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{{Infobox politician | {{Infobox politician | ||
|name=Lauren Book | |name=Lauren Book | ||
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==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Book was sexually abused as a child over the course of six years by her nanny.<ref name=mnt>{{cite web|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/as-lauren-book-hints-at-run-some-question-if-her-charity-could-become-political-tool-6559904|title=As Lauren Book Hints at Run, Some Question if Her Charity Could Become Political Tool|first=Deirdra|last=Funcheon|date=February 18, 2015|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref> She developed ] as a result. Book created a charity, Lauren's Kids, in 2007 to fight for stronger penalties for |
Book was sexually abused as a child over the course of six years by her nanny.<ref name=mnt>{{cite web|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/as-lauren-book-hints-at-run-some-question-if-her-charity-could-become-political-tool-6559904|title=As Lauren Book Hints at Run, Some Question if Her Charity Could Become Political Tool|first=Deirdra|last=Funcheon|date=February 18, 2015|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref> She developed ] as a result. Book created a charity, Lauren's Kids, in 2007 to fight for stronger penalties for people forced to register as "sex offenders."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/downtown-miami/article3205437.html|title=Lauren Book to be honored for her work in speaking out against childhood sexual abuse|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref> Starting in 2010, Book annually leads "Walk in My Shoes", a {{convert|1500|mi|adj=on}} walk from ], to ].<ref name=sunsentinel/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/lauren-book-finishes-1500-mile-walk-my-shoes-across-florida|title=Lauren Book finishes 1,500-mile "Walk in My Shoes" across Florida|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref> She has written two books: ''Lauren's Kingdom'' and ''It's OK to Tell''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/lauren-book-running-unopposed-raises-13-million-despite-criticisms-7673729|title=Lauren Book, Running Unopposed, Raises $1.3 Million Despite Criticisms|first=Deirdra|last=Funcheon|date=March 29, 2016|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref> She designed an abuse prevention curriculum that will be implemented in Florida ]s.<ref name=mnt/> | ||
==Political career== | ==Political career== | ||
Book ran for the 32nd district seat in the ] in 2016 |
Book ran unopposed for the 32nd district seat in the ] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saintpetersblog.com/senator-elect-lauren-book-thanks-voters-community-kids-book-distribution/|title=Senator-elect Lauren Book thanks voters, community with kids' book distribution - SaintPetersBlog|date=October 18, 2016|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref> In the 2017 session, Book filed a bill that would remove Confederate Memorial Day, celebrated on April 26, 2017, from Florida's list of 21 legal holidays.<ref name="td">{{cite web |url=http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/24/sen-lauren-book-proposes-eliminating-confederate-holiday/598336001/ |title=Sen. Lauren Book proposes eliminating Confederate holiday|date=August 27, 2017 |website= |publisher=Tallahassee Democrat |access-date=September 2, 2017 }}</ref> Her bill would also remove the birthday of ] and ] as official state holidays.<ref name="td"/> Book told CBS4 that "during a time when the country is completely divided, I think we look at celebrating our unique coming together instead of some of the things that kind of create hate and divisive environments."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/latest-florida-senator-files-bill-ban-confederate-holidays/WRxWOCkb2qy0aUoxsfhcEP/ |title=LATEST: Florida senator files bill to ban Confederate holidays |last=Nortunen |first=Sandra |date=August 27, 2017 |work=The Palm Beach Post |access-date=September 2, 2017 }}</ref> | ||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
Book's father, Ron Book, is a ] in Tallahassee.<ref name=sunsentinel>{{cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-lauren-book-state-senate-20150901-story.html|title=Activist Lauren Book to run for Florida Senate|first=South Florida|last=Sun-Sentinel|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref> Book married Kris Lim, a professional golfer, in 2008;<ref name=mnt/> their wedding was featured on ]'s '']''.<ref name=ssn/> They divorced in 2010.<ref name=mnt/> She married Blair Byrnes in 2015.<ref name="ssn">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/lauren-book-quietly-remarries-check-out-gift-registry|title=Lauren Book Quietly Remarries (Check out the Gift Registry)|last=Smith|first=Nancy|date=July 14, 2015| |
