Federal Independent Agencies
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from federal independent agencies.
Featured Stories
RFE/RL Expands Broadcasts To Afghanistan Despite Taliban Ban
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a subsidiary of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, issued the following news release:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) award-winning programming is now available 24 hours a day for millions of Afghan listeners who have come to rely on the broadcaster in the last two decades. Two months after the Taliban removed RFE/RL from AM and FM radio transmitters in Afghanistan, Azadi, as RFE/RL is known locally, is doubling its time on air providing Afghans with independent news in the Dari and Pashto languages. From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a subsidiary of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, issued the following news release:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) award-winning programming is now available 24 hours a day for millions of Afghan listeners who have come to rely on the broadcaster in the last two decades. Two months after the Taliban removed RFE/RL from AM and FM radio transmitters in Afghanistan, Azadi, as RFE/RL is known locally, is doubling its time on air providing Afghans with independent news in the Dari and Pashto languages. From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.local time Azadi is broadcasting on mediumwave on 1296 kHz, while during the second half of the day programming is available on shortwave.
This broadcasting milestone comes on Azadi's 21st anniversary, and further solidifies RFE/RL's role as a true public broadcaster - the only non-governmental radio broadcaster available 24/7 in Afghanistan. In the last two decades Azadi has become a staple of everyday life. Afghans frequently referred to Azadi as their "national broadcaster," and its mix of news and information is commonly heard in public settings in the country, from marketplaces to taxis.
"Our expanded programming for Afghan audiences is indicative of the resilience and creativity of our team and their dedication to continue to reach our audiences in Afghanistan in the face of extreme Taliban pressure," said RFE/RL President and CEO Jamie Fly. "Azadi will now be available for Afghans day and night to give them hope for a better future."
Despite significant pressure from the Taliban, RFE/RL continues to provide bold coverage of stories suppressed by state media. Azadi has given a platform for the most vulnerable -- women and girls, victims of violent extremism, the LGBTQI+ community, and youth -- to share their experiences. At every step, Azadi has responded to the Taliban's restrictive governance: when the Taliban forbade music, Azadi continued to play music on air; when the Taliban banned women from public life, Azadi gave women space to tell their stories; when the Taliban barred girls from attending school, Azadi and Learn Afghanistan provided a rigorous curriculum over the radio. For 21 years, Azadi has helped the powerless find community and hope.
In contrast to official Taliban claims, Afghans have again and again expressed their appreciation and gratitude to RFE/RL for providing a vital public service. RFE/RL will continue to find new and innovative ways to reach audiences.
Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, and RFE/RL journalists have paid the ultimate price for their commitment to a free press. In 2018, three Radio Azadi journalists -- Maharram Durrani, Abadullah Hananzai, and Sabawoon Kakar -- were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul. In 2020, Mohammad Ilyas Dayee was killed in a targeted bomb attack.
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Original text here: https://pressroom.rferl.org/a/rferl-expands-broadcasts-to-afghanistan-despite-taliban-ban-/32246210.html
Export-Import Bank Of The United States Played Key Role In Today's Last-Ever Boeing 747 Delivery
NEW YORK, Jan. 30 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
President and Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Reta Jo Lewis, met this morning with representatives from Atlas Air Inc. and J.P. Morgan Chase to celebrate the last-ever delivery of the Boeing 747 aircraft model.
EXIM's Board of Directors, led by Chair Lewis, approved the final loan guarantee to Atlas Air in October to support the final delivery and continue EXIM's support of the aviation supply chain. A total of $304 million, the transaction was expected to support approximately
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NEW YORK, Jan. 30 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
President and Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Reta Jo Lewis, met this morning with representatives from Atlas Air Inc. and J.P. Morgan Chase to celebrate the last-ever delivery of the Boeing 747 aircraft model.
EXIM's Board of Directors, led by Chair Lewis, approved the final loan guarantee to Atlas Air in October to support the final delivery and continue EXIM's support of the aviation supply chain. A total of $304 million, the transaction was expected to support approximately1,700 American jobs in Washington and Ohio while benefiting hundreds of suppliers across the country.
"EXIM is thrilled to play a role in this historic moment," said Chair Lewis. "The Boeing 747 is an iconic symbol of the impact American design and manufacturing has had on global air travel for decades. By continuing to support domestic manufacturing and building a more resilient supply chain, EXIM is fulfilling our mission to empower American manufacturers and exporters nationwide."
This meeting was the first stop on Chair Lewis' tour of New York as she meets with banks and stakeholders.
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Original text here: https://www.exim.gov/news/export-import-bank-united-states-played-key-role-todays-last-ever-boeing-747-delivery
U.S. Postal Service Board Of Governors To Meet Feb. 9
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release:
The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors will meet Feb. 9, 2023, in open session at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The Board is expected to discuss the following items:
* Remarks of the Chairman of the Board of Governors
* Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO
* Approval of the Minutes
* Committee Reports.
