AFR News: Parental Rights- Recess Recap

Donate

August 27, 2013

Recess Recap

The August Recess – that period when senators and members of Congress return to their state (or district) to be available to their constituents – is winding down. This is the last week of the recess for many, who will then take next week off completely. Congress reconvenes in Washington, D.C., on September 9.

So, how is it going?

We asked you to set up visits with your lawmakers and urge your congressman to support the Parental Rights Amendment, while urging your senators to oppose the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. And while we have no way of knowing how many of you accepted the challenge, we did hear from several of you throughout the month.

Here is what several parental rights champions have had to say:

“I called [the local] office and they said a lot: That just because [my congressman] hasn’t signed on doesn’t mean he would vote ‘no.’ When I did not accept that as a reason, she said that there are over 5,000 pieces of legislation introduced and that he can’t sign on to all of them or he would lose track. When again I did not accept that (discussed how the Parental Rights Amendment is a priority and that so many others have signed on, etc.), she said that…I should call the DC office. Then I called the DC office….” (emphasis added; you have to love that tenacity!)

-- Desiree in the Southwest

“I’ve been trying to get a response from Rep. L____’s office for a while now and finally got one today! He already knew about the amendment and didn’t think it would be a problem to sign on as co-sponsor, but will have to wait until after Labor Day when they all get back to D.C. to do it. YEEEHAAAAWWWW!!!”

-- Gwen in the Midwest

(Note: One cannot officially sign on as a cosponsor until they can add their name with the Clerk of the House once Congress is back in session.)

“I just called my Congressman’s office and spoke with Chad. I asked him if he knew if the congressman was familiar with the resolution. He said, ‘Actually I have had a number of calls on the issue so far today, and yes, the congressman was familiar with it.’” -- Karen on the West Coast

“I spoke with Congressman King’s staff and they said he is signing on today!”

-- Barb in the Midwest

(Rep. Steve King of Iowa became the 63rd cosponsor by contacting Rep. Meadows on August 8, but this is still not yet official with the Clerk.)

Action Items

There is still time to accept the challenge! Simply locate your local congressional office, call for an appointment to see your congressman or his staff, and urge them to support the Parental Rights Amendment. It is HJRes 50 in the U.S. House.

You can find your congressman’s page by clicking on your state at parentalrights.org/states, then clicking on “website” next to your representative.

You also have a week left to contact your senators and urge them to oppose ratification of the CRPD, a treaty that threatens American sovereignty and the parental rights of those whose children have disabilities. For 15 Critical Issues with this treaty, click here.

You can also find a step-by-step how-to for making visits here.

Finally, remember that today is Michael Farris’s birthday, and the last chance (through 11 a.m. tomorrow) to add your name to his birthday card by donating to ParentalRights.org.

Thank you for standing with us – to protect children by empowering parents – by calling or visiting your lawmakers today!

Sincerely,

Michael Ramey
Director of Communications & Research

Share This Online