Confronting Unjust Corporate Systems: Urge Hilton to prevent Child prostitution in their hotels by clicking here (look to right for action, act this week)
Human Trafficking: Urge Prime Minister Putin and President Medvedev to sign the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings this week located here (International Action Available)
Human Trafficking: Contact Attorney General Eric Holder at 202.353.1555 urging the Dept. or Justice to investigate and prosecute Vanderbilt Landscaping for criminal conduct including but not limited to labor trafficking, forced labor, unlawful conduct with respect to documents, and other crimes in coordination with the F.B.I. In addition, you are invited to contact Dept. of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis (202.693.6000) urging the Department of Labor to decertify Vanderbilt from further employment of guestworkers and pursue high penalties for OSHA violations in labor camps and at worksites. (Act as soon as possible)
Other Potential Actions:
The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill cleared genetically modified (GM) crops overriding the concerns raised by the general public and state governments against GM food. The Parliament will soon table the bill. However, Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC) can force the Government to re-draft the bill with suggestions from the public. You are invited to sign an open letter to Sonia Gandhi asking NAC to make the Government consult people before tabling the bill located here (International action available)
Urge your Representative to support a peaceful and stable Sudan by co-sponsoring House Resolution 1588 located here (Act this week)
Urge your Representatives to Support H.R.6021, the Haiti Empowerment, Assistance and Rebuilding Act here (Act this week)
Urge Krogers/Ralphs to uphold the standards in their company’s Vendor Code of Conduct and take responsibility for your supply chain in support of Giumarra workers located here (Act this week)
Google is trying to buy its own exclusive fast lane on the internet. The deal made with Verizon would allow Google sites to load faster and take priority while potentially slowing down other websites to a crawl and could lead to a precedent for future corporate deals as well as future legislation on how the Internet works. Currently the Internet is an equal access place but this could change. Tell the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to block the Google/Verizon proposal here (Act this week)
Water - Ohio River: Known as the most polluted river in America due to the dumping of 31 million pounds of toxic waste each year and is the main source of drinking water for many. Yet a proposal to allow coal-fired power plants and others industries to dump even more pollution into the water is being considered by the Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORANSCO). Urge ORANSCO to stop polluters from destroying our river as soon as possible
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Weekly Justice Highlights
Good News: Thanks to the efforts of health care advocates who took action quickly, the House passed a new bill that extends Medicaid funding to states. That means the bill is headed to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law since the Senate has already passed this legislation.
Challenging unjust structures: Bangladesh workers are being punished as a result of Walmart’s lack of aggressive action to Nassa Global Wear in stopping human rights violations. Urge Walmart to use their full influence to encourage Nassa and the government of Bangladesh to stop persecuting workers and labor leaders here
Other Potential Actions:
Urge the Obama Administration to commit to $6 billion to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria over the next three years by clicking here
Urge Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to call for an impartial, international investigation into the recent violence that has taken place in southern Kyrgyzstan by clicking here at
Urge U.S. Senators to provide $15 million for the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) Research Program in 2011 here (scroll down page to BLUE box)
Recently, U.S. citizens learned of $8.7 billion missing from the Iraqi Development Fund. Inexplicably, the Department of Defense doesn’t know where 95% of a critical reconstruction program went. You are invited to contact Congress and the Obama Administration here
Bread for the World Sunday is October 17 in many congregations/parishes throughout the United States. Materials can be downloaded here Spanish resources can also be downloaded at the same web site.
Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform has put out a “Reel images of Immigration study guide for the movies: Made in L.A., Dying to Live, and The Visitor. It can be downloaded here
Louisville, KY: On August 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cultivating Connections will host a screening and discussion workshop on Fuel: Change Your Fuel, Change the World at St. Matthews Episcopal Church (330 N Hubbards Lane). FUEL is a comprehensive and entertaining look at energy in America: a history of where we have been, our present predicament and a solution to our dependence on foreign oil. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch and reserve a seat by contacting cultivatingconnections@insightbb.com or call 502.897.2721 Donations are requested.
