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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-21 ProclamationCity of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, the issue of peace embraces the deepest hopes of all peoples and remains humanity's guiding inspiration; and Whereas, in 1981 the United Nations proclaimed the International Day of Peace be "devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples"; and Whereas, the United Nations expanded the observance of the International Day of Peace in 2001 to include the call for a day of global ceasefire and non- violence, and invited all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day; and Whereas, there is growing support within our city for the observance of the International Day of Peace, which affirms a vision of our world at peace, and fosters cooperation between individuals, organizations and nations. NOW, therefore, I, Matthew J. Hayek, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa does hereby proclaim September 21, 2010 as The International Day of Peace and encourage all citizens to work toward converting humanity's noblest aspirations for world peace into a practical reality for future generations. ~ Mayor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, this 21St day of September, ~ "' "' ~`, -, }z.,~ ~I City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, the issue of eace embraces the deepest hope of all peoples and remains humanity's iding inspiration; and Whereas, in 1981 the United Nations proclaim the International Day of Peace be "devoted t commemorating and str ngthening the ideals of peace both within and am ng all nations and peo es"; and Whereas, the United N tions expanded th observance of the International Day of Peace in 2001 to include the call or a day of global ceasefire and non- violence, and invit d all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the dur tion of the ay; and Whereas, there is growi supp within our city for the observance of the International Day of P ace, hich affirms a vision of our world at peace, and fosters cooperation etw en individuals, organizations and nations. NOW, therefore, I, Matthe J. Hayek, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa does hereby proclaim Se to ber 21, 2010 as The Int nat nal Day of Peace and encourage all citiz ns to work toward converting humanity's noblest aspirations for world pe e into a practica reality for future generations. ;` Signed ~ this 21 S` owa City, Iowa, ~of September, ~ n ~ n ~~ The NEA Caeace and,iustice Caucus mission is to pr©rnote economic rand social justice and peaceful resolution of conflict. The caucus Guilt advocate chat the NSA work for public policies chat: • Promote tolerance • Reduce violence • Increase a~rrareness of basic human and civil rights 5rr}oport the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively • Work for world peace and disarmament Reduce the military budget and increase funding of education anti other social needs. ff~p:llwww.nea eacean ~usticecatrcus.ara The views expressed in this docuanent are those of the caucus. The caucus has no authority to speak for, or act on behalf of, the NEA f3ict E~anlcs Making a Bt.rncile {?t~ New Cortstrtrction as Scitoals Bear tite Cost by Juan Gonzales ,Democracy Now! 249 0-45-47 http:Nwww.dom ocracy now.orgf201015f71 iuan aonzaloz bin banks making a °m very proud to be your PandJ current Chair, although you must know I couldn't do it wikhout the support of past chair, Andy, and the rest of the knowledgeable Executive Board. I ran far this position to encourage YOU, the younger, stronger and oh, so-busy-wish-NCLB educators to take over our organization. Josh Wager and Tom McLaughlin are twv vrho have worked on our web sites. I hope to learn their computer skills and be more active in that regard. Do check out our Peace and Justice web sites ak National: k5lto ~lwti~nv neaoea~~andjrastice.oraf ,and Midwest: hlln flmidyres4~ear. an cslice.blog~ o .om/ Do talk to some of our younger members and get a feet for the potential of your power and knowledge. We tivant you at the microphones ak the RA in New Orleans, in tine commercial and non-profik booth, and helping raise money far ltae Paul Mann Music Training Center in Chiapas (htt wwvr schoalsfnrch ag a~ S orgfenglishfnhotosfschools-of-honef577.html} My goal for the Representative Assembly in New Orleans is to make sure chat the Ne-v Business Items and Resolutions sponsored by the Peace and Justice Caucus are tied to public education. Most of our issues have some kind of federal money attached, so I find it difficult to think that anyone can argue that more money ought to ga to Iraq than to our children and our schools at home. Do you realize thak ouer $2,000 per SECOND is spent on the war, and as I write this, Congress is discussing putting in 33 billion more dollars, per President Obama's recommendation? We have so many urgent and dire concerns, including but not limited to: the Gutf oil spit! crisis, Haiti, poverty in our world, tax structure, social security, American oorporate cute, trnrnigration, a Green and Heakthy nation, dtscrlaninatlan, and ESEA reauthorization, so.~. REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY, HERE WE COME! One of the things I've been trying now for a couple of years is to try to figure aui why is it that so many hedge fund managers, wealthy Americans, and big banks, Wall Street banks-- executives of Wall Streeibonks--have all lined-up supporting and getting involved to the development of charter schools. I think I may have come across one of the reasons. There's a lot of money to be made in charter schools, and I'm not talking just about tho for-profit management companies that run a lot of those charter schools. It turns out chat at the tail end of the Clinton administration in 2000, Congress passed a new kind of tax credit called a New Markets tax credit. What this allows is ii gives enormous federal tax credit to banks and equity funds That invesk in community projects in undersenred communities and it's been used heavily no4r for the last several years for charier schools. I have focused on Albany, New York, which in New York state, is the district with the highest percentage of children in charter schools, ttiveniy percent of the schoolchildren in Albany are now atkending charter schools. discovered that quite a few of the charier schools there have been built using these New Markets !ax credits. What happens is the investors who put up the money to build charier schools got to basically or virtually double choir money in seven years Through a thirty-nine percent tax credit from the federal government. in addition, this is a kax credit on money thak they're lending, so they're also collecting interest on the loans as well as getting the thirty-nine percent tax credit. They piggy-back the tax credit on other kinds of continued an page 2 Possible New Business Item~fnr July 2010 Representative Assembler Healthcare: NEA shall support efforts of the AFL-CIO to convene a joint conference on health care concerns to study the effects