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DFL Party: In Case You Missed It: Coleman
Connection to Shady Non-Profit Highlighted
MEMORANDUM
TO: Media, Interested Parties

FROM: Minnesota DFL Party

DATE: September 26, 2008

RE: In Case You Missed It: Coleman Connection to Shady

Non-Profit Highlighted; Coleman Campaign Defensive

A Forum Communications article published today in the Detroit Lakes Tribune

highlights Senator Norm Coleman’s exceptional involvement in winning
authorization for a $40-million grant to a shady foundation that supposedly
taught children first-aid procedures. Media
In September 2006, Senator Coleman was the sole sponsor of a bill to spend
$10 million dollars a year over four years to teach children the Heimlich News
maneuver. The intended recipient of the money was not a Minnesota-based Official DFL Logos
non-profit, but the Save-A-Life Foundation of Chicago. Coleman’s bill was
later folded into a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security; funds
were authorized but not appropriated.

A November 2006 exclusive report by WLS-TV, ABC7 Chicago, pointed out

that while the Save-A-Life Foundation has “received millions of dollars in
government funds and corporate donations,” their success is based in “a
series of misleading claims and deceptive credentials that raise doubts about
Save-A-Life’s integrity, funding and training.” The report suggested that
Save-A-Life could not possibly have spent the taxpayer money that it
received on actually promoting child safety. The report also noted that the
foundation’s founder paid herself a $120,000 salary and exaggerated or
fabricated claims about her background.

Senator Coleman’s office today was defensive about Coleman’s involvement

with the Save-A-Life Foundation, which honored Coleman in 2008. But
questions remain, including:

Why did Coleman go to such lengths to assist a non-Minnesota

non-profit?
What did Coleman know about Save-A-Life’s questionable practices or
the background of its founder Carol Spirrizzi?
If Senator Coleman is the watchdog for taxpayers’ money that he
claims to be, how did he miss this scandal?

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Today’s article concludes by saying that while Coleman’s office denies any
impropriety, “it’s hard for the public to decide that when left with so many
unanswered questions.”

http://www.dl-online.com/articles/index.cfm?id=38311

Commentary: More questions than answers over odd Coleman bill

Scott Wente, St. Paul Bureau
DL-Online - 09/26/2008

ST. PAUL -- In the world of politics, the public often needs to hear
straight from government officials involved before understanding and
forming an opinion on a particular issue.

Silence can breed skepticism, sometimes unwarranted.

Take the example of a recent news tip about little-known legislation

authored two years ago by U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman. The Minnesota
Republican wanted to spend $40 million to help teach children basic
first aid.

“This legislation gives us the opportunity to support an initiative that

can truly pay dividends down the road by giving the American people
the training and tools to help other citizens in times of emergencies,”
Coleman wrote in 2006, after a streamlined version of his proposal –
without funding attached – passed as part of a Department of
Homeland Security bill.

On its surface, the episode hardly deserves a skeptical look: A

lawmaker proposes using tax dollars to fund organizations that teach
first aid to youth. And the program did not get started because
Homeland Security officials said Congress did not provide needed
funds.

Supposedly, that was the end of it. The feds and Coleman moved on
to other pressing matters.

Yet, reporting yielded interesting facts. An emergency training

organization with a controversial leader claimed it sought the
legislation, had Coleman’s support and expected to reap funding from
the program. That organization, Save A Life Foundation, operates out
of Illinois and while it administers training in a number of states, has
little affiliation with Minnesota.

Additionally, there was no detailed explanation for why the

Coleman-backed program deemed important enough to pass
Congress never got off the ground. And, perhaps most interesting to
taxpayers, it was not clear whether Coleman or federal officials
worked to prevent Save A Life from getting public money once it
became embroiled in controversy months later.

Calls were made, including to the foundation, Homeland Security

officials and Coleman’s office. Some questions came to mind, for
which the answers might have promptly dispelled any speculation that
something strange had occurred:

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-- Did Coleman author the legislation with the foundation in mind?

-- Since lawmakers like to talk about how they help their constituents,
did Coleman believe Minnesota children could benefit from the
legislation?

