From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: FCNL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- July 24, 1992
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 03:33:31 GMT

/** fcnl.updates: 20.0 **/
** Topic: FCNL Action Message 7/24/92 **
** Written  2:06 pm  Jul 24, 1992 by fcnl in cdp:fcnl.updates **
        FCNL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- July 24, 1992

This is the Friends Committee on National Legislation,
with updated legislative information.  To speak with a
staff member, call (202) 547-6000.

This message was prepared at 6 pm, July 24, 1992.  It
contains information and action suggestions on the
following subjects:  MILITARY THREATS AGAINST IRAQ,
and THE CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE.

MILITARY THREATS AGAINST IRAQ.  International tensions
are building, as the Iraqi government has not complied
with UN demands for access to information about
possible Iraqi nuclear technology.  Now the U.S.,
France, and Britain are threatening military action
against Iraq.  On July 22, White House spokesman
Marlin Fitzwater stated that the "Iraqi regime must be
held accountable for its defiance of the UN
resolutions" and that the U.S. administration is "not
ruling out any options, including the use of force."

Despite the Iraqi government's stubbornness, new
military action by the U.S. and its allies is NOT the
answer.  Saddam Hussein's continuing strength after
the Gulf War, and the ongoing suffering of the Iraqi
people, show only too clearly the uselessness of force
to solve what are essentially political problems.  

ACTION.  Please call the White House comment desk at
202/ 456-1111.  The President must hear that U.S.
citizens oppose the use of force against Iraq. 
Explain that the Iraqi people have suffered enough.
Any additional bombings will destroy lives and
increase the suffering of people, most of whom have
absolutely no say in their government's policies.  

Please ask your senators and representatives to
prevent another war with Iraq.  It is particularly
important to communicate with the chair of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Fascell FL,
and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator
Pell RI.  Urge Senator Pell and Representative Fascell
to move their committees to invoke the War Powers Act
which provides that the President CANNOT use force
without the consent of Congress.  This BOTH a war-and-
peace issue AND a constitutional balance-of-powers
issue.  Members of Congress can be reached by calling
the Capitol switchboard at 202/ 224-3121.

CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE.  The "Children's Initiative,"
H.R. 5600, is now expected to come to the House floor
during the week of August 3.  This bill, introduced by
Reps. Downey NY and Panetta CA, combines major parts
of the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act and
the Family Preservation Act.  It would make a few
important changes in the food stamp program, to extend
food stamp benefits to more families suffering from
the effects of the recession.  About 80% of all food
stamp benefits go to children.  The bill would also
support more in-home services for children, promoting
efforts to strengthen vulnerable families BEFORE the
family disintegrates and the children need foster
care.  The programs would be funded by a surtax on
personal incomes that exceed one million dollars per
year.

ACTION:  Call your representative this week to urge
support of H.R. 5600.  


This concludes our message.  For more information,
please write to the Friends Committee on National
Legislation, 245 Second St., NE, Washington, DC 20002.
To follow these and related issues on a regular basis,
subscribe to the FCNL WASHINGTON NEWSLETTER.  Send $25
to the above address and receive 11 issues per year.  

** End of text from cdp:fcnl.updates **

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