I received a positive letter from Congressman Rick Boucher in response to my visit and follow-up letter. Still nothing from John Warner's office, but I'll keep you posted:
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jdorr/Social_Concerns/200605_Boucher.pdf
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Young Adult Lobby Weekend
The Friends Committee on National Legislation hosted a Young Adult Lobby Weekend on the first weekend in April. I had the privilege of attending this weekend of training followed by a lobby visit to staff members of two of my legislators, Senator Warner (VA) and Representative Boucher (VA-09).
Please add your own words to the following letters (click on the names for a Word document) and send them to our legislators via U.S. Mail or e-mail:
If you live in Virginia, please write to:
Senator John Warner - senator@warner.senate.gov
If you live in Virginia's 9th district, please write to:
Representative Rick Boucher - ninthnet@mail.house.gov
Otherwise contact your Legislators through FCNL.
Details:
I discussed the need for a gradual withdrawal of troops and bases from Iraq with the staff members. The fact remains that Iraq is in worse shape than it was 3 years ago, from basic services to health care to order and security, and the continued presence of U.S. troops seems to only fuel the fire. A specific step that our senators can take is to support an amendment to the supplemental funding bill to establish no permanent military bases in Iraq. We also urged our representatives to support H.J. Res. 55 – “Homeward Bound Act” requiring the president to develop and implement a plan for withdrawal from Iraq.
In addition to the Iraq War, during the weekend training we discussed nuclear disarmament, heard from Congressional staff members, and learned the ins-and-outs of a successful lobby visit. They taught us to maintain a professional, non-confrontational demeanor throughout, take only 2 or 3 points with us on a lobby visit, and always thank the staff member for their time. But one of the most important things that we can do is follow up on our visits, so send those letters off.
Additional Information:
Good News: House Votes to Block Permanent Iraq Bases
Permanent Bases in Iraq: Where Politics and Law Hit a Brick Wall, by Col. Dan Smith (USA, Ret.). Published in Dan's web log, The Quaker's Colonel.
Senators Scale Back Funding for Building Projects in Iraq (LA Times)
The U.S. Can't Abandon Iraq, But the Troops Must Leave: Join FCNL's Iraq Campaign".
Please add your own words to the following letters (click on the names for a Word document) and send them to our legislators via U.S. Mail or e-mail:
If you live in Virginia, please write to:
Senator John Warner - senator@warner.senate.gov
If you live in Virginia's 9th district, please write to:
Representative Rick Boucher - ninthnet@mail.house.gov
Otherwise contact your Legislators through FCNL.
Details:
I discussed the need for a gradual withdrawal of troops and bases from Iraq with the staff members. The fact remains that Iraq is in worse shape than it was 3 years ago, from basic services to health care to order and security, and the continued presence of U.S. troops seems to only fuel the fire. A specific step that our senators can take is to support an amendment to the supplemental funding bill to establish no permanent military bases in Iraq. We also urged our representatives to support H.J. Res. 55 – “Homeward Bound Act” requiring the president to develop and implement a plan for withdrawal from Iraq.
In addition to the Iraq War, during the weekend training we discussed nuclear disarmament, heard from Congressional staff members, and learned the ins-and-outs of a successful lobby visit. They taught us to maintain a professional, non-confrontational demeanor throughout, take only 2 or 3 points with us on a lobby visit, and always thank the staff member for their time. But one of the most important things that we can do is follow up on our visits, so send those letters off.
Additional Information:
Good News: House Votes to Block Permanent Iraq Bases
Permanent Bases in Iraq: Where Politics and Law Hit a Brick Wall, by Col. Dan Smith (USA, Ret.). Published in Dan's web log, The Quaker's Colonel.
Senators Scale Back Funding for Building Projects in Iraq (LA Times)
The U.S. Can't Abandon Iraq, But the Troops Must Leave: Join FCNL's Iraq Campaign".
Thursday, April 06, 2006
2006 FCNL Young Adult Lobbyists and Gandhi 
Here we are on our way to a lovely meeting for worship at Friends Meeting of Washington. Their 1930's stone Meeting House brought the beautiful day indoors as light streamed through large windows. Reflection, thoughts of peace, and our mere presence and breathe filled the room.
A hope for NO WAR in 2003. Protests are good to boost moral, but do little to sway legislators. Visit and write letters to your congressman and senators. How do we stop this war?
from bus rides to DC protests
Friends, hope, chanting
to signing petitions
Friends, hope, uncertainty
to local protests
Friends, hope, nothing
to letter writing
Friends, hope, keep trying
to lobby visits
How do we stop this war?
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