* Quarterly Financial Report
* Quarterly
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The U.S. Postal Service issued the following news release:
The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors will meet Feb. 9, 2023, in open session at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET in the Benjamin Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The Board is expected to discuss the following items:
* Remarks of the Chairman of the Board of Governors
* Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO
* Approval of the Minutes
* Committee Reports.
* Quarterly Financial Report
* QuarterlyService Performance Report
* Approval of Tentative Agenda for May 9 Meeting
A public comment period will begin immediately following the adjournment of the open session on Feb. 9. During the public comment period, which shall not exceed 45 minutes, members of the public may comment on any item or subject listed on the agenda for the open session above. Registration for participation in the public comment period is required. Additionally, the public will be given the option to join the public comment session and participate via teleconference. Should you wish to participate via teleconference, you will be required to give your first and last name, a valid email address to send an invite and a phone number to reach you should a technical issue arise. Speakers may register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BOG-02-09-2023.No more than three minutes shall be allotted to each speaker. The time allotted to each speaker will be determined after registration closes. Registration for the public comment period, either in person or via teleconference, will end on Feb. 7 at noon ET. Participation in the public comment period is governed by 39 C.F.R. 232.1(n).
Open session meetings of the Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/#sessions. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned.
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Original text here: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2023/0127-usps-board-of-governors-to-meet-feb-9.htm
National Gallery of Art: Acquisition - Kiki Kogelnik's Pop-Era Painting, "Night"
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
The National Gallery of Art has recently acquired Kiki Kogelnik's Night (1964), from the artist's breakthrough series depicting techno-bodies and avatars floating in vibrant compositions of bold shapes and patterns.
Born in Graz, Austria, Kogelnik grew up in the southern town of Bleiburg, making her way to the Academy of Applied Arts and then the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where she studied graphic art, painting, and sculpture from 1954 to 1958. In the late 1950s, she painted in the gestural abstract style
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
The National Gallery of Art has recently acquired Kiki Kogelnik's Night (1964), from the artist's breakthrough series depicting techno-bodies and avatars floating in vibrant compositions of bold shapes and patterns.
Born in Graz, Austria, Kogelnik grew up in the southern town of Bleiburg, making her way to the Academy of Applied Arts and then the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where she studied graphic art, painting, and sculpture from 1954 to 1958. In the late 1950s, she painted in the gestural abstract stylefavored by many European artists of the period. By 1962 she had moved to New York, energized by the thriving artistic community. In an era shaped by the Space Race and the Cold War, Kogelnik became fascinated with the uncertainties and possibilities of a technology-driven future.
At the end of 1963 and in early 1964, Kogelnik began to paint a series of six large-scale works with vibrant floating discs and cut-out figures against backgrounds of metallic ovoids. Night, a colorful composition divided horizontally into earth and sky, is believed to be the final work of this group. The painting has been interpreted as showing two figures, gender-coded with pink and blue heads and bone-shaped torsos. Both figures extend one leg toward outer space, while the pink figure also has one foot on the ground.
In the late 1960s Kogelnik began to experiment with new materials, such as plastics, and engaged in performances, all while continuing to present the human subject in gravity-defying compositions and vibrant universes. By the 1970s her work was focused on the representation of women and the liberated female figure. Her "Hanging" series--vinyl silhouettes draped over clothes hangers--is a sculptural extension of her painted cut-out figures of the 1960s. Kogelnik would use vinyl as a material until the late 1980s. In the 1990s Kogelnik focused particularly on the head in new materials, including ceramic and glass, often reflecting the new wave culture that sprang up around her studio on the edge of the East Village.
Kogelnik died in 1997 in Vienna. She is one of Austria's most revered modern artists and continues to receive overdue recognition internationally for her contributions to modern art. Recent solo shows include Kiki Kogelnik: Now Is the Time (Kunstforum Wien, Austria, 2023); Kiki Kogelnik--Les cyborgs ne sont pas respectueuses (Musee des beaux-arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, 2020); Kiki Kogelnik: Inner Life (Kunsthall Stavanger, Norway, 2017); Kiki Kogelnik: Fly Me to the Moon (Modern Art Oxford, United Kingdom, 2015); and I Have Seen the Future (Kunstverein in Hamburg, Germany, 2012).
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Original text here: https://www.nga.gov/press/acquisitions/2023/kiki-kogelnik.html
National Gallery of Art: Acquisition - 17th-Century Nautilus Cup
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
In the 16th and 17th centuries, nautilus cups were among the most treasured objects in chambers of art and wonders (Kunstkammern in German)--collections of natural marvels and skillfully crafted artworks that became popular with princely collectors in Europe. The National Gallery of Art has acquired its first nautilus cup (c. 1650, etching; c. 1670, mount), an extraordinary object that may have been made for a member of the Swedish royal family.
