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The Death Penalty

On January 25, 2005, Sonia Ivette Dueno of the FOR's Racial, Economic & Gender Justice Program testified on the death penalty to members of the Codes Judiciary and Corrections Committees of the New York State Assembly.

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I. Criminal Justice

We support S.132 - "The Death Penalty Moratorium Bill"
Title: A bill to place a moratorium on executions by the Federal Government and urge the States to do the same, while a National Commission on the Death Penalty reviews the fairness of the imposition of the death penalty.
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 1/9/2003) house bill to be introduced by Rep. Jackson, Jesse Jr. [IL]
Latest Major Action: 1/9/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

We support S.402 - "Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to abolish the death penalty under Federal law.
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 2/13/2003)
Latest Major Action: 2/13/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

We support H.R.1435 - "Crack Cocaine Equitable Sentencing Act of 2003"
Title: To amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate certain mandatory minimum penalties relating to crack cocaine offenses.
Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY] (introduced 3/25/2003)
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Amends Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(A)) to eliminate the gram penalty.

We support "End Racial Profiling Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to prohibit racial profiling.
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [WI], Sen. Clinton, Hilary R. [NY], Sen. Corzine, John S. [NJ]. (to be introduced )

We support "End Racial Profiling Act of 2003"
Title: To prohibit racial profiling.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (to be introduced)

Model Federal Legislation after Arizona's "Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act of 1996 (Proposition 200)." This measure diverts first and second time drug offenders from jail to probation and drug treatment programs, allows physician oversight of marijuana use by seriously ill patients and establishes a parents commission on drug legislation.

We support H.R. 2166-"Public Safety Ex-Offender Self Sufficiency Act of 2003"

Title: To provide a housing tax credit to facilities that provide housing, job training and other services that are essential for ex-offenders to transition back to their communities from prison.

Sponsor: Davis, (IL).

Latest Major Action: Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

We support H.R.374-"Hate Crimes Statistics Improvement Act of 2003"
Title: To amend the Hate Crime Statistics Act to require the Attorney General to acquire data about crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on gender.
Sponsor: Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY] (introduced 1/27/2003) Cosponsors: (none) House bill to be introduced by Rep. Conyers, John [MI].
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

We support S.966-"Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to provide Federal assistance to States and local jurisdictions to prosecute hate crimes.
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] (introduced 5/1/2003) Latest Major Action: 5/1/2003. Status: referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

We support H.R.- "Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act."

Title: To encourage greater community accountability of law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes. Will create uniform standards and training for law enforcement officers.

Sponsor: Rep. Conyers, John [MI] (not yet introduced).

We support H.R.1707- "Prison Rape Reduction Act of 2003."
Title: To provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.
Sponsor: Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA], Rep Scott, Bobby [VA] (introduced 4/9/2003) Senate bill to be introduced by Sen Kennedy, Edward [MA] and Sen Sessions, Jeff [AL].
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

II. Economic Justice

We support H.Res. 32-"First Time Ownership Made Easy Act of 2003"
Title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a higher purchase price limitation applicable to mortgage subsidy bonds based on median family income.
Sponsor: Rep Bereuter, Doug [NE-1] (introduced 1/7/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

We support H.R. 2692-"Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2003"

Title: A bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. ENDA provides basic protection to ensure fairness in the workplace for Americans who are currently denied equal protection under the law.

Sponsor: Shays, Christopher [CT]. Senate bill to be introduced by Kennedy, Edward [MA].

We support H.R.1102-"National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act"
Title: To establish the NAHTF in the Treasury of the United States to provide for the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of decent, safe, and affordable housing for low-income families.
Sponsor: Rep Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 3/5/2003) Cosponsors: 199
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.

We support S. 1175-"First Time Home-buyers Tax Credit Act of 2003"

Title: To amend the internal revenue code of 1986 to allow a refundable credit against income tax for the purchase of a principle residence of a first time buyer

Sponsor: Stabenow, Debbie [MI]

Latest Major Action: Referred to the Committee on Finance.

We support the "Bring America Home Act"

Title: To end homelessness in the United Sates and will include housing, health, income and civil rights components. The proposed legislation represents the most comprehensive initiative to date to address modern homelessness and is based on research, data, and the experience of front line providers and advocates.

Sponsor:

Latest Major Action: to be introduced.

We support S.20-"Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage. This bill would increase minimum wage to $5.90/hr. beginning on the 60th day after the bill is signed, with an increase to $6.65/hr. beginning 12 months after the 60th day after the bill is signed.
Sponsor: Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [SD] (introduced 1/7/2003) Cosponsors: 34
Related Bills: H.R.965, S.224
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

We support H.R.965 - -"Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2003"
Title: To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage with the same terms as S. 20.
Sponsor: Rep Miller, George [CA-7] (introduced 2/27/2003) Cosponsors: 86
Related Bills: S.20, S.224
Latest Major Action: 3/24/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Pay Equity

We support S. 841-"Fair Pay Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [IA] (introduced 4/9/2003) Cosponsors: 8
Latest Major Action: 4/9/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

We support H.R. 1695-"Fair Pay Act of 2003"
Title: To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] (introduced 4/9/2003) Cosponsors: 5
Latest Major Action: 5/2/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

S.770-"Fair Treatment and Due Process Protection Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to ensure fair treatment and due process protections under the temporary assistance to needy families program, to facilitate enhanced data collection and reporting requirements under that program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 4/2/2003) Cosponsors: 2
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sponsor: Senator Tom Harkin, Representative Eleanor Norton, Senator Russell Feingold

Latest Major Action:

TomHarkin Bill? Holmes-Norton?