of the current law on our students and their families. {The AFL-CIO is very concerned that a single payer plan such as Medicare teas not endorsed by Congress.) Education: NEA members need to actively lobby far a decent ESEA reauthorization. The NEA has drafted language that is appropriate for the reautharizaiion of the ESEA act. We should a!I be phoning Congress and getting petitions signed that promote innovation and 21st Century Skills; attract and support, and retain great educators and leaders; provide more time and attention for students utilizing small class size and rich curriculum and afterschool programing; allow students multiple ways to demonstrate knowledge and academic growth; assist schools serving at risk and struggling students; provide stable federal funding; support parental and community involvement . Get out of the War: The cost of war directly impacts funding for our schools, feeding our children and keeping them healthy. A plan of withdrawal from Iraq should be quick and restorative. The cost of the war is more than $2,000 every SECOND. This money could be put to such better use for the future of our country in a positive avay. Mission Staterncnt: Choice Wafd~ firam ~ha Chair --t~yNancyPorter Big Banks" continued frown page 1 federal tax credits like historic preservation or job creation or brownfields credits. The result is, you can put in ten million dollars and in seven years double your money. The problem is, that the charter schools end up paying in ronks, the debt service on these loans and so now, a lot of the charter schools in Albany are straining paying Their debt service-- iheir rent has gone up Pram X170,000 to a5fl0,000 in a year-- huge increases in their rents as they strain to pay off these consiructian loans. The rents are eating up huge portions of their total cost. And, of course, the money is coming from the state. One of the big issues is Labor's "Medicare-for-All" Campaigrt is Still Alive and Well --by Bili Balderston (includes secJrr~ents adapted from an ar1lcle by Jane Slaughterln Labor Notes. A,prl12010) Even as Congress was preparing to pass a weak and contradictory health care 'reform' bill, Iadened with a bonanza for health insurance firms and taxing quality union health coverage (not to mention 32 million people who will still not likely have access fo health care coverage), 124 labor delegates from across the US wore meeting in V4`ashington,DC on March 5-7, planning to continuo the fight for a universal, single-payer system. This gathering of the Labor Campaign for Single-Payer wasted little time bemoaning the fact that most union loaders (including those in the NEA) had backed a "public option," considered more politically 'realistic' than single-payer. As the Campaign Co-ordinator Mark Oudzic noted: "Labor took a stand from the beginning for a robust ptablic option, an employer contribution, and no tax on benefits. How'd that work out?" Likewise, Michael Lighty of the California Nurses Association (CNA), one key union which has remained faithful to the "Medicare-for-All" program, stated, "The public option was just a stalking horse to got labor to support. whatever President Obama wanted." Many unions and iheAFL-CIO had passed resolutions supporting both single-payer and "building on what presently works." This dual (and confusing) approach was evidenced in the Health Care forAmerica Naw (HCAN) campaign to which NEA donated ahalf-million dollars. Only a few unions like CNA, the United Electrical workers and the California School Emloyees Association (CSEA) stood strong. Now as the dust clears, the Medicare for All supporters hope some unions will learn from this recent humiliation and start taking their nominal single-payer stances seriously. CSEA in particular is exemplary, carrying out a m~mb~r-to- member educat[on program that`s already reached 20,00 members. The Labor Task Force #or Universal Healthcare, in Los Angeles (of which United Teachers of LA is a central pars) had a day-long workshop on March 20th to train activists about educating on Medicare-far-All. Such grassroots organizing is essential to move forward the ongoing effort to make health care a human right in the US; no number of formal resolutions passed by locals can substitute for such outreach. The Maine AFL-CIO has asked the national federation to call a single-payer summit (at which NEA would undoubtedly be represented) and to provide the resources to fight for real universal health care equal to what was expended on their recent 'reform' efforts. But the likelihood of a new national effort now seems secondary to supporting the varied state bills for single- payer in a significant number of states, especially California, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. The California legislature passed single-payer bills in 2006 and 2008, only to have them vetoed by the "Governator'"; it is likely that the current bill (SB810) will pass and again be vetoed. This may lead to another ballot initiative in 2012 (one having failed in the late 90s) or the outside possibility of a veto-proof that so many of these charter schools are not being audited. No one knows who are the people making these huge windfall profits as the investors. Often, there are interlocking relationships betaveen the charter school boards and the nonprofit groups that organize and syndicate the loans. There needs to be some light an this whole issue and the NY skate legislature right noav is considering expanding charter school caps, but one of the things I press for[in] my column: there has to be the power of the government to independently audit all of these charter schools ar we're not going to know how public dollars are ending up on the coffers of UVall Street investors. legislative majority (the funding of this would be construed as a tax, which also requires atwo-thirds vote in CA). In Pennsylvania, a grassroots movement has been building since 2004, and unlike California, the current Pennsylvania governor (Ed Rendell) indicakes he will sign it if passed; even a significant number of Republican legislators support it. Ironically, the campaign-HealthCare4AlIPA- has had little labor support, other than ono nurses union in the state. In Vermont, the workers center has helped build a strong s-p campaign, with several state-wide mobilizations. But labor activists outside these states can still be involved in educating and organizing. First, there is still HRB76 (the Conyer's "Medicare-for-All" bill in Congress} that own be used as a point of reference. Second, we can seek other real reforms like lower the age of Medicare eligibiliy. Third, we can campaign for federal legislation which would exempt state single-payer plans from the ERISA roadblock (this is legislation which limits any state law which impacts national health benefits such Medicare, that would have to be rolled into state s-p systems). And again, it is essential to continue discussing health care with our members and explaining the need to remove insurance companies from the exploitative and expensive role in they play in providing health care. Far more information on the Lobar Campaign and how to join, go to: wti'Yw,]abQrftarsingl~payer Qrg or write: LCS-P c!a Local 148, 2929 South Jefferson Ave., St.Louis, MO 63118 Oh, Canada! Other sources for information on a Single Payer system: irttha/tivu~w.pirhl3_nrgltict~l~~~lr7t-is-sin~lc-I~saver t1~tp:f~S1'W1rlY l~?