american progress annual report 2010

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  • 8/8/2019 American Progress Annual Report 2010

    1/41

    Center for American Progress and Center for American Progress Action Fund

    proress[n. pro-res]

  • 8/8/2019 American Progress Annual Report 2010

    2/41

    forward-thinking[fawr-werd-thing-king]

    -adjective

    planning or tending to

    plan for the future;

    forward-looking

    diverse[dih-vurs, dahy-, dahy-vurs]

    -adjective1: differing from one another

    2: composed of distinct

    or unlike elements or

    qualities

    progressive

    [pruh-gres-iv]-adjectivemaking use of or interested

    in new ideas, findings, or

    opportunities

    anticipate[an-tis-uh-peyt]

    -verb1: to realize beforehand;

    foretaste or foresee

    2: to expect; look forward to;

    be sure of

    3: to perform (an action)

    before another has had time

    to act

    entrepreneurial[ahn-truh-pruh-nur-y-al]

    -adjectiveone who organizes, manages,

    and assumes the risks of an

    enterprise

    incubator[in-kyuh-bey-ter]

    -nounan organization or place

    that aids the development

    of new ventures

    bold[bohld]

    -adjective

    1: showing or requiring afearless daring spirit

    2: adventurous, free

    3: standing out prominently

    brains[breynz]

    -noununderstanding; intellectual

    power; intelligence

    brawn[brawn]

    -nounstrong; well-developed

    antagonist[an-tag-uh-nist]-nouna person who is opposed

    to, struggles against, or

    competes with another;

    opponent

    ingenious[in-jeen-yuhs]

    -adjective

    1: marked by especial

    aptitude at discovering,

    inventing, or contriving

    2: marked by orig inality,

    resourcefulness, and

    cleverness in conception

    or execution

    vision[vizh-uhn]

    -nounThe act or power of

    anticipating that which

    will or may come to be:prophetic vision; the

    vision of an entrepreneur

    reinforce[ree-in-fawrs]

    -verbto strengthen by additional

    assistance, material, or

    support: make stronger or

    more pronounced

    effective[ih-fek-tiv]

    -adjective1: being or involving

    the immediate agent in

    producing an effect2: productive of desired

    effects; especially:

    productive without waste

    unconventional[uhn-kuhn-ven-shuh-nl]

    -adjectivenot bound by or conforming

    to convention, rule, or

    precedent

    relentless[ri-lent-lis]

    -adjective

    that which does not relent;

    unyieldingly severe, strict,

    or harsh; unrelenting

    unique[yoo-neek]

    -adjective

    1: being without a like or equal

    2: distinctively characteristic

    long-haul[lawng-hawl]

    -noun1: a long distance

    2: considerable period

    of time

    clever[klev-er]

    -adjective1: mentally quick and

    resourceful

    2: clever stresses physical or

    mental quickness, deftness

    or great aptitude

    3: adroit often implies a

    skillful use of expedients

    to achieve ones purpose in

    spite of difficulties

    4: ingenious suggests the

    power of inventing or

    discovering a new way of

    accomplishing something

    cunning[kuhn-ing]

    -adjective1: dexterous or crafty in the

    use of special resources

    2: displaying keen insight

    intellect[in-tl-ekt]

    -noun1: the capacity for knowledge

    2: the capacity for rational

    or intelligent thought,

    especially when highly

    developed

    pragmatic[prag-mat-ik]

    -adjective1: of or pertaining to a

    practical point of view or

    practical considerations

    2: dealing or being concerned

    with facts or actual

    occurrences; practical

    savvy[sav-ee]

    -verb1: to know; understand

    -adjective2: practical understanding;

    shrewdness or intelligence;

    common sense

    3: shrewdly informed;

    experienced and well-

    informed; canny

    collaborate[kuh-lab-uh-reyt]

    -verb

    to work together, especiallyin a joint intellectual effort

    creative[kree-ey-tiv]

    -adjective

    1: marked by the ability or

    power to create2: having the quality of

    something created rather

    than imitated

    strategic[struh-tee-jik]

    -adjectiveimportant in or essential

    to strategy

    futuristic[fyoo-chuh-ris-tik]

    -adjective1: of or pertaining to

    the future

    2: ahead of the times;

    advanced

    3: of, characterized by, or

    expressing a vision of the

    future

    4: being ahead of the times;

    innovative or revolutionary

    advocate[v.ad-vuh-keyt, n.ad-vuh-kit]

    -verb1: to speak or write in

    favor of; support or urge

    by argument; recommend

    publicly

    noun

    2: a person who speaks orwrites in support or defense

    of a person or cause

    3: a person who pleads for

    or in behalf of another;

    intercessor

    forward-thinking[fawr-werd-thing-king]

    -adjectiveplanning or tending to

    plan for the future;

    forward-looking

    diverse[dih-vurs, dahy-, dahy-vurs]

    -adjective

    1: differing from one another2: composed of distinct

    or unlike elements or

    qualities

    progressive[pruh-gres-iv]

    -adjectivemaking use of or interested

    in new ideas, findings, or

    opportunities

    anticipate[an-tis-uh-peyt]

    -verb

    1: to realize beforehand;

    foretaste or foresee

    2: to expect; look forward to;be sure of

    3: to perform (an action)

    before another has had time

    to act

    entrepreneurial[ahn-truh-pruh-nur-y-al]

    -adjectiveone who organizes, manages,

    and assumes the risks of an

    enterprise

    incubator[in-kyuh-bey-ter]

    -nounan organization or place

    that aids the developmentof new ventures

    bold[bohld]

    -adjective

    1: showing or requiring a

    fearless daring spirit

    2: adventurous, free

    3: standing out prominently

    brains[breynz]

    -noun

    understanding; intellectual

    power; intelligence

    brawn[brawn]

    -nounstrong; well-developed

    antagonist[an-tag-uh-nist]

    -nouna person who is opposed

    to, struggles against, or

    competes with another;

    opponent

    ingenious[in-jeen-yuhs]

    -adjective1: marked by especial

    aptitude at discovering,

    inventing, or contriving

    2: marked by or iginality,

    resourcefulness, and

    cleverness in conception

    or execution

    vision[vizh-uhn]

    -nounThe act or power of

    anticipating that which

    will or may come to be:

    prophetic vision; the

    vision of an entrepreneur

    reinforce[ree-in-fawrs]

    -verb

    to strengthen by additional

    assistance, material, or

    support: make stronger or

    more pronounced

    effective[ih-fek-tiv]

    -adjective

    1: being or involving

    the immediate agent in

    producing an effect2: productive of desired

    effects; especially:

    productive without waste

    unconventional[uhn-kuhn-ven-shuh-nl]

    -adjectivenot bound by or conforming

    to convention, rule, or

    precedent

    relentless[ri-lent-lis]

    -adjectivethat which does not relent;

    unyieldingly severe, strict,

    or harsh; unrelenting

    unique[yoo-neek]

    -adjective

    1: being without a like or equal

    2: distinctively characteristic

    long-haul[lawng-hawl]

    -noun1: a long distance

    2: considerable period

    of time

    clever[klev-er]

    -adjective1: mentally quick and

    resourceful

    2: clever stresses physical or

    mental quickness, deftness

    or great aptitude

    3: adroit often implies a

    skillful use of expedients

    to achieve ones purpose in

    spite of difficulties

    4: ingenious suggests the

    power of inventing or

    discovering a new way of

    accomplishing something

    cunning[kuhn-ing]

    -adjective1: dexterous or crafty in the

    use of special resources

    2: displaying keen insight

    intellect[in-tl-ekt]

    -noun1: the capacity for knowledge

    2: the capacity for rational

    or intelligent thought,

    especially when highly

    developed

    pragmatic

    [prag-mat-ik]-adjective

    1: of or pertaining to a

    practical point of view or

    practical considerations

    2: dealing or being concerned

    with facts or actual

    occurrences; practical

    savvy[sav-ee]