-- Did Coleman or federal officials make sure Save A Life did not get
federal funds after news reports suggested the group’s leadership had
made false claims? Certainly that itself would be newsworthy,
particularly given the public’s interest in congressional spending.

Homeland Security officials responded to an initial inquiry, but

clammed up when asked about Save A Life Foundation. There was
nothing more to discuss, they said.

The foundation’s leader, Carol Spizzirri, would not return repeated

calls.

Even the office of Coleman's Democratic opponent, Al Franken, had

heard of Save A Life Foundation but refused to talk about the issue.

Surely Coleman, a Republican locked in a fierce re-election battle,

would be willing to explain the issue.

The senator’s press secretary, LeRoy Coleman (no relation to the

senator), said the proposed program was benign and, as happens
occasionally, just never got off the ground. He said liberals were trying
to smear Coleman by suggesting a connection between the senator
and the controversial Save A Life Foundation.

The spokesman would not grant an interview with Coleman, arguing

there was no legitimate story because nothing unusual happened.

That may be, but it’s hard for the public to decide that when left with
so many unanswered questions.

Coleman’s Questionable Involvement with the

Save-A-Life Foundation
2006: COLEMAN INTRODUCED LEGISLATION FOR BASIC FIRST AID
EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN

2006: Coleman Solely Sponsored Legislation To Fund Child

Safety Training Added To Homeland Security Appropriations
Bill. In 2006, Senator Coleman was the sole sponsor of the
Community Response System Initiative Act of 2006. According to a
press release from Coleman’s Senate office, "The Homeland Security
Appropriations bill also includes legislation authored by Senator
Coleman to educate the public on emergency preparedness. The
Community Response System Initiative Act of 2006 authorizes funding
to teach children (K-12) age appropriate basic hands-on Life
Supporting First Aid, which includes training in CPR, the Heimlich
maneuver, and blood borne and bio hazardous precautions. 'Part of
any comprehensive emergency preparedness plan must include

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educating the public on how to prepare for and react in an emergency

situation,' Coleman added. 'This legislation gives us the opportunity to
support an initiative that can truly pay dividends down the road by
giving the American people the training and tools to help other citizens
in times of emergencies.'" [Coleman Press Release, 9/26/06]

· Amendment Would Allow DHR To “Enter Into An Agreement

With An Organization Which Shall Provide Funds” For
Emergency Response Education And Training To Children.
According to the text of the bill’s introduction, S. 3533: “Directs the
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acting
through the Chief Medical Officer, to enter into an agreement with
an organization which shall provide funds to local governmental
agencies that provide emergency response or similar medical
services or training for education and training in life supporting first
aid to children. Requires the selected organization to give priority
to emergency medical services, fire departments, law enforcement
agencies, hospitals, and school nurses.” [S. 3533, Introduced
6/16/06, CRS Description]

Coleman Legislation Proposed $40 Million For Basic First Aid

Funding For Children; Passed Without Funding Attached As Part
Of Homeland Security Bill. According to the Detroit Lakes Online,
“Take the example of a recent news tip about little-known legislation
authored two years ago by U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman. The Minnesota
Republican wanted to spend $40 million to help teach children basic
first aid. "This legislation gives us the opportunity to support an
initiative that can truly pay dividends down the road by giving the
American people the training and tools to help other citizens in times
of emergencies," Coleman wrote in 2006, after a streamlined version
of his proposal -- without funding attached -- passed as part of a
Department of Homeland Security bill.” [Detroit Lakes Online, 9/26/08]

2006: COLEMAN COMMENDED BY SAVE-A-LIFE FOR

SPEARHEADING SALF LEGISLATION

Coleman Was Commended By SALF For Being “Instrumental In

Spearheading SALF To Emergency-Prepare American Children.
According to a February 16, 2006 post on the Save-A-Life Foundation
website: “SALF is continually grateful to the U.S. Conference of
Mayors (USCM) and its members. At its winter meeting in D.C., SALF
President and Founder Carol Spizzirri joined Mayor Rita Mullins,
Palatine, IL, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, former mayor of St. Paul,
MN, Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz, Burnsville, MN and Mayor Manny Diaz,
Miami, FL, who have been instrumental in spearheading SALF to
emergency-prepare American children… Mayor Kautz is taking
aggressive measures to follow Mayor Diaz’s plan for the children in
and around her city of Burnsville, while Senator Coleman takes
leadership to bring this message nationwide with bi-partisan support.”
[http://www.salf.org/media/news/2006_02/2006_02_17.html]

· SALF Praised Coleman For Sole Sponsorship Of “CRSI Act.”

