"America entered this third millennium on an unprecedented wave of prosperity. Yet, a soaring stock market and a new economy of electronic commerce that spurts out waves of new millionaires distort an ugly reality: the persistence of poverty in our nation. Even low unemployment rates mask the reality that too many lead lives of economic desperation. And, most disconcerting of all, one in five American children continue to fall between the cracks of our prosperity."
--From the mission statement of the 2000 Shadow Convention (http://www.shadowconventions.org/), scheduled for July 30-August 4 in Philadelphia, Pa., where RESULTS is hosting a table on hunger in America. (See below for more information on the Shadow Convention in Philadelphia.)
Via your letters and follow-up calls, ask your Senators and Representatives to sign the letter to the President and leaders of the Senate and House. This letter asks that the President and the leadership make passage of the Hunger Relief Act (S 1805/HR 3192) a priority in the remainder of this legislative year. Senators and Representatives can add their names to the letter by calling Max Finberg in Representative Hall's office at (202) 225-3522.
UPDATE-this letter is scheduled to "close" in just two days-- Wednesday, August 2 - meaning that all of the Senators and Representatives that are interested in signing on to the letter must do so in the next 48 hours. For the first half of the week, focus your efforts on doggedly following up with the Congressional staff today and tomorrow. Here is an updated listing of the 108 Representatives and 9 Senators who have signed on to the letter.
To have a copy of the letter faxed (or e-mailed) directly to a congressional aide on your behalf, please contact Shaun Bernier in the RESULTS office at bernier@action.org. For more information, see the Domestic Action sheet in this month's Take Action! or contact the RESULTS office.
The House and Senate are in recess until September 5, and most will be home during the second half of their break. Contact their schedulers THIS WEEK to secure an appointment with your Senators and Representatives, and also look for chances to speak with them at their public meetings and campaign stops. If your group has a meeting scheduled, please contact Meredith in the RESULTS office for coaching and updated requests.
Aimed at addressing issues that the Republican and Democratic conventions won't be discussing, the Shadow Convention in Philadelphia will focus on the issue of poverty this Wednesday, August 2. All week long, RESULTS, along with other anti-hunger and poverty organizations, such as Bread for the World and Tufts Center on Hunger, Poverty and Nutrition Policy, will be hosting a resource table on hunger at the Shadow Convention. We would like to encourage those of you who are willing and able to come to Philadelphia, to join us at the Shadow Convention on Wednesday.
Work with your group and get creative to:
In particular, the next few weeks will be a chance to make sure folks are talking about the real, persistent problem of hunger in America, and how Congress and the President should pass the Hunger Relief Act now. To help you plan your forays, we have mailed each Group Leader a small resource kit, which includes sample flyers, postcards and planning worksheets, and ideas to help your group brainstorm. Please contact any of the RESULTS domestic staff for ideas or support.
Ellen Taylor, Policy Analyst at OMB Watch (http://www.ombwatch.org/), will be our guest speaker for the August National Conference Call. Ms. Taylor was a popular guest on our conference call one year ago. As she did last year, Ms. Taylor will cut through the misleading rhetoric of surpluses and will explain the current budget situation, including a REAL analysis of the current surplus projections. Invite your partners and allies in your community to get this important update straight from an expert in Washington, D.C.
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Main Office: (202) 783-7100 |
fax (202) 783-2818 |
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Domestic Grassroots Support Staff: |
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Meredith Dodson
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Jessica Humphrey |
Leah Rogne
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Domestic Legislative Staff: |
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Derek Miller |
Alan Gold |
Shaun Bernier
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