We support H.R.40-"Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act"
Title: To acknowledge the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes. Introduced each year since 1989.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/7/2003)
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

We oppose the privatization of social security

We support S.261-"Children First Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to exclude child care from the determination of the 5-year limit on assistance under the temporary assistance to needy families program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 1/30/2003) Cosponsors: 18
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.

We support S. - 263- "Self Sufficiency and Accountability Act of 2003" Title: A bill to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to require a comprehensive strategic plan for the State temporary assistance to needy families program and to give States the flexibility to implement innovative welfare programs that have been effective in other States.

Sponsor: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 1/30/2003) Cosponsors: 0

Latest Major Action: 1/30/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read

twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

III. Education

We support H.R.936-"Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003"
Title: To leave no child behind. Establishes Medikids to meet the health needs of children, requires the Head Start Program to reserve certain resources for infants and toddlers, among other things.
Sponsor: Rep Miller, George [CA-7] (introduced 2/26/2003)
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
We support S.448-"Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to leave Establishes Medikids to meet the health needs of children, requires the Head Start Program to reserve certain resources for infants and toddlers, among other things no child behind.
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] (introduced 2/26/2003)
Latest Major Action: 2/26/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.

We support S. 8: "Educational Excellence for All Learners Act of 2003, America's Better Classrooms Act of 2003"

Title: A bill to encourage lifelong learning by investing in public schools and improving access to and affordability of higher education and job training.

Sponsor: Sen Daschle, Thomas A. [SD] (introduced 1/7/2003) Cosponsors: 22
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

We support H.R.236-"Student's Bill of Rights"
Title: To provide for adequate and equitable educational opportunities for students in State public school systems, and for other purposes. This bill acknowledges the disparity in educational opportunity for low income and minority students, and seeks to further the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) by holding States accountable for providing all students access to the fundamentals of educational opportunity.
Sponsor: Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] (introduced 1/8/2003) Chris Dodd for the Senate Cosponsors: 118
Latest Major Action: 2/21/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.

We support S.18-"Right Start Act of 2003"

Title: To improve early learning opportunities and promote preparedness by increasing the availability of Head Start programs, to increase the availability and affordability of quality child care, to reduce child hunger and encourage healthy eating habits, to facilitate parental involvement, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [SD] (introduced 1/7/2003) Cosponsors: 20
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

We support H.RES.144
Title: To express the sense of the House of Representatives that the maximum Pell Grant should be increased to $5,800.
Sponsor: Rep Wu, David [OR-1] (introduced 3/13/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 3/31/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.

We support H.R. 685 "Reform of Higher Education Act of 1965"

Title: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal the provisions prohibiting persons convicted of drug offenses from receiving student financial assistance.
Sponsor: Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] (introduced 2/11/2003) Cosponsors: 61
Latest Major Action: 3/3/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.

We support H. Con. Res. 99

We support H.R. 1350-"The Improving Education Results

for Children with Disabilities Act of 2003"

Title: To reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Castle, Michael N. [DE] (introduced 3/19/2003) Cosponsors: 19
Related Bills: H.RES.206 Latest Major Action: 5/1/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

We support H.R.717-"America's Better Classroom Act of 2003"
Title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the incentives for the construction and renovation of public schools.
Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 2/12/2003) Cosponsors: 35 Latest Major Action: 3/10/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.

We support S.856 - -"America's Better Classroom Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the incentives for the construction and renovation of public schools.
Sponsor: Sen Rockefeller, Jay [WV] (introduced 4/10/2003) Cosponsors: 7
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.

IV. Health

We support, and call for funding of United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003. This bill provides $15 billion over a five- year period to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
Latest Major Action: 5/27/2003 Became Public Law No: 108-25.

We are calling for full funding for the Health Care Fairness Act, passed by 107th Congress.

We support H.R.676-"Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act"
Title: To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all United States residents, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 2/11/2003) Cosponsors: 26
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

VI. Global Peace Commemorating the Life of Rachle Corrie

We support H.CON.RES.111
Title: Expressing sympathy for the loss of Rachel Corrie in the Palestinian village of Rafah in the Gaza Strip on March 16, 2003.
Sponsor: Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] (introduced 3/25/2003) Cosponsors: 40
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

We support H.CON.RES.71
Title: Recognizing the importance of Ralph Bunche as one of the great leaders of the United States, the first African-American Nobel Peace Prize winner, an accomplished scholar, a distinguished diplomat, and a tireless campaigner of civil rights for people throughout the world.
Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 2/27/2003) Cosponsors: 0
Latest Major Action: 2/27/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

We support H.R.1584-"Clean Diamond Trade Act"
Title: To implement effective measures to stop trade in conflict diamonds, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Houghton, Amo [NY-29] (introduced 4/3/2003) Cosponsors: 3
Related Bills: H.R.1415, S.760
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2003 Became Public Law No: 108-19.