According to the 2006-2007 SALF Annual Report, “Earlier this
year, the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted the Community

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Response Systems Initiative (CRSI) Resolution, named in honor of

Christina Spizzirri, committing their support to SALF as a
foundation for emergency preparing their communities. Thereafter
U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (MN), sponsored the “CRSI ACT” to
assist in this initiative.” [SALF Annual Report, 2006-2007]

2006: SAVE-A-LIFE FOUNDATION UNDER FIRE

Save-A-Life Foundation Received Millions Of Government Dollars,

Found To Have Series Of Misleading Claims And Deceptive
Credentials. In November 2006, Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported,
“One of Illinois' highest profile charities teaches the Heimlich
maneuver to children while maneuvering the truth to get money from
government and big business. It's called the Save-A-Life Foundation
and is known across Illinois as an organization that teaches
schoolchildren how to respond in emergencies. For the past few
years, Save-A-Life has received millions of dollars in government
funds and corporate donations. An ABC7 I-Team investigation has
uncovered a series of misleading claims and deceptive credentials
that raise doubts about Save-A-Life's integrity, funding and training.”
[ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

SALF Claimed Organization Taught Heimlich Maneuver And First

Aid To Over 1 Million Studetns Since 1995. In November 2006,
Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported, “Save-A-Life officials say they
have taught the Heimlich maneuver and other first aid techniques to
more than 1 million schoolchildren since 1995. They claim to have
taught nearly 70,000 children how to save a life in the Chicago Public
Schools this year alone.” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

Carol Spizzirri, SALF Founder, Represented Herself To Mayors,

Congress, As Trained, Registered Nurse. In November 2006,
Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported, "Our ultimate goal is to make this
part of driver's ed so that it becomes unified just as brushing teeth,"
said Carol Spizzirri, Save-A- Life founder. Spizzirri is the matriarch of
the Save-A-Life Foundation, based in west suburban Schiller Park,
and she has captured the attention -- and the funding -- of those who
hold government purse strings. For nearly 15 years, to mayors and
members of congress, she has represented herself as trained,
registered nurse.” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

· Spizzirri Bio Claimed She Was Registered Nurse Specializing

In Kidney Transplants Then Claimed She Hadn’t Been
Registered In Years. In November 2006, Chicago’s ABC7’s
I-Team reported, “Spizzirri says she got her nursing degree in
Wisconsin. Currently, Save-A-Life's website and her bio claim, not
only that she is an RN, but that she specializes in kidney
transplants. The I-Team asked if that is true. "Not at this time,"
Spizzirri said. "I no longer have. I haven't registered in a number
of years."” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

The College Spizzirri Claimed To Receive Nursing Degree

From Never Awarded Her A Degree; No State Records To
Prove She Was A Registered Nurse. In November 2006,

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Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported, “According to state officials,

the now-defunct Wisconsin college where Spizzirri claims to have
received a nursing degree never awarded her a degree of any
kind, and government records show she has never
been registered as a nurse in either Wisconsin, as she told the
I-Team she was, or in Illinois.” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

· The Hospital Spizzirri Said She Worked At As Nurse Said

She Was A Patient Care Assistant. In November 2006, Chicago’s
ABC7’s I-Team reported, "I had a nursing degree and I have
worked in a hospital," said Spizzirri. Officials at the Milwaukee
hospital where she claims to have been a transplant nurse say she
had a paid job for a couple of years, as a patient care assistant
akin to a candy striper.” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

· National Council Against Health Fraud: “Absolutely It’s Fair

Game To Go After Spizzirri And Her Credentials.” In November
2006, Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported, "Absolutely it's fair
game to go after her for her credentials and her alleged story of
how she got started in all of this, because if they are incorrect or
fraudulent or misrepresented, then how can you believe anything
she says after that?" said Dr. Robert Baratz, National Council
Against Health Fraud.” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