    -verb1: to know; understand

    -adjective2: practical understanding;

    shrewdness or intelligence;

    common sense

    3: shrewdly informed;experienced and well-

    informed; canny

    collaborate[kuh-lab-uh-reyt]

    -verb

    to work together, especially

    in a joint intellectual effort

    creative[kree-ey-tiv]

    -adjective

    1: marked by the ability or

    power to create

    2: having the quality ofsomething created rather

    than imitated

    strategic[struh-tee-jik]

    -adjective

    important in or essentialto strategy

    futuristic[fyoo-chuh-ris-tik]

    -adjective1: of or pertaining to

    the future

    2: ahead of the times;

    advanced

    3: of, characterized by, or

    expressing a vision of the

    future

    4: being ahead of the times;

    innovative or revolutionary

    advocate

    [v.ad-vuh-keyt, n.ad-vuh-kit]-verb1: to speak or write in

    favor of; support or urge

    by argument; recommend

    publicly

    noun2: a person who speaks or

    writes in support or defense

    of a person or cause

    3: a person who pleads for

    or in behalf of another;

    intercessor

    forward-thinking[fawr-werd-thing-king]

    -adjective

    planning or tending toplan for the future;

    forward-looking

    diverse[dih-vurs, dahy-, dahy-vurs]

    -adjective

    1: differing from one another2: composed of distinct

    or unlike elements or

    qualities

    progressive[pruh-gres-iv]

    -adjectivemaking use of or interested

    in new ideas, findings, or

    opportunities

    anticipate[an-tis-uh-peyt]

    -verb1: to realize beforehand;

    foretaste or foresee

    2: to expect; look forward to;

    be sure of

    3: to perform (an action)

    before another has had time

    to act

    entrepreneurial[ahn-truh-pruh-nur-y-al]

    -adjectiveone who organizes, manages,

    and assumes the risks of an

    enterprise

    incubator[in-kyuh-bey-ter]

    -nounan organization or place

    that aids the development

    of new ventures

    bold[bohld]

    -adjective1: showing or requiring a

    fearless daring spirit

    2: adventurous, free

    3: standing out prominently

    brains[breynz]

    -noununderstanding; intellectual

    power; intelligence

    brawn[brawn]

    -nounstrong; well-developed

    antagonist[an-tag-uh-nist]

    -nouna person who is opposed

    to, struggles against, or

    competes with another;

    opponent

    ingenious[in-jeen-yuhs]

    -adjective1: marked by especial

    aptitude at discovering,

    inventing, or contriving

    2: marked by originality,

    resourcefulness, and

    cleverness in conception

    or execution

    proress[prog-res]

    -noun1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3 : growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of an

    individual or society in amore beneficial direction

    5: forward or onward

    movement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

    3: adroit often implies a3: adroit often implies a

    killful use of expedientskillful use of expedients

    to achieve ones purpose into achieve ones purpose in

    pite of difficultiespite of difficulties

    4: ingenious suggests the4: ingenious suggests the

    power of inventing orpower of inventing or

    discovering a new way ofdiscovering a new way of

    accomplishing somethingaccomplishing something

    cunningcunning[[kuhnkuhn-ing]-ing]

    adjectiveadjective1: dexterous or crafty in the1: dexterous or crafty in the

    use of special resourcesuse of special resources

    2: displaying keen insight2: displaying keen insight

    intellectintellect[[inin-tl-ekt]-tl-ekt]

    nounnoun1: the capacity for knowledge1: the capacity for knowledge

    2: the capacity for rational2: the capacity for rational

    or intelligent thought,or intelligent thought,

    especially when highlyespecially when highly

    developeddeveloped

    pragmaticpragmatic[[pragprag-mat-ik]-mat-ik]

    adjectiveadjective1: of or pertaining to a1: of or pertaining to a

    practical point of view orpractical point of view or

    practical considerationspractical considerations

    2: dealing or being concerned2: dealing or being concerned

    with facts or actualwith facts or actual

    occurrences; practicaloccurrences; practical

    avvyavvy[[ avav-ee]-ee]

    verbverb1: to know; understand1: to know; understand

    adjectiveadjective2: practical understanding;2: practical understanding;

    hrewdness or intelligence;hrewdness or intelligence;

    common sensecommon sense

    3: shrewdly informed;3: shrewdly informed;

    experienced and well-experienced and well-

    informed; cannyinformed; canny

    collaboratecollaborate[k[kuhuh--lablab-- hh-reyt]-reyt]

    verbverb

    to work together, especiallyto work together, especiallyin a joint intellectual effortin a joint intellectual effort

    creativecreative[kree-[kree-eyey-tiv]-tiv]

    adjectiveadjective

    1: marked by the ability or1: marked by the ability or

    power to createpower to create2: having the quality of2: having the quality of

    omething created ratheromething created rather

    than imitatedthan imitated

    trategictrategic[str[struhuh--teetee-jik]-jik]

    adjectiveadjectiveimportant in or essentialimportant in or essential

    to strategyto strategy

    futuristicfuturistic[fyoo-ch[fyoo-chuhuh--risris-tik]-tik]

    adjectiveadjective1: of or pertaining to1: of or pertaining to

    the futurethe future

    2: ahead of the times;2: ahead of the times;

    advancedadvanced

    3: of, characterized by, or3: of, characterized by, or

    expressing a vision of theexpressing a vision of the

    futurefuture

    4: being ahead of the times;4: being ahead of the times;

    innovative or revolutionaryinnovative or revolutionary

    advocateadvocate[[v.v.adad-v-v hh-keyt,-keyt, n.n. dd-v-vuhuh-kit]-kit]

    -verb-verb1: to speak or write in1: to speak or write in

    favor of; support or urgefavor of; support or urge

    by argument; recommendby argument; recommend

    publiclypublicly

    nounnoun

    2: a person who speaks or2: a person who speaks orwrites in support or defensewrites in support or defense

    of a person or causeof a person or cause

    3: a person who pleads for3: a person who pleads for

    or in behalf of another;or in behalf of another;

    intercessorintercessor

    forward-thinkingforward-thinking[[fawrfawr-werd-thing-king]-werd-thing-king]

    -adjective-adjectiveplanning or tending toplanning or tending to

    plan for the future;plan for the future;

    forward-lookingforward-looking

    diversediverse[dih-[dih-vursvurs, dahy-,, dahy-, dahydahy-vurs]-vurs]

    -adjective-adjective

    1: differing from one another1: differing from one another2: composed of distinct2: composed of distinct

    or unlike elements oror unlike elements or

    qualitiesqualities

    progressiveprogressive[pr[pruhuh--gresgres-iv]-iv]

    -adjective-adjectivemaking use of or interestedmaking use of or interested

    in new ideas, findings, orin new ideas, findings, or

    opportunitiesopportunities

    anticipateanticipate[an-[an-tistis--uhuh-peyt]-peyt]

    -verb-verb

    1: to realize beforehand;1: to realize beforehand;

    foretaste or foreseeforetaste or foresee

    2: to expect; look forward to;2: to expect; look forward to;be sure ofbe sure of

    3: to perform (an action)3: to perform (an action)

    before another has had timebefore another has had time

    to actto act

    entrepreneurialentrepreneurial[ahn-tr[ahn-truhuh-pr-pruhuh--nurnur-y-al]-y-al]

    -adjective-adjectiveone who organizes, manages,one who organizes, manages,

    and assumes the risks of anand assumes the risks of an

    enterpriseenterprise

    incubatorincubator[[inin-ky-kyuhuh-bey-ter]-bey-ter]

    -noun-nounan organization or placean organization or place

    that aids the developmentthat aids the developmentof new venturesof new ventures

    boldbold[bohld][bohld]

    -adjective-adjective

    1: showing or requiring a1: showing or requiring a

    fearless daring spiritfearless daring spirit

    2: adventurous, free2: adventurous, free

    3: standing out prominently3: standing out prominently

    brainsbrains[breynz][breynz]