Book's father, Ron Book, is a ] in Tallahassee.<ref name=sunsentinel>{{cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-lauren-book-state-senate-20150901-story.html|title=Activist Lauren Book to run for Florida Senate|first=South Florida|last=Sun-Sentinel|accessdate=November 16, 2016}}</ref> Book married Kris Lim, a professional golfer, in 2008;<ref name=mnt/> their wedding was featured on ]'s '']''.<ref name=ssn/> They divorced in 2010.<ref name=mnt/> She married Blair Byrnes in 2015.<ref name="ssn">{{cite web|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/blog/lauren-book-quietly-remarries-check-out-gift-registry|title=Lauren Book Quietly Remarries (Check out the Gift Registry)|last=Smith|first=Nancy|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=November 16, 2016}}</ref> | ||
== Ethics Issues == | |||
Lauren Book is embroiled in numerous controversies, particularly in promoting Miami-Dade County's 2500 residency restriction laws which carries her namesake,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://miamidade.fl.elaws.us/code/coor_ptiii_ch21_artxvii|title=Article XVII. The Lauren Book Child Safety Ordinance|last=|first=|date=|website=eLaws.us|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> in turn forcing Miami's registrant population to live ] and other isolated areas of the county. Lauren Book had referred to those on the sex offender registry as "animals" and "In so many instances these individuals should never ever be allowed out for a second chance, they're ticking time bombs, its not a questions (''sic'') if they a re-offend, it's a question of when they re-offend."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wtxl.com/news/petition-gains-support-for-cherish-law/article_d6793758-14e5-11e3-b07f-0019bb30f31a.html|title=Petition gains support for "Cherish Law"|last=Jones|first=Brittany|date=September 3, 2013|website=ABC 27 WXTL|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> Jean Zeeb of the Florida chapter of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA), in responding to an editorial written by Book, referred to Book's statements as "alarmist, misleading and mostly false." Zeeb also added, "Book states that we must be vigilant for sexual predators who work in youth-serving capacities. She wrote that 'the average sexual predator will offend against 117 children in his or her lifetime.' This is an old trope, discredited decades ago."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gainesville.com/opinion/20170104/jean-zeeb-column-misleads-about-sex-offenders|title=Jean Zeeb: Column misleads about sex offenders|last=Zeeb|first=Jean|date=Jan 4, 2017|website=The Gainesville Sun|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> | |||
Lauren Book has publicly attacked individuals and organizations who have publicly criticized her role in forcing Miami's registrant population into homelessness. On April 22, 2015, a group of individuals representing organizations opposed to Book's promotion of residency restriction laws engaged in a peaceful demonstration. Book had misled supporters of we organization, claiming on her charity's website that this group of protesters oppose "Lauren's Kids' mission of preventing sexual abuse and healing survivors."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqCJPW0KTg4&feature=youtu.be&t=9m1s|title=ARM Rally in Tally (Tallahassee, FL) April 22, 2015|last=Logue|first=Derek|date=|website=YouTube|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> | |||
Ethical questions arose after Lauren Book formed her own political action committee ("Leadership For Broward"), headquartered in her Plantation residence. By 2016, Lauren Book had raised over $640,000, mainly from Ron Book's clients, including the Miami Dolphins and the controversial private prison company ]. In 2015, her charity received $3.8 Million, over 10 times the amount given to the Girl Scouts and YMCA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/senator-lauren-book-how-will-she-serve-daddys-shadow|title=Senator Lauren Book: How Will She Serve in Daddy's Shadow?|last=Smith|first=Nancy|date=September 1, 2015|website=Sunshine State News|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 10, 2017}}</ref> Lauren's Kids has received preferential treament by the state in other ways, particularly through soliciting donations at driver's license renewals and vanity tags.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.floridabulldog.org/2015/05/tallahassee-jackpot-politicians-send-millions-to-charity-of-lobbyists-daughter/#comment-585543|title=Tallahassee jackpot: Politicians send millions to charity of lobbyist’s daughter|last=Alvaredo|first=Franciso|date=May 6, 2015|website=Florida Bulldog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 10, 2017}}</ref> The fliers sent as reminders to those in need to renew car tags, as well as having a road named after Lauren Book, had been criticized as free advertising for a state Senate candidate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.browardbeat.com/senate-candidate-uses-public-bucks-for-publicity/|title=Update: Senate Candidate Uses Public Mailing|last=Nevins|first=Buddy|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 10, 2017}}</ref> Political activist Derek Logue heavily criticized Lauren Book's decision to collect a total of $65,000 from the GEO Group, citing a US Department of Justice investigation into the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility, which is run by GEO Group, found that it was "deliberately indifferent to staff sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with youth. The sexual misconduct we found was among the worst that we have seen in any facility anywhere in the nation."