Dear Pax Christi Members and Friends,
Last month, Pax Christi Dallas wrote to our Bishop, Kevin Farrell asking him to do everything that he could to push for the National Bishops Conference to make a statement, pass a resolution, etc. regarding Iran and to press for this administration to NOT bomb Iran, warning of dangers, loss of lives, catastrophes.
So far, they have passed a resolution only with regards to the Iraq war calling for a speedy end, bring our troops home, be responsible for damage done to that country and its people. You can read that on the NCCB website. Since their conference extends to tomorrow, Nov. 15, they still have an opportunity to make a statement on Iran and we are hoping that they will do so.
Now comes our responsibility.
It is extremely important that you contact congressional representatives and senators, your own and others, to do everything possible to keep the U.S. from attacking Iran. Some reps, etc. have even said that they are looking for word from their constituents so that they know they are against any possible bombing of Iran. Lets do that now.
Just a simple statement asking your representative, both house and senate, to do everything possible to keep the U.S. from bombing Iran is good. If you want to get more specific, go to the Friends Committee on National Legislation for active bills. Those sites are http://fcnl.org/iran/leg_chart_110th.htm and www.govtrack.us
For example: Active bills are---
House Joint Resolution 14: Concerning the use of military force by the United States against Iran.
Senate Resolution 39: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the need for approval by the Congress before any offensive military action by the U.S. Against another nation.
House Resolution 770: Prohibit funding for military action against Iran or covert action against the Iranian government.
House Concurrent Resolution 43: Expressing the sense of the Congress tht the President should implement Recommendation 9 of the Iraq Study Group Report.
House Concurrent Resolution 33: Sense of Congress on Military Action Against Iran.
Senate 759: Prohibiting Use of Funds for War with Iran.
Also, on October 25, 2007, Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC), joined by two other Republicans and a Democrat announced the introduction of House Joint Resolution 53, the Constitutional War Powers Resolution. By ensuring that Congress meets its constitutional responsibility, this resolution improves upon the War Powers Resolution of 1973 to establish a clear and sustainable war powers policy for the introduction of the U.S. Armed Forces into future conflicts.
Ask your representative to support this resolution.
Here’s some help with ways to contact your Senators and added tips: Remember, if you send snail mail to the D.C. offices, it goes first to a decontamination center and it may be 6-8 weeks before your rep. receives that correspondence. So if you want to correspond directly with the D.C. office, send a fax. You can send snail mail to the local offices, but a fax is good there too. Below, I’ll give you the two senators’ contact information, along with some names of their Military Legislative Assistants (MLA) so you can ‘attention’ to them if you like in your fax. Or, if you call, you may ask to speak to them or leave them a message.
Kay Bailey Hutchison 202-224-5922 fax: 202-224-0776 Colby Hamilton Miller, Military Legislative Assistant Colby_miller@hutchison.senate.gov
John Cornyn 202-224-2934 fax: 202-224-5220 David R. Hanke, Military Legislative Assistant Dave_Hanke@cornyn.senate.gov
It’s better to fax than to email because then they have a piece of paper they have to deal with. Always ask for a response in writing.
Two good websites are for comprehensive information on Iran are:
www.campaigniran.org/casmii/ That’s for Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in IRAN (very comprehensive)
www.zmag.org/Iranwatch/Iranwatch.cfm
Please work on this as soon as you have a few minutes, pass information on to friends, and then phone and write again in a few days. It’s extremely important that we stop this war before it starts.
Joyce