~V~l'.91 L't~ t~ttn•/Jww~v healthcare-na1~• oral llttpalu•ww.phs.nrglrnovernljaurna110~?2200911v:rtch.htn~l httta ~lhv4vtv.s i nglcllaveractirni.orc/ httl~ ~llwtiviv. hufti ngtnni7nst.crn~rlt~ca rl-knri4h-r3iurd-2-tire-hnttic-fn r- si h 5C;9727.html Damncracy in Haiti's Earthquake Zone from an article by Laura Flynn, ApriQ 30, 2Q10 at "We are livinrd Ar the nrud. We are wet ar7d we are hungry. Those in charge have left us without Nape. !f they have a plan we do not know it. We are asking about the future. And we want our voices to be heard, " --Suzette Janvier, a resident of central Port-au-Prince Each Saturday for khe past hvo months a thousand ar more Haitian earthquake survivors have met to the auditorium of the Aristide Foundation for Democracy io talk about the future of their country. In response to the earthquake, the Foundation is sponsoring weekly public forums in which participants kalk about the conditions of their linos and describe their needs; they receive training or information on the current situation and on their rights under the Haitian constitution, and the United Nektons principles on Internally Displaced People; and together presenters and participants brainstorm and discuss actions that can be taker? to make their voices heard. Each forum has drawn behveen 900-9500 participants; the majority of those attending are living in spontaneous settlements across the earthquake zone. Forum participants have offered vivid testimony about conditions of life in Pnrt-au-Prince since the earthquake. During the rainy season it rains nearly euery night. People describe spending the nights standing under their plastic sheeting because there is no room for everyone to be sheltered and lie down, and because water Floods tl7e tents. In the morning the sun blazes, and the heat under the plaskic sheeting-the people's only protection-is stifling. They are now living in the mud 24 hours a day, in camps almost uniformly lacking in latrines. They describe the struggle to feed their families. The price of basic foodstuffs (rice, beans, cornmeal, cooking oil, and charcoal for cooking) have risen 95-3{}% since the earthquake, while incomes have all but disappeared. Only those receiving funds from family overseas are able to purchase food. For khose dependent on international aid, finding food for their families is an unending labor. Women who were able to get food coupons, distributed in the camps once a week (though not to everyone and not wish predictability), musk then go to a different silo, often miles avaay, and line up long before the sun rises. If they are lucky, by noon they might receive a 501b bag of rice, which must than be transported back to where they are Giving. The next day khe same struggle might begin again to find cooking oil in a completely different location than the rice. Often these ventures yield nothing: there aren't enough coupons to go around, the rice runs out, the distribution center has been relocated, or It does not open due to security concerns. And with the rains bags of rice get wek and spoil. Participants describe wikh horror a dramatic rise in prostitution -young women and girls selling their bodies to feed themselves and their families. What AFD doctors tvho treat patients in our free clinics see and hear from patients confirms the testimony in the forums-that is, high rates of illness that result from the conditions in which people are living: malnutrition, diarrhea among children, urinary track and ocher infections. Those tivho have gathered at the AFD in the forums are asking for temporary housing in safe and sanitary locakions, for food, jobs, ec9ucation, healthcare, and~lespite the fact chat most of the participants are urban-they are demanding real investment in agricultural for food production that can one day offer Toed security to the country. Those gathering ak the AFD feel nacre intensely than ever before, a profound sense of exclusion, and are asking to be included in decisions about the country's future. Certainly there was no attempt at consultation or participation with Haiti's vibrant and engaged grassroots organizations in the preparation of the PRND (the Posk-Disaster Needs Assessment} put forward by the Haitian government to the international donors conference on March 395j. On the eve of the donor meeting, on March 27, aver 1,2t}0 people met at the AFD for a debate focused on the constitution -- specifically the consl6tutionality of the creation ofi the 20-person Interim Commission for the Reconstruction of Haiti, dominated by foreigners, which will oversee all international funding. The next, even larger, forum focused an the GOH plan to extend its emergency powers for 18-months in order ko allow the Interim Commission to be created and to exerc'sse extra-constitutional powers. This was followed by three days of sit-ins of 500.600 people, at the Haitian parliament, to protest the passage of the Teti^r. People coming to the forums ak the Foundation have all heard there's a plan. They have no idea what is in it. They hear billions of dollars t°dere pledged in New Yark. They have little faith this money will be given, and na faith that what is given tivill be spent in their interests. The issue at the top of everyone's mind Is the question of temporary resettlement, of moving people out of the way of the clear and present danger that the coming more intense rains represent. To date it appears the only voluntary relocation which has had any success is ak Corail, where over the last tiveek or h^ro the Haitian government has begun ko move people from the Petionville golf course (where mare than 45,000 people are encamped) to a relocation center, but ibis camp is only intended to hold 7,500 people. Over one million people are estimated io be homeless in the metropolitan area. People are skeptical about plans io relocate people to remote areas, which would leave them cut off from the mutual aid provided by families, communities, neighborhood associations etc, and the informal economy. These are the only things that keep Haitians alive. That was true before the quake and it is still true. Effarks to assist must empower Haiti's potiverfu€ nehvorks of mutual aid and the informal economy-not dismantle, not ignore them. What would it mean to empower them? Community kitchens in the camps, loans to 4vomen to restart informal sector commerce, relocation Tor those in imminent danger with their participation, finding way of keeping people close to the city if chat is vrhat they desire. There are thousands of community organizations across Haiti to carry out projects like these. IF decentralization is a goal for Haiti's future, then 4vho is talking to khe residents of Part-au-Prince about lives they might imagine outside the city? Why out of