Federal And State Funding Agencies Defrauded By Spizzirri’s

Claim Of Holding Nursing Degree And License. In November 2006,
Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported, “The president of the National
Council Against Health Fraud, a watchdog organization of medical
professionals, says that federal and state funding agencies have been
defrauded by Spizzirri's claims that she has a nursing degree and
license.” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

· Spizzirri Claimed SALF Services Were Free But Chicago

Public Schools Were Billed $50,000 A Year. In November 2006,
Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported, "It's free to the children. We
bring this course to schools for free," Spizzirri said. But it wasn't
free to the Chicago Public Schools, where officials say Save-A-Life
charged them $50,000 the past two years.” [ABC7, “The
Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

Chicago Public Schools CEO Said It Was Unlikely SALF

Reached As Many Students As It Claimed And Cost Taxpayers
Over $1 Million Year. In November 2006, Chicago’s ABC7’s
I-Team reported, “Schools CEO Arnie Duncan says it seems
unlikely that Carol Spizzirri's organization could have taught the
number of students they claim, and it's not free to the taxpayers,
who give Save-A-Life more than $1 million a year through the
Homeland Security department, Centers For Disease Control and
the State of Illinois. "If you have an organization that has mostly
volunteers, where's the million dollars going?" said Baratz. "It
doesn't take a million dollars to print a pamphlet."” [ABC7, “The
Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

Spizzirri Gave Herself Salary Of $120,000, Traveled On Generous

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Expense Account To Obtain Government Funding For

Save-A-Life. In November 2006, Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported,
“Spizzirri pays herself an annual salary of $120,000, according to
Save-A-Life records on file with the Illinois attorney general. She
travels on a generous expense account while working to obtain
additional government funding for expansion of her organization
nationally.” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

Spizzirri Fabricated Circumstances Of Her Daughter’s Death When

Lobbying Lawmakers. In November 2006, Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team
reported, “Spizzirri repeatedly tells politicians and public this story of
her motivation: "My daughter was coming home from work on Labor
Day of '92. She was struck by a hit-and-run, and her arm had been
severely injured, and she bled to death before EMS arrived," said
Spizzirri. But even that isn't true, according to police and hospital
reports and an inquest by the Lake County coroner. The official record
states that 18-year-old Christina Spizzirri was legally drunk at the time
of the accident; and that after hosting a drinking party while her
mother was vacationing in Florida, the teenager got behind the wheel
and flipped her own car. Police records show there was no
hit-and-run, and even though the local police didn't know emergency
first aid, the teenager did not die at the scene as Carol Spizzirri
contends. Medical records state that Christina died 30 minutes after
arriving at the hospital.”” [ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

Spizzirri Could Not Provide Documentation Supporting Claimed

Circumstances Of Her Daughter’s Death Or Her Medical Training.
In November 2006, Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported, “After
terminating that interview three weeks ago, Spizzirri's spokesperson
requested that we e-mail our additional questions. So we asked for
information supporting Spizzirri's often repeated story of Christina's
death and any proof that Spizzirri has the medical training, licensing
and expertise that she claims. They provided the I-Team with nothing.”
[ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

American Red Cross Recommends The Opposite Of What SALF

Continues To Teach School Children For Emergency Response. In
November 2006, Chicago’s ABC7’s I-Team reported, "The American
Red Cross, the nation's leading first aid organization, no longer
supports the use of the Heimlich maneuver as the initial response
when someone begins choking. Last spring, in a
surprisingly under-publicized change, the Red Cross mandated its
instructors to teach several sharp slaps to the back when someone
begins choking, which induces them to cough. Research has shown
that a series of five of each together is the most proven mechanism
for releasing obstructed items from conscious children and adults,"
said Martha Dittmar, American Red Cross. The Red Cross
recommends Heimlich's abdominal thrust only if back slaps fail. That is
the opposite of what the Save-A-Life Foundation continues to teach to
thousands of school children in Chicago and several other states.””
[ABC7, “The Maneuver,” 11/17/06]

-30-

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To contact the Minnesota DFL: 651-293-1200 (metro) or 1-800-999-7457 (toll free).

Prepared and paid for by the Minnesota DFL Party, Brian Melendez, Chair, www.dfl.org. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

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