There is a mountain of paper and snippets of notes scattered across my home office desk. Recently, from my paper pearls, I excavated a sample letter to members of Congress in regards to making a difference on Darfur. Better late than never, I praised myself, as I paused in my flurry of activities and culled time to tweak it, retype it, and mail it to Democrats Henry "Hank" Johnson, Jr., and John Lewis, of the fourth and fifth districts, respectively.
The purport of the epistles is to take action against the GENOCIDE in Darfur. Before or after writing your letter, please go to http://www.darfurscores.org/ to discern how your local representative is making the grade based on his support for key Darfur-related legislation and other initiatives.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Come out of the mirror, find some paper, and lift a pen.
SAMPLE LETTER to MEMBERS of CONGRESS:
[Senator/Representative Name]
Address
City, State Zip
Dear [Senator/Representative]:
I am deeply concerned about the tragic events currently unfolding in Darfur, Sudan, and am writing to ask that you support increased funding for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Darfur.
Up to 450, 000 people have lost their lives in Darfur since the genocide began in 2003. More that 2.5 million people have been displaced, their livelihoods and villages have been destroyed by government forces and their proxy militias, and many thousands of women and girls have been raped.
I urge you to do everything you can to assure that the peacekeeping forces in Darfur are fully funded and that humanitarian aid reaches all those in need. Please also demand that the Obama Administration continues to pressure the international community to plan for a United Nations takeover of the African Union mission in Darfur. TheAfrican Union has shown important leadership, but it does not have the capacity or the funding to do enough. Genocide is a crime against humanity and it requires an international response.
As someone who believes in standing up for Universal brotherhood, I believe we have a moral obligation to do all we can to stop the atrocities.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Your address
City, State Zip
GEORGIA CONGRESS
Chambliss, Saxby - (R)
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Isakson, Johnny - (R)
120 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Jack Kingston (R)
District 1 - Republican
2368 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Sanfrod D. Bishop, Jr.
District 2 - Democrat
2429 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515-1002
Lynn A. Westmoreland
District 3, Republican
1213 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Hank C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.
District 4, Democrat
1133 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
John Lewis
District 5, Democrat
343 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Tom Price
District 6, Republican
424 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
John Linder
District 7, Republican
1026 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Jim Marshall
District 8, Democrat
515 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Nathan Deal
District 9, Republican
2133 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Charlie Norwood
District 10, Republican
2452 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phil Gingrey
Georgia - 11th, Republican
119 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 204515
John Barrow
District 12, Democrat
213 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
David Scott
District 13, Democrat
417 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
1 comment:
Buenos dias Golden-Goddess Family,
I got a letter from the Congress of the United States. Hank Johnson responded to my Darfur letter.
He thanked me for contacting his office to express my views. In addition, he informed me that he was a cosponsor of HR, 180, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act in the 110th Congress. He explained that "This important bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require all companies trading in registered securities that conduct business operations directly or through parent or subsidiary companies in Sudan to disclose the nature of such operations and prohibits U.S. government contracts with such companies."
According to Mr. Johnson, unfortunately, the bill did not pass the Senate in the last Congress, but he is hopeful that it will become law this year.
A bit of frightening info in the response was the year 2007, when the bill passed the House with Mr. Johnson's support and when another bill involving the Government of the People's Republic of China to use its influence and economic might to stop the genocide and violence in Darfur, Sudan.
Yet, more than bill passing is needed. Yet, the violence continues, years later. And yet, all we can do is hold the vision of peace and know that God is ever and always good.
Johnson ended with his hope that President Obama and his own colleagues in Congress will help bring about an end to the crisis in Darfur.
Wishing you love and blessings,
The Golden Goddess
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