X12.2 billion dollars requested in the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (khe plan} was only vv41 million or .3% allocated for agriculture and fisheries, i.e. far local food production? Forums at the Aristide Foundation represent the largest indoor gatherings of Haitians to discuss and debate the country's fukure since the earthquake. We are not ativare of any occasion since January 12 5vhere the Haitian government, the UN or any international NGO planning Haiti's future and the distribution of aid funds, have brought large groups of Haitians together ko ask for their opinions, Their input, or their stories. Finally, those attending the forums at the AFD are unanimous in kheir call far the return of farmer President Jean-Bertrand Aristide fo Haiti. Jean Vaudre, a community organizer from Bel Air,. said at the forum on April 17, °IfArislide were here, even if he had no money to help us, he would be with us, in the rain, under the tents. If he were here we might believe, we might have hope Thai we will be able to participate in the future of the country." Hope is a commodity in short supply right now in Haiti. Is there sumo way of rebuilding the country without ii? Laura Flynn is a member of the board of the Aristide Foundation for Democracy-tJS, which supports the work of the Aristide F'aru7dation !n Naiti, RFD-Naidi was founded byJean-Bertrand Aristide in 1996 wt ttre principle that to brine real change, democracy rrrust inclcrde those at itre rrrargius of society.• street chilrfrar~, markef women, landless peasants, restaveks {chiiciren living' in Naifian households as unpaid domestic laborers), and the urban poor. For more an the current work and history of the Aristide Foundation, lots of great photos from our mobile schools, and online donations information, visit our vrebsite: Donors can also mail checks to: Aristide Foundation, PO Box 490279, iCey siscayne, Florida 33149 Dortalions tax deductible, and will he acknowledged. Meet the Mem'hers Here are lust a fern of the members of our lVatfonat Education Rssoc. Peace and Justice Caucus. tNe hope to see you at the RA in Merv Orleans, and that you'll gel involved when issues inrporfant fo our mission are raised in the assembly. BIII Balderston: Long-time teacher, mainly at the high school level in East Oakland for 23 years and recently retired (+,vorking in several labor- based retiree organizations}. In union leadership since the late BDs, on the executive board of the Oakland (CA) Education ac~~~~ar~~~ ror over a dozen years, on three teams, and a representative of the e state (CTA) and national (NEA} urrenlly organizing around the OEA's campaign. Helped build the Labor etwork ar~d just returned from their conference in Detroit. Participated in ~s strike and union support ns (recently around Boron workers in California and the Woodfin workers in Say as ~,^rell as workers in Iran and ~mmiitee for Labor 4 Peace & Juskice, to hvo US LaborAgainst the War initess anti-war coalikions. In leadership of the Peace and Justice Caucus in the National Education Association since 19x8. Steering committeo of Vate Health and a founding member of the Easi Bay branch of dhe Labor Campaign for Single-Payer. Currently running as khe Green Party candidate Tor State Insurance Commissioner in California.. On the steering committee of the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (an immigrant rights caalilicn) for twenty-five years and helped organize last year's May 3st demonstration in the East Bay. Active member of Solidarity, a nation-vride socialist-feminist organization. Finally, as a teacher activisk, I have been heavily involved, bosh through the OEA and an East Bay coalition, in organizing for defense of public education, reflected in the recent mobilizations on March 4th. avorld- I sincerely believe khat education is the key to world peace. Reading is the key io education. Ateacher leaches reading. As educators we must teach all to be productive, responsible, educated global citizens. The NEA Peace and Justice Caucus gives me the support of leachers through out the world who helieve in stopping the injustices of the vrorld. Andy Griggs: Social Justice Educator; a member of the national steering committee of US LaborAgainst the VJar; former member of Board of Directors and a Chapter Chair of United Teachers Los Angeles (UTIA); co-chair, California Teachers Association (CTA) Peace and Justice Caucus; steering commiite~ American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Peace and Justice Caucus; co-director of iCaf~ Intifada! and LA-Palestine Labor Solidarity Committee; former national chair of National EducalionAssociaiion (NEA} Peace and Justice Caucus; delegate to the LA County Federation of Labor, AFL- CIO; member NEA Resolutions Committee; winner of both the CTA Fluman Rights Member Award (2003), and the CTA Peace and Justice Human Rights Award (2010). Mary Prophet: As a keacher, I taught first Through sixth grade, Special Education, Gifted and High Potential, antl Science Prep, for 34 years, as 4vell as being ticking counselor in a K - ti school in the Oakland (CA) Unified School District. For the next 5 years I was adjunct faculty for San Francisco Stale University, supervising siudenk teachers. Currently, I am in my 7th year of working evith new leachers under the New Teacher Support and development program in Oakland. I have alvrays worked for educational change: as part of the OUSD Math leadership team, Mathland trainer and facilitator, member of 6he }' California Stale portfolio assessment task ~ a ' ; force, Program Quality Revievr specialist for ~'~ }j ~ I state of CA , Co-chair of Oakland Unified i School District -Mills College Partnership. Member, Blearing Committee of US LaborAgainst the War, Wesi Coast organizer for USLAW lour of Iraq labor leaders in June 2D07. Co-chair of California Toachers' Association Peace and Justice Caucus. A ~` ~ highlight of our caucus is the Youth Activist Award vrhich honors students who work to make change in their school or community. The award was developed by Andy, Bill, and myself. The Activist A4vard concept has been adopted by fhe Washington and lo~va caucuses, and the national Peace & Justice caucus. Steering committee of Bay Area Labor Committee for Peace & Justice. Program Council for Pacifica radio station KPFA. Major organizer of the Oakland Education Association's "Crisis in Public Education" Conference, December 200Fi- Member of OEACAT team and picket captain for 2010 strike(s), Chair of "Bay Aroa Students and Educators Against the War" Conference. Major organizer of conferences, events, workshops, teach-ins, rallies, far Women far Peace, East Bay Committee in Support. of Self Rule for Iraqis, Coalition against Schaal Gosures (Oakland}, Education not Incarceration, l=ast Bay Educators' Justice Neh^rark. Mohammed EI-Zinn Anegbeode, BA, BS, M.Ed is a community activist and educator, vrho is passionake about peace, social justice and environmental issues. Mohammed is a union organizer, regional coordinator, and executive board member. He is currently the chair of the P ~ J Washington chapter and the Pacific Regional Director. Mohammed believes Ihak NEAworking with the labor movement can make a big difference. As he remarked in an address to the Peace Justice Caucus ak the Pacific Regional Leadership "inference in Reno, Nevada in March, 2010: ~~ "8y mobilizing our members, our communities, retirees, and unions, rve can end both wars, the rear ecorrorny, keep good jobs for r•rorkers, stop the corporate (pra>tfeers) fake over of public schools, and have single payerhealth care for all....." A Peace &Justico activist for several Mohammed is a widower, a father of one daughter and lives in Seattle, Washington. teaches in the Highline School Districk, years, Ho Jane Wallhig, Nashville, TN. Memher of the Peace and Justice Caucus for 10 years. °An injustice anywhere is an inlustrce to ail.