Short Notice

Just got this via e-mail. Here’s an opportunity for some New Orleanians to go to Washington DC in support of the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act. Short notice but this is something I believe in. I wish I could go! But I can’t. Maybe you can? Please spread the word, because the bus leaves soon.

TRAVEL & LODGING-EXPENSES PAID BUS TRIP TO DC TO LOBBY FOR THE GULF COAST CIVIC WORKS ACT (SEPT 21-23)

The Gulf Coast Civic Works Campaign is loading two buses with supporters for two days of high level meetings with Congress and the Administration. It is a perfect opportunity to let folks in Washington know what is happening in your community and presenting them with a human rights-based solution from residents and community leaders, the Gulf Coast Civic Works Act, to create 100,000 jobs rebuilding and sustaining Gulf Coast communities. You all are the reason a policy like this could work, your innovative organizations, knowledge, ideas, and we need you to let Congress know your ready to rebuild if they can give you a mandate to support it!

Already we have meetings with five key Members of Congress with jurisdiction over HR 2269, leaders of federal agencies like Army Corps and EPA, key advisers at DHS, heads of Obama’s Faith and Neighborhood offices, the administration’s point on Gulf Coast recovery, a cabinet member and dozens of congressional staffers, with more to come. Also we have a big Congressional Briefing with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus, jointly hosted by Rep. James Clyburn, the House Majority Whip and the Congressional Leadership’s point person on Gulf Coast recovery issues.

We have spots for 50 additional people. Please call Scott Myers Lipton ASAP at 1 510 508 5382 to participate. If you or any of your members or colleagues can come we’d love to have you. It will also be an opportunity to meet advocates from leading DC based human rights, faith-based and environmental organizations. We hope our supporters will attend if they can and participate in this momentous opportunity for promoting just Gulf Coast recovery.

Transportation, hotel, and most of your meals (were asking folks to bring food for while on the bus) will be covered. It is first come first serve while seats are available. If you can’t come, please think about making a call or two to colleagues and friends. We need numbers to make an impact, and it will be huge opportunity for advancing resident-led recovery priorities.

Here is an overview of the itinerary.

We will be picking folks up September 21st, 2009 at 3:30pm at:

Grace Episcopal Church

5700 Canal Street

New Orleans

And

Walmart Supercenter

3615 Sangani Blvd

Diberville, MS 39540-8770

Buses will arrive in Washington, DC the morning of September 22nd;

On September 22nd at noon, participants will attend our CBC/CHC/CAPAC briefing (see flyer) and have an opportunity to eat lunch and mingle with staff of key Congressional leaders, and learn more about HR 2269.

From 2-5:30P participants will break off into teams for meetings with Congressional and Administration officials, including an interagency meeting of HUD, DHS, HHS, Commerce, and White House Offices. Teams will each have an experienced volunteer who works in DC from one of our DC based supporting organizations.

The evening of September 22nd, participants will stay at the Quality Inn and Suites, Alexandra, VA 8849 Richmond Hwy , Alexandria, VA, US, 22309 | Phone: (703) 780-0300

September 23rd, the bus will depart in the morning from Alexandria to Washington DC, and participants will meet with congressional and Administration officials from 10am-5pm.

On September 23rd the bus will depart from DC arriving in Biloxi and New Orleans at about 1pm.

If you can go, please call Scott at