    -noun-noun

    understanding; intellectualunderstanding; intellectual

    power; intelligencepower; intelligence

    brawnbrawn[brawn][brawn]

    -noun-nounstrong; well-developedstrong; well-developed

    antagonistantagonist[an-[an- agag--uhuh-nist]-nist]

    -noun-nouna person who is opposeda person who is opposed

    to, struggles against, orto, struggles against, or

    competes with another;competes with another;

    opponentopponent

    ingeniousingenious[in-[in-jeenjeen--yuhyuh--yuh--

    s]s]

    -adjective-adjective1: marked by especial1: marked by especial

    aptitude at discovering,aptitude at discovering,

    inventing, or contrivinginventing, or contriving

    2: marked by or iginality,2: marked by or iginality,

    resourcefulness, andresourcefulness, and

    cleverness in conceptioncleverness in conception

    or executionor execution

    visionvision[[vizhvizh--uhuhn]n]

    -noun-nounThe act or power ofThe act or power of

    anticipating that whichanticipating that which

    will or may come to be:will or may come to be:

    prophetic vision; theprophetic vision; the

    vision of an entrepreneurvision of an entrepreneur

    reinforcereinforce[ree-in-[ree-in-fawrsfawrs

    -verb-verb

    to strengthen by additionalto strengthen by additional

    assistance, material, orassistance, material, or

    support: make stronger orsupport: make stronger or

    more pronouncedmore pronounced

    effectiveeffective[ih-[ih-fekfek-tiv]-tiv]

    -adjective-adjective

    1: being or involving1: being or involving

    the immediate agent inthe immediate agent in

    producing an effectproducing an effect2: productive of desired2: productive of desired

    effects; especially:effects; especially:

    productive without wasteproductive without waste

    unconventionalunconventional[uhn-k[uhn-kuhuh --venven-sh-shuhuh-nl]-nl]

    -adjective-adjectivenot bound by or conformingnot bound by or conforming

    to convention, rule, orto convention, rule, or

    precedentprecedent

    relentlessrelentless[ri-[ri-lentlent-lis]-lis]

    -adjective-adjectivethat which does not relent;that which does not relent;

    nyieldingly severe, strict,nyieldingly severe, strict,

    r harsh; unrelentingr harsh; unrelenting

    uniqueunique[yoo-[yoo-neekneek

    adjectiveadjective

    1: being without a like or equal1: being without a like or equal

    2: distinctively characteristic2: distinctively characteristic

    long-haullong-haul[[lawnglawng-hawl]-hawl]

    nounnoun1: a long distance1: a long distance

    2: considerable period2: considerable period

    f timef time

    leverlever[[klevklev-er]-er]

    adjectiveadjective1: mentally quick and1: mentally quick and

    esourcefulesourceful

    2: clever stresses physical or2: clever stresses physical or

    ental quickness, deftnessental quickness, deftness

    r great aptituder great aptitude

    3: adroit often implies a3: adroit often implies a

    killful use of expedientskillful use of expedients

    o achieve ones purpose ino achieve ones purpose in

    pite of difficultiespite of difficulties

    : ingenious suggests the: ingenious suggests the

    ower of inventing orower of inventing or

    iscovering a new way ofiscovering a new way of

    accomplishing somethingaccomplishing something

    unningunning[[kuhnkuhn-ing]-ing]

    adjectiveadjective1: dexterous or crafty in the1: dexterous or crafty in the

    se of special resourcesse of special resources

    2: displaying keen insight2: displaying keen insight

    intellectintellect[[inin-tl-ekt]-tl-ekt]

    nounnoun1: the capacity for knowledge1: the capacity for knowledge

    2: the capacity for rational2: the capacity for rational

    r intelligent thought,r intelligent thought,

    specially when highlyspecially when highly

    evelopedeveloped

    ragmaticragmatic

    [[pragprag-mat-ik]-mat-ik]adjectiveadjective

    1: of or pertaining to a1: of or pertaining to a

    ractical point of view orractical point of view or

    ractical considerationsractical considerations

    2: dealing or being concerned2: dealing or being concerned

    with facts or actualwith facts or actual

    ccurrences; practicalccurrences; practical

    avvyavvy[[savsav-ee]-ee]

    verbverb1: to know; understand1: to know; understand

    adjectiveadjective2: practical understanding;2: practical understanding;

    hrewdness or intelligence;hrewdness or intelligence;

    ommon senseommon sense

    3: shrewdly informed;3: shrewdly informed;xperienced and well-xperienced and well-

    informed; cannyinformed; canny

    ollaborateollaborate[k[kuhuh--lablab--uhuh-reyt]-reyt]

    noun

    1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3: growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of an

    individual or society in a

    more beneficial direction

    5: forward or onwardmovement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

    proress [pro-res]

  • 8/8/2019 American Progress Annual Report 2010

    3/41

    .This is what progressives have worked

    to achieve for more than a century in order to build

    a more perfect union. At the Center for American

    Progress and its sister affiliate CAP Action, weve

    taken up that great progressive tradition and built a

    unique capacity for defining and achieving progress

    in this new and challenging era.

    Achieving real progress is like running a race with-

    out a finish linecontinuous improvement has no

    end. Thats why Americans need an institution like

    ours to succeed over the long haul.

    While there are respected institutions in Washington

    that offer singular contributions to the debate, we

    built CAP and CAP Action to be different. CAP and

    CAP Action combine intellect and action as part of a

    comprehensive approach to making change happen.

    I am proud of our role in anticipating new directions

    in policy, setting the terms of the debate, and devis-

    ing solutions before others.

    We define progress by convening talent, drawing

    policymakers to our table, and developing precisely

    the kinds of policies our country needs to keep mov-

    ing in the right direction.

    help restore the American dream so everyone can

    find opportunity and make a better life for them-

    selves and their families. We must work to address

    climate change with new clean energy policies to

    create new industries and jobs. And we must ensure

    that governing by progressive political values is a

    success by implementing vital reforms in areas key

    to our economic future, including health care, edu-

    cation, and technology.

    We have our work cut out for us. A newly embold-

    ened conservative movement presents a tough, orga-

    nized opposition to our definition of progress.

    We cant let their ideas prevail. And we need a strong

    CAP and CAP Action to ensure they will not.

    Progressives want to make sure that we look back on

    this era as a time of promise fulfilled, not of hope

    denied. CAP and CAP Actions broad reach, deep

    bench, and dynamic approach will make our dreams

    a reality.

    Our work has just started, and we want you to be a

    part of all we do to complete it.

    Defining and Achieving

    Progress in Our Era

    John Podesta

    CAP President and CEO

    CAP Action Chair and Counselor

    September 2010

    With a cutting-edge commitment to traditional and

    new media, and through lasting contributions and

    rapid response that keep us a constant presence in

    the debate, we persuade policymakers and citizens

    that progressive ideas will create a better future for

    all Americans.

    The results are clear. At a time of economic chal-

    lenge unseen in our country for eight decades and

    amid unparalleled tests for the natural environment,

    technology, and national security, our vision and

    our program are roadmaps for progressive action.

    Our imprint can be seen on the landmark changes in

    policy enacted over the past few years. From the pas-

    sage of health care reform to ending Dont Ask, Dont

    Tell, CAP and CAP Action were at the center of the

    debate, providing the most articulate and compelling

    ideas and voices for progressive achievement. In these

    and many other areas, CAP and CAP Action proudly

    played an often pivotal role in designing policies and

    messagesand crafting political support that made

    these groundbreaking initiatives a reality.

    But progressives have a lot left to do, both at home

    and around the world. We must secure a full and

    equitable economic recovery for all Americans to

    Center for American Progress Action Fund www.americanp rogressactio n.org 1

  • 8/8/2019 American Progress Annual Report 2010

    4/41

    1:movement toward a goal

    proress

  • 8/8/2019 American Progress Annual Report 2010

    5/41

    proress [pro-res]HealthCarefor All

    Americans

    Former CAP Senior Fellow

    and now Director of the

    Department of Health and

    Human Services Office of

    Health Reform Jeanne Lam-

    brew moderates a CAP panelon health care quality and

    the delivery system.

