From: John Murtari (jmurtari@AKidsRight.org)
Date: Fri Aug 10 2007 - 09:05:33 EDT
Good People & People of Faith, 1. DCRally2007 - (Aug 18th) Give/Get a Ride? Hotel? 2. Syracuse Rally - results. 3. FPRA - Family Preservation & Reconciliation Act? 1. DCRally2007 - (Aug 18th) Give/Get a Ride? Hotel? -------------------------------------------------- I know it's the last minute, but some may still be deciding whether a trip to Washington for what may be the largest Parent's Rights gathering ever -- is worth the cost/effort? For details on the rally see: http://www.dcrally2007.com/ Some of us (me! me!) are still looking to get or give a ride. We are trying to do this quickly. If you are interested please fill out the little form below and send it to: webmaster@AKidsRight.Org (Deadline is Saturday night). We will collect and send them all out Sunday morning before noon. Hopefully that will give folks time to make contact. You can include as much/little personal info as you wish. Some of you may be able to drive, but could also pool with others, in that case just say 'both' below: If you can meet people at a nearby Interstate exit (park & ride), that makes it easier. If you can give a ride, note the route you are taking to DC. We assume everyone will equally share gas & toll expenses on the trip. -------------------------------------------- send us this TYPE (give a ride/ get a ride/ both): NAME: EMAIL ADDRESS: ADDRESS (at least city, state): PHONE NUMBER: BEST TIME TO CALL: PLANNED ROUTE/TIMES (give a ride): BEST PLACE FOR PICKUP - DATE/TIME: PLAN TO LEAVE DC - DATE/TIME: PLAN for ACCOMMODATIONS: REMARKS: --------------------------------------------- A hotel where many participants plan on staying and having a get-together on Friday evening: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=09101 Best Western Pentagon Hotel - Reagan Airport (AAA rate of $80/night) 2480 S Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, 22206-2576 Phone: 703-979-4400 If you have never been to Washington, their subway system, the "Metro" is great. Very clean, very safe, and great routes. For a map see: http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm -- you shouldn't need a car once you are there. 2. Syracuse Rally - results. --------------------------- We had TWO people show up! I was joined by Ms. Katherine Neville from Liverpool NY and we both stood outside the US Federal Building. I was still blocked from entering the building, but Katherine brought her petition for reform to the offices of Sen. Clinton and spoke with her Regional Representative (see her first hand report below and also her message to the Senator). I had spoken to Katherine on the phone earlier. She told me that a few years ago she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a baseball. I expressed my concern, but she told me not too worry, after treatment it was currently the size of a lemon! She is a real 'fireball' and you'd never guess her condition (or age) from looking at her. A mother and grandmother who has watched two of her sons struggle through the system -- she understands Civil Rights. As a child she can remember picking cotton in Mississippi with the blacks. Her father was not prejudice, but they couldn't play with the black kids in public. To do so might incite the Klan to visit the blacks and burn down their home (but we know the 'rest of the story': Eventually blacks were willing to take the risk in support of their 'great right'). Here is Katherine's message (katherine@AKidsRight.Org): I went into the Hanley Federal Building at approx. 12:30 P.M. to deliver letters to Senators Clinton and Schumer and Congressman Walsh's offices from John Murtari and myself. The object was not only to hand deliver the letters, but to also try and get a few minutes of time from an assistant/ representative from each office to sit down with me and discuss our goal of Congressional Civil Rights Action. I was very nervous having never done anything like this before, despite being a very outgoing, outspoken woman. I had not anticipated being the group's spokesperson. John had given me contact names of people to ask for in Rep. Walsh's and Senator Clinton's offices. Having names alleviated some of my anxiety. I went first to Senator Schumer's office which is located on the 8th floor, there were three people engaged in conversation within the common area. Two of the three people present quickly went to offices as I gave my name, stated that I was affiliated with the group AKidsRight and gave a brief synopsis as to why I was there. I was very nervous on this initial request. I was hot from being outside in the sun on the concrete, my mouth was dry and I had not anticipated speaking at length for our cause. I remember feeling as though I might pass out. The young man I spoke with was polite and aware of our goals but seemed to be rushing me. I neglected to get his name. I left the letters which he assured me would be forwarded to Senator Schumer. The entire conversation, lasted 2-3 minutes. We never sat down, no notes were taken. After leaving Senator Schumer's office, I took a deep breath and headed for Congressman Walsh's office which is on the 13th floor. Our goals are worthy and I was determined to have them heard. Here there were numerous people milling about. I introduced myself, my affiliation with the group, stated that Mr. Murtari was outside, and gave my reason for being there ( deliver letters and speak with a representative about our goals). The contact person I requested to speak with was unavailable/ not in the office, so I asked if there was someone else I could speak to. Eric Schenck (Staff Assistant), who had directly approached me said he was willing to listen to what I had to say. I then asked if there was somewhere we could sit down since I would need few minutes. He obliged, even taking notes on our conversation about our goal for Congressional Action for a Parents Rights Act and the reasons why it is necessary. Indeed, as a young man who came from a family of divorce he seemed to recognize the civil rights issue. I explained to him that achieving our goal would someday protect his rights as a parent. He assured me that Congressman Walsh