SOA resolution in Pierre -- Quick turnaround needed

[sarahlee]

Rep. Gerald Lange (District 8-Madison) informed Peace & Justice Center today, Sunday, that he will drop a resolution in the hopper tomorrow asking SD's delegation in the US Congress to support closing down School of the Americas/WHINSEC. That's the military college at Fort Benning, Georgia, Check at the end of this message for resolution wording.

P&J is lending Rep Lange a video from SOA Watch -- An Insider Speaks Out -- to show lawmakers on Tuesday. The Hearing is projected for Wednesday morning. Let's support Rep. Lange's awareness building effort in Pierre.

Please reply indicating which of the following you can contribute to this effort.

We NEED:
Testifiers for the resolution in committee Wednesday morning. Committee is not yet assigned. If it meets at 7:45 am, you will need to come the night before. P&J can help arrange your overnight and can supply talking points and help you hone your testimony. You should be able to head back home by noon Wednesday or before.
Everyone to email their 1 local district senator and 2 representatives, urging them to attend Sen. Lange's showing of the SOA video
People who will notify likely friends ASAP to join in this awareness campaign

Emails to the committee members requesting their support
Indication of who needs a ride and who is willing to take a rider
Give your phone # if you can come to Pierre.

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1. WHEREAS: The elite military college formerly called School of the Americas, now called Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, is identified with a continuing legacy of brutal violence and human rights abuse in Latin America;
2. WHEREAS: The original rationale for the school, victory in the Cold War, has evaporated with the collapse of the Soviet empire;

3. WHEREAS: The school has been a spectacular failure at its supposed new rationale of winning the Drug War;

4. WHEREAS: Closing this school would send a signal to the world that the United States rejects tactics in fighting terrorism that allows the use of torture and political assassinations; and

5. WHEREAS: Closing this school would free federal tax dollars for human needs funding which is being reduced in ways that negatively impact South Dakota;

6. THEREFORE: Be it resolved that the Legislature of South Dakota petition our Congressional delegation to support federal legislation to withhold funding for continued operation of the SOA/WHINSEC