    Dean of the House of Repre-

    sentatives Rep. John Dingell

    (D-MI) discusses the history

    of efforts to reform health

    care at a CAP Action event.

    CAP Distinguished Senior Fel-

    low Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD)

    speaks at the launch event

    for his bookCritical, which

    outlines ways to solve some

    of the most diffi

    cult obstaclesto health care reform.

    President Barack Obama

    signs the health care bill on

    March 23, 2010. The bill has

    many key features in com-

    mon with the plan CAP first

    published in 2005.

    Clockwise from top left

    noun

    1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3: growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of anindividual or society in a

    more beneficial direction

    5: forward or onward

    movement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

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    1: movement toward a goal

    After a decade of inaction, in 2010 our

    country took the historic step of reforming

    the American health care system. With the

    passage of the Affordable Care Act, 32 million

    Americans will gain health insurance, and

    families and small businesses alike will gain

    new consumer safeguards from the economic

    burden of growing health care costs. This

    historic moment fulfills a longtime goal of

    American progressives from the Roosevelts to

    the Kennedys to the Clintons. This legislation,

    if implemented wisely, will be a towering

    achievement of progressive governance.

    CAP and CAP Action played a key role in

    helping this bill get to President Obamas desk.

    When CAPs 2005 Plan for a Healthy America

    was published in the influential Health Affairs,

    we bucked the then-conventional wisdom that

    reforming health care was politically impossible

    to pass. CAP and CAP Action advocated for the

    long-held progressive goal of ensuring that every

    American has access to quality, affordable health

    care, and we offered a blueprint for how to

    achieve it. We took an early stand in this highly

    contentious debate and never wavered.

    We were engaged in every step of this debate

    short of casting an actual vote. We demon-

    strated a path to success for policymakers. We

    brought together key players in the debate.

    We successfully linked economic growth to a

    reformed health care system. And we made the

    public case against a decade of conservative

    opposition and demagoguery.

    Our work on reforming our nations health care

    does not end with the passage of this important

    legislation. Looking ahead, CAP is dedicating

    staffand resources to continued work on the

    array of issues around efforts to lower costs in the

    health care system and make certain that the new

    coverage opportunities work for all Americans.

    We will lead efforts to ensure that the promise

    of the new law is realized through the critical

    months and years of its implementation and

    fight back the efforts of critics bent on repealing

    this historic accomplishment.

    From idea

    Plan for a Healthy America

    CAPs 2005 blueprint for extending and

    improving health coverage reignited

    efforts to reform the health care system.

    Critical

    This book, co-authored by CAP Distinguished

    Senior Fellow Sen. Tom Daschle, then-Senior

    Fellow and now Director of the Department of

    Health and Human Services Office of Health

    Reform Jeanne Lambrew, and Scott Greenberger,

    tackles ways to solve some of the most difficult

    obstacles to health care reform.

    The Health Care Delivery System:A Blueprint for Reform

    CAP and the Institute on Medicine as a Profession

    lay out a pathway and provide a policy guide for

    making fundamental changes in the per formance

    of the health care system.

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    Health Care for All Americans

    Participants march during a

    rally for health care, urging a fast

    pace for reform.

    Senate Finance Committee

    Chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

    speaks at a CAP Action event

    urging that now is the time for

    action on health care reform.

    Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

    walks with John Podesta on his

    way to speak at a CAP event on

    how information technology canfoster health care improvement.

    Confronting Americas ChildhoodObesity Epidemic

    CAPs Ellen-Marie Whelan and Lesley Russell

    examine how the health reform bill will

    address childhood obesity with a long-term

    commitment that pairs individual responsibil-

    ity with community-based approaches.

    The Two Trillion Dollar Solution

    David M. Cutler and Melinda Beeuwkes

    Buntins CAP report, The Two Trillion Dollar

    Solution, offers specific strategies for achiev-

    ing federal savings in the health care delivery

    systeman issue that was critical to passing

    the final health reform bill.

    to reality

    CAP began pushing a universal health care plan well before the 2008

    presidential race begancommissioning polls, staging local town

    hall events, and, most importantly, devising a substantive proposal

    that became the model for ones eventually released by Hillary Clinton,

    John Edwards, and Obama.

    The New Republic, November 19, 2008

    AP PHOTO/ROBERT F.BUKATY

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    2: advancement in generalproress

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    SecurityThroughGlobal

    Engagement

    Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA)

    gives opening remarks

    at a CAP Action event on

    renewing and reviewing the

    PATRIOT Act .

    CAP Senior Vice President

    for National Security and

    International Relations Rudy

    deLeon and former Defense

    Secretary William Cohen

    discuss CAPs report on

    strategy and a new agenda

    for U.S.-Russia policy.

    The late Rep. Jack Murtha

    (D-PA), speaking in at a CAP

    Action event in May 2008, was

    a critical voice on the rethink-

    ing of U.S. policy in Iraq.

    Then-Senator and now Vice

    President Joe Biden speaks

    at the very first CAP event in

    October 2003 on New Ameri-

    can Strategies for Security

    and Peace.CAP anticipated

    from the start the need for

    new policies to address mod-

    ern problems such as terror-ism and the need for smaller,

    more strategic forces.

    noun

    1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3: growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of anindividual or society in a

    more beneficial direction

    5: forward or onward

    movement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

    proress [pro-res]

    Clockwise from top left

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    On Iraq, CAP first unveiled a strategic redeployment plan in

    September 2005calling for a 16-month withdrawal of most U.S.

    troops, with a relocation of some to Afghanistanback when many

    congressional Democrats, including Obama, were still cautioningagainst a hasty exit. Now CAPs position is essentially Ob amas.

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    2: advancement in general

    The Iraq war, one of the worst national security

    blunders in U.S. history, laid bare conservatives

    overreliance on military might and their relega-

    tion of economic and diplomatic power to an

    afterthought. Years later, we are still picking up

    the pieces from the damage done to Americas

    power and long-term interests.

    CAP and CAP Action led the way in offering an

    alternative to conservative policies with ideas

    and blueprints for action to address our greatest

    national security challenges. We believe that suc-

    cess will require using all aspects of American

    powerpursuing tough diplomacy with adver-

    saries, remaining vigilant on homeland security,

    and investing in intelligenceto complement

    our overwhelming military strength.

    From their inception, CAP and CAP Action have

    worked to restore U.S. global leadership. CAPs

    first conference, convened in October 2003 with

    The Century Foundation, examined some of the

    national security challenges of this centuryter-

    rorism; stopping the spread of nuclear, biological,

    and chemical weapons; and projecting power

    with smaller, more strategic forces. At this con-

    ference, CAP became the first major think tank

    to challenge the Bush administrations global

    war on terrorism framework and demonstrated

    that progressivescenter and leftconcurred

    that the Bush doctrine left us less secure.

    In 2005, CAP and CAP Action were first to call

    for a strategic redeployment of our troops from

    Iraq with a clear timeline, shaping congres-

    sional and presidential campaign proposals

    for completing the unaccomplished mission in

    Afghanistan and Pakistan. CAP today is a lead-

    ing and informed voice on the intersection of

    security and civil liberties, including the closing

    of Guantanamo Bay. CAP helped reshape how

    America debates national security by shining a

    bright light on the global economic and environ-

    mental threats crossing national borders, among

    them pandemic disease, the destabilizing effects

    of climate change, the competition for declining

    energy resources, and the fallout from fragile

    states on Americas interests. And we developed

    policies to focus our military and diplomatic

    assets on addressing these dangers.

    CAP and CAP Action will continue to bring the

    best new ideas to the center of the debate.

    Over the next few years, we will remain out in

    front of the debates, offering smart and effective

    defense policies and ideas to create a more sus-

    tainable defense budget. We will lead the discus-

    sion about how best to balance Americas security

    leadership in the world with its economic chal-

    lenges at home. And we will promote strategic

    collaboration with other countries to reform inter-

    national institutions and make them stronger.

