The company said international passenger traffic rose 3

For more information about the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania visit CONTACT: Kirk Wilson(717) 783-9882SOURCEPennsylvania Historical and Museum CommissionKirk Wilson of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1-717-783-9882. Statement of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Regarding Regulation ofthe Municipal MarketALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ The following was issuedtoday by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board:The continuing allegations and federal investigations of the behavior ofcertain participants in the municipal marketplace across the nation, and thewidespread confusion over how this market is regulated, are of grave concernto the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.We do not know if any of theinvestigations will show wrongdoing or any violations of law and what theultimate outcomes will be.Nevertheless, we are concerned that the appearance of improper activity,specifically related to political contributions, has the danger of taintingthe reputation of the municipal marketplace which the MSRB works very hard topreserve.Indeed, since our inception, the MSRB has sought to ensure the highest levelsof investor protection and a marketplace that operates both fairly andefficiently through our regulation of municipal brokers and dealers, withspecial attention to eliminating both the fact and the appearance ofimpropriety.Most importantly, we instituted in the 1990's a rule (G-37) that severelylimits the ability of municipal banking and underwriting professionals to makestate and local political contributions which has virtually eliminated theprevious atmosphere known as "pay-to- play".Through our G-37 rule, investorsand the public at large have been assured that banking and underwriting firmsare chosen by the issuers of municipal debt based on their qualifications, andwithout consideration of political contributions.However, we have been limited to regulating the conduct of only the brokerdealer community, and have been unable to affect certain participants in themunicipal market who are not registered, not licensed and not regulated by theMSRB, the SEC, the Federal Reserve, the Comptroller of the Currency, FINRA orany other federal regulatory body.Specifically, we believe that these currently unregulated participants suchas Guaranteed Investment Contracts (GICs) brokers and the various financialadvisors should be brought under federal regulation in order that allsegments, and not only broker dealers, meet the high standards a fairmunicipal market that protects investors requires.Thus, we strongly recommend to the new Administration and its currenttransition groups, as well as the new Congress, that in reviewing the currentfinancial markets regulatory organizations and responsibilities, and inconsidering possible changes and improvements, specific consideration be givento placing financial advisors, GIC brokers and other unregulated marketparticipants in the municipal market under federal regulation.The MSRB wouldbe pleased to work with appropriate federal officials in discussing optionsand developing an appropriate regulatory scheme.The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) was established in 1975 byCongress to develop rules regulating securities firms and banks involved inunderwriting, trading, and selling municipal securities. The Board operatesinformation systems, including the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA)system, designed to promote transparency and access to information, and alsohas an extensive outreach and education effort.The Board is composed ofmembers from the municipal securities dealer community and the public, and ischarged with protecting investors and promoting a fair and efficient market. The Board is a self-regulatory organization that is subject to oversight bythe Securities and Exchange Commission.SOURCEMunicipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB)Jennifer A. The company said international passenger traffic rose 3.4percent during December, while domestic traffic in Chile,Argentina and Peru increased by 30.5 percent.

Internationaltraffic accounted for about 68 percent of total passengertraffic. Seeing how it is award season now, with the Rookie of the Year awards coming within the next hour, I thought it'd be good to look at this past decade as a whole and name my awards.While it will be difficult to name the Rookie of the Year as a decade (you'll see what I'll do there), I'm throwing in a new category and replacing an old.No more Most Valuable Player. We're talking Player of the Decade for each league, and let us not forget the franchise of the decade for both leagues.Forward, march! American League Honors Player of the DecadeLet us first start with the player of the decade The choices are somewhat slim for this category. You have Alex Rodriguez, who takes the cake I baked, leading the majors in home runs and runs batted in for the decade.Other players who can factor into the equation is Ichiro Suzuki, who led the American League in hitting throughout this decade, and, of course, Derek Jeter.Winner: Alex Rodriguez Cy Young of the DecadeThe Cy Young winner of the decade is a lot tougher to judge. I have determined that for this category, to qualify, the pitcher must have spent more than three consecutive years in the league, while also spending the majority of the decade in the same league.That means that pitchers like Livan Hernandez are out of the equation (for the American League), but Josh Beckett and A.J Burnett are in. It also means that John Santana is also considered for the award, despite playing in the National League for the past two seasons.This award is difficult to determine.

There are starters, like CC Sabathia and Santana, that could win the award hands down. It takes something special to go out on the field every five days, dominate, and do it all in six innings and 100-plus pitches.Winner: Johan Santana Apologies to: Pedro Martinez (five years in both leagues cancels him from both discussions), Sabathia (a very close vote), Rivera (closers man) Rookie of the DecadeOK, Rookie of the Year will be very quick. You can only be a rookie for one season (usually), so I'm taking the best rookie season out of the decade and naming them the winner.Winner: Ichiro (2001) Manager of the DecadeThis one is not hard. Who led his team to a postseason berth each season he managed the team Which manager is among the best in the majorsWinner: Joe Torre Franchise of the Decade This will be the toughest There are three really good franchises to choose from. The most successful franchise of all time also led all Major League teams in wins for the decade.The Boston Red Sox own two World Series berths and victories in the decade, along with seven postseason appearances.