° Early in life my parents introduced me to the broader community- becamo very active within the civil rights movement of the late t 954's and 19fi0's. My first membership was in Freedom of Residence in southern Illinois. Everyone, tivilhoul race, creed, color, religion, ought to have the opportunity to live wherever they can afford. Inkegration would happen naturally if people had the righk to choose where to live, From civil rights is drawing aktenfian ko the injustices during the Vietnam War, to bocoming active in polities, and parlicipaiing in visible siakement activities my knowledge of injustices broadened. Politics and public statements are methods of changing law and perspective. Anna, in the Ming and I, was a teacher who came to teach in Asia. She carefu9ly spoke of the injustices and chose ko change what she could. Ai the tender age of 8 I turned to my father and stated, "I a^rant is be a teacher to help others, just like Ms Anna." Over the past 35 years I have !aught elementary special education within severe poverty areas in the inner city. Currently I am a leacher on special assignment leaching and supporting the refugees from around the Sari Kulberg: I was a member from the beginning of what in 1982 avas the Poace Caucus. We had no room so we met in the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center. I became co- membershipchair before we used computer io keep the information. That job drove me to learn to use a computer. We became the Peaco and Justice Caucus vrhen we merged with another caucus. In 1995 several of us attended the Education International GonvenUon in Harare, Zimbabwe, then vre traveled io the Free Slate in South Africa to be a part of lho groundbreaking of a school. We had worked several years to earn $io,ODO to build a school in Saulh Africa. I taught 35 years in the M1. Diabb Distric# east of San Francisco. (This year t^re boat back a man's ill-conceived scheme rename Mt- Diablo, "Mt. Ronald f~eagan."} Pat Robertson: My teaching career has been in Canada and Seattle, WA for 27 years, at all grade levels k-12, in TES4L and as a regular elementary classroom teacher. I°ve been active in the union since the 80's, as a building representative, adelegate to state and national NEA rep assemblies, member of the Seattle EA board and the Washington State EA board, a member of two bargaining teams,. the Vice- President of my local, and most recently I look on the task of editing This nevrsleiter for the NFA Peace and Justice Caucus the past hvo years. My curront passions include tivorking on Health Caro reform. The outcome of the recently-passed federal bill has been frustrating for me, an advocate of a single-payer system. But ere "keep on keeping on,° working to get io a universal system that excludes na one and is more efficient and cost- effeclive than the one we just got from Congress. Tam 1Nolfe: I taught junior high history and ~~ English in Davenport, fovea for 35 years, retiring in 1998 and have always been a union activist. I've held all. the offices and done most of the +~j things one would expect of such a person ~~ W~ and haue been activo in the Peace & Justice y', - r Caucus for several years Hoer. Currently II /_ Midwest Regional Director and MidAtfantic ~" -~ , Regional Interim Director for Peace and 'y~ Justice Caucus. To paraphras$ Robera Benchley, I shall now dray upon my ir`ne command of language and say noshing more. Carol Kula resides in Iowa City, and teaches Chinese language and ESL at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, lativa. Carol has been an active member of tf~e NEA, ISEA, and her local association since joining in 2000. Carol has served as president, communications chair, member of the negotiations team and teacher quality advisory group at the local leuel. She currently serves as a building representative. Carol has also been a member of stale comrniftees and presented with other members at the slate summer leadership conference to promote the NEA Peace and Justice Caucus and its work with Schools for Chiapas. Carol currently is the state chair of the Iowa NEA Peace and Justice Caucus and floor strategist for the NEA Peace and Justice Caucus at the NEA Representative Assembly. Nancy Porter: Reading Recovery educator in Iowa City, educator for 34 years, and au4hor of curriculum. Iowa State Education Assn Exec Board, 1993-2006, Pres. laws Ciiy Err Assn, 1986, ICEA Gov affairs chair 1983-2010, Unit Educator of the Year, 1992, Member of the Year, 2008, CF Martin loava State Ed Assn activist Award 2009, NEA national Peace and Juskice Caucus chair 2009-present. As a Roading Recovery teacher, I am always happy to get those first graders reading and then support them through the years with Title t. As vrith everything, it comes easier for some than for others, but all children can learn and t love helping ahem loam to read. The power of a reader and thinker fs unstoppable! I've always worked with students ai risk and cannot Bony the joy of teaching is akin to my joy of being a mother. Last year, Iowa State Education Association awarded me the CL Marlin Avrard. It is an activisk award given to one member amBUally since 1972. This year, my uniserve unit named an award after me for activism, involvement, perseverance and getting the job done. I love to empower others and have served and will serve on my local, unit and state Executive t3oards whenever I'm needed. Bui not for long because I'm in the December of my career and I see a bright future with powerful, intelligent, dedicated colleagues. Go, Peace and Justice, For a better world, greener life and' more equitable distribution of resources. Bunning Bats a Big Zero --by Tam Wolfe, P&J Caucus Midwest Regional Director Some people say you should pick your battles, but if you do they should at least be the right ones. Former Detroit Tiger strike-out king Jim Bunning, Hoer Kentucky's senior senator, belatedly drew his line in the sand on the issue of government overspending in the Jobs bill which recently tivorked its vray through the Senate. Because of the Senate's antiquarian rules, a single senator can place a hold an a bill, and Sanatar Bunning did just that, threatening unemployment benefits to millions of people, causing immediate layoffs in the construction