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/lauren-book-running-unopposed-raises-13-million-despite-criticisms-7673729|title=Lauren Book, Running Unopposed, Raises $1.3 Million Despite Criticisms|last=Funcheon|first=Dierdra|date=March 29, 2016|website=Broward/ Palm Beach New Times|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 10, 2017}}</ref> | |||
Since becoming state senator, many have questioned Book's potential conflict of interest in running a charity while holding a state senate seat. Despite claiming to have stepped down as the CEO of Lauren's Kids, she is still publicly listed as the CEO on her website as of August 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://laurenskids.org/about/our-team/|title=Our Team|last=|first=|date=|website=Lauren's Kids|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref> Lauren Book tald a reporter for FloridaBulldog.org she wouldn't abstain on matters involving her lobbyist father's clients nor from voting on funding her charity while in office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.floridabulldog.org/2017/03/ms-book-goes-to-tallahassee-sees-no-conflict-voting-for-laurens-kids-or-dads-clients/|title=Ms. Book goes to Tallahassee, sees no conflict voting $ for Lauren's Kids or dad's clients|last=Alvarado|first=Francisco|date=March 20, 2017|website=Florida Bulldog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> Book kept good on her word, voting yes on an appropriations bill which included $1.5 Million (half a million dollars more than the charity asked for) to Lauren's Kids charity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.floridabulldog.org/2017/06/using-ethics-loophole-sen-book-votes-to-give-her-nonprofit-1-5-million/|title=Using ethics loophole, Sen. Lauren Book votes to give her nonprofit $1.5 million|last=Alvarado|first=Francisco|date=June 22, 2017|website=Florida Bulldog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> Lauren's Kids reportedly spent about 28 percent of the charity's funds to Sachs Media Group, which has powerful political ties in Florida. The Sachs Media Group helped Lauren's Kids disseminate an unsubstantiated online study conducted by the company proclaiming a high number of people were sexually abused.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.floridabulldog.org/2017/06/laurens-kids-funnels-3-1-million-to-politically-connected-public-relations-firm/|title=Lauren's Kids funnels $3.1 million to politically connected public relations firm|last=Alvarado|first=Francisco|date=June 29, 2017|website=Florida Bulldog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> Lauren's Kids also benefits from being first in line among promotions supporting charities through the purchase of vanity plates. As noted by Florida Bulldog, "And now that Book is a state legislator, her nonprofit's participation in the auto tag renewal raises the possibility of a conflict of interest. 'In a perfect world, she would not do it,' said Beth Rosenson, a University of Florida political science professor who teaches government ethics. 'It's an accountability issue that raises questions in constituents' minds. It leads people not to trust government.' Ben Wilcox, research director for the government watchdog organization Integrity Florida, echoed Rosenson. 'It may be technically correct,' Wilcox said. 'But I don't think it will look good to the public.'"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.floridabulldog.org/2017/05/laurens-kids-racks-up-six-figure-donations-via-auto-tag-registration-renewals/|title=Lauren's Kids racks up six-figure donations via auto tag registration renewals|last=Alvarado|first=Francisco|date=May 4, 2017|website=Florida Bulldog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=August 10, 2017}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 02:26, 17 September 2017
Lauren Book | |
---|---|
Member of the Florida Senate from the 32nd district | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office November 8, 2016 | |
Preceded by | Eleanor Sobel |
Personal details | |
Born | Lauren Frances Book (1984-10-12) October 12, 1984 (age 40) Hollywood, Florida |
Political party | Democratic Party |
Lauren Frances Book (born October 12, 1984) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. She is the member of the Florida Senate for the 32nd district.
