’s most prestigious institution. Named after benefactor and shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, the private school maintains four undergraduate and six graduate and professional schools with its highest rankings in education, law, medicine and business. The Volunteer State manages two public university systems: the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University, the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.

Major Industries: Beyond being the world’s greatest exporter of country western music, Tennessee is also a major producer of zinc, aluminum, electrical power, textiles, cattle and cotton. In fact, the Memphis Cotton Exchange handles about one-third of the entire U.S. cotton crop.

Tuning In to Tennessee

From country western to rhythm and blues to straight-up rock ’n’ roll, Tennesseans have music pulsing through their veins.

In Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry showcases some of country music’s brightest stars, including Carrie Underwood (above) and native Dolly Parton. Broadcasting every Friday and Saturday night since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry is the longest continuously running live radio program in the world.

Not to be outdone, Memphis features Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion, the most visited home in the United States — after the president’s, of course. You can find Beale Street in Memphis, too. With establishments like B.B. King’s Restaurant and Coyote Ugly Saloon, there’s no wonder Congress declared this place “Home of the Blues” in 1977.

Other musicians, such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Justin Timberlake, were born in the Volunteer State, further cementing Tennessee’s status as the musical state.

Ohio at a Glance

Heart of It All

Bridging the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States, Ohio bills itself as the “Heart of It All.” From pastoral countryside and towering waterfalls to top amusement parks and exotic zoos, there’s a lot that makes this state tick.

Find out more about Ohio at .

Capital: Columbus

Population: More than 11.5 million people live in the Buckeye State.

Geography: Ohio shares a border with Michigan and Canada to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the south and Indiana to the west. Lake Erie defines much of Ohio’s northern border and provides the Buckeye State with some 500 kilometers of coastline. The Ohio River forms the state’s southern border.

Higher Education: There are many public options in Ohio, with the most popular being Ohio State University (OSU). Founded in 1870, OSU is the third-largest university in the United States and one of the country’s top public research universities. Other public options in the state include Miami University in Oxford, and the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati. The private Oberlin College is a leading liberal arts college in the United States. The school has the distinction of being the first college to grant undergraduate degrees to women.

Major Industries: In terms of percentage of gross domestic product, manufacturing and finance are Ohio’s largest industries. In fact, Ohio is the largest producer of plastics, rubber, fabricated metals, electrical equipment, and appliances in the United States. Other major industries include transportation, health care and education. Procter & Gamble, Goodyear Tires and Macy’s are all headquartered in the Buckeye State.

Sports: Major League Baseball teams Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, National Basketball Association’s Cleveland Cavaliers, National Football League teams Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns and National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets.

Famous Ohioans: Seven U.S. presidents were born in Ohio: Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William H. Taft, and Warren G. Harding. Other famous Ohioans include inventor Thomas Edison, tire industrialists Harvey Samuel Firestone and William F. Goodrich, baseball greats Cy Young and Ty Cobb, actresses Halle Berry, Katie Holmes and Sarah Jessica Parker, actors Clark Gable, Paul Newman and Terrence Howard, model Brooklyn Decker, entertainer Dean Martin and director Steven Spielberg.

Pop Culture: The 2011 political drama The Ides of March starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, along with the 1994 drama The Shawshank Redemption starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, were filmed in Ohio. Television shows Clarissa Explains It All, The Drew Carey Show and Glee are all set in the Buckeye State.

Culinary Specialties: Cincinnati-style chili. This isn’t your mother’s chili. This is a thin meat sauce seasoned with a unique blend of spices (typically cinnamon, cloves, allspice or chocolate) and poured over spaghetti or hot dogs.

International connection: Ohio has seven sister states including Anambra, Nigeria; North Gyeongsang province, South Korea; Hubei province, China; Lower Austria, Austria; Paraná, Brazil; Saitama Prefecture, Japan; and Taiwan province, Taiwan.

Fun facts:

• William F. Semple, a dentist from Mount Vernon, Ohio, was the first person to patent a chewing gum.

• Neil Armstrong, from Wapakoneta, Ohio, was the first man to walk on the moon.

• With 10 players on the payroll, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first fully professional baseball team in 1869.

Adventure idea: Safari, Ohio-style! The Wilds is a 4,000-hectare conservation facility for exotic endangered animals. This nonprofit conservation center in rural southeastern Ohio cares for animals ranging from rhinos and giraffes to horned oryx and cheetahs. The facility combines conservation science and education with unique visitor experiences, so stop by to have one of your own!

Cleveland Rocks

There’s only one place in the world where you can see Lady Gaga’s first piano, John Lennon’s black wool coat and Bo Diddley’s electric guitar: Cleveland, Ohio.

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to the musicians and music that changed the world through rock ’n’ roll. Its mission is to educate visitors about the historical, political and social significance of rock ’n’ roll music. The museum fulfills this mission by collecting and exhibiting those artifacts that tell rock ’n’ roll’s story.

From Kick Out the Jams: The Music of the Midwest to The Roots of Rock and Roll: Blues, Gospel, Country/Folk/Bluegrass and R&B, the museum’s exhibitions cover a range of topics and include an array of rock’s most iconic pieces.

Established in 1995, the museum also annually inducts musicians to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Freddie King, the Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers are among 2012’s inductees.

Find out more about Ohio at .