    From military might alone

    Strategic Redeployment

    CAP was first to go beyond broad

    strategic objectives to provide a detailed

    and up-to-date operational plan for

    the repositioning and withdrawal of all

    troops and equipment in the battlefield.

    Global Warning

    CAPs national security and energy

    departments work closely together to

    develop policy solutions that address

    the growing threat of climate change.

    In Search of Sustainable Security

    Leading in todays world will require a

    fundamental shift away from our outdated

    notion of national security to a more mod-

    ern concept of sustainable security, defined

    by the contours of a world gone global and

    shaped by our common humanity.

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    CAP partnered with Project Billboard in 2004 to

    install a billboard in New Yorks Times Square that

    featured a constantly updating clock counting the

    cost of the Iraq war.

    CAP Action Senior Fellow Lawrence J. Korb

    testifies before the House Armed Services Com-

    mittee hearing on two bills regarding troop

    deployment policies in one of his many appear-

    ances on Capitol Hill.

    General James Jones, national security advisor

    to President Obama, discusses the administra-

    tions strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan at a

    CAP event.

    Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

    speaks at a conference co-sponsored by CAP and

    The Century Foundation on how the United States

    can forge a new vision for its foreign policy andinternational leadership.

    A Global Imperative

    CAP Senior Fellow Nina Hachigian

    lays out a progressive approach to

    U.S.-China relations in the 21st cen-

    tury in this report, co-authored by

    Michael Schiffer and Winny Chen.

    Building a Military for the 21st Century

    The United States is contending with two wars, a

    military readiness crisis, recruitment and retention

    problems, mounting equipment shortages, and

    an out-of-control defense acquisition process. This

    report lays the foundation for CAPs pivotal work

    guiding the Obama administration in reconfigur-

    ing our military to meet contemporary realities.

    to global

    leadership and

    sustainable security

    AP PHOTO/SUSAN WALSH

    Security Through Global Engagement

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    3: growth or development;continuous improvement

    proress

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    noun

    1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3: growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of anindividual or society in a

    more beneficial direction

    5: forward or onward

    movement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

    proress [pro-res]

    Buildinga CleanEnergy

    Economy

    CAP Action has led the creation of the

    National Clean Energy Project, bring-

    ing together leaders such as former

    President Bill Clinton and Vice President

    Al Gore, Senate Majority Leader Harry

    Reid, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi,

    Bobby Kennedy, Jr., Rep. Ed Markey

    (D-MA), energy tycoon T. Boone Pickens,

    SEIU President Andy Stern, Energy Sec-

    retary Steven Chu, New York City Mayor

    Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Ambassador to

    China Jon Huntsman, and former New

    York Governor George Pataki.

    CAP Senior Fellow and Green Opportu-

    nity Initiative leader Van Jones speaks

    at an event to release the joint CAP

    and Green Jobs NY report, Green Jobs/

    Green Homes New York.

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and

    Director of the White House Office of

    Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol

    Browner discuss the path to energy

    independence at a CAP Action event.

    Clockwise from top left

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    3: growth or development; continuous improvement

    Two disasters taking place weeks apartthe

    BP oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico and

    the Upper Big Branch Mine collapse in West

    Virginiaare chilling reminders of our nations

    long failure to confront its energy problems.

    Phrases like clean coal and error-free deepwa-

    ter drilling are aspirational rhetoric, not reality.

    Extreme weather events globally are happen-

    ing with greater frequency and with greater

    intensity, evidenced by record temperatures,

    catastrophic rains, wildfires, and hurricanes,

    providing the most tangible evidence yet that

    climate change is here. Every aspect of lives

    politics, foreign policy, our economy, our homes,

    our jobs, our industries, the kind of cars we

    drive, the food we eatwill be forever changed

    by the climate and energy challenge.

    Health, safety, and the environment are the

    immediate victims of our reliance on fossil fuel.

    But our national security and economic well-

    being are also placed at risk. Codependence

    with oil-rich nations from the Middle East to

    Central Asia requires costly support of regimes

    in conflict with our basic principles. Continuing

    on the path of a dirty fossil fuel economy holds

    us back from leading the global race to build a

    new clean energy future.

    We need a sharp break from this energy-depen-

    dent status quo. With low-carbon technologies

    and clean, renewable energy, we can capture a

    new global market, drive economic growth, and

    create high-quality, sustainable jobs for Ameri-

    can workers.

    CAP and CAP Action are at the forefront of

    creating a new energy framework for America

    one that promotes climate stability, energy

    security, and economic prosperity. From advo-

    cating policies to create the markets, financing,

    and infrastructure necessary to scale up clean

    energy technologies, to requiring oil companies

    to bear the full costs and risks of their business

    decisions, to promoting fuel economy measures

    that reduce our addiction to fossil fuels, CAP

    and CAP Action have led the way toward a new

    energy future.

    Over the past two years, CAP and CAP Action

    have put clean energy investments at the center

    of debate on climate change and economic recov-

    ery. Ideas generated from CAP Actions National

    Clean Energy Project resulted in the major clean

    energy and energy efficiency investments in the

    American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and

    House and Senate proposals for comprehensive

    climate and energy reform. And we fundamen-

    tally defined the debate, keeping a focus on the

    crisis of global warming while broadening the

    conversation to include economic opportunity,

    national security, and global market share.

    From dirty fuels

    The Economic Benefits ofInvesting in Clean Energy

    CAP and the Political Economy

    Research Institute paired up to provide

    state-by-state information on how

    clean energy investments in the Recov-

    ery Act and energy bills would create

    jobs and boost the U.S. economy.

    Capturing the Energy Opportunity

    CAP led the effort to frame energy as a key

    economic opportunity for the 21st century

    in its 2007 report from John Podesta, then-

    Senior Fellow and now Special Envoy on

    Climate Change Todd Stern, and Kit Batten.

    Out of the Running?

    CAP looks at clean energy policies in place

    in other countries to argue that without a

    strong climate and energy vision, the United

    States risks falling behind in the global race

    to capture emerging markets for low-carbon

    technologies and solutions.

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    Building a Clean Energy Economy

    the Center has really played a critical role in

    helping progressives to be able to win the war

    of ideas right here at home.

    Sen. John Kerry

    New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and

    Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell appear at a CAP

    event on how to spur a green economic recovery.

    Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and CAP Action Executive

    Vice President Sarah Rosen Wartell discuss how we can

    learn from Europes success with renewable energy.

    A fire burns near the BP oil spill disaster site. CAP

    was the first to call for the creation of a BP trust to

    ensure that the company would pay for cleanup costs

    and compensation for displaced workers in the Gulf

    Coast region.

    CAP Action Senior Fellow Van Jones, Senate

    Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and John Podesta

    tour a solar facility in Nevada during the National Clean

    Energy Summit Jobs Tour.

    Rebuilding America

    At the 2009 National Clean Energy Summit, CAP

    Action rolled out this report showing how sus-

    tained investments in building energy efficiency

    can lay the foundation for sustained economic

    growth and create hundreds of thousands of good

    jobs in the construction and manufacturing indus-

    tries. The report laid the groundwork for the HOME

    STAR and Building Star legislative proposals.

    HOME STAR: Putting Americans Back to Work

    CAP, led by Senior Fellow Bracken Hendricks, has

    been one of the biggest champions of HOME STAR

    a new initiative to create energy efficiency jobs in

    the construction industrywhich is included in

    many of the energy proposals under consideration

    in Congress. Hendricks was also the architect of the

    Cash for Clunkers program.

    to a clean

    energy

    economy

    AP PHOTO/NOAA

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    4: development of anindividual or society in amore beneficial direction

    proress

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    Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi,

    accompanied by economist Allen Sinai

    and CAP Action Senior Economist

    Heather Boushey, speaks during a news

    conference following an economic

    forum focused on jobs.

