Sen. Lee Comments on Committee Passage of Asylum Reform
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Thursday after the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Secure and Protect Act of 2019.
“Everyone now admits there is a humanitarian crisis at our southern border. But short of decriminalizing illegal immigration, Democrats don’t seem to want to do anything about it,” Sen. Lee said. “That is why this effort by Sen. Graham to reform the asylum loopholes that are driving this crisis is so important. But given the very narrow nature of this emergency legislation, and the other border security problems it does not address, it should absolutely not be paired with any measures that would make the border crisis worse by extending legal status.”
You can find Chairman Graham’s (R-SC) press release on the legislation here.
An online version of this release can be found here.
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Jackie Gibson Villarreal announces the release of ‘Amanda’
HIGHLAND, Utah – Jackie Gibson Villarreal wanted to let people know what life might have been during the mid-18th century, how members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were treated by some of the population, how they overcame all these challenges and how they were able to find a good life where they finally settled. These objectives prompted Villarreal to write “Amanda” (published by Xlibris), a novel about never giving up hope on what one really wants out of life and standing strong in the beliefs one has and the love for one’s family and friends.
The book tells the story of a young girl named Amanda and the life she shared with her family and friends. The adventures she had traveling across the plains and mountains of a new country, having a new religion and the love she had for a young, Sioux brave.
“Everyone likes a good love story, adventure and most of all, a book you can read without being offended by what you have just read,” Villarreal says. “I believe that with all the hate and violence around the world, we could use a little hope, love and kindness to bring people together again. With this novel, I hope to give readers a feeling of peace and hope for a better tomorrow.”
An excerpt from the book:
“We’re going to give you a little advice, Amanda. We’ve been around a long time and have had more than our share of experiences. You shouldn’t feel guilty because you’re still alive and your husband isn’t. It’s just the way of life. I discovered that life goes on, no matter how painful it can be at times. We just learn to go on with it.” Cora smiled and patted me on the shoulder. “Remember, as life passes by, you better grab it by the wings and fly with it, or you’ll get left far behind.”
“Amanda”
By Jackie Gibson Villarreal
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 320 pages | ISBN 9781796013580
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 320 pages | ISBN 9781796013573
E-Book | 320 pages | ISBN 9781796013597
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Jackie Gibson Villarreal was born in Utah. Along with her family of five sisters and four brothers, plus her mother and father, they moved to Southern California. She was 18 months old. Three of her brothers joined the military while the fourth was too young. When her father retired, they (two sisters and one brother, plus parents) moved to a farm in the San Joaquin Valley in central California. That was one of the best times in her life. Riding horses, loads of books (no TV) and writing short stories for school newspaper. Two years after her father died, they moved back to Southern California. Along with her children and husband, they returned to Utah.
Xlibris Publishing, an Author Solutions, LLC imprint, is a self-publishing services provider created in 1997 by authors, for authors. By focusing on the needs of creative writers and artists and adopting the latest print-on-demand publishing technology and strategies, we provide expert publishing services with direct and personal access to quality publication in hardcover, trade paperback, custom leather-bound and full-color formats. To date, Xlibris has helped to publish more than 60,000 titles. For more information, visit xlibris.com or call 1-888-795-4274 to receive a free publishing guide. Follow us @XlibrisPub on Twitter for the latest news.
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SELFISH THINGS
ANNOUNCE DEBUT
FULL-LENGTH RECORD LOGOS
DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 20TH
VIA PURE NOISE RECORDS
STREAM NEW SINGLE "HOLE"
August 2, 2019 - Toronto, ON - Selfish Things have announced their highly-anticipated debut album will be released September 20th via Pure Noise Records. Logos is a collection of 11 tracks that dive right into the psyche of frontman Alex Biro. "I want people to know that there is strength in your faults. It's just as important to suffer as it is to find moments of joy and happiness. Darkness and light need one another" shares Biro on the upcoming album.
In addition to today's album announcement, Selfish Things have dropped a brand new single. "Hole" showcases the band's unique musical style. A propulsive rock melody is further enhanced by heavy hitting percussion, gentle piano melodies and Biro's one-of-a kind vocal quality. Fans can stream "Hole" today at https://smarturl.it/sflogos.
"Hole came to life as a result of familial turmoil and the impact lifelong choices can make on the people who surround you. Certain people are willing to turn a blind eye to the wrongdoing and malicious intent of others for the sake of stability." shares Biro on the track. "Mother's shouldn't blame themselves for the decisions their adult children make. It's imperative as well that those adult children realize that grace is a two way street in the face of conflict, and that those who brought you into the world should be put before egotism and anger."
"Hole" joins previously released singles "Pride", "Flood" and "Drained (ft. William Ryan Key)" from the forthcoming album, which was produced entirely by WZRD BLD. Fans can pre-order Logos at https://smarturl.it/sflogos.