industry, and making it difficult iF net impassible for those of us living in flood-prone areas to even buy flood insurance. Senator Bunning argued ihai the federal government should not spend money ii doesn't have, and clearly the government doesn't have any. The axiom that government should live within its means is hard io argue with, but his timing was avrfuL During the eight years of the Bush Administration, he supported large tax cuts, tavo wars, and vast expenditures for homeland security after 9111, all of which went on the charge card, and during the one year of the Obama Administration the practice has continued. My polnl is that he eras rasher late in the game with his concerns, and his actions based on those concerns were hurtful to those rnos4 vulnerable. Had he insisted That we have no tax cuts far the ti^realthy in 2001 unfit our government could pay its current bills, that would have been tine; had he demanded that there be no war vrith Afghanistan until funds had been raised for it, that tvauld have been good; and had he reiterated that there be no war tvilh Iraq until money eras in hand, chat would have been great. Lei's tax our citizens for our tears. That atilt quickly tell us hoav popular they are! By wailing until the economy imploded to raise the maxim of fiscal responsibility, he was hurting exactly the vrrong people. The strike-out king struck out. The Paul Mann School in Chiapas, Mexico, is a special ' project affiliated with the NEA Peace and Justice Caucus, whose chair far many years was the late r~_ Iowa educator Paul Mann. Visit our , booth at the RA, or our website at htt :llwww.schoolsforchia as,or J _~ enplishlphotoslschools-of-hotel ~ ~ , 1~ 1 ' r. .;~„ ~® l'• ~' 577.html Purchase a raffle ticket at the RA to keep Paul Mann's School alive Two large new classrooms completed this year at the and well. Paul Mann School. The Peace and Justice Cauous will help raise money to complete an additional classroom and purchase furniture for all three. Paul Mann Chiapas School's Bread Oven -Every week Mayan students at the Paul Mann School bake bread to help raise money io support thoir education. P&J NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS (20x9-201 Q) Chair: Nancy Porter 2519 Potomac DR, Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 338-0194 PorterNanct(crimsit com I'iee Clrair: - lliccic Smith 3113 Danube LN, Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 452-0627 (c} Diccic4Education~ri%aoLcon} * ~Ti•easrrrer•: `Valter llomeilca 277 Saundview Ave, Fairfield, CT 06825 (203) 367-7913 svaltcrcca(ir~ac}].com Seer etarr~: Roiande Baker 7827 N. Village Ave., Tucson, AZ 35704 (520) 575-1918 rc:~l;inclcl~a~er{rr ccsmcast.nek Regional Directors :"Ijaci rc: i<~Iohammed Anegbeatie Box 1941, Seattle, V4rA 98111-1941 (253) 661-3937 (h) (253} 249-3660 (c) '~~ ~~IYest.• mohdclzimri~iy,ihoo.cenn Roseatuta Rapti°lins 25838 Coyote Springs Ct,, Silting, TX 77373 (281) 350-4934 r~rttwlins(tF?kieinisd.nct 'Tom Wolfe: 1905 En}erald Dr, Dover}port, IA 52804 (563} 320-7224 (e) ~e~olfcir~tln?(it?~rrchsi.con} hirecrtreh `'Sorrtlrecrst: IfircrrrrcJ~ '~`Norlheast: Vac~ucy Designated Caar•dinatars A4enrber•slrir~ dane'4'4'alling 3347 Cross Creek Rd., Nashville, `I"'t+1 37215 (615) 292-7490 (h) (615} 243-9421 (c) ~ancwr,r_Ilill9iyfrr.?comcastnct, Carol Locke 1137 N Sierra 13onita Ave., Pasadena CA 91104 (239) 910-6739 caro1162001 fityahoo.cos~r " `''Nerr~sletter: Pnt Robertson 3410 19'x' Ave S., Seattle, WA 93144 (206) 721-7721 (h) 206/992-2300 (c) t~}atr r~iimac.con} Booth: Sari Kulberg 5437 Boyd Avc, Qakland, CA 94613 (510) 653-6432 fias~s~IbKulEicrg~rr~.ertiail,com, Gi'etel}Cl} LII}a}~' 2242 Sall Atltotllo AVC., Alameda, CA 94501 (510) 81.4-9592 ~::i ctclienlrl~ast~ir7cr~mcast.r3et Flour SYrateQr1 Carol Kula 23 Primrose CT, IA City, IA, 52240, (319) 594-4930, enikerlcr227 ii) ahoo.coi}~ [mmecliatc Past President Andy Griggs P.O. BoA 26332, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (2I3) 291-2459 {It) (310) 704-3217 (c) ~r~dyc~tG ,e~cimasi,com ~`~`Th~c offices indicated a17o~~o arc up for rc-c;lccti~r} at khe NEA 1te}~ Assctrll~iy this yc;:tr in I'Jcw C)rlcans. Please consider liccoming a rtomiucc, and don't forges to votcl NEA PEACE ~, JUSTICE CAUCUS xx Membership Application Date: Expires Name: (Please print) Address: City: State: Zip: Home P]}one: E-mail: LocallState Association: Service Center (CA only Pccfer Electronic Ncwsla;ttcr'? Yes No (A) Membership Category {S) Met]}od of Payment C) Meuibersl}il} S 20 national & state cash renewal S 20 associate (non-NEA n}br.} travelers' chock ~ ne~v S 25 sustaining check # _ S 10 retired S 5 student (tVlalce checks payable to: NEAP & J CAUCUS} 1 want to help build the NEA PEACE AND JUSTICE CAUCtlS by: Serving as a Caucus contact person for n}y statelregion Working on the Peace and Justice Newsletter Workiril; tlce Peace & Justice Booth at the R.A., or at other conferences _ _ Recruitit}g z}}y colleal;ues Please, return to your stake contact, P~~cJ booth, or mail ta: NEA PEACE ~~; JUSTICE CAUCUS, 277 Sotutcluiew A~~c., Fairfield, CT OG825-4241 Please make a copy as your receipt/prroof of membership "NOT MY PRI©RITIES" CAMPAIGN How Much Do We Really Need To Spend To t)efend Ourselves? ~r y y p Tho Ur~ifed Sfafes 1 i~ ~ ~ 11 ~`„~'~ ~~~ ~ I spends almost as s.',Y~'~"I~illiC•t"r much on the military as a!I ~-~` other countries ~.. -~.--. l • of the world r ~ i "t~ .._=.- - ~ S w , f~,; ' combined', i II `~ _ tM~ r i:t~:u friend and food / The U. S. has 7f)a "`~ ~ ~ ~" ~ t~~ bases s read out ~" 1 in more than 90a ~~' ~ ~~ ° ~ `~~i~ t ~ `'~ countries. People in ~,,~~~ ,`•'~?~-, many of these ~~ . ~ ,~ ~,: _ countries no longer want ' "~ ~ us there. We continue to spend billions orr weapon systems that are designed for wars fought years ago. 13Rlions more are spent on maintaining a nuclear arsenal that could still blow up the entire avorld, evert if the arsenal was drastically reduced. The purpose of our postcard campaign is to: 1) I=ducate the American public about our national budget priorities, 2) Generate a national dialogue and Congressional debate on just how much we really need ko spend to defend ourselves. We will do khis by distributing Not My Priorities postcards in every Congressional District in America. Voterslconstituents will be encouraged to mail the postcards to the Presidenk, their Representatives and Senators and by doing so, express their top three spending priorities. As we travel and talk about the Not My Priorities project, the response is nearly unanimous. People tell us, "that is not my priority!" Redirecting funds to education and health care are mentioned most frequently. Reducing our national debt, developing clean alternative energy, green jobs, rebuilding our infrastructure and housing are just a few of the many concerns expressed khat receive highor priority than military spending. Yet, every year, members of Congress vote overwhelmingly to approve military spending with little debate. Clearly, voters need to effectively express their spending priorities to their representatives. Qur country faces