Challenging unjust structures: Bangladesh workers are being punished as a result of Walmart’s lack of aggressive action to Nassa Global Wear in stopping human rights violations. Urge Walmart to use their full influence to encourage Nassa and the government of Bangladesh to stop persecuting workers and labor leaders here
Other Potential Actions:
Urge the Obama Administration to commit to $6 billion to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria over the next three years by clicking here
Urge Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to call for an impartial, international investigation into the recent violence that has taken place in southern Kyrgyzstan by clicking here at
Urge U.S. Senators to provide $15 million for the ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) Research Program in 2011 here (scroll down page to BLUE box)
Recently, U.S. citizens learned of $8.7 billion missing from the Iraqi Development Fund. Inexplicably, the Department of Defense doesn’t know where 95% of a critical reconstruction program went. You are invited to contact Congress and the Obama Administration here
Bread for the World Sunday is October 17 in many congregations/parishes throughout the United States. Materials can be downloaded here Spanish resources can also be downloaded at the same web site.
Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform has put out a “Reel images of Immigration study guide for the movies: Made in L.A., Dying to Live, and The Visitor. It can be downloaded here
Louisville, KY: On August 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cultivating Connections will host a screening and discussion workshop on Fuel: Change Your Fuel, Change the World at St. Matthews Episcopal Church (330 N Hubbards Lane). FUEL is a comprehensive and entertaining look at energy in America: a history of where we have been, our present predicament and a solution to our dependence on foreign oil. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch and reserve a seat by contacting cultivatingconnections@insightbb.com or call 502.897.2721 Donations are requested.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Weekly Justice Highlights
Care of Earth: Write the Minister of Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh of India urging him to protect the coasts of India by opposing all new ports and the expansion of old ones (over 300 ports are planned) here (International action accepted)
Care of Earth: On August 6 – 8, thousands of religious leaders and people of faith across the country will express their dismay with regard to inaction on the part of Senators with regard to Climate Change legislation. Send a message to Senators this week here
Confronting Unjust Systems: Call on Rajan Kamalanathan, Walmart’s Vice President of “Ethical” Sourcing to support workers in Bangladesh who are calling for a garmet worker minimum wage of 35 cents an hour by clicking here
Other Potential Actions:
Last week U.S. citizens learned of $8.7 billion missing from the Iraqi Development Fund. Inexplicably, the Department of Defense doesn’t know where 95% of a critical reconstruction program went. You are invited to contact Congress and the Obama Administration
The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act (S. 3663) would implement commonsense reforms to our broken and corrupt oil and gas leasing processes, ensure oil companies like BP are held responsible for the damage they cause, protect our nation’s natural heritage, and provide incentives to reduce oil consumption and energy use. Urge Senators to support this bill as a first step to comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation here
Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced the Ten Million Solar Roofs Act that would work toward solar power development, a source of green energy. Additionally, PACE (Property-assessed Clean Energy Programs) are under threat by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who are blocking the implementation of the PACE program. Urge legislators to fund solar roofs and preserve the PACE program by clicking here
Frankfort, KY: On August 11, the Interim Judiciary Committee will take testimony about ending the death penalty for severely mentally ill persons. Dr. Sheila Schuster will guide the discussion before the committee. If you are a constituent of any of these members, please contact them urging support of this legislation. The number is 1.800.372.7181 to leave a message with your State Senator or Representative.
SENATE: Sen. Tom Jensen, Sen. Perry B. Clark, Sen. Carroll Gibson, Sen. Ray S. Jones, Sen. Gerald A. Neal, Sen. Mike Reynolds, Sen. Jerry P. Rhoads, Sen. John Schickel, Sen. Dan "Malano" Seum, Sen. Katie Kratz Stine, Sen. Robert Stivers, Sen. Jack Westwood HOUSE: Rep. John Tilley, Rep. Johnny Bell, Rep. Jesse Crenshaw, Rep. Joseph M. Fischer, Rep. Kelly Flood, Rep. Jeff Hoover, Rep. Thomas Kerr, Rep. Stan Lee, Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, Rep. Harry Moberly, Rep. Darryl T. Owens, Rep. Tom Riner
Louisville, KY: On August 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cultivating Connections will host a screening and discussion workshop on Fuel: Change Your Fuel, Change the World at St. Matthews Episcopal Church (330 N Hubbards Lane). FUEL is a comprehensive and entertaining look at energy in America: a history of where we have been, our present predicament and a solution to our dependence on foreign oil. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch and reserve a seat by contacting cultivatingconnections@insightbb.com or call 502.897.2721 Donations are requested.
