Got the welcome letter and Card yesterday on 3/12/2009. It is a sweet surprise since I didn't see any update online since last RFE (9/2008). Here is the story lines:
Company filed RIR in 7/2004
Due to PERM, case moved to Backlog center, no response. Thus filed NIW 9/2005 on my own.
I-140 approved in 10/2005.
NC cleared in 4/2008--takes a long time, maybe this is why my case missed several golden chance to become green.
Company RIR approved 2/2008, and company lawyer, HR push me to submit I-140 (yes, I was pushed), I was reluctant, but still provide the document for them to submit and it was approved in 7/2008. I did notice the welcome letter mentions that my RIR priority date was used.
Got RFE for medical (skin test) in 9/2008, replied and saw many updates in a couple od days on I-485, but jsut ended up with "Document sent ..."
contacted USCIS (NCSC), Senator many times and wrote to CIS Ombudsman earlier this year.
Then suddenly got the card.
Got a lot of good information in this forum.
Good luck to all my brothers and sisters that suffer during this course.
Writing to CIS Ombudsman and Senator may have some effect.