Early life
Book was sexually abused as a child over the course of six years by her nanny. She developed anorexia as a result. Book created a charity, Lauren's Kids, in 2007 to fight for stronger penalties for people forced to register as "sex offenders." Starting in 2010, Book annually leads "Walk in My Shoes", a 1,500-mile (2,400 km) walk from Key West, Florida, to Tallahassee, Florida. She has written two books: Lauren's Kingdom and It's OK to Tell. She designed an abuse prevention curriculum that will be implemented in Florida kindergartens.
Political career
Book ran unopposed for the 32nd district seat in the Florida Senate in 2016. In the 2017 session, Book filed a bill that would remove Confederate Memorial Day, celebrated on April 26, 2017, from Florida's list of 21 legal holidays. Her bill would also remove the birthday of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis as official state holidays. Book told CBS4 that "during a time when the country is completely divided, I think we look at celebrating our unique coming together instead of some of the things that kind of create hate and divisive environments."
Personal life
Book's father, Ron Book, is a lobbyist in Tallahassee. Book married Kris Lim, a professional golfer, in 2008; their wedding was featured on We TV's Platinum Weddings. They divorced in 2010. She married Blair Byrnes in 2015.
Ethics Issues
Lauren Book is embroiled in numerous controversies, particularly in promoting Miami-Dade County's 2500 residency restriction laws which carries her namesake, in turn forcing Miami's registrant population to live under the Julia Tuttle Causeway and other isolated areas of the county. Lauren Book had referred to those on the sex offender registry as "animals" and "In so many instances these individuals should never ever be allowed out for a second chance, they're ticking time bombs, its not a questions (sic) if they a re-offend, it's a question of when they re-offend." Jean Zeeb of the Florida chapter of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA), in responding to an editorial written by Book, referred to Book's statements as "alarmist, misleading and mostly false." Zeeb also added, "Book states that we must be vigilant for sexual predators who work in youth-serving capacities. She wrote that 'the average sexual predator will offend against 117 children in his or her lifetime.' This is an old trope, discredited decades ago."
Lauren Book has publicly attacked individuals and organizations who have publicly criticized her role in forcing Miami's registrant population into homelessness. On April 22, 2015, a group of individuals representing organizations opposed to Book's promotion of residency restriction laws engaged in a peaceful demonstration. Book had misled supporters of we organization, claiming on her charity's website that this group of protesters oppose "Lauren's Kids' mission of preventing sexual abuse and healing survivors."
Ethical questions arose after Lauren Book formed her own political action committee ("Leadership For Broward"), headquartered in her Plantation residence. By 2016, Lauren Book had raised over $640,000, mainly from Ron Book's clients, including the Miami Dolphins and the controversial private prison company GEO Group. In 2015, her charity received $3.8 Million, over 10 times the amount given to the Girl Scouts and YMCA. Lauren's Kids has received preferential treament by the state in other ways, particularly through soliciting donations at driver's license renewals and vanity tags. The fliers sent as reminders to those in need to renew car tags, as well as having a road named after Lauren Book, had been criticized as free advertising for a state Senate candidate. Political activist Derek Logue heavily criticized Lauren Book's decision to collect a total of $65,000 from the GEO Group, citing a US Department of Justice investigation into the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility, which is run by GEO Group, found that it was "deliberately indifferent to staff sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with youth. The sexual misconduct we found was among the worst that we have seen in any facility anywhere in the nation."