Care of Earth: On August 6 – 8, thousands of religious leaders and people of faith across the country will express their dismay with regard to inaction on the part of Senators with regard to Climate Change legislation. Send a message to Senators this week here
Confronting Unjust Systems: Call on Rajan Kamalanathan, Walmart’s Vice President of “Ethical” Sourcing to support workers in Bangladesh who are calling for a garmet worker minimum wage of 35 cents an hour by clicking here
Other Potential Actions:
Last week U.S. citizens learned of $8.7 billion missing from the Iraqi Development Fund. Inexplicably, the Department of Defense doesn’t know where 95% of a critical reconstruction program went. You are invited to contact Congress and the Obama Administration
The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act (S. 3663) would implement commonsense reforms to our broken and corrupt oil and gas leasing processes, ensure oil companies like BP are held responsible for the damage they cause, protect our nation’s natural heritage, and provide incentives to reduce oil consumption and energy use. Urge Senators to support this bill as a first step to comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation here
Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced the Ten Million Solar Roofs Act that would work toward solar power development, a source of green energy. Additionally, PACE (Property-assessed Clean Energy Programs) are under threat by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who are blocking the implementation of the PACE program. Urge legislators to fund solar roofs and preserve the PACE program by clicking here
Frankfort, KY: On August 11, the Interim Judiciary Committee will take testimony about ending the death penalty for severely mentally ill persons. Dr. Sheila Schuster will guide the discussion before the committee. If you are a constituent of any of these members, please contact them urging support of this legislation. The number is 1.800.372.7181 to leave a message with your State Senator or Representative.
SENATE: Sen. Tom Jensen, Sen. Perry B. Clark, Sen. Carroll Gibson, Sen. Ray S. Jones, Sen. Gerald A. Neal, Sen. Mike Reynolds, Sen. Jerry P. Rhoads, Sen. John Schickel, Sen. Dan "Malano" Seum, Sen. Katie Kratz Stine, Sen. Robert Stivers, Sen. Jack Westwood HOUSE: Rep. John Tilley, Rep. Johnny Bell, Rep. Jesse Crenshaw, Rep. Joseph M. Fischer, Rep. Kelly Flood, Rep. Jeff Hoover, Rep. Thomas Kerr, Rep. Stan Lee, Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, Rep. Harry Moberly, Rep. Darryl T. Owens, Rep. Tom Riner
Louisville, KY: On August 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cultivating Connections will host a screening and discussion workshop on Fuel: Change Your Fuel, Change the World at St. Matthews Episcopal Church (330 N Hubbards Lane). FUEL is a comprehensive and entertaining look at energy in America: a history of where we have been, our present predicament and a solution to our dependence on foreign oil. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch and reserve a seat by contacting cultivatingconnections@insightbb.com or call 502.897.2721 Donations are requested.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Action Alert August 2010
Human Trafficking: Linking to Resources and Best Practices
As an SCN Family who continues to educate ourselves and others on the issue of human trafficking, it is imperative to network and collaborate with others. While this occurs most often when confronted with a situation of human trafficking, it is essential as individuals who have made a corporate stand on human trafficking to know where good resources exist. While there are many as indicated in this list, a few are highlighted below.
A website entitled, Free the Slaves located at www.freetheslaves.netcontains many practical resources including an interactive slavery map, useful downloads, success stories, films, videos and book suggestions. While international in its scope of stories and information, most advocacy is focused on the United States.
A second website, United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking is located at http://www.ungift.org/ This site is mostly informative with its highlights of conventions and protocols, publications, and best practices.
The last website is the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime located atwww.unodc.org Along the left margin are the words, “Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling.” Clicking on these words will relocate you to a web page emphasizing the work the United Nations has done to prevent human trafficking including toolkits, manuals and the Blue Heart Campaign website.