many challenges today. To get our economy moving again, we need to put people back to work. Per dollar spent, investment in education, health care, onergy retrofits and public transit brings 30% to 100% more jobs than the military! Massive budget defrcits at the federal, state and local levels are causing deep outs to programs that serve our communities.. How can you help? St.;~r~ t,v tl~~e F~esc-: and Justice booth in New Orleans far i,o,L^ar~ls • Mail Not My Priorities postcards to the Presidenk, your Representative and Senators • Order more cards for friends, relatives and co-workers • Make atax-deductible donation to SFNM !Not My Priorities For more irtforrrtation: NotMyPriorities.org Elton Augustine 5117-428-1832 el enaugustine earthiink. net Barry Hermanson 415-564-7754 her r no myoriorities.org A Project of: San Francisco Nehvork Ministries, 559 Ellis Streek„ San Francisco, CA [J4109 Above acrd keyond... --by Mohammed Etzinn Rnegbeode, P&J Caucus Pacific Regional Direotor P & J leadership is actively looking for and determined to create a new leadership cadre vvho vritl be ready to carry an our mission for the nett generation. First, let me thank you all far your active participation in the Peace and Justice caucus, We are presently in transition, and as our veteran activists "warriors" are nearing retirement, they are eager to mentor a younger generation of leaders. I think a brief history of the Peace and Justice Caucus will help illustrate the urgency of this call to action. Afew educators concerned about peace and justice issues founded the P & J Caucus at the NEA-i2A aver a quarter of century ago. These veteran educators turned activist-warriors worked hard to mobilize like- minded colleagues. Over the years, tive have organized, slrategized, and Fought far peace and justice issues in our communities, schools, college campuses, as well as at the slate and national levels. We have also collaborated wvith non-NFA peace groups and unions in the fight for justice nationally and internaflanally-and have sponsored numerous NBIs and resolutions that addressed peace and justice issues. Today, after several years of active participation, many of our veteran activists are ready to pass khe batons to a new generation of leaders. Will you considerjaining the cadre? Are you ready and able to participate in a more active rote above and beyond the basic membership rote? There is an urgent need for members interested in getting ackively involved in organizing at local, state and national levels especially in the Nodheast, Southeast., Mid-Atlantic and West regions. If you are interested ar know a member who can play a bigger role in the caucus, please come to the open executive (board) meeting on June 3Q in Nevr Orleans, come io any of our caucus meetings listed on the back of this newsletter, or contact any of the officers listed on the opposite page, Paul Mann Youth ActivistAward > C For the past several years, the P ~ J -- '~ ~ ~ Caucus has sponsored an award for .- youth who demonslrake exceptional l~ ` leadership and activism for causes .- that promote peace and justice, Here ~ we focus on one winner from lovra. , Francesca I_ubecki-Wilde, a ~ ~ 1 ninth-grader ai Ciiy High School in ~ , 1 lorva Cily, IA, eras nominated for the f award by her teacher, Mary I_esrina. Francesca attended the World f=ood "~ '~ yt Prize Youth Institute vrith her research , <<, paper addressing the political impact ~~`r' of social injustice in Guatemala on the ~< economically depressed. She was 'r' '~--" _ chosen by her peers to represent them - ~. in a small group discussion at the ~~ _ ~ ~ ~'-', t institute. ~~~ 4 lSiy{' Her project, "Food Packaging ~l ~ _ _ _t Day," involved bosh students and •- community members packaging dry Francesca Lubecki-Wilde food io be sent io Haiti io benefit the Pau{ Mann Youth Activist wckims of the recent earthquake. Award Winner She contacted area businessos, Midwest Region school groups, and organizations concerning fundraising; hosted a raffle of h•ro autographed tlniversily of Iowa Basketballs; organized the event through the group Oirireach International; and oversaw the event on a Saturday, Because of these achievements, and because she strives for excellence in the classroom and has proven io be a leader, Francesca received the Midvrest Regional recognition as the Pauf Mann Youth Activist at the annual Iowa Skate Education Association Delegate Assembly. Please consider nominating one of your youth for this most prestigious award. Our students are our legacy and what vac are really all about. This summer a local youth will be recognized by P 8~ J at the ~epresenlative assembly in New Orleans. Next year a national vrinner ,viii be chosen. Pick up a nomination form at our booth, or print one from purtvebsite: http'!!+•n•>tv.r7eapeaceandi~ice oraF ~ll(~ NNppIGH 5C vs~ ~~lll~~~i xn New ©rieao,~ thr~ strrtir~7er•r _ National Ctducatian Association Representative Assembly Peace and ]ustice Caucus Meetings: Exec Bd meeting, t\!ew Orleans Marriott, lOAM June 30 Exec t3oard meeting, New Orleans Marriott, 9AM, July 7 breakfast Caucus on July 1, at the New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans, 4:30 to 5:30PM ~ ~ ~ a - - - /t~%^ l,~ f, '' ~ f 4~~ For this result of our tight economic times, an ironic "Tha~tks, 1?ud no thanks..."goos to Goldman Sachs, Citigrou{~, Chase Bank, and all the others on Wall Street,. who aren't t©o big to fail our children... Caucuses on ]uly 2, 3, 4, and 6: 9:30AM, Convention Center, and immediately following the close of the RR in the Cafe' for ZO minutes. See posters for assigned room for 9:30 AM and lunch breaks. July 5, lunch break speaker NEA Peace and Justice Caucus P•15t191 i'•1(1t1t1 lilt rro l• t!! y 1'I' l7atah;:sc (Ir, VrAoi~nt>n: ~_ 10,:4) Pld rlirations {1.tcp:/P+~~+•,.n.•un„alpnorinr s.or6/Ir.nl,ur,,uo~+..) I°etlc,al 9lu<Iq~a 1U1 {/f. d<l al y~-.iSprt,_1n l) 'e`akn A,liun Ut,,1; ~- action) Soil}II]rt IJs ir~~np Pan_u s) Contact 1.1:: (/su,n.]ct} rfhouk Us 4/~'-taut) Itf 111A 11: dill [i1t= (/`^uplimt v> iyl7il 1<Il /t(.tj011 ~~ Cost of War to Your Community I i. ~ ~. 4w .,. ~ ~. i „ ~Ci1y, fov^n or C :~ .,, ~RU~'il i' t:~ur„~, _ ., ,rtrnn^~r', ~.^.liu%d i,^vlu~, ~. I,r: '.rn „ {; ,... ~ ~iuhscribcl rnaall I t,t tt°ur..:f!';:al,,,,,,, ~IEt,n,^!I~,ir,,n~~ ,.,,,idl,ivi res:a.:lr. rlld-. fl) 1'rr s^^ Li•;i t9]rlP~alslviru,t.nutlrlnolp,lr-,I i1&t°~;.nrplri] rtscl~~ 1r.pld=:9) i~ ~ atlC 1'e CI IFl'-VJ5 ti PP's Tax Day U:~ in The H~ifingtan Post [IIr I; liri.. (I°LI;>:/I^:... ,'J.luii, iiuii „r.. ,., nnld _...'.! mllr:+.d .. n.d~Lr~l'u . drrlfallr Ytn::.'+-•.•mslr-a~ I1 ~~ ~ „'j..l ; ~l a-.:. II ,40/1tl0.htnlli i;rlp t7a9ahasn 1 ~~,~ {/nPpAatehacn tool} ' into=rartivc. 'fax rh, tl fit. [flax<i,arlZlfl O) t'Ilck belt] tJtivfun]/Pty*lilcfucal::7 Irsra=: It:9ld:=7.2) Ciid< Ilcrc Shtllls l/vevnv.natluolalpt hn iUes.n -{I /t,~c+') iii+~ ~ .°•.t Ur 4'J:,r CuUntulS liiuln~lj :^,:: w.,_o<,i nf~•adt ^. „~ntj About The Cost of War: a h .Cult of Soar Co9mh:r ~- {Ir11 P'Jl+,,:^.ca aof;;ar.