    Labor Department Secretary Hilda Solis

    speaks at the CAP release ofThe Shriver

    Report: A Womans Nation Changes

    Everything, a joint project of CAP and

    Maria Shriver.

    Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Chief

    Performance Officer Jeffrey Zeints

    discuss and develop solutions for three

    current problems facing government at

    CAPs Doing What Works conference.

    noun

    1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3: growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of anindividual or society in a

    more beneficial direction

    5: forward or onward

    movement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

    proress [pro-res]

    EconomicGrowth andOpportunity

    Clockwise from top left

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    The Center for American Progress is in the lead, whether its

    issues about balancing workplace issues with home issues

    whether its about job creation, the challenge of climate

    change, immigrationthe list goes on and on

    Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a joint CAP and CAP Action annual event

    AP PHOTO/HARRY HAMBURG

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    4: development of an individual or society in a more beneficial direction

    A treacherous mix of conservative economic

    policies led our economy to the brink after a

    peerless decade of job creation and growth

    in the 1990s produced a budget surplus and

    sustained economic growth. The era of conser-

    vative stewardship of the economy in the s

    left working families with stagnant wages while

    markets boomed, and they were then left to

    bear the brunt of the bust that followed. Now,

    these families face the prospect of diminished

    opportunities for years to come.

    CAP and CAP Action seek to build an economy

    that works for everyone by creating jobs and

    sustainable growth and by building a competi-

    tive workforce, a resurgent middle class, and a

    balanced fiscal future. Our emphasis on quick

    investments that also advance long-term com-

    petitivenessand many of our specific recom-

    mendationsmade their way into the Recovery

    Act. And we continue to play a critical role in

    shoring up support for addressing long-term

    unemployment and rising poverty.

    CAP and CAP Action also began, in 2007, to

    offer strategies to prevent the foreclosure

    avalanche and housing price collapse just ahead.

    We then started to consider how to redesign

    the housing finance system, putting us at the

    center of the emerging debate about rebalancing

    housing policy, protecting the economy, and

    ensuring access to sustainable homeownership

    and decent rental housing.

    The Great Recession also accelerated labor

    market changes in the role of men and women.

    CAP joined with Maria Shriver on a compre-

    hensive study on family and work, offering our

    own agenda that would allow work and family

    policies to catch up with those changes. Today,

    were working with the administrations Middle

    Class Task Force on this very agenda.

    CAP also anticipated the nations renewed con-

    cern for fiscal balance. Prior irresponsibility left

    gross fiscal imbalances that in turn left us ill-pre-

    pared to absorb the costs of the economic collapse

    and its necessary remedies. Our work focuses on

    a sensible, long-term path to balance, which is

    necessary to sustain the public and investor con-

    fidence without which progressive priorities are at

    great risk. And our major new Doing What Works

    project advances tough reforms to improve public

    sector productivity within agencies and govern-

    ment wide. At CAP we believe we will only win

    public confidence in the institution of govern-

    ment if it can be shown to get results for less.

    From collapse

    A Path to Balance

    CAP, led by Michael Ettlinger and Michael

    Linden, has been a forerunner in showing

    how the federal government can deal with

    our deficit problem while making necessary

    near-term investments and proposing solu-

    tions to get us to balance.

    The Shriver Report: A WomansNation Changes Everything

    CAP partnered with Maria Shriver to produce

    this comprehensive study of an unfolding social

    transformationfor the first time, one-half of

    all U.S. workers are women. The book examines

    this seismic shift in the workforce and audits its

    effect on business, government, education, faith,

    the media, men, and their families.

    College-Ready Students,Student-Ready Colleges

    CAP is laying out an ambitious agenda

    for improving degree completion with

    a project on postsecondary education

    and workforce development led by

    Louis Soares.

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    HomeownershipDone Right

    CAP Senior Fellows David

    Abromowitz and Janneke

    Ratcliffe provide guidance

    on how successful afford-

    able housing programs

    can help point the way

    forward out of the U.S.housing crisis.

    Our Working Nation

    More women than ever

    before are acting as the

    breadwinner for their families.

    CAPs Heather Boushey and

    Ann OLeary examine how

    these working women are

    reshaping American families

    and the U.S. economy.

    Doing What Works

    The Doing What Works

    project is doing ground-

    breaking work in promot-

    ing government reform to

    efficiently allocate scarce

    resources and achieve

    better results for the

    American people.

    to recovery

    Vice President Joe Biden hosts

    a meeting of his Middle Class Task

    Force at CAP.

    Director of the National

    Economic Council Lawrence H.

    Summers and New York City Mayor

    Michael Bloomberg discuss the

    future of American jobs with Char-

    lie Rose at an event hosted by CAP

    and the Hamilton Project.

    Commerce Department

    Secretary Gary Locke, flanked by

    HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan

    and Deputy Education Department

    Secretary Anthony Miller, discusses

    how to modernize government

    operations at CAPs Doing What

    Works conference.

    AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer

    Richard Trumka speaks at a CAP

    Action American Worker Project

    event on the future of the Ameri-can labor movement.

    Economic Growth and Opportunity

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    5: forward or onwardmovement

    proress

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    Jill Biden speaks at a CAP

    event on community col-

    leges and competitiveness.

    Then-Senator and now

    Secretary of State Hillary

    Clinton and Sen. Bob Casey

    (D-PA) laugh with John

    Podesta at a CAP Action

    event on providing quality

    preschool education.

    House Majority Leader Steny

    Hoyer (D-MD) speaks at a CAP

    event on community schools.

    Education Department

    Secretary Arne Duncan and

    former British Prime Minister

    Tony Blair appear at a CAP

    event and share big ideas

    on how to use community

    schools to bridge the gap

    between poverty servicesand education.

    noun

    1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3: growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of anindividual or society in a

    more beneficial direction

    5: forward or onward

    movement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

    proress [pro-res]

    OpportunityThroughEducation

    Clockwise from top left

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    5: forward or onward movement

    Three decades after the seminal A Nation

    at Risk report was released on the need for

    fundamental education reform, U.S. public

    education still fails to make the grade. Just one

    in three eighth graders is reading proficient and

    nearly half of black and Latino students fail to

    graduate from high school. Unlike the policy

    approach that shutters or starves failing public

    schools, CAP and CAP Actions progressive

    vision is to reform and revitalize our nations

    public education system.

    Clear linkages exist between educational attain-

    ment and an individuals health and wealth.

    Delay in reforming education imposes a lifetime

    penalty on our most at-risk kids. America simply

    cannot survive in a globalized economy by com-

    peting against low-wage workers in a race to the

    bottom. Instead, CAP and CAP Action are help-

    ing to shape an educational system that yields

    a high return on investment, gets results for all

    children, and is flexible and innovative so we can

    graduate the best students in the world.

    CAP jumpstarted the progressive conversa-

    tion around education reform in 2005 with a

    task force report focusing on raising expecta-

    tions and qualifications in our public schools.

    Renewing Our Schools, Securing Our Future

    became widely recognized as a blueprint for the

    Obama administrations education priorities

    and policies.

    Partnering at times with conservative allies

    such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and

    the American Enterprise Institute, we backed

    innovative practices to achieve transforma-

    tional change in schools. CAP convened lead-

    From risk

    Getting Smarter, Becoming Fairer

    CAPs Renewing Our Schools, Secur-

    ing Our Future National Task Force on

    Public Education investigated innovative

    strategies and approaches to improving

    public education for a year, culminating

    in a progressive education agenda for a

    stronger nation.

    Ensuring Equal Opportunityin Public Education

    This report, part of a series on compara-

    bility, kicked offCAPs innovative work

    examining how Title I of the Elementary

    and Secondary Education Act can more

    equitably distribute funds to low-

    income schools.

    Leaders and Laggards

    CAP, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and

    Frederick M. Hess of the American Enter-

    prise Institute came together to create

    state-by-state report cards examining

    educational innovation.

    ing reformers, including NYC Mayor Michael

    Bloomberg, Secretary of Education Arne Dun-

    can, and the Education Trust, to initiate frank

    discussions on whats needed to make our edu-

    cation system perform to world-class standards.