With regard to audio-visual materials in the form of DVD’s, there are three located in the SCN Media Center on Nazareth campus. These include:
- Lives for Sale—A documentary on immigration and human trafficking and why immigrants are willing to risk everything for the American Dream
- Losing Maria – A story of a young woman who has been trafficked, geared toward high school students with preview recommended. Includes facilitator guide
- The Jammed – A story of trafficking of adults made in Australia. (A copy of this is also available in the Eastern Province)
Reflection/Action: “... We commit to educate ourselves and others about the inherent violence involved in the buying, selling, and transporting of human beings ..." (SCN Corpate Stand Opposing Human Trafficking)
How have I made efforts to educate myself and others with regard to human trafficking? What steps do I plan to take if confronted with a potential situation of human trafficking? What other resources, especially those at the local level, do you have/know of that you would be willing to share with others through the Office of Global Ministries?
U.S. Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act
In late June, The Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010 (H.R. 5575 / S.2925) was introduced in the House. This bipartisan bill is currently in need of co-sponsors. According to Catholic Charities this legislation “would create up to 6 grants of $2 million to $2.5 million with the goal to prevent the sex trafficking of minors, treat child victims of human trafficking and prosecute offenders. The grants could be used for a variety of activities with at least 50 percent going to services and shelter for victims.”
Action: In keeping with our corporate stand against human trafficking that advocates for policies and programs that prevent human trafficking, members of the SCN Family are invited to contact U.S. Senators and Representatives (202.224.3121) urging them to co-sponsor and support this legislation.
International Day of the World's Indigenous People August 9
In September 2007, the United Nations adopted a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. At the time, four countries voted against the declaration and eleven countries abstained. Those countries opposing included Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. Since 2007, Australia and New Zealand have reversed their decision and now support the declaration. In March 2010, Canada made the announcement that it will endorse the declaration. The United States stated in April 2010 that it will review its position. On this day, it is appropriate to pause and reflect upon those indigenous in our own countries, states, and locales.
- What gifts are present within the indigenous and what resources do they possess that will carry them into the future?
- In what ways have the indigenous in my country/state been oppressed, exploited and discriminated against?
- What recent actions have I taken to promote solidarity with the indigenous people?
Energy Legislation Update
Last year the U.S. House passed a comprehensive climate-energy bill. As the Senate nears the August recess, it is highly unlikely that such a bill will be produced in the Senate. Gone are renewable energy and carbon cap-and-trade provisions. It appears that the bill supports some aspects of the oil spill and land conservation. According to Kevin Book, an energy analyst with ClearView Energy Partners, the bill apparently includes:- “An oil spill liability cap for oil companies up to $10 billion from $75 million currently
- A $5 billion home energy efficiency incentives package to encourage retrofits called HomeStar
- Natural gas vehicle incentives of about $4.1 billion
- Expanded land and water conservation”
Monday, July 26, 2010
Human Trafficking Resources
Anti Slavery International
Canadian Religious Conference (Human Trafficking under CRC Priorities)
Child Trafficking Digital Library (Nepal, South Asia and others)
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
** Combating human trafficking
* Free the Slaves
www.freetheslaves.net (Useful Downloads, Interactive Slavery Map, success stories, books)
The Future Group (Canadian NGO)
Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (look to right sidebar for country)
Global Alliance Against Traffic in women (Justice Information Section and Resource hub)
International Center for Migration Policy Development (Search geographic-oriented resources)
* Intercommunity Peace and Justice center –(trafficking section, scroll down for resources)
International Organization for Migration
International Union of Superior Generals
www.csjorange.org (look under Justice Office / Resources/Issues)
List of Goods produced by Child and Forced Labor
National Multicultural Institute
Nepal Institute of Peace (Internally Displaced Persons)
Polaris Project: For a World without Slavery
Rescue and Restore Victims of Trafficking - Free outreach materials, posters, screening tools, fact sheets at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking
* Stop Trafficking Newsletter
UNANIMA International (Stop the Demand campaign resources)
* United Nations Blue Heart Campaign Against Human Trafficking
** Best Practices in Human Trafficking and Africa
UN Development Fund for Women, Human Trafficking Briefing Kit www.unifem.org/attachments/products/traffkit_eng.pdf
* United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking
** http://www.ungift.org/ungift/knowledge/practices.html contains Best Practices
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling)
** Click here (Produced by Government of India)
U.S. Catholic Conference of bishops
U.S. State Department (2010 Trafficking in Persons Report)
U.S. Dept. of Education (Human Trafficking of Children in U.S.: A Fact Sheet for Schools)
Action: Request U.S. Congress to stop demand of products made by child and slave labor http://capwiz.com/ipjc/go/childlabor
Action: Ask your favorite brands to ensure their products are slave-free
DVDs
Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids—Explores the lives of the sons and daughters of prostitutes in Calcutta, India. 2005 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. $20 from www.kids-with-cameras.org. 83 minutes.