The pinkish white shell, shaped like an oval bowl, is etched with
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- The National Gallery of Art issued the following news release:
In the 16th and 17th centuries, nautilus cups were among the most treasured objects in chambers of art and wonders (Kunstkammern in German)--collections of natural marvels and skillfully crafted artworks that became popular with princely collectors in Europe. The National Gallery of Art has acquired its first nautilus cup (c. 1650, etching; c. 1670, mount), an extraordinary object that may have been made for a member of the Swedish royal family.
The pinkish white shell, shaped like an oval bowl, is etched withan elaborate design that includes monstrous fish and fantastic birds amid vegetation. The decoration was likely made by a specialist working in Amsterdam around 1650.
The shell then made its way to Sweden, where an unknown silversmith created the intricate mount featuring a siren gliding over the ocean. The cup appears to have been one of a pair commissioned during the late 17th century by a collector in Sweden--perhaps even the king. Both cups were recorded in the collection of King Carl XV in the 19th century.
Nautilus cups speak to the emerging globalism of the 17th-century economy: the shell comes from the oceans of the Indo-Pacific region and would have traveled to Europe on a Dutch trade ship.
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Original text here: https://www.nga.gov/press/acquisitions/2023/nautilus-cup.html
National Archives Publishes Customer Research Agenda
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrpt) -- The National Archives and Records Administration issued the following news release:
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has posted its Customer Research Agenda.
A draft Customer Research Agenda was open for public review and comment in October 2022. "We're grateful for the feedback we received during the public review and comment period. The information our customers and stakeholders shared helped better focus and finalize the agenda. The document truly reflects the agency's commitment to learn more about its customers prior to making improvements
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (TNSrpt) -- The National Archives and Records Administration issued the following news release:
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has posted its Customer Research Agenda.
A draft Customer Research Agenda was open for public review and comment in October 2022. "We're grateful for the feedback we received during the public review and comment period. The information our customers and stakeholders shared helped better focus and finalize the agenda. The document truly reflects the agency's commitment to learn more about its customers prior to making improvementsto services," said Maria Carosa Stanwich, Chief of Staff.
NARA's approach to service improvement includes three steps: discover, design, deliver. The Customer Research Agenda is a set of questions that will be used during each discovery phase. The feedback collected from the questions will deepen NARA's understanding of its customers to improve design, service delivery, and overall customer experience. "We right-sized the agenda by focusing on what it is, how we will use it, and what we need to learn from our current and future customers to improve services," said Stephanie Bogan, Chief Customer Experience Officer.
NARA developed its Customer Research Agenda to guide the agency's approach to better understanding the wants, needs, and expectations that individuals, organizations, and communities have when interacting with its services. In alignment with agency-wide efforts to expand NARA's reach and access, the Customer Research Agenda also explicitly focuses on helping NARA understand how the agency can expand access and participation. NARA's goal is to ensure that its services are available to all, including groups that have been historically underserved, disadvantaged, or excluded.
"By focusing our research on the overall quality of NARA services, the process of obtaining services, and the people providing services, we will build a comprehensive understanding of the agency's customers that will enable us to make service improvements that are driven by their voices," said Nick Bloom, Human-Centered Design Specialist.
The Customer Research Agenda is an important step toward achieving NARA's Strategic Goal 2: Connect with Customers. These efforts also support government-wide initiatives to improve federal customer experience and service equity as represented in the President's Management Agenda, Executive Order 13985, Executive Order 14058, and the Office of Management and Budget's A-11 Circular Sec.280.
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REPORT: https://www.archives.gov/files/about/plans-reports/customer-experience/customer-research-agenda.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2023/nr23-16
Fannie Mae Multifamily Closes 2022 With $69 Billion In Volume
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) provided more than $69 billion in debt financing to support the multifamily market in 2022. Through our Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS(R)) platform, along with our Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity, we delivered on our mission to provide access to affordable housing throughout the country.
"This year marks our 35th anniversary of DUS, a platform that relies on shared risk and strong lender partnerships to serve the needs of the rental housing market," said Michele Evans, Executive
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 -- Fannie Mae issued the following news release:
Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTCQB) provided more than $69 billion in debt financing to support the multifamily market in 2022. Through our Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS(R)) platform, along with our Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity, we delivered on our mission to provide access to affordable housing throughout the country.
"This year marks our 35th anniversary of DUS, a platform that relies on shared risk and strong lender partnerships to serve the needs of the rental housing market," said Michele Evans, ExecutiveVice President and Head of Multifamily, Fannie Mae. "Our DUS program is well positioned to support the secondary market and play a key role as a stable source of liquidity. We look forward to working with our DUS lenders in the coming year to continue to serve the market and address its most pressing challenges."
