ST. CHARLES ADVOCACY TOPICS—JULY 28, 2012

[jus...@stcharleschurch.org]

IMPORTANT !!!

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ST. CHARLES ADVOCACY TOPICS—JULY 28, 2012

 

 

I.  LOCAL

 

--I. A. UPDATE ON COLUMBIA PIKE PLAN

 

II. STATE

 

NO INPUT THIS WEEK

 

III. NATIONAL

 

--III. A. RESIST CUTS IN FUNDS FOR OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

 

IV. INTERNATIONAL

 

--IV. A. URGE REJECTION OF ACTIONS THAT UNDERMINE PEACE IN HOLY LAND

 

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I.  LOCAL

 

--I. A. UPDATE ON COLUMBIA PIKE PLAN

 

At a meeting of the Arlington County Board on Monday night, July 23, 50 activists from Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement, better known as V.O.I.C.E., stood as two V.O.I.C.E. speakers, Ingrid Chavez and Fr. Tuck Grinnell, both of St. Charles, delivered powerful statements in support of the Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Area Plan and V.O.I.C.E.'s broader agenda. Later in the meeting, the Arlington County Board approved the Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Area Plan, a land use and housing vision plan that seeks to preserve 100 percent of existing units on the Pike that are now affordable to low-to-moderate income families while transforming the Pike into a more pedestrian-friendly, lively Main Street. Many thanks to all advocates who attended the meeting and/or emailed the County Board in support of the plan.

 

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II. STATE

 

NO INPUT THIS WEEK

 

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HOW TO CONTACT YOUR GOVERNOR, AND STATE SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE – INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!

- To contact Governor McDonnell, use the following link:

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm or

The phone number for Governor McDonnell is (804) 786-2211. 

- Find your senator at http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate+for+WMembershipHome?OpenForm

- Find your representative at http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView, 

OR

Go to “Who's My Legislator” icon on the General Assembly website at http://legis.state.va.us to find or confirm who your delegate or senator is, and his or her contact information.

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III. NATIONAL

--III. A. RESIST CUTS IN FUNDS FOR OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT

 

Last week, a House of Representatives subcommittee approved a proposal that would reduce much-needed funds for the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement by $111 million, a 14% cut from last year's budget. Such a drastic cut would deny refugees access to vital services and have significant consequences for the well-being and integration of not only refugees, but asylees, victims of torture and human trafficking, and unaccompanied immigrant children. 

 

The United States has always been a leader in bringing vulnerable migrants from peril to protection and helping newcomers become self-sufficient and build new lives. As Catholics who are called to welcome the stranger, let us join our fellow Christians in Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and take action today. To urge elected officials to support robust funding for the Office of Refugee Resettlement, please go to http://www.lirs.org/action-center/refugeeresettlement?msource=SW120726. Scroll down to take action.

 

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HOW TO CONTACT THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE – INCREDIBLY EASY WAYS!

To contact your senators and representative, go to

http://actioncenter.crs.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ac_homepage or

http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/ and enter your zip code.

(Both sites have links to additional information about issues.)

You can also reach your senators and representative by calling the

Congressional Switchboard:  (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.

To contact the President, go to http://capwiz.com/networklobby/bio/?id=20004&lvl=F

 

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IV. INTERNATIONAL

 

--IV. A. URGE REJECTION OF ACTIONS THAT UNDERMINE PEACE IN HOLY LAND

 

Join the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in urging Secretary of State Clinton to reinforce the unequivocal opposition of the United States to actions that undermine a two-state solution to the Holy Land conflict, make Israel less secure, and create more obstacles to a viable and independent Palestinian state. Send a pre-drafted message at http://www.capwiz.com/catholicbishops/issues/alert/?alertid=61587636&type=AN.

 

BACKGROUND

The Israeli government is currently reviewing recommendations, set forth in what is known as the "Levy Commission Report," that would include the legalization of all settlement outposts. The report rejects the internationally recognized "occupation" of the West Bank and proposes that Israelis be allowed to settle most anywhere in the West Bank. The Commission declared that all Jewish settlements are legal, even those ruled illegal by the Israeli Supreme Court. If the report is adopted, it could undermine a two-state solution to the Holy Land conflict and preclude the establishment of a viable Palestinian state living in peace alongside a recognized and secure Israel. 

 

The USCCB and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and believe that any actions that undermine a negotiated peace between the two parties must be challenged.

 

Join the USCCB and CRS in standing with the Israeli and Palestinian people for peace. Support consistent and persistent U.S. leadership to challenge and restrain both parties to the conflict and to hold them accountable for mutual steps needed for a just peace. Palestinians must improve security by halting attacks on civilians, blocking illegal arms shipments, disarming militias, and improving governance and transparency to build capacity for a future state. Israel needs to freeze expansion of settlements, withdraw "illegal outposts," ease restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, and refrain from disproportionate military responses.

 

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[NOTE: We encourage you to forward this e-mail to others you think would be interested. Persons wishing to subscribe may go to the St. Charles Web site, Social Justice page, by using this link: http://www.stcharleschurch.org/maillist.htm and following the instructions found there under Social Justice.]