Logos Track Listing
1. Flood
2. Blood (ft. Andy Leo of Crown The Empire)
3. Rowen
4. Pride
5. Synaptic
6. Torn (ft. Spencer Chamberlain)
7. Hole
8. Crutch
9. Drained (ft. William Ryan Key)
10. Mind
11. Youth
Selfish Things will be supporting Don Broco on their upcoming North American tour. Alongside Trash Boat and Sleep On It, the Canadian four-piece will be delivering their impassioned live performance to fans for a month long run kicking off September 12th in Boston, MA. Tickets are on-sale now with select dates already sold out. Biro will also join Cavetown for 3 special solo sets during sold-out dates on their US Tour. For tickets and updates on all upcoming tour dates, please visit: http://www.selfishthingsband.com/
Upcoming Selfish Things Tour Dates:
September 12 - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA
September 13 - Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY
September 14 - The Foundry @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA
September 15 - Milkboy Arthouse - College Park, MD
September 17 - Amos' Southend - Charlotte, NC
September 18 - Soundbar - Orlando, FL
September 20 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
September 21 - The Basement East - Nashville, TN
September 23 - Barracuda - Austin, TX
September 24 - Club Dada - Dallas, TX
September 26 - The Nile Theater - Mesa, AZ
September 27 - The Irenic - San Diego, CA
September 28 - The Troubador - Los Angeles, CA - SOLD OUT
September 29 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA
October 1 - The Crocodile - Seattle, WA
October 2 - Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, BC
October 3 - The Paris Theatre - Portland, OR
October 5 - The Loading Dock - Salt Lake City, UT
October 6 - Marquis Theater - Denver, CO
October 8 - Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
October 9 - Mahall's - Cleveland, OH
October 11 - The Shelter - Detroit, MI - SOLD OUT
October 12 - Hard Luck - Toronto, ON - SOLD OUT
October 13 - Le Ministere - Montreal, QC
October 14 - Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR* - SOLD OUT
October 15 - Venue Nightclub - Vancouver, B.C.* - SOLD OUT
October 16 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA* - SOLD OUT
* - Alex Biro Solo in support of Cavetown
While taking their name from Jimmy Eat World's "23", with unmatched determination Selfish Things prove they are neither selfish nor self-serving. Having spent years cultivating and nurturing his raw, natural talent, dedication to musicianship and songwriting, Biro founded Selfish Things. All of this, in the hope of shedding light on one simple, yet oftentimes overlooked, concept - honesty.
Selfish Things is Alex Biro (Vocals/Guitar/Piano), Mike Ticar (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Cam Snooks (Rhythm Guitar) and Jordan Trask (drums).
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Follow Selfish Things:
Website: http://www.selfishthingsband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfishthingsband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/selfishthings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfishthings/
Releases Highly Anticipated Record
The Love Life
"Not since their 2013 debut has Brian Swindle written songs as personal as
those on Have Mercy's fourth and latest album, The Love Life." - FLOOD
"It's a new side to the band that is in no way a departure from their solidified rock presence
but is rather the culmination of years of learning and growing." - NYLON
"Lyrically speaking, it's easy to draw comparisons between Have Mercy's Brian Swindle and Conor Oberst
or Elliott Smith. Their songwriting is immaculate, their stories are relatable and their tragedy feels as if it's
happening to a close loved one. The truth is, Have Mercy shouldn't be compared to anybody, whether that's
a forerunner or a contemporary. The Love Life stands beautifully on its own two feet" - New Noise Magazine
Available to Purchase and Stream Today
via Hopeless Records
http://smarturl.it/thelovelife
August 2, 2019 - Baltimore, MD - Have Mercy has dropped their fourth full-length album, The Love Life, today via Hopeless Records. Heralded as the band's "most dynamic record to date" by New Noise Magazine, The Love Life explores the negative space in the bands music like never before. Along with producer Matt Squire (Panic! At The Disco, The Maine), who oversaw the album's three-week recording progress, the group spent time carving out room in the album's 11 songs for each element of their sound-whether intricate guitar lines or Swindle's visceral vocal performances-to take center stage or serve a complementary role, depending on the situation.
Front man Brian Swindle shares, "This record is probably the most personal record since our first release. I wrote it to talk about everything I went through the last couple of years and how I was feeling during all of it. I want people to know that it's okay to be vulnerable and ask for help. If you don't then you may just be stuck in a bad place."
The band dropped singles "Heartbeat", "Mattress On The Floor" and "Clair" ahead of today's release to praise from both fans and press alike including NYLON, FLOOD, New Noise Magazine and more. Fans can purchase and stream The Love Life today via Hopeless Records at http://smarturl.it/thelovelife.
The band will be joining The Early November and OWEL on tour this Fall. A full list of dates are below with tickets on-sale now at http://www.wearehavemercy.com/.
9/13-College Park, MD @ Milkboy Arthouse
9/14-Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
9/16-Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
9/17-Nashville, TN @ Basement East
9/18-St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
9/20-Houston, TX @ Secret Group
9/21-Austin, TX @ Barracuda
9/22-Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
9/24-Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge
9/25-Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
9/26-San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues Voodoo Room
9/27-Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
9/28-San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill
9/30-Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
10/01-Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
10/02-Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
10/04-Salt Lake City, UT-Kilby Court
10/05-Denver, CO @ Globe
10/07-Kansas City, MO @ The Rino
10/08-Burnsville, MN @ The Garage
10/09-Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge
10/11-Cleveland, OH @ Mahall's
10/12-Columbus, OH @ Ace Of Cups
10/13-Toronto, ON @ Hardluck Bar
10/14-Detroit, MI @ The Shelter
10/16-Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
10/17-Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
10/18-Asbury Park, NJ @ House Of Independents
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Photo Credit: Benjamin Lieber
For more information:
All Press Assets Available Here