Fannie Mae's presence in the market and the success of its partnerships were exhibited across multiple sectors in 2022. Notably, Multifamily Affordable Housing volumes totaled $10.3 billion in 2022, up nearly 7 percent from $9.6 billion in 2021, while Structured Transactions and Student Housing increased from $5.7 billion to $10.3 billion (82.6 percent) and $0.9 billion to $1.2 billion (26 percent), respectively. Additionally, Seniors Housing volumes totaled $1 billion last year, up more than 26 percent from $0.8 billion in 2021.
Our LIHTC investments provided a reliable source of capital and served as a stabilizing influence on affordable housing. Fannie Mae was able to commit all of its $1.7 billion cap for calendar years 2021 and 2022 and these investments create or preserve more than 35,000 affordable units. In the past five years since we re-entered the market, we have provided over $3 billion in equity investments in properties throughout the country, including underserved markets, populations with unmet needs, such as Native American and farmworker communities, supportive housing development, and disaster-impacted areas.
"We want to thank our DUS lenders for their partnership and helping us support the multifamily market," said Rob Levin, Senior Vice President and Multifamily Chief Customer Officer, Fannie Mae. "Together with our lenders, we were active across all market segments while building a balanced portfolio."
The following top 10 DUS Lenders produced the highest business volumes in 2022. Also listed below are the Top 5 Lender rankings for highest volumes in 2022 for Structured Transactions, Multifamily Affordable Housing, Green Financing, Small Loans, Manufactured Housing Communities, Student Housing, and Seniors Housing.
Top 5 DUS Producers for Structured Transactions in 2022
* Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital
* CBRE Multifamily Capital, Inc.
* Newmark
* Walker & Dunlop, LLC
* KeyBank National Association
Top 5 DUS Producers for Multifamily Affordable Housing in 2022/1
* Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital
* CBRE Multifamily Capital, Inc.
* Walker & Dunlop, LLC
* Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, LLC
* Capital One, National Association
Top 5 DUS Producers for Green Financing in 2022/2
* Walker & Dunlop, LLC
* Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, LLC
* Greystone Servicing Company LLC
* CBRE Multifamily Capital, Inc.
* KeyBank National Association
Top 5 DUS Producers for Small Loans in 2022/3
* Greystone Servicing Company LLC
* Arbor Commercial Funding I, LLC
* Walker & Dunlop, LLC
* Berkadia Commercial Mortgage, LLC
* Lument
Top 5 DUS Producers for Manufactured Housing Communities in 2022
* Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital, LLC
* Walker & Dunlop, LLC
* Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital
* KeyBank National Association
* Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC
Top 5 DUS Producers for Student Housing in 2022
* KeyBank National Association
* Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital
* Walker & Dunlop, LLC
* Capital One, National Association
* CBRE Multifamily Capital, Inc.
Top 5 DUS Producers for Seniors Housing in 2022
* Greystone Servicing Company LLC
* PNC Real Estate
* Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital, LLC
* Wells Fargo Multifamily Capital
* M&T Realty Capital Corporation
Listed below are 2022 production highlights for individual business categories, which are included in the total multifamily production number:
* Structured Transactions - $10.3 billion, an increase of nearly 83 percent from $5.7 billion in 2021
* MultifamilyAffordable Housing/1 - $10.3 billion, an increase of nearly 7 percent from $9.6 billion in 2021
* Green Financing/2 - $9.1 billion
* Small Loans/3 - $3.4 billion
* Manufactured Housing Communities - $2.7 billion
* Student Housing - $1.2 billion, an increase of 26 percent from $0.9 billion in 2021
* Seniors Housing - $1 billion, an increase of more than 26 percent from $0.8 billion in 2021
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Footnotes:
1/ Multifamily Affordable Housing Loans are defined as financing for rent-restricted properties and properties receiving other federal and state subsidies. Affordable housing acquisitions also include 20% at 80% AMI, Special Public Purpose Multifamily Affordable Housing (SPP MAH), and Sponsor-Initiated Affordability Multifamily Affordable Housing (SIA MAH).
2/ Green Loans are defined as loans for properties with Green Building Certifications or loans that are projected to achieve specified reductions in the property's energy usage and water usage that sum to at least 30 percent, of which a minimum of 15 percent must be projected energy savings.
3/ Small Loans are defined as loans of $6 million or less nationwide and loans for properties with 5 or more units nationwide.
**/ Due to rounding, amounts reported may not add up to overall totals.
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Original text here: https://www.fanniemae.com/newsroom/fannie-mae-news/multifamily-volume-2022