Since becoming state senator, many have questioned Book's potential conflict of interest in running a charity while holding a state senate seat. Despite claiming to have stepped down as the CEO of Lauren's Kids, she is still publicly listed as the CEO on her website as of August 2017. Lauren Book tald a reporter for FloridaBulldog.org she wouldn't abstain on matters involving her lobbyist father's clients nor from voting on funding her charity while in office. Book kept good on her word, voting yes on an appropriations bill which included $1.5 Million (half a million dollars more than the charity asked for) to Lauren's Kids charity. Lauren's Kids reportedly spent about 28 percent of the charity's funds to Sachs Media Group, which has powerful political ties in Florida. The Sachs Media Group helped Lauren's Kids disseminate an unsubstantiated online study conducted by the company proclaiming a high number of people were sexually abused. Lauren's Kids also benefits from being first in line among promotions supporting charities through the purchase of vanity plates. As noted by Florida Bulldog, "And now that Book is a state legislator, her nonprofit's participation in the auto tag renewal raises the possibility of a conflict of interest. 'In a perfect world, she would not do it,' said Beth Rosenson, a University of Florida political science professor who teaches government ethics. 'It's an accountability issue that raises questions in constituents' minds. It leads people not to trust government.' Ben Wilcox, research director for the government watchdog organization Integrity Florida, echoed Rosenson. 'It may be technically correct,' Wilcox said. 'But I don't think it will look good to the public.'"
References
- ^ Funcheon, Deirdra (February 18, 2015). "As Lauren Book Hints at Run, Some Question if Her Charity Could Become Political Tool". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- "Lauren Book to be honored for her work in speaking out against childhood sexual abuse". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ Sun-Sentinel, South Florida. "Activist Lauren Book to run for Florida Senate". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- "Lauren Book finishes 1,500-mile "Walk in My Shoes" across Florida". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- Funcheon, Deirdra (March 29, 2016). "Lauren Book, Running Unopposed, Raises $1.3 Million Despite Criticisms". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- "Senator-elect Lauren Book thanks voters, community with kids' book distribution - SaintPetersBlog". October 18, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ "Sen. Lauren Book proposes eliminating Confederate holiday". Tallahassee Democrat. August 27, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- Nortunen, Sandra (August 27, 2017). "LATEST: Florida senator files bill to ban Confederate holidays". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ Smith, Nancy (July 14, 2015). "Lauren Book Quietly Remarries (Check out the Gift Registry)". Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- "Article XVII. The Lauren Book Child Safety Ordinance". eLaws.us. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - Jones, Brittany (September 3, 2013). "Petition gains support for "Cherish Law"". ABC 27 WXTL. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - Zeeb, Jean (January 4, 2017). "Jean Zeeb: Column misleads about sex offenders". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - Logue, Derek. "ARM Rally in Tally (Tallahassee, FL) April 22, 2015". YouTube. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
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(help) - Smith, Nancy (September 1, 2015). "Senator Lauren Book: How Will She Serve in Daddy's Shadow?". Sunshine State News. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
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(help) - Alvaredo, Franciso (May 6, 2015). "Tallahassee jackpot: Politicians send millions to charity of lobbyist's daughter". Florida Bulldog. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
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(help) - Nevins, Buddy. "Update: Senate Candidate Uses Public Mailing". Retrieved August 10, 2017.
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(help) - Funcheon, Dierdra (March 29, 2016). "Lauren Book, Running Unopposed, Raises $1.3 Million Despite Criticisms". Broward/ Palm Beach New Times. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
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(help) - "Our Team". Lauren's Kids. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
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(help) - Alvarado, Francisco (March 20, 2017). "Ms. Book goes to Tallahassee, sees no conflict voting $ for Lauren's Kids or dad's clients". Florida Bulldog. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - Alvarado, Francisco (June 22, 2017). "Using ethics loophole, Sen. Lauren Book votes to give her nonprofit $1.5 million". Florida Bulldog. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - Alvarado, Francisco (June 29, 2017). "Lauren's Kids funnels $3.1 million to politically connected public relations firm". Florida Bulldog. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - Alvarado, Francisco (May 4, 2017). "Lauren's Kids racks up six-figure donations via auto tag registration renewals". Florida Bulldog. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
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External links
- "Senator Lauren Frances Book". Florida Senate.
Members of the Florida Senate | ||
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