Two Photos of Kotri Barrage – One Year Apart

Smithsonian’s National Zoo Signs Contract with Sodexo

Manufacturing Close-Up March 30, 2012 As the National Zoo’s new foodservice partner, Sodexo, a company in Quality of Daily Life Solutions, will work with the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) throughout a 10-year contract to create dining options that are an extension of the Zoo experience and support its mission.

In a release, the company noted that the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s mission includes demonstrating leadership in animal care, conservation science, education, sustainability and to teach and inspire people to protect wildlife, natural resources and habitats. Sodexo will provide cafe, concessions, catering services and new dining options in 22 locations throughout the Zoo. To support the Zoo’s mission and engage all visitors, Sodexo will include education about the health of humans and the planet to assist visitors in making informed decisions including: website detroit institute of art

-Healthier versions of traditional favorites, accompanied by nutritional information -Authentic ethnic cuisines at the new Taste of DC located in the Mane Cafe, plus many of the carts and kiosks located throughout the Zoo celebrating the diversity of DC and guests -Sustainability messaging educating guests on the actions of the Zoo and Sodexo that support our mutual commitment to the environment and ecosystems -A new outdoor venue, The Heirloom Grill, centering on sustainability, conservation and restoration "Working with the National Zoo and FONZ, Sodexo will bring to life a unique and progressive approach to foodservice that embodies the organizations’ vision for the visitor experience at the Zoo," said Steven DiPrima, president of Sodexo Leisure. "Sodexo has a long and successful history of aligning with our clients’ missions and providing the latest trends in concessions and catering. The resources and expertise Sodexo brings to the National Zoo will provide great benefits to FONZ members, the community and Zoo guests." The initiatives at the National Zoo include targeted commitments to source local, seasonal, sustainable ingredients, provide varied and balanced food options, and support the local community, which align with Sodexo’s Better Tomorrow Plan, the company’s global road map to sustainability. here detroit institute of art

Sodexo’s Leisure team is a provider to cultural destinations around the world and in the U.S.includingthe Houston Zoo, Zoo Atlanta, North Carolina Zoo, Louisville Zoo, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Museum of Science and Industry and Shedd Aquariumin Chicago, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and Detroit Institute of Art.

Sodexo, Inc., a Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, and Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass.

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Immigration reform crucial to recovery

Chicago Sun-Times December 24, 2009 | Tom Balanoff Before the ink had time to dry on the immigration reform package that U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez introduced last week, the anti-immigrant naysayers were out in force claiming it dead on arrival. But their shortsighted argument — that the economic downturn bars any real possibility for reform — is as tired and broken as the immigration system that we so urgently need to fix.

In reality, immigration reform is a critical part of the road to recovery for the U.S. work force. And more than any other time in U.S. history, this is our chance to get it done quickly and right.

Under today’s dysfunctional immigration system, native workers are pitted against undocumented immigrants in a dangerous race to the bottom that has contributed to significant declines in wages and labor standards across the country.

The broken system has played right into the hands of unscrupulous employers who can pay unauthorized workers dismal wages. Meanwhile, the instability in the labor market further drives down wages and prevents immigrant and native workers from uniting their strength and demanding the labor and civil rights protections we need to lift our economy and raise living standards for everyone. This is unacceptable. go to website immigration reform news

The skeptics love to support mass deportation as a means to “lift” U.S. workers out of poverty and address today’s unemployment rate. But their argument is flawed from start to finish. Estimated to cost well over $200 billion, the act of deporting 12 million people is a logistical impossi- bility that most Americans do not support. According to a new study by the Perryman Group, deporting 12 million unauthorized immigrants would cost $1.8 trillion in lost spending annually and $652 billion in annual lost output.

Studies show that swapping out the 8.3 million unauthorized immigrants working in the U.S. today will not improve job prospects for the 15.7 million Americans who are unemployed. The idea that a jobless Illinois auto worker would move his family to Texas for a minimum-wage factory line job is simply wrong. The bottom line is that employed undocumented workers and unemployed native workers live in different parts of the country, work in different industries, and have divergent skill sets.

Such false solutions are a slap in the face to those of us who have dedicated our lives to improving opportunities for America’s workers. To support unemployed Americans, we need policies like those the Service Em- ployees International Union is fighting for every day: public jobs programs; worker training programs, and investment in aging U.S. infrastructure, green jobs and green technology. We need health-care and labor reform, and we need to pass comprehensive immigration reform. go to web site immigration reform news

Gutierrez, along with a diverse group of co-sponsors, has introduced legislation that will finally put us on the path toward a commonsense immigration system that values workers and their families and is a step toward economic recovery. As President Obama has said, immigration reform is a critical part of any plan for sustained economic growth.

He’s right. Like it or not, today our economy is dependent on the cheap labor of unauthorized workers who are easily exploited — and that drives down standards for all of us. For the welfare of America’s workers, it’s time to eliminate this two-tiered work force by getting undocumented immigrants into the system — paying fines, passing background checks, learning English and getting on a path to U.S. citizenship. Only then can we stop the race to the bottom and form a united work force that works together to improve wages and working conditions for everyone.

Gutierrez’s legislation is a step in the right direction. After hours spent talking and listening to America’s workers, immigrants, business leaders and even those opposed to immigration reform, Gutierrez introduced the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act, which combines the key elements needed to restore order, end worker exploitation and create a fair, workable immigration system.

For the good of our economy, of America’s workers, and of our country, it’s time to get immigration reform done right; to get it done quickly, and to make sure it works for America.

Tom Balanoff is the president of Service Employees International Union Illinois Council.

Tom Balanoff