EX-IM BANK FINANCES $55. 6 MILLION EXPORT DEAL WITH CHINA WHICH MAY SUPPORT ABOUT 400 JOBS

FROM:  EXPORT-IMPORT BANK FARM EQUIPMENT 
Ex-Im Bank Finances Export of Farm Equipment to China

Washington, D.C. – The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) announced today a pair of comprehensive guarantees of two HSBC loans totaling $55.6 million to support the export of American aircraft and agricultural machinery to China.

According to Bank estimates derived from Departments of Commerce and Labor data and methodology, Ex-Im Bank’s financing will support approximately 400 U.S. jobs across the United States.

The authorizations mark the 19th and 20th transactions, respectively, registered under the 2005 Framework between Ex-Im Bank and China’s Ministry of Finance to promote U.S. exports to China. This week, the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue will be held in Washington, D.C., bringing together senior officials of both countries.

“As we gather this week to highlight the economic cooperation between the U.S. and China, these two transactions show how U.S. small-businesses are increasing sales and supporting jobs through exports,” said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Here at Ex-Im, we have long identified China as a potential growth market for American exporters. And through the Framework Agreement, we are helping to open this critical market and supporting jobs here at home.”

Included in the sale are four sprayers, 10 tractors, 70 combines, four Robinson helicopters, six Air Tractor crop dusters, and 20 Thrush crop dusters. The end user, state-owned Beidahuang Group of Harbin, China, will employ the equipment on its farms in northeastern China.

Thrush Aircraft, one of the manufacturers involved in the transaction, is a small business based in Albany, Ga., that sells aircraft for an assortment of agricultural-spraying activities. Among other things, the aircraft figure prominently in fire control; pest, weed, and disease control; and the sowing of rice and the feeding of shrimp.

“This is a terrific example of the power of an extremely bright and highly capable banking team bringing their expertise to bear on a commercial opportunity that helps - not only Thrush Aircraft and our jobs - but our new customers in China as well,” said Payne Hughes, president of Thrush Aircraft. “I'm not exaggerating when I say this deal simply would not have been possible without Ex-Im banking behind it.”

Ekpac China Inc., a subsidiary of Ekpac International Ltd., acts as a consolidating exporter for Ex-Im Bank’s China Framework transactions and participated in both sales. The company’s parent represents suppliers and manufacturers in the U.S. and throughout the world and helps them market and distribute their goods.

“These transactions are two of the biggest single projects financed in China under the U.S.-China Framework Agreement, and they will create new manufacturing jobs and will set an example for a number of ongoing projects in China,” said Alvin Chan, CEO of Ekpac China Inc. “There will be significant growth in the number and amount of transactions under the Ex-Im Bank guarantee in China in the coming years, and this will surely increase manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Accordingly, Ekpac will need to increase its headcount as well as its employment of professional legal and accounting firms, in order to handle the increasing number of transactions.”

JUSTICE SUES ANNUITY AND BENEFIT FUND TO ENFORCE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OF ARMY RESERVE MEMBER

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Justice Department Files Lawsuit in Illinois Against County Employees’ and Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County and Cook County to Enforce the Employment Rights of Army Reserve Member

The Justice Department announced today the filing of a complaint alleging that the County Employees’ and Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County and Cook County willfully violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) by failing to allow U.S. Army Reserve Member Latoya Hayward to lawfully contribute to her pension for the time she was serving in the armed forces.

According to the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in 2008 Hayward began working for John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, which is owned and operated by Cook County. During her employment with Stroger Hospital, Hayward was mobilized for a two year tour of duty with the Army Reserves starting on July 27, 2009. During Hayward’s period of active service, she served as a nurse case manager at Walter Reed Hospital as part of the Warrior Transition Brigade. As alleged in the complaint, upon Hayward’s return from duty, the County Employees’ and Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County notified her not only that she was ineligible to make payments into her pension for the 90-day grace period following her active military service, but also that her employee contributions for the two-year period of her active military service would be subject to a 3 percent interest fee. Among the protections provided by USERRA are pension-related provisions that treat a servicemember who is called to active duty as if she has had no break in service for purpose of the administration of pension benefits. According to Hayward’s complaint, both of the County Employees’ and Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Cook County’s requirements for her participation in her employer’s pension plan violated USERRA’s pension protection provisions.

"Congress enacted USERRA to protect our men and women in uniform from experiencing this kind of injustice," said Jocelyn Samuels, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Justice Department is committed to vigorously enforcing federal laws that protect the employment rights of our service members."

"Members of the Army Reserves sacrifice time away from their jobs to serve their country," said Gary S. Shapiro, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. "USERRA ensures that they are not discriminated against after they have returned and that their employment rights are protected."

The case stems from a referral by the U.S. Department of Labor following an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. This case is being handled by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, who work collaboratively with the Department of Labor to protect the jobs and benefits of National Guard and Reserve service members upon their return to civilian life.

LABOR DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES TECH SKILL TRAINING GRANTS OF OVER $183 MILLION

The following excerpt is from the U.S. Department of Labor website:

“Grants target industries in 28 states that rely on H-1B visa program for skilled workers
CINCINNATI — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced during a conference call with reporters more than $183 million in grants to 43 public-private partnerships serving 28 states through the second round of funding under the H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant Competition. The grants will provide education, training and job placement assistance related to high-growth fields in which employers are currently using the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program to hire foreign workers.

"The federal grant awards announced today will provide U.S. workers with the training they need to succeed in the high tech, high-growth jobs of the future," said Secretary Solis. "Developing a strong and vibrant workforce that fits the needs of American businesses is critical to forming an America built to last."

Last October, the Labor Department awarded more than $159 million to 36 grantees in the first round of the competition. Between the two rounds of grants, more than $163 million has been designated to provide on-the-job training, allowing participants to learn new skills while earning a regular paycheck. More than $200 million has been designated for grantees that serve participants who have been identified as long-term unemployed. The grants also represent significant investments in fields such as information technology, advanced manufacturing and health care.

These grants are funded through fees paid by employers to bring foreign workers into the United States under the H-1B program. They are intended to raise the technical skill levels of American workers and, over time, help businesses reduce their need to use the H-1B program.

The original solicitation for grant applications announced funding of $240 million to be awarded through two rounds of funding. Because additional H-1B visa fees have been collected, about $100 million more than anticipated has been awarded.
Editor's note: A complete list of grantees, including their locations, award amounts and targeted industries, follows this release.”