    We know that the biggest gaps arent only

    between us and other countries, but between

    the wealthiest and poorest school districts in

    the United States. So, well push reform efforts

    designed to stimulate excellence by implement-

    ing new teacher compensation models that

    reward success, expanding learning time for

    students, promoting expansion of high-per-

    forming charter schools, and attracting the best

    and brightest educators to the most challenged

    districts and schools.

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    Teacher to Teacher

    Peer Assistance and Review has gained

    national attention as a central compo-

    nent of an effective strategy for develop-

    ing a school districts human capital. CAP

    provides guidance in this report on how

    to realize its full potential.

    Changing Teacher Evaluationto Create Effective Teachers

    CAPs work on teacher evaluation sys-

    tems is driven by the belief that ensur-

    ing every child has an effective teacher

    is one of the most important things we

    can do for our students.

    to reinvention

    D.C. Public Schools Chancellor

    Michelle Rhee speaks at an event to

    release the report, Stimulating Excel-

    lence: Unleashing the Power of Innova-

    tion in Educationa joint project of

    CAP, the American Enterprise Institute,and New Profit, Inc.

    American Federation of Teachers

    President Randi Weingarten par-

    ticipates in a CAP panel discussion on

    community schools.

    Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) speaks

    at a CAP event on how to develop

    useful and realistic evaluations for

    teachers in public schools.

    Podesta is one of the rare Beltway animals who is both a

    wonk and a skilled politician and communicator. Hes in

    politics for the right reasons. Hes a believer.

    Sen. Patrick Leahy to The Washington Post

    Opportunity Through Education

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    6: forward course of action

    proress

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    Co-founders of CAPs Enough

    Project to end genocide and

    crimes against human-

    ity John Prendergast and

    Gayle Smithnow special

    assistant to the president

    and senior director at the

    National Security Council

    meet with President Obama

    and members of Congress to

    discuss Darfur.

    Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

    and CAP Actions Senior Vice

    President for External Affairs

    Winnie Stachelberg speak at

    an event to release a report

    on LGBT elders produced by

    CAP Action in collaboration

    with Services and Advocacy

    for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,

    and Transgender Elders, the

    Movement Advancement

    Project, the American Society

    on Aging, and the NationalSenior Citizens Law Center.

    Homeland Security Depart-

    ment Secretary Janet

    Napolitano speaks at a CAP

    event on comprehensive

    immigration reform as CAPs

    Vice President for Immigra-

    tion Policy and Advocacy

    Angela Kelley looks on.

    Bill Clinton meets students at

    the annual Campus Progress

    National Conference.

    noun

    1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3: growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of anindividual or society in a

    more beneficial direction

    5: forward or onward

    movement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

    proress [pro-res]Promoting

    ProgressiveValues

    Clockwise from top left

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    A larger segment of the American public has embraced the

    need to engage this debate and arrive at a sensible solution

    to this problem. CAP has helped to document this shift.

    Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano

    in a speech on immigration at CAP

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    6: forward course of action

    While deeply engaged in the day-to-day leg-

    islative policy battles, CAP and CAP Action

    also keep focused through their advocacy and

    outreach work on advancing social justice and

    progressive values.

    : CAP works to involve the faith commu-

    nity in policy debates by providing faith lead-

    ers the chance to reach wide audiences on key

    issues such as health care. And we work to keeppeople of all creeds invested in the great Ameri-

    can experiment through work like our Young

    Muslim-American Voices Project.

    : As the national debate over

    comprehensive immigration reform intensifies,

    CAP remains at the center of ideas and strategy.

    CAPs work helped demonstrate a strategy

    to win public support for comprehensive

    immigration reform in the face of strengthening

    anti-immigrant sentiment that betrays our

    nations values.

    :Offering a voice that is fresh

    and politically savvy, CAP works to expand legal,

    social, and economic equality for lesbians, gays,

    bisexuals, and transgenders through timely

    policy analysis, cutting-edge research, and

    rapid-response communications.

    :CAP Actions Half in Ten campaign

    set a goal of a 50 percent reduction in poverty

    rates over the next decade as a first step toward

    eliminating poverty in our time. We work to

    deepen and expand the public will to move for-

    ward while advocating proven policy solutions

    at the federal, state, and local level to promote

    opportunity and ensure economic security for all.

    From inequality

    Implementing the Repeal ofDont Ask, Dont Tell in theU.S. Armed Forces

    CAP has been at the forefront of

    advocating for the repeal of Dont Ask

    Dont Tell and providing guidance on

    how to quickly and effectively reverse

    the discriminatory policy.

    Raising the Floor for American Workers

    Immigration reform isnt just necessary for

    our national securityits also imperative

    for our economic security. CAPs research

    shows how comprehensive reform would lay

    the foundation for widespread and robust

    economic growth.

    The State of Minorities in the Economy

    CAP Senior Fellow Christian E. Weller

    provides regular analysis of the state of the

    economy. This report shows how minori-

    ties are suffering disproportionately in the

    recession and provides policy guidance on

    leveling these structural disparities.

    :CAPs Campus Progress works with

    young people to promote progressive solutions

    and action. Young people dont have to wait to

    change the world; they have the power right now

    to tip the balance. Campus Progress engages a

    diverse group of young people nationwide on

    more than 1,000 campuses and communities,

    providing them the capacity and outlets to make

    their voices heard.

    2050:Our nation will be a majority-

    minority country in 2050. CAP launched the

    2050 project to ensure progressive policy is

    informed by fresh voices and reflects the needs

    of a changing nation.

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    Promoting Progressive Values

    Feeding Opportunity

    Ending child hunger is one step toward

    Half in Tens goal of cutting U.S. poverty

    in half in the next decade. Half in Ten is a

    joint project of CAP Action, the Leadership

    Conference on Civil and Human Rights and

    the Coalition on Human Needs.

    Young Muslim-American Voices

    This CAP project, which brings together and

    focuses on young Muslim-American leaders,

    explores the challenges and opportunities

    that this group is facing and explores ways

    to strengthen their work.

    to justice

    CAP Senior Fellow Bishop Gene

    Robinson speaks with Uganda Bishop

    Christopher Senyonjo at a CAP event about

    the global fight for LGBT rights.

    Then-Senator and now President Barack

    Obama speaks at the annual Campus

    Progress National Conference in 2007.

    Department of Agriculture Secretary

    Tom Vilsack gives a keynote address at a

    CAP event looking at solutions to ending

    child hunger in the United States.

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    proress

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    Journalist Gwen Ifill dis-

    cusses her new book, The

    Breakthrough: Politics and

    Race in the Age of Obama,

    at a CAP event.

    Tavis Smiley speaks at a

    CAP Action event alongside

    former CAP Executive Vice

    President for Policy and now

    Director of the Domestic

    Policy Council Melody Barnes.

    CAP Actions Think Progress

    blog was voted Best Liberal

    Blogin the 2006 Weblog

    Awards and chosen as an

    Official Honoree in the 2009

    Webby awards. It was named

    best blog of 2008 by The

    Sidney Hillman Founda-

    tion, receiving an award for

    journalism excellence. And it

    was International Academy

    of Visual Arts Gold AwardWinnerin 2009.

    John Podesta and Maria

    Shriver discuss The Shriver

    Report: A Womans Nation

    Changes Everything on Meet

    the Press. The book was

    a joint project of CAP and

    Maria Shriver.

    noun

    1: movement toward a goal

    2: advancement in general

    3: growth or development;

    continuous improvement

    4: development of anindividual or society in a

    more beneficial direction

    5: forward or onward

    movement

    6: forward course of action

    7: promotion

    proress [pro-res]Influence

    in theInformation

    Age

    Clockwise from top left

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    If a progressive idea resonates in Washington,but no one hears it, will it make a difference?

    We dont think so.

