URGE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO BECOME ACTIVE ON EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FOR PAKISTAN AND FOLLOW UP WITH SUGGESTIONS THAT WOULD BENEFIT PAKISTANI AMERICANS
Contact through phone, fax or email:
Find all contact information from
www.congress.org
Write your Representative a letter through
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Phone in and highlight the importance for your member to keep earthquake relief in Pakistan on the agenda for Congress and to increase efforts in reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Fax or email in the below letter, signed by yourself and as many other constituents as possible. The time for action is NOW and utilize your rights as an American citizen.
Click to read Senate Resolution 319
Click to read House Resolution 561
GET INVOLVED!
And Ask Your Member of Congress to Sign up on the Congressional Pakistan Caucus(CPC)
" The Establishment of the Congresssional Pakistan Caucus is a historic event"
--Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-TX (Co-Chair of CPC)
" We believe we can turn increased areas into true cooperation and partnership."
--Rep. Dan Burton, R-IN (Co-Chair of CPC)
The history making Caucus was formed for two major purposes: one is to increase minority participation of Pakistani Americans with their political representatives in Congress and second to improve and strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and the U.S. The Caucus is bi-partisan and has almost equal membership of both Republicans and Democrats.
What is a Congressional Caucus and what is its purpose in the U.S. political system?
A Caucus is an informal grouping of Members organized to focus attention on, advocate action on, or represent mutual interests, policy proposals, or geographic areas.
A Congressional Caucus is an informal, voluntary group of legislators who share a legislative interest. Caucuses influence policy and congressional proceedings relevant to issuesof their interest. Caucuses allow minority communities to advance their interests and impactdecision making by reaching out to members of Congress.
The Congressional Pakistan Caucus was launched on July 11th, 2004 by Rep. Dan
Burton and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee as co-chairs, and now has 73 members.
Together we can achieve the following:
• Foster mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation between Americans and Pakistanis over a broad range of fields
• Enhance US-Pakistan economic relations and lend support to a bilateral Free Trade Agreement
• Encourage academic and cultural interaction between the United States and Pakistan
• Advocate the interests and concerns of the Pakistani-American community as they relate to education, healthcare, economy, immigration, and civil rights issues
Making it Happen!
To find out how you can help achieve these goals please contact us.
Ali Chaudhry, Executive Director
PAL-C
Congressional House Building
236 Massachusetts Ave, N.E., Suite 209
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: 202.675.2004 Fax: 202.675.2006 E-mail: info@pal-c.org
Web: www.pal-c.org
Sample Letters
Dear [ ],
As concerned Pakistani-American constituents we urge you as our Representative/Senator to support the people of Pakistan in a time of great tragedy and loss. The earthquake that hit Northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005 has created an unimaginable humanitarian crisis. It is important for the US government to follow through with its long term commitment to the earthquake stricken regions.
Here are three action items that we would like [Member of Congress or Senator] to consider:
1. Support legislation that gives aid to Pakistan for earthquake relief and reconstruction.
2. Co-Sponsor H. Res. 561., outlining a U.S. commitment to leading international aid efforts. (Co-Sponsor S. Res 319 if you are writing to a Senator)
3. Join the Pakistan Caucus in a show of support for Pakistan.
Thank you [Person who email is addressed to]!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Be Sure to sign your email with all your contact information included, phone number, fax, and address.
Letter 2
Dear Representative________________,
I am writing to urge you to take additional efforts to assist the Pakistani earthquake relief effort. Although the United States has been generous in its response to the natural disaster, there is an enormous amount that still needs to be done. The people of Pakistan desperately need the cooperation and assistance of the United States military and civilian resources, particularly to provide additional helicopters to affected areas. This is a critical situation that needs to be handled without delay.
Thank you for devoting your time and resources to this crisis. All efforts must be made by the United States to improve this terrible situation with winter rapidly approaching. I look forward to hearing from you regarding additional action that can be taken to help these desperate circumstances.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Constituent (Many signatures can be included)
Ask your member of Congress to Join the Congressional Pakistan Caucus
Dear Rep. ___________,
As your constituent I encourage you to join the recently formed Congressional Pakistan Caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Dan Burton (R-IN) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX.)
It is in our national interest to have a safe and secure Pakistan; I believe it is imperative that our nation continue to build strong bilateral relations with Pakistan. We have made great strides, particularly against terrorists bent on creating instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and as we were recently made aware by the specific threats here at home, specifically in New York City, Newark, NJ, and Washington, DC. Pakistan has been instrumental partner in the War on Terror. In fact, The Sept. 11 Commission recognized Pakistan as "the best hope for stability in Afghanistan." It also called on the United States to "make the difficult long-term commitment to the future of Pakistan."
Representatives Burton and Jackson Lee through meetings with the Pakistani American community and the Government of Pakistan established the following objectives of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus;
• Foster mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation between Americans and Pakistanis over a broad range of fields
• Improve and develop long-term political and security relations between the United States and Pakistan
• Enhance US-Pakistan economic relations and lend support to a bilateral Free Trade Agreement
• Encourage academic and cultural interaction between the United States and Pakistan
• Support Pakistan’s efforts towards socio-economic improvement and its drive towards human resource development
• Advocate the interests and concerns of the Pakistani-American community as they relate to education, healthcare, economy, immigration, and civil rights issues
It is with the Commission’s recommendation and the objectives established by the founders of the Caucus, that I ask you to join the Congressional Pakistan Caucus. The community is eager to take on an increasingly responsible role in supporting you and participating in the democratic process.
Sincerely,
(Many signatures can be included)
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