***** TUES. MAY 22: CALL CONGRESS TO PREVENT HUNGER! ***** 1-800-965-4701 *****

[Sapphire Blue]

From the Coalition on Human Needs (http://www.chn.org)...

TUES. MAY 22: CALL CONGRESS TO PREVENT HUNGER!

From our friends at the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network:

Call Congress Tuesday, May 22 to Prevent Hunger: Tell your members to support the Feed America's Families Act.

Help support the McGovern/Emerson "Feeding America's Families Act" (H.R. 2129) and build momentum for 2007 Farm Bill investments that strengthen the Food Stamp and emergency feeding programs.

Time is of the Essence Congressional action on the 2007 Farm Bill is beginning in May, with at least one House Agriculture Subcommittee taking up its portion of the bill before the Memorial Day recess. Full House and Senate Agriculture Committee mark-ups are slated for June. It is critically important to communicate with Members of Congress prior to the committee actions.

Feeding America's Families Act Sets the Priorities A new bipartisan bill offered by Representatives James McGovern (D-MA) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) offers an excellent vehicle for getting Congress to focus on improving the nutrition title in the Farm Bill. The "Feeding America's Families Act" (H.R. 2129) would make a significant difference for families facing a constant struggle against hunger by improving access to the Food Stamp Program, increasing the adequacy of food stamp benefits, and bolstering the emergency food assistance system. It would invest $20 billion in new five-year spending for anti-hunger priorities.

Action Needed

Step 1: Call [phone] (toll-free) and ask the Capitol Switchboard operator to connect you to your Member of Congress' office. (If you don't know your Representative's or Senators' names go to http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm) If you are having trouble getting through, try the Capitol Switchboard directly at [phone] (not toll-free) and ask to be connected to your Members of Congress.

The toll-free number is provided courtesy of the American Friends Service Committee. AFSC welcomes groups to circulate and use the toll-free number in support of non-partisan budget goals and without linking the alert to a Web site soliciting donations or actions which may be used to support partisan lobbying or work.

Step 2: Make three calls - one to your Representative and two to your Senators.

MESSAGE: Please make sure that the 2007 Farm Bill has a strong nutrition title that strengthens the Food Stamp Program and the emergency food system. There are 35 million people in the U.S. living in households that face a constant struggle against hunger. Food stamp benefits average only $1 a person a meal and the minimum benefit has been stuck at $10 a month for decades. Food Stamps should be available to more needy people and should be made adequate for attaining a healthy diet. H.R. 2129 would address those priorities.

HOUSE ASK: Urge Members to communicate to Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) their support for improving the nation's nutrition safety net in the 2007 Farm Bill by strengthening the Food Stamp and emergency feeding programs and ask them to cosponsor and/or otherwise support the McGovern/Emerson "Feeding America's Families Act" (H.R. 2129). A strong nutrition title of the 2007 Farm Bill is a must.

SENATE ASK: Urge Senators to communicate their support to Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) for improving the nation's safety net in the 2007 Farm Bill by strengthening the Food Stamp and emergency feeding programs. A strong nutrition title of the 2007 Farm Bill is a must.

Step 3: Help Spread the Word! Send this Call-in Day information to your members and allies.

Assistance and Feedback For background on the 2007 Farm Bill, links to testimony, and other information, go to http://www.frac.org/Legislative/farmBill2007/06.23.05.html For technical assistance or to provide feedback to FRAC, contact [e-mail] or [e-mail] This alert is also available in a printer-friendly format (pdf and Word document).

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H.R.2129
Title: To strengthen the Food Stamp Act of 1977.
Sponsor: Rep McGovern, James P. (introduced 5/3/2007) Cosponsors (15)
Latest Major Action: 5/3/2007 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned..

COSPONSORS(15), ALPHABETICAL

Rep Conyers, John, Jr. - 5/16/2007
Rep Crowley, Joseph - 5/17/2007
Rep Emerson, Jo Ann - 5/3/2007
Rep Green, Al - 5/17/2007
Rep Jefferson, William J. - 5/17/2007
Rep Kaptur, Marcy - 5/16/2007
Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. - 5/17/2007
Rep McDermott, Jim - 5/16/2007
Rep McHugh, John M. - 5/17/2007
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes - 5/17/2007
Rep Rangel, Charles B. - 5/17/2007
Rep Rush, Bobby L. - 5/14/2007
Rep Ryan, Tim - 5/16/2007
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. - 5/16/2007
Rep Walsh, James T. - 5/14/2007

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR02129:@@@P

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 25:

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

FYI - I'm not feeling very well, and probably won't be replying to the thread. I'd like to thank you in advance for supporting the CHN's campaign to prevent hunger by calling your Senators & Representative... and ask that you help keep this thread kicked through the day.

Thank you!
Sapphire Blue
Resident DU Fanatic Beggar

:hug: :loveya: :grouphug: :loveya: :hug:





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