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from Change.org

12/09/2010 Nativegrl77

Join the 1 Billion People Fighting Global Hunger

“The defining human tragedy of this century.”

That’s how a recent Oxfam report described the fact that rapid climate change is exacerbating hunger all around the globe.

It’s a story that’s too often missed. And as world leaders gather at a climate change summit in Cancun this week, we have just a few days to shine a bright light on how climate is intimately connected to hunger.

Stand up for the world’s poor and fight hunger now.

Evidence of the changing climate’s impact on hunger is everywhere.

We saw it in Pakistan, where massive, devastating floods swamped farmland, decimated crops, and left more than 10 million people in dire need of food aid.

We’ve seen it in Russia, where droughts have driven the price of wheat sky-high in some regions, increasing the number of struggling families.

And we see it in Kenya, where farmers no longer know when to expect rain, causing seasons of failed harvests.

The World Food Programme estimates that climate change is expected to add another 10-20% to the total of hungry people by 2050. The poor and malnourished are especially vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather and climate-related natural disasters. And, as rainfalls become more sporadic and temperatures increase, hundreds of millions of farmers worldwide will have to abandon traditional crops and try to adapt.

Take a stand against hunger now, before the talks in Cancun conclude.

And once you add your name, will you forward this email to friends and family and encourage them to do the same?

Thanks for taking action,

The Change.org team

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All because of You …BraVenew Foundation

12/09/2010 Nativegrl77

All Because Of You!

DONATE TODAY!

Brave New Foundation’s Cuéntame exists because of YOU! We are an independent, non-profit organization with NO corporate sponsors or funding. This has allowed us to fight for the most pressing issues within and throughout our community without any censorship or outside influence.

But this also means we rely completely on the support of members like you to keep producing the hard-hitting, effective videos and actions like those we have done in the past year. We need to raise $25,000 by Christmas Eve. Please contribute $10 today!

During this past year, our work has reached millions of people and we’ve been able to take on critical issues like:

Exposing hateful Tea Party rhetoric.
Fighting the discriminatory Arizona law SB1070.
Pushing to enact a Dream Act.
Helping turn out the highest Latino vote in history.
Exposing racist electoral ads.
A music and film series to educate about the best of Latino culture and much, much more!

We greatly appreciate all of your involvement and helping us to become the flourishing community organization that we are today! With close to 50,000 members and over 30 million impressions on our campaigns, we’ve become the strongest Latino social network activists. We have been able to reach over a hundred million people through our media and press impact and now we are ready to take on even more battles.

Cuéntame was created for you and by you and now we need your support once again to keep fighting! This is the only way that we can keep producing these campaigns, daily videos and continue to get our community’s voice heard loud and clear.

We understand that times are hard for many of us, but it doesn’t take much to help out! A contribution of $10 will help us continue standing up against these injustices!

Can you donate and help Cuéntame stay free of corporate influence and be able to keep producing hard-hitting, informative campaigns that make a real impact for our community? Together we can make a difference. Click HERE to contribute.

Thank you so much for your support! See you on the Cuéntame page!

Yours,

Axel Caballero and Ofelia Yañez
and the Cuéntame team

PS If you haven’t already, please join Cuéntame on Facebook by clicking the LIKE button on top of the page.

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Thursday in Congress -debates & votes with updates when needed

12/09/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET on December 9, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, Senator Durbin will be recognized to speak for up to 10 minutes. Following his remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.3992, the DREAM Act, with the time until 11:00am equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or their designees.

At 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to a series of at least 2 and possibly 3 roll call votes. Those votes will be on the following items.

– Cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #663, S.3992, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010 (DREAM Act); and
– Cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #641, H.R.847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010.
– Senator Reid may reconsider the failed cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S.3454, DoD Authorization.

Following the votes, Senator Bennett will be recognized to speak for up to 20 minutes for his farewell speech.
Senator Bunning will be recognized at 1:00pm for up to 30 minutes for his farewell speech.
Senator Dorgan will be recognized at 2:00pm for up to 20 minutes for his farewell speech.

Votes:
268: Motion to table the motion to proceed to Calendar #663, S.3992, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010 (DREAM Act);
Not Invoked: 59-40

269: Cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #641, H.R.847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010;
Not Invoked: 58-42

270: Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3454, DoD Authorization;
Not Invoked 58-40.

271: Reid motion to table the motion to refer with respect to HR4853, Middle Class Tax Relief;
Tabled: 65-11

There will be no further roll call votes during Thursday’s session of the Senate.

Unanimous Consent:
Passed H.R.5591, a bill to designate the airport traffic control tower located at Spokane Airport in Spokane, Washington, as the “Ray Daves Airport Traffic Control Tower”.

Passed S.841, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act (with Kerry substitute amendment).

Passed S.1275, the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition Establishment Act (with committee-reported substitute amendment).

