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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Income Taxes  
Income Taxes
NOTE 7.   INCOME TAXES

The Company is subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions.  Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can affect the Company's earnings, as can the resolution of pending and contested tax issues.  The consolidated income tax rate is affected by a number of factors, including the mix of domestic and foreign earnings and investments, local tax rates of subsidiaries, repatriation of foreign earnings, and the Company's ability to utilize foreign tax credits.

The consolidated effective income tax rate was approximately 35.5% for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, and approximately 33.5% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  The rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 was lower than the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to earnings of subsidiaries in the Company's African region, which allowed the recognition of foreign tax credits.