NETWORK's Legislative Update

111th Congress, 1st Session

June 22, 2009

1.  Make 3 Calls for Healthcare for All
Call your Senators and Representative during the next 3 days

2.  Mark Your Calendars for Immigration Reform
Make a plan for activities in July & August

3.  Honor the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States
Tell your Representative about a way to do this

1. Make 3 Calls for Healthcare for All

The Interfaith Week of Prayer for Healthcare, the largest ever faith-inspired mobilization for healthcare reform, is underway!  Here’s how you can participate:

Monday, June 22 through Wednesday, June 24 join people of faith across the nation calling their members of Congress in support of healthcare reform that serves the common good, addresses the needs of people who are poor and vulnerable and promotes faithful stewardship of our abundant healthcare resources. 

Call the capitol switchboard toll-free at 1-888-797-8717 from June 22-24 (thanks to the United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries). Call three times to speak to someone in the offices of your Representative and both of your Senators.

Let’s raise our voices of faith for a healthcare system that includes everyone and works well for all us.

We need healthcare reform this year.  Whether it reflects our priorities or not depends upon how often and how forcefully we communicate our values and vision to our representatives in Congress.  Please call today—and keep calling, writing and visiting your representatives until we achieve healthcare reform!

See NETWORK’s statement on healthcare reform at http://www.networklobby.org/issues/2009%20Issue%20Agenda/6-22-09_HealthcareStatement.htm if you need some ideas about what to say to your members of Congress.

2. Mark Your Calendars for Immigration Reform

Many crucial pieces of legislation have been introduced, but Comprehensive Immigration Reform is not yet one of them.  As a result we need everyone across the nation to help make it known that the 12 million undocumented immigrants cannot wait in the shadows any longer.  To help keep our voices raised for reform, please put these two events on your calendar:

1.       July 6th at 4 pm EDT – The Interfaith Immigration Coalition will host its monthly phone call to update the grassroots on legislation and upcoming activities.  To join please call: 1-800-920-7487 and then enter code: 76723736.

2.       August –  Since Congress will be recessed and members will be in their districts, this is a great time to participate in the Month of Action for Immigration Reform.  We urge you to plan an event in your community, such as a prayer vigil, a meeting with your Representative or Senators, or a “Breaking Bread and Barriers” town hall/potluck.  If you start now you will have enough time to plan a crucial awareness-raising event.  Please contact Katrine at kherrick@networklobby.org  if you’re interested in planning an event or getting more information. Katrine can send you an easy-to-use planning guide for some of the suggested events. 

3. Honor the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States

On May 14, Representative Marcy Kaptur introduced a resolution “Honoring the historical contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States” H. Res. 441. You can find more about this bill, and take action to send an e-mail message about the bill to your Representative, at http://capwiz.com/networklobby/issues/bills/?bill=13602506&size=full

**Reflection of the Week**

“Catholic sisters have not only nurtured countless hearts, minds, and souls throughout our nation's history, but they have played a vital role in shaping American life.”
 -- Rep. Marcy Kaptur, May 14, 2009, on the contribution of Catholic Sisters (Congressional Record page E1175)
 

**Action Using the Legislative Action Center**

1132 messages about stopping wage theft
  683 messages supporting the AFTERSchool Meals Act
  516 messages supporting the Healthy Families Act (paid sick time)

2444 total messages were sent via NETWORK's Legislative Action Center in the last week

NETWORK's ministry of justice, including this Legislative Update, is funded through the generosity of our members. Click here to donate.

Helpful Information
To contact Congressional offices by phone, call the Capitol Hill Switchboard number at 202-224-3121. The White House Comment line is 202-456-1414 and the Vice President's office is 202-456-2326. More contact and e-mail information for the President and Vice President is available through our Legislative Action Center.

NETWORK Members
Here's an easy way to multiply your advocacy efforts - sign up to have this page sent to you by e-mail so that you can send it on to your friends and your local or community legislative network. Send your name, the mailing address of your membership and your e-mail address to Jean Sammon, Field Organizer. See the NETWORK Membership uide for helpful how-to information for making phone calls and writing letters. If you are not a member, join us and make your voice heard on Capitol Hill!