Louisiana at a Glance

Come as You Are, Leave Different

With influences from many cultures, Louisiana distinguishes itself through its history, landscapes, sounds and flavors. Whether you tour the African-American Heritage Trail or celebrate on Bourbon Street, Louisiana knows you’ll “leave different.”

Find out more about Louisiana at .

Capital: Baton Rouge

Population: More than 4.5 million people live in Louisiana.

Geography: This boot-shaped state is bordered by Arkansas to the north, Mississippi to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Texas to the west. The northern part of the state is characterized by prairies and woodlands, while the southern part is comprised of swamp lands, coastal marshlands and barrier islands.

Higher Education: Founded in 1853, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) is the state’s flagship public university option. Located in the state’s capital, Baton Rouge, it is the largest university in Louisiana in student enrollment. LSU is recognized as one of the best schools in the United States for entrepreneurship and enjoys a history of excellence in athletics — particularly American football. The state’s premier private option is Tulane University of Louisiana, or Tulane for short. Founded in 1834, Tulane is considered a southern Ivy League school for its prestigious academic record. It is located in New Orleans.

Major Industries: The major industries are agriculture, including sugar cane, rice, soybeans and cotton; manufacturing, including production of chemicals, paper and ships; and mining, including petroleum and natural gas extraction. Known as the “crawfish capital of the world,” Louisiana’s fishing industry is another robust sector of its economy.

Sports Teams: Two professional teams call Louisiana home: the National Football League’s New Orleans Saints and the National Basketball Association’s New Orleans Hornets.

Famous Louisianans include musicians Louis Armstrong, James Booker, Marc Broussard, Harry Connick Jr., Fats Domino, Wynton Marsalis, Aaron Neville, Louis Prima, Britney Spears, Hank Williams Jr., Lil Wayne; writers Arna W. Bontemps and Truman Capote; actors Ellen DeGeneres, Tyler Perry and Reese Witherspoon; athletes Terry Bradshaw, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Marshall Faulk, Karl Malone, and Eli and Peyton Manning; political consultant James Carville; and American Idol judge Randy Jackson.

Culinary Specialties: Louisiana doesn’t have just a few culinary specialties, this state has an entire cuisine. Inspired by its Creole and Cajun roots, Louisianans combine French, Spanish, African and Native American traditions to arrive at their own cuisine. Don’t leave the Pelican state without trying boiled crawfish, jambalaya (a spicy meat and rice dish) and Bananas Foster for dessert.

International connection: Aix-en-Provence, France; Cordoba, Mexico; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Taichung, Taiwan; and Malatya, Turkey are all sister cities with Baton Rouge.

Fun facts:

• Louisiana was named in honor of French King Louis XIV.

• More than 38 kilometers in length, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Metairie, Louisiana, is the longest bridge over continuous water in the world.

• The Atchafalaya Basin in Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana, is the biggest swamp in the United States.

Adventure idea: Go for a horseback ride in Louisiana’s Kisatchie Ranger District. With more than 19 kilometers of wilderness trails, the park is home to some of Louisiana’s unique landscapes, including swampy marshlands, sandstone mesas and thick forests.

A Taste of Louisiana

Louisiana is home to both Cajuns and Creoles. And how these individuals of French, Spanish, African and Native American descent influenced the Pelican State’s culture is evident in its cuisine.

Jambalaya, for example, resembles the Spanish paella. While both rice dishes contain vegetables, meat and shellfish, jambalaya distinguishes itself with Creole spices such as cayenne pepper, chili powder, allspice and cloves.

Similarly, gumbo achieves its Cajun flavor from a variation of the French tradition. While the mirepoix of France is carrots, celery and onions, the culinary holy trinity of Cajun cooking is bell peppers, celery and onions. This small exchange creates a big impact on the palate.

Bananas Foster, created in New Orleans, is another dish inspired by the French. Chefs use the flambé technique to caramelize the bananas before serving over vanilla ice cream.

Louisiana also serves up a lot of seafood. Shaped by its Southern roots and location on the Gulf, the Pelican State is famous for its crawfish (shown above) in particular.

RECENT REPORTS

No Evidence That Incentive Pay for Teacher Teams Improves Student Outcomes

RAND Corporation

Matthew G. Springer et al. May 29, 2012

Analysis of an incentive program that paid teachers bonuses based on their students' growth in achievement in mathematics, English language arts, science, and social studies showed no effect on student test scores in any of the subject areas.

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Immigration of Foreign Nationals with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Degrees

Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress

Ruth Ellen Wasem. May 11, 2012.

Although the United States remains the leading host country for international students in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields, the global competition for talent has intensified. A record number of STEM graduates--both U.S. residents and foreign nationals--are entering the U.S. labor market, and there is a renewed focus on creating additional immigration pathways for foreign professional workers in STEM fields. Current law sets an annual worldwide level of 140,000 employment-based admissions, which includes the spouses and children in addition to the principal (i.e., qualifying) aliens. "STEM visa" is shorthand for an expedited immigration avenue that enables foreign nationals with graduate degrees in STEM fields to adjust to legal permanent resident (LPR) status without waiting in the queue of numerically limited LPR visas. The fundamental policy question is should the U. S. create additional pathways for STEM graduates to remain in the U.S. permanently?



[PDF format, 31 pages, 432.09 KB].

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