We support S.760- "Clean Diamond Trade Act"
Title: A bill to implement effective measures to stop trade in conflict diamonds, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Grassley, Charles E. [IA] (introduced 4/1/2003) Cosponsors: 20
Related Bills: H.R.1584
Latest Major Action: 4/30/2003 Senate floor actions. Status: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Note: For further action, see H.R. 1584, which became Public Law 108-19 on 4/25/2003.

Normalize Relations with Cuba

We support H.R.1698-No title.
Title: To lift the trade embargo on Cuba, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 4/9/2003) Cosponsors: 7
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.

We Support H.R. 1432-No Title

Title: To authorize the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with representatives of the Government of Cuba to establish cooperation between the United States and Cuba on illicit narcotics control efforts.
Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 3/25/2003) Cosponsors: 0
Latest Major Action: 3/25/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

Pre-emptive Strikes

We support H.RES.141
Title: Disavowing the doctrine of preemption.
Sponsor: Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] (introduced 3/12/2003) Cosponsors: 22
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2003 Status: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

We support H.R. 1258-"Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2003"

Title: To repeal the statutory authority for the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (the successor institution to the United States Army School of the Americas) in the Department of Defense, to provide for the establishment of a joint congressional task force to conduct an assessment of the kind of education and training that is appropriate for the Department of Defense to provide to military personnel of Latin American nations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3](introduced /13/2003)Cosponsors:80
Latest Major Action: 4/11/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.

VII. Homeland Security

We oppose Patriot Act I and Patriot Act II as drafted.

We support H.R.1157-No Title
Title: To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to exempt bookstores and libraries from orders requiring the production of any tangible things for certain foreign intelligence investigations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 3/6/2003) Cosponsors: 112
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

§ We support H.R.2037-"Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act"
Title: To affirm the religious freedom of taxpayers who are conscientiously opposed to participation in war, to provide that the income, estate, or gift tax payments of such taxpayers be used for nonmilitary purposes, to create the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund to receive such tax payments, to improve revenue collection, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] (introduced 5/8/2003) Cosponsors: 29
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2003 Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Registration for the Draft

§ We support H.R.487-" To repeal the Military Selective Service Act".
Title: To repeal the Military Selective Service Act.
Sponsor: Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] (introduced 1/29/2003) Cosponsors: 6
Latest Major Action: 3/26/2003 Status: Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from Selective Service Comm.

Rights of Conscientious Objectors

No current legislation: last piece of legislation was: H.R.5060
Title: To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish procedures for the determination of whether members of the Armed Forces should be discharged from military service or reassigned to other duties as conscientious objectors.
Sponsor: Rep Dellums, Ronald V. [CA-8] (introduced 5/5/1992) Cosponsors: 24
Latest Major Action: 5/8/1992 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.

VIII. Political Participation

Immigration (TANF, INS)
We call for full funding of Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

We encourage implementation that will be most efficient and sensitive to the voting rights of all Americans. We feel the law should be implemented to enfranchise rather than disenfranchise, and promote equal protection of voting rights for all citizens.

We oppose the nominations of conservative extremists such as:
- Miguel Estrada-If Miguel Estrada were confirmed his views would jeopardize the civil rights and liberties of racial and ethnic minorities, particularly since the federal courts of appeal are the courts of last resort in virtually all federal cases.
- Priscilla Owens- Priscilla Owens is an ends-oriented judicial activist showing bias against consumers, victims, and individual plaintiffs. In addition she shows insufficient concern over ethical issues.
- Charles Pickering-The record on Judge Pickering clearly demonstrates hostility towards civil and voting rights for racial and ethnic minorities in Mississippi.
- Carolyn Kuhl -We are deeply concerned about Judge Kuhl's activist and extreme views on important civil and women's rights issues, as well as her willingness to protect individuals' basic rights.
- Bill Pryor- We believe that Bill Pryor would not make a sufficient candidate for the eleventh circuit court because his views would jeopardize the civil rights and liberties of racial and ethnic minorities.

We support H.R.259 - "Political Participation and Rehabilitation Act of 2003"

Title: To secure the Federal voting rights of persons who have been released from incarceration.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/8/2003) Cosponsors: 34
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

Voting Rights for Washington, DC.

We support H.R.1285-"No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2003"
Title: To provide for full voting representation in Congress for the citizens of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] (introduced 3/13/2003) Cosponsors: 79
Related Bills: S.617
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2003 Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.

We support S.617-"No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2003"
Title: A bill to provide for full voting representation in Congress for the citizens of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] (introduced 3/13/2003) Cosponsors: 14
Related Bills: H.R.1285
Latest Major Action: 3/13/2003 Status: Referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

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