The Day My God Died—About young girls whose lives have been shattered by the child sex trade in Nepal and India. $30 from Andrew Levine Productions. 70 minutes.
Dreams Die Hard: Survivors of Slavery in America Tell Their Stories—Documentary profiling several people trapped in different kinds of human slavery across the United States. $10 from Free the Slaves. A study guide is available for this movie. 36 minutes.
Human Trafficking—This drama exposes the ugly world of human trafficking. Donald Sutherland and Mira Sorvino received Golden Globe Nominations for their performances in this 2005 Lifetime television mini-series. $6.99 from Amazon.com. 180 minutes.
I Just Keep Quiet: Voices of Human Trafficking—Produced by the Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA) and the Seattle Police Department, 2006. DVD Available for $20 by calling ReWA: 206-721-0243. 20 minutes. The video is free online and can be accessed either via youtube or http://warn-trafficking.org/.
* Lives for Sale—A joint production between Maryknoll, Lightfoot Films, Inc. and PBS. $19.95 from Orbis Books. 60 minutes. (SCN Media Center has a copy)
* Losing Maria – story of a young adult who has been trafficked, geared toward high school students with preview recommended (SCN Media Center has a copy)
So Great a Violence: Prostitution, Trafficking and the Global Sex Industry—Attempts to debunk myths of prostitution and spotlights the men who create the demand for the sexual exploitation of women and girls. $29.95 from the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. 29 minutes.
* The Jammed – Story of trafficking of adults made in Australia (SCN Media Center has a copy) or visit www.thejammed.com
The Oldest Lie – 30-minute documentary and guide produced by filmmaker Eve Lamont that debunks the myth of that prostitution is the “oldest profession.” This documentary can be used with girls age 14 and up. Cost is $69.95 and can be ordered from info@lacles.org or call 514.750.4535
United States Trafficking Hotline (information and referral)
1.888.3737.888
* recommended resources
** Best Practices websites
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Weekly Justice Highlights
Mixed News: The U.S. Senate voted to extend unemployment insurance for more than 2 million people. Other benefits like extended COBRA subsidies, TANF Emergency Funds, jobs programs, and the Housing Trust Fund are still in limbo as senators complain that there is no money to pay for these things.
Two bills can help this situation. Call or write senators asking to sign on as co-sponsors of
S. 3533, the Responsible Estate Tax Act, introduced by Sens. Sanders, Sherrod Brown, Franken, Harkin, and Whitehouse – Act here
S. 3500, the Local Jobs for America Act, introduced by Sens. Sherrod Brown, Begich and Franken. Act here
Right to Water: As early as the last week of July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly may be voting on a Resolution to support the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. However, the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada are blocking this resolution. Visit http://www.blueplanetproject.net/ to urge ambassadors from as many countries as you wish to support the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a universal human right.
Immigration: Urge U.S. legislators to pass the DREAM Act as a step toward comprehensive immigration reform here.
Other Potential Actions:
Nurserymen’s exchange is one of the nation’s largest wholesalers of nursery plants. In July, nearly half of their employees were laid off after working decades with the company. The company wanted to hire out of town labor contractor workers so they could pay cheap wages and no benefits with the option later of rehiring with payment of minimum wage and no benefits. Act to hold corporations accountable here
As people of faith, we are called to stand by those suffering from the oil disaster. Call or email U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to work with stakeholders, hold responsible parties accountable, ensure help reaches those in need, commit to long-term recovery and take steps to prevent future disasters here
Urge U.S. Senators to support the START Treaty that brings us one step closer to a world free of nuclear weapons here (Senate action pending, act this week)
Support the International Violence Against Women Act here
Write the EPA expressing your concern to the proposed Solid Waste Definition Rule that will allow untold numbers of facilities across the United States to burn scrap plastics, used chemicals, and other industrial wastes without emission controls, air monitoring, or reporting requirements here
On July 29 (New AZ law (SB1070) takes effect), individuals and groups around the United States will be praying and participating in acts of resistance to show support for the Immigrants and the need for comprehensive reform of U.S. immigration laws. A prayer service from the Interfaith Worker Justice is located at http://www.iwj.org/doc/rem_immigrant.pdf
Two bills can help this situation. Call or write senators asking to sign on as co-sponsors of
S. 3533, the Responsible Estate Tax Act, introduced by Sens. Sanders, Sherrod Brown, Franken, Harkin, and Whitehouse – Act here
S. 3500, the Local Jobs for America Act, introduced by Sens. Sherrod Brown, Begich and Franken. Act here
Right to Water: As early as the last week of July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly may be voting on a Resolution to support the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. However, the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada are blocking this resolution. Visit http://www.blueplanetproject.net/ to urge ambassadors from as many countries as you wish to support the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a universal human right.