Adopted S.Res.699, a resolution to authorize testimony and legal representation in City of St. Paul v. Irene Victoria Andrews, Bruce Jerome Berry, John Joseph Brau, David EugeneLuce, and Elizabeth Ann McKenzie.

Passed S.2925, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010 (with committee-reported substitute amendment and two Wyden amendments)

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for December 9, 2010 10:00amET

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 9, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

1:38 P.M. –

Mr. Jackson (IL) asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, December 9, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 2010. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 6412:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to require the Attorney General to share criminal records with State sentencing commissions, and for other purposes

1:37 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll No. 627).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:18 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:10 P.M. –

The Chair announced that it had been made aware of a valid basis for recognition, and accordingly recognized Ms. Waters to proceed for one hour.

H.R. 4994:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce taxpayer burdens and enhance taxpayer protections, and for other purposes

1:09 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll No. 626).

12:45 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 9.

10:41 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

H.R. 4994:

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reduce taxpayer burdens and enhance taxpayer protections, and for other purposes

10:40 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

10:14 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 4994.

Mr. Stark moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.

10:13 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.

10:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

10:01 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 4337, with amendment, and S. 3167.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Buchanan to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Pregnancy — a blessing or a death threat?

12/09/2010 Nativegrl77

CARE -- You can help stop mothers from dying

Your gift can help mothers live and create bright futures for generations to come.

Francisca gave birth at home because there was no health center nearby in rural Nicaragua. She was lucky — she didn’t endure complications during pregnancy or childbirth. But hundreds of thousands of women and their babies are not as fortunate. Almost every minute of the day a pregnant woman needlessly dies because she can’t get trained medical assistance in time.

Inspired by delivering her own child, Francisca became a community midwife. She’s delivered dozens of healthy babies. Thanks to CARE‘s comprehensive midwife training programs, Francisca’s also saving the lives of mothers. You can help, too, by making a tax-deductible gift to support CARE’s work around the world.

Pregnancy should be a time to celebrate, not a time to fear death. But, in some poor countries, one in seven women die during pregnancy and childbirth. These women aren’t dying because the health community doesn’t know how to prevent their deaths. They are dying because the world doesn’t care enough. Do you?

Women’s lives should be saved because they matter — as humans, as mothers and as valuable contributors to society. At CARE, we’ve learned that healthy mothers are one of the keys to overcoming poverty — they can give their children the foundation they need to chart their way out of poverty for good. Healthy moms have a better chance at giving birth to babies who can thrive and grow up strong, and healthy moms are more likely to earn an income and send their children to school.

That’s why CARE made reducing maternal mortality one of our top priorities. From training women like Francisca to be midwives to educating families about reproductive health, CARE helps save lives and empowers women to create a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.

Let’s not leave surviving pregnancy, childbirth and infancy to chance. Your tax-deductible contribution can help save the lives of poor mothers and their children — and create a healthier, more prosperous society for all.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH
President and CEO, CARE

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Your Support Today is Worth TWICE as Much

12/08/2010 Nativegrl77

I know you agree it’s been a busy time in Washington. With your support we’ve won some big victories for women, girls and families in 2010 — but with a far more hostile Congress convening in January, some of these gains are in peril. And we have so much more to do.

Please make an urgent contribution to the Center’s year-end campaign — every dollar you donate will be matched dollar for dollar by our Board of Directors, up to a total of $60,000.

Just consider:

In the last year, Congress debated ways to fix our broken health care system. The Center went to work. We sought to stop insurers from charging women higher premiums than men. We sought to provide insurance for 32 million Americans who had none. And we sought to end the trauma of women being denied coverage by insurance companies who consider Cesareans and domestic violence to be “preexisting conditions.”

We documented the discrimination women face. We put women’s health needs front and center through our “Being a Woman Is Not a Pre-existing Condition” campaign.

With your help, we were a leader in the coalition that got health care done.

In the last year, the recession continued to be devastating. We knew that funding child care helped women keep their jobs and support their families. We worked with advocates and policymakers to help states use new funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to stave off child care cuts — and improve the quality of care.

With your help we’ll continue to protect these most vulnerable Americans.

This year, President Obama nominated Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court. We went to work. We researched her superb record. We testified at her Senate confirmation hearings. We explained why having three women sitting together on the Supreme Court matters. She’s now on the Court.

With your help we got that done.

But now we’re up against what will certainly be one of the most challenging sessions of Congress in recent years, with many more Members hostile to core rights and programs critical to women’s lives. But if we’ve learned one thing in our 38 years, it’s this — that victories are possible even in the toughest of times.

Your support will never make a bigger difference. And between now and December 31st, the Board will match your gift dollar for dollar, up to a total of $60,000.

Please give generously. For women and families everywhere, you have our deepest thanks.

Sincerely,