would receive the letters and a report on my visit. Then on to Senator Clinton's office on the 14th floor, to deliver letters and attempt to get a few moments with Cathy Calhoun to convince her that our goal is an important valid issue and why a meeting with Senator Clinton would benefit all. The outer office was small and very hot. Approximately 7 people were seated at or around the one desk. I introduced myself, explained my purpose, mentioned that Mr. Murtari was with me outside and asked to speak with Cathy Calhoun. I was told she was no longer working in the Syracuse office. I asked to speak with her replacement Jay Biba. He emerged from his office saying he had a meeting but would certainly take the letters. I was politely persistent asking him what time was his meeting. It was for 1pm which left him with about 13 minutes. I assured him I would take no more than 10 minutes of his time. He was familiar with the organization and our goal. I asked why we had been unable thus far to arrange a meeting between Senator Clinton and small group of parents. I explained the purpose of the proposed meeting as well as the content. He did try to brush it off as a State issue, however, I reiterated that since we regard it as a civil liberty, it was indeed a Federal issue and should be protected by our Constitution as are other civil liberties. I acknowledged that Senator Clinton is very busy, that she has a full agenda but we have been patiently waiting and we do not expect change to happen overnight. We are only requesting a meeting and we are not demanding it be tomorrow, next week or even next month. Just give us a date, we are willing to wait. He said Senator Clinton would get a report of our discussion and the letters. His only real response, which seems to make sense was, �Keep writing letters, the more letters the Senator gets, the more likely you'll get a meeting�. I thanked him taking no more than the time allotted. The rally was for me a positive experience. People saw our signs, became aware of our organization and a few became aware of our goal. If they did not ask what our purpose was, some simply never knew. That's why news and/media coverage is so important. I delivered our letters and got a few minutes ( 10 min. ea. @ Clinton's & Walsh' offices ) to make a plea for our goal, so I feel that something was accomplished. Since Mr. Murtari and myself were the only active participants, our goal did not enlist the news or media coverage to reach the masses. I wish we had been able to get more local people to participate in the rally. There is power in numbers, and while this is not really about power; we are trying to achieve Federal Legislation. Elected officials tend to be dictated to by the numbers. Though I am a rebel by nature, I have never been involved in reform in such a personal way. Our goal of Federal Legislation for a Family Rights Act is such an important one I felt the need to act, not just for myself, but for my children, my grandchildren, and all the children yet to be. -- Katherine Golden, July 31, 2007 July 29, 2007 The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton United States Senate Dear Senator Clinton: I am writing this letter to request your help in getting Congressional action seeking National Family Law Reform. I've heard that you are a staunch defender of children and family rights, which is exactly why I'm asking for your assistance. I am a parent, a mother specifically. There are no words grand enough to describe the love I feel for my four children. I believe in equal shared parenting, that children benefit most when they have equal time with and access to the love of both parents. I believe parents have a basic human right, as well as a need, to participate in the lives of their children. We need Federal Rights Legislation to ensure recognition that it is the God given right of parents and children to be together, as well as for protection from well intentioned government interference. As my children and I have been effected as a result of current Family Court policy, I would welcome the opportunity to testify at a Congressional hearing about my Family Court experiences. Please help by recognizing a need for, and then sponsoring legislation to ensure this right. This Is A Civil Rights Issue. It needs to be addressed. The time is not only now, but is long overdue. It is no less important than the civil rights issues of slavery, segregation or the woman's right to vote. Indeed, shouldn't the principles of our Constitution, enacted to protect our most fundamental liberties be applied equally to protect that bond between parents and children? Ideally, this would mean that the same basic laws which govern criminal courts would apply to the Family Court: the presumption of equal parenting, tangible proof, and protection of a jury. The lives of my children and I have been forever changed having experienced the inequalities, the deprivation of civil liberties, and the alienation of family, due to the current Family Court system. Please help by endorsing a call for a Congressional Hearing and eventually the creation of a Family Rights Act. In closing I would like to reiterate that we don't need additional laws, what is needed is protection, in the form of Federal Civil Rights Legislation. Please Help ! Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Katherine E. Neville 3. FPRA - Family Preservation & Reconciliation Act? --------------------------------------------------- Do we know what we want and how to express it in words? http://www.dcrally2007.com/familyact/familyact.php What do you think? How would it work applied to your situation? What do you think of our proposal for a Family Rights Act, http://www.AKidsRight.Org/approach.htm ? -- John Murtari ____________________________________________________________________ Coordinator AKidsRight.Org jmurtari@AKidsRight.Org "A Kid's Right to BOTH parents" Toll Free (877) 635-1968(x-211) http://www.AKidsRight.Org/ ======================================= Newsletter mailing list Newsletter@kids-right.org subscribe/unsubscribe info below: http://kids-right.org/mailman/listinfo/newsletter
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