Thursday, December 26

Heri za Kwanzaa! Today marks the beginning of Kwanzaa, the holiday commemorating African-American culture.

In a historical move, US President Joe Biden signed 50 bills into law on Tuesday ahead of a transition of government in January 2025.

One law is called the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, and it creates a government work group to oversee youth residential programs. This way, the health and safety of minors in rehabilitation facilities is ensured.

Another law is the Stop Campus Hazing Act. It requires higher education facilities, like colleges, to reveal acts of hazing. Hazing is when someone goes through strenuous, often humiliating, processes for initiation into something. Ever heard of ragging? It's like that, but for admittance into a group.

Another measure, No Congressionally Obligated Recurring Revenue Used as Pensions To Incarcerated Officials Now Act (No CORRUPTION Act for short) disallows Congresspeople from receiving retirement money if they were convicted of any crime relating to corruption. Previously, a Congressperson could continue their payments if all appeals were exhausted. The new law was bipartisan, after former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey used his political influence to advantage businessmen and foreign governments in exchange for bribes.

Senate Bill 4610 made the bald eagle the official bird of the United States. No bill had been passed on this topic before now, and even though it has been added onto official emblems such as the seal, it has never officially been the national bird.

On Monday, Biden vetoed a bipartisan bill to expand the judicial branch. The proposed law would have created 66 federal court judgeships over the span of 3 presidential administrations and 6 Congresses. The president said in a statement, "The House of Representative's hurried action fails to resolve key questions in the legislation, especially regarding how the new judgeships are allocated, and neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate explored fully how the work of senior status judges and magistrate judges affects the need for new judgeships."

Fact of the Day (Facts.net): Kwanzaa was established in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, amidst the aftermath of the Watts riots in Los Angeles, California. Karenga sought to bring African Americans together, encouraging them to celebrate their African heritage and to foster a sense of community and pride. He drew inspiration from traditional African harvest festivals, creating a unique celebration that emphasizes values and principles important to the African American community.

Quote of the Day: A man who pays respect to the great paves his own way for greatness. (African Proverb)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Menorah (noun, pronounced muh-NOR-uh) - A menorah is a candelabra with seven or nine lights that is used in Jewish worship.

In a Sentence: At sundown on the first night of Hanukkah, Elliott's father helped him light the first candle on the menorah.