Immigration: Urge U.S. legislators to pass the DREAM Act as a step toward comprehensive immigration reform here.
Other Potential Actions:
Nurserymen’s exchange is one of the nation’s largest wholesalers of nursery plants. In July, nearly half of their employees were laid off after working decades with the company. The company wanted to hire out of town labor contractor workers so they could pay cheap wages and no benefits with the option later of rehiring with payment of minimum wage and no benefits. Act to hold corporations accountable here
As people of faith, we are called to stand by those suffering from the oil disaster. Call or email U.S. Senators and Representatives urging them to work with stakeholders, hold responsible parties accountable, ensure help reaches those in need, commit to long-term recovery and take steps to prevent future disasters here
Urge U.S. Senators to support the START Treaty that brings us one step closer to a world free of nuclear weapons here (Senate action pending, act this week)
Support the International Violence Against Women Act here
Write the EPA expressing your concern to the proposed Solid Waste Definition Rule that will allow untold numbers of facilities across the United States to burn scrap plastics, used chemicals, and other industrial wastes without emission controls, air monitoring, or reporting requirements here
On July 29 (New AZ law (SB1070) takes effect), individuals and groups around the United States will be praying and participating in acts of resistance to show support for the Immigrants and the need for comprehensive reform of U.S. immigration laws. A prayer service from the Interfaith Worker Justice is located at http://www.iwj.org/doc/rem_immigrant.pdf
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Quarterly Summary of Accomplishments on Legislation
Chevron: At the annual meeting, shareholders representing approximately 160 million shares voted in favor of a shareholder proposal to help reduce instability and insecurity in oil-rich countries through a transparent and accountable payment disclosure policy in all countries where Chevron operates. This is an opportunity for Chevron to promote the rights of citizens by providing them with vital information about revenues coming into their countries.
Clean Air Act
In June, U.S. Senators voted down a blatant attempt to weaken the Clean Air Act. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) led the failed legislative effort to keep the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases, and while she failed, more such attacks are anticipated.
Health Care Reform: President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law on March 23, 2010. The new law significantly reforms health care policy in the United States.
Human Trafficking: Christian Brothers Investment Services (CBIS) sent a letter to hotels to encourage action on human trafficking in advance of The World Cup. More than 300 faith-based organizations and investors including SCN Leadership, joined together to raise our voices against exploitation of children. Responses were received from Accor, Carlson, and Intercontinental hotels.
Holy Land: We urged Congress and President Obama to exercise strong leadership for Holy Land peace. In a positive development, the U.S. is now brokering “proximity” or indirect talks between Israelis and Palestinians, but we need to continue supporting strong U.S. leadership.
India: Regarding Bt Brinjal, although the Minister of Environment and Forest (MoEF), Jairam Ramesh has deferred introduction of Bt brinjal indefinitely until “independent tests prove it safe”, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is trying other ways to push the introduction forward. The GEAC decided to prepare a background paper on concerns over food safety of Bt Brinjal. A panel with 5-6 independent scientists will be formed to look into the concerns and question their scientific validity.
Valley Fill Permits
The Obama Administration has stopped the rubber-stamping of valley fill permits associated with mountaintop removal mining. The decision by the Army Corps of Engineers to suspend the Nationwide 21 permitting process is a step in the right direction. This action means that permits will go through a more extensive review and directly impacted Appalachian communities will have a chance to express their concerns. This change is not permanent and will be under consideration again in 2012, and the Army Corps could retract that suspension before then.
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