~n,~r) PJer Or1 Augllst 31, 2010, the Obama administration declared that combat apl:rations In Iraq had ended. Neverkheless, NPP's Cost of VJar counter for Iraq continues as'.'+e track both military and non-military costs associated v+ith the U.5^ presence in Iraq, including reconstruction. Approximately 50,000 U.5^ troops remain in Iraq and there are associated Incremental costs. NPP's Cost of t."Jar counter for Iraq currently tallies the money for FY2D10 tivhich has already been allocated, 1'Je expect khe counter to cantinue into FY2011 as the department of ^efense has already requested an additional $51.1 billion far Iraq, To date, $1,09 trillion dollars have been allocated to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The national, state, and local numbers we prouide ate based on the Total approved amounts through the end of Flscal Year 2010 including [he FY10 supplemental. These appropriations do not include requested funds for FY2011. tiVhen Congress completes their budgot process in the Fall, we vrill adjust the counters with new amounts that will count to the end vF FY2011. IF you should compare Cite amount displayed an khe numbers In our infornlativn sheets rriti, the Costroved tocdate,ethe Isame numbertthat they ouniter vrifl rtes h ladtl,e lendraf the spending app 2010 fiscal year. -~ - ~~ t:~. nv L- , ~ _ I_ ` '~ -~ +~ G7.7 •1 ~ ,~ ~~~~ " .~ 20.0 ;su ._ r -I~~ r ta~.6 I Cost cat Nl~Ir I)y Yn~r ; 120.6 r-i 70.4 •x 169 ± ,1 e5; F•.~ I'-' I ~- P :.. ,' S'... u rdt~Lll.e:d I inSts t7a.4 III t i , ~;;'/ ~l O, t) t S (i r ! i t 111, ti J ,"i r-- ~ ~.. fJ ~~ ~ ,~ -., ~.-1 ~ ~~ 171.7 155.0 I~SB I 1: t;.l r^ r•()~ 1~•Cf7 ``~ ~itadr. S)Ira Cl9sndr•o9<+) Published on National Priorities Project Hone > Federal Budget Trade-Offs Federal Budget Trade-Offs Could your tax dollars be better spent? Taxpayers in Iowa City, Iowa will pay $24.3 million for proposed total Iraq and Afghanistan war spending in FY2~11. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided: 5,210 People Receiving Low-Income Healthcare for One Year OR 15,287 Households with Renewable Electricity-Wind Power for One Year OR 432 Police or Sheriff's Patrol Officers for One Year QR 549 Firefighters for One Year OR 3,565 Scholarships for University Students for One Year OR 4,383 Students receiving Pell Grants of $5550 OR 13,758 Children Receiving Low-Income Healthcare for One Year OR 3,504 Head Start Slots for Children for One Year OR 5,733 Households with Renewable Electricity -Solar Photovoltaic for One Year OR 508 Elementary School Teachers for One Year OR 3,828 Military Veterans Receiving VA Medical Care for One Year Source URL: httn•~/ti •^~ nationalprlQ " ~e~ ory/Trade-Offs.html City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, an estimated 80 million Americans are believed to be actively involved in genealogical research in an effort to learn more about their ancestors both before and after immigrating to our shores; Whereas, a growing number of institutions, libraries and individuals in America and elsewhere are involved in collecting, preserving and sharing genealogies, personal documents and memorabilia about their own ancestors, relatives or other individuals. Whereas, genealogical information is not only important to present day researchers and family members, but it provides documentation for future generations to come. Whereas, October was proclaimed Family History Month in 2003 to "reaffirm our pride in our history and keep us mindful of the sacrifices of our forbearers." Now, therefore, I, Matthew J. Hayek, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, with the support and encouragement of the Iowa City Genealogical Society representing genealogists throughout the county, do hereby proclaim the month of October to be Family History Month in Iowa City ~~-~„ Mayor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa this 21St day of September, 20 City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION 3b v Whereas, an estimated 8'~ million Americans are believed to be ac vely involved in genealog cal research in an effort to learn more out their ancestors both before~nd after immigrating to our shores• Whereas, a growing number of institutions, libraries an individuals in America and elsewhere re involved in collectin ,preserving and sharing genealogies, per oval documents and emorabilia about their own ancestors, relatives r other individual . Whereas, genealogical inform ion is not ly important to present day researchers and family me bers, b it provides documentation for future generations to come. Whereas, October was proclai "reaffirm our pride in our of our forbearers." / Family History Month in 2003 to >ry and keep us mindful of the sacrifices Now, therefore, I, Ma ew J. ayek, Mayor of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, with the upport a encouragement of the Iowa City Genealogical So ety represen ing genealogists throughout the county, do hereby proc im the month f October to be Famyily History Month in Iowa City Mayor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa this 21St day of September, 20 City of Iowa City PROCLAMATION Whereas, the City of Iowa City is committed to ensuring the safety and secu~~~y ~l ull those living in and visiting our city; and Whereas, fire is a serious public safety concern both locally and nationally, and homes are where people are at greatest risk to fire; and Whereas, nearly 3,000 people die each years as a result of home fires each year; and Whereas, roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from home fires in which no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms were present; and Whereas, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a reported fire in half; and Whereas, the National Fire Protection Association recommends at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home (including the basement) outside all sleeping areas, and in all bedrooms; and Whereas, informing the public about the importance of smoke alarm installation and maintenance serves an essential step toward increasing the public's safety from home fires; and Whereas, Iowa City's first responders are dedicated to reducing the occurrence of home fires and home fire deaths and injuries through prevention and proper education; and Whereas, Iowa City's residents are responsive to public education measures and are able to take personal responsibility to increase their safety from fire, especially in their homes; and Whereas, the Fire Prevention Week 2010, October 3-9 theme, "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!" actively works to motivate Iowa City residents to implement smoke alarm recommendations in their homes. Therefore, I, Matthew J. Hayek, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim October 3-9, 2010 as Fire Prevention Week throughout this city, and I urge all people of Iowa City to protect their homes and families by heeding the potentially life-saving messages of Fire Prevention Week 2010, and to support the many activities. and efforts of Iowa City's fire and emergency services... /~r~`- ~ ~ Mayor Signed in Iowa City, Iowa, this 21S` day of September, 2010