Press Releases

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) asks its customers suffering damage or ordered to evacuate because of the widespread wildfires, to immediately contact Farmers' 24 hour claims hotline at:

1-800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.

"The Farmers Mobile Claims Center Bus (MCC) located at:

San Marcos High School
4750 Hollister Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

MCC is situated at the corner of Turnpike and Hollister," noted Bill Matlock, Executive Director of Farmers Los Angeles State Office.

"We are watching the fires very closely and in addition, our claims teams are located throughout the Santa Barbara County area to assist our customers with any of their claims needs," he added.

The Farmers Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center Bus (MCC) is a rolling customer support center equipped with top-of-the-line technology for immediate claims handling and outfitted with comforts of home such as a grill for on-the-spot meals. Farmers customers can stop by the MCC anytime. Reporters are welcome to tour the bus as well.

Farmers is the second largest homeowners' insurer in California.

NOTE to MEDIA: For a tour of the MCC or interviews, please contact Jerry Davies at 213-400-4459.

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers(R) is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the Farmers insurers provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.

Source: Farmers Insurance Group

WASHINGTON, July 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In A Recent Interview With Relevant Magazine, Obama Said That He Did Not Believe "Mental Distress" Should Qualify Under The Health Of The Mother Exception In Late-Term Abortion Bans:

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/RNCLOGO )

Obama: "I have repeatedly said that I think it's entirely appropriate for states to restrict or even prohibit late-term abortions as long as there is a strict, well-defined exception for the health of the mother. Now, I don't think that 'mental distress' qualifies as the health of the mother. I think it has to be a serious physical issue that arises in pregnancy, where there are real, significant problems to the mother carrying that child to term." (Sen. Barack Obama Interview, Relevant Magazine, 7/1/08)

-- Obama Appears To Have Backed Away "From His Long-Stated Positions On Abortion." "In a recent interview, Obama appears to back away from his long-stated positions on abortion (and a proposed federal abortion rights law he had co-sponsored), repudiate 35 years of accepted Supreme Court rulings on the issue and embrace a view on abortion restrictions that has been expressed on the Court only by Justices Thomas and Scalia." (Jan Crawford Greenburg, "Obama: Sounding Like Thomas And Scalia?" http://blogs.abcnews.com, 7/4/08)

-- "There's No Mistaking That Obama Says He No Longer Will Support What's Long Been A Cornerstone Of The Abortion Rights Debate." "[T]here's no mistaking that Obama says he no longer will support what's long been a cornerstone of the abortion rights debate: The Court's insistence that laws banning abortions after the fetus is viable (now about 22 weeks) contain an exception to allow doctors to perform them if necessary to protect a pregnant woman's mental health." (Jan Crawford Greenburg, "Obama: Sounding Like Thomas And Scalia?" http://blogs.abcnews.com, 7/4/08)

Obama Has Strongly Supported Exceptions For The Health Of The Mother Which Pro-Choice Groups Believe To Include Mental Health:

Obama Said He "Strongly" Disagreed With Last Year's Supreme Court Ruling On Partial-Birth Abortion, Citing Concerns Over The Health Of The Mother. Obama: "I strongly disagree with today's Supreme Court ruling, which dramatically departs from previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant women." (Sen. Obama, "Obama Response To Supreme Court Decision," Press Release, 4/18/07)

-- Obama: "We Know That Five Men Don't Know Better Than Women And Their Doctors What's Best For Women's Health." "We know that five men don't know better than women and their doctors what's best for women's health," Mr. Obama said, alluding to the 5-to-4 majority in the abortion case, Gonzales v. Carhart, which upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003." (Mark Sherman, "Justices Uphold Abortion Procedure Ban," The Associated Press, 4/19/07)

"The Freedom Of Choice Act Specifically Allows Abortions After Viability Where Necessary To Protect A Woman's Health, And The Legislation Refers Repeatedly To The Guarantees Of Roe And Doe, Which Protect The Right To An Abortion Where Necessary For A Woman's Physical And Mental Health. One Of Its Co-Sponsors? Barack Obama." (Jan Crawford Greenburg, "Obama: Sounding Like Thomas And Scalia?" http://blogs.abcnews.com, 7/4/08)

"But Abortion Rights Groups Just As Strongly Argue The Mental Health Exception Is Critical To Preserving A Woman's Right To An Abortion -- And That The Woman And Her Doctor Must Be Allowed To Make Those Decisions About Her Health Without Government Interference." (Jan Crawford Greenburg, "Obama: Sounding Like Thomas And Scalia?" http://blogs.abcnews.com, 7/4/08)

OBAMA HAS AN EXTREME RECORD ON SENSITIVE ABORTION ISSUES

Obama Voted At Least Three Times Against Legislation That Would Provide Medical Care To A Child Surviving An Abortion:

In The Illinois State Senate, Obama Voted Against Legislation Three Times That Would Protect The Life Of A Child Born-Alive During An Abortion Procedure. (S.B. 1093: Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee, Passed, 7-4, 3/27/01, Obama Voted Nay; S.B. 1094: Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee, Passed, 7-4, 3/27/01, Obama Voted Nay; S.B. 1095: Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee, Passed, 7-4, 3/27/01, Obama Voted Nay)

And Obama Voted "Present" Three Times On Providing Medical Care To A Child Surviving An Abortion:

In The Illinois State Senate, Obama Voted "Present" Three Times On Legislation That Would Protect The Life Of A Child Born-Alive During An Abortion Procedure. (S.B. 1093: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 34-6-12, 3/30/01, Obama Voted Present; S.B. 1094: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 33-6-13, 3/30/01, Obama Voted Present; S.B. 1095: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 34-5-13, 3/30/01, Obama Voted Present)

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SOURCE Republican National Committee

HARRISBURG -- Governor Edward G. Rendell will sign transportation investment legislation at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 7 near the bridge over Parkway East (I-376) in Monroeville, Allegheny County.

    EVENT:     Governor Rendell to sign legislation investing in
               transportation infrastructure.

    DATE:      Monday, July 7

    TIME:      11:30 a.m.

    LOCATION:  Rodi Road over Parkway East

               Directions: Take outbound (eastbound) I-376 (Parkway East)
               Exit at 10B (Monroeville/Business Route 22)
               Make left at first signal (Rodi Road)
               Bridge over Parkway East is right there.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:

Chuck Ardo

717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 07/05/08 -- My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are saddened to learn of the death of Corporal Brendan Anthony Downey, a Military Policeman from the Military Police Detachment in Dundurn, Saskatchewan, on assignment in the Persian Gulf region.

Corporal Downey always wanted to serve his country. He wore the uniform with pride. As he carried out his duties with the military police, he believed in respecting the rules of conduct and the code of ethics of the Forces.

On behalf of all Canadians, we extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and comrades. Our thoughts are with them.

Michaelle Jean

Contacts:
Rideau Hall Press Office
Marie-Eve Letourneau
613-998-0287
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 5, 2008) -

My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are saddened to learn of the death of Corporal Brendan Anthony Downey, a Military Policeman from the Military Police Detachment in Dundurn, Saskatchewan, on assignment in the Persian Gulf region.

Corporal Downey always wanted to serve his country. He wore the uniform with pride. As he carried out his duties with the military police, he believed in respecting the rules of conduct and the code of ethics of the Forces.

On behalf of all Canadians, we extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and comrades. Our thoughts are with them.

Michaelle Jean

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Rideau Hall Press Office
        Marie-Eve Letourneau
        613-998-0287
        www.gg.ca
        www.citizenvoices.gg.ca

Source: Governor General of Canada