    To exert influence in the fast-evolving Informa-

    tion Age, good ideas alone do not suffice. We

    wanted to create a think tank for the 21st century

    that would be heard by a broad audience and

    supported by an unparalleled investment in

    communications and outreach.

    At CAP and CAP Action, we carefully target our

    audiences to maximize our impact. We engage

    influentials who can carry forward our ideas

    and help us drive change: lawmakers, policy

    professionals, academics, advocates, media,

    and social network leaders. To reach them, CAP

    and CAP Action deploy multiple communica-

    tions vehicles across a variety of media plat-

    formsfrom cable television to the Sundance

    Film Festival to YouTube.

    CAP built its own radio studio and state-of-the-art event facilities. And we were the first progres-

    sive institution to bring full-time TV and radio

    bookers in-house. Our staffand fellows are regu-

    lar, reliable, and effective voices on the airwaves.

    CAP Actions groundbreaking blog, Think Prog-

    ress, is a prominent and respected forum for pro-

    moting progressive ideas combined with rapid

    response to the conservative megaphone. Think

    Progress is now ranked third on Technoratislist of top political websites in the United States,

    shaping the debate and lines of informed attack

    against conservative ideas and actions.

    CAP Actions Think Progress continues to expand

    and grow its reach with the addition of our part-

    ner blogs. Yglesias is led by the progressive voice

    of Matthew Yglesias, and The Wonk Room oper-

    ates as CAP Actions public policy rapid response

    room. CAP Actions Climate Progress, the leadingwebsite on climate change policy issues, was

    named by TIME magazine in June 2010 as oneof the blogs we cant live without. And CAPs

    Science Progress brings together scientists and

    policymakers to help improve Americans under-

    standing of science and technology.

    We deploy our progressive message visually, too.

    CAPs Reel Progress has become a frequent host

    for previewing progressive documentary and

    feature films, followed by proactive discussions

    with leading policy experts, filmmakers, andactors. We hold live webcast events to discuss

    and debate policy. Our YouTube channel has

    more viewers than any other think tank. And

    we present the work of several award-winning

    opinion cartoonists on our website.

    It is a point of pride that our communication

    tactics are now employed by conservative and

    progressive institutions alike, establishing CAP

    and CAP Action as the models for those in theinfluence-generating business.

    From the mainstream media

    CAP Actions Yglesias

    Matthew Yglesias is one

    of the blogospheres most

    influential progressive voices,

    offering opinion and analysis

    on current events daily.

    CAP Actions MicCheck Radio

    MicCheck is a free, daily radio

    prep service. Politics. News.

    Entertainment. Audio. Radio

    prep has never been this fast or

    this much fun.

    CAP Actions The Wonk Room

    Smart progressive analysis, focus-

    ing on health care, the economy,

    national security, immigration,

    justice, and energy and the

    environment.

    7: promotion

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    to the

    blogosphere

    Ed Schultz regularly tapes his nationally syndicated radio show

    at the CAP radio studio.

    Experts like CAP Action President and CEO Jennifer Palmieri

    frequently appear on television and radio news to promote a pro-

    gressive view on the issues of the day.

    Joe Romms Climate Progress blog is dedicated to providing the

    progressive perspective on climate science, solutions, and politics.

    TIME magazine ranked it #3 on its 2010 best blogs list, calling Romm

    the Webs most influential climate-change blogger.

    CAP Chief Operating Officer Neera Tanden appears on CNN with

    host John King in one of her regular appearances on John King, USA.

    CAPs Science Progress

    Science Progress showcases

    exciting, progressive ideas

    about the many ways in which

    government and citizens can

    leverage innovation for the

    common good.

    Facebook

    CAPs social networks are hubs for you to

    engage directly with CAP and CAP Action.

    Whether you join us on Facebook, Twitter,

    YouTube, or Flickr, expect real-time streams

    of our latest content as well as plenty of space

    to discuss the progressive issues at hand.

    Viewing climate change through the prism of national security,

    [Joe] Romm analyzes breaking energy news and the relevant research,

    but most important, he challenges the beliefs and conclusions of the

    mainstream media on climate-change issues. Go get em, Joe.

    TIME Magazine on CAP Actions Climate Progress

    Influence in the Information Age

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    Board of Directors

    Sen. Tom Daschle

    Richard Leone

    Peter Lewis

    Aryeh Neier

    John Podesta

    Marion Sandler

    Tom Steyer

    S. Donald Sussman

    Hansjrg Wyss

    Jose Villarreal

    Executive Committee

    Rudy deLeonSenior Vice President of National Securityand International Policy

    Laura NicholsSenior Fellow

    Jennifer PalmieriCAP Action President and CEO andSenior Vice President for Communications

    John Podesta

    CAP President and CEO

    Winnie StachelbergSenior Vice President for External Affairs

    Neera TandenChief Operating Officer

    Sarah Rosen WartellExecutive Vice President

    Senior Staff

    Debbie Fine, Senior VP and General Counsel

    David Halperin, Senior VP and Director, Campus Progress

    Kaliope Poulianos, Senior VP for Finance and Administration

    Anne Reiss, Senior VP for Development

    Araceli Ruano, Senior VP and Director of California Office

    Andrew Sherry, Senior VP for Online Communications

    Cynthia Brown, VP for Education Policy

    Michael Ettlinger, VP for Economic Policy

    Kate Gordon, VP for Energy Policy

    Angela Kelley, VP for Immigration Policy and Advocacy

    Tara McGuinness, VP and Director of Progressive Media (CAP Action)

    Ed Paisley, VP for Editorial

    Faiz Shakir, VP and Editor of ThinkProgress (CAP Action)

    Anna Soellner, VP for Communications

    Distinguished Sr. Fellow

    Senator Tom Daschle

    Peter Edelman

    Judith Feder

    Christie Hefner

    Broderick Johnson

    John Podesta

    Hilary Rosen

    Daniel Zingale

    Scenes from the CAP and C AP Action

    2010 annual dinner

    Senior Vice President for External

    Affairs Winnie Stachelberg greets

    Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO).

    Senior Vice President and General

    Counsel Debbie Fine and Director of

    Government Reform Reece Rushing.

    John Podesta addresses the crowd.

    Senior Fellow Sam Fulwood.

    Senior Vice President and Director

    of the California Office Araceli Ruanoand Senior Fellow Jitinder Kohli.

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    Stay informed by visiting

    americanprogress.org, attending public

    events, and subscribing to news alerts

    and newsletters, including The Progress

    Report from CAP Action.

    To be progressive is to be active.

    Spread ideas to your networks. Challengeconservative misinformation with the

    facts. Engage with urgent issues through

    our numerous projects, including CAPs

    Campus Progress and the Enough Project.

    Apply to join our staff: We are always look-

    ing for bright, passionate thinkers.

    Without your generous sup-

    port, we cannot do this important work.

    Please donate. The Center for AmericanProgress and the Center for American

    Progress Action Fund are non-profit,

    non-partisan organizations under section

    501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.

    Donations are tax-deductible.

    Projects of the Center for American Progress

    Projects of the Center for American Progress Action Fund

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    ..

    As progressives, we believe America should be a country of boundless

    opportunitywhere all people can better themselves through education,

    hard work, and the freedom to pursue their dreams.

    And we believe that such a country can only be achieved with an open,

    effective government that harnesses the strength of our diversity, secures

    our rights and the safety of our citizens, and champions the common good

    over narrow self-interest.

    Through ideas, advocacy, and action, the Center for American Progress

    and its sister organization, the Center for American Progress Action Fund,

    strive to make this vision a reality in the daily lives of the American people.

    American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to

    maximize our ability to advance our progressive agenda. The Center for

    American Progress is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and

    educational institute. Donations will be tax deductible and disclosed to

    the IRS.

    Contributions to the Center for American Progress Action Fund are not tax

    deductible and may be disclosed to the IRS. Contributions to the Action

    Fund support transforming progressive ideas into policy through a varietyof activities. The Action Fund is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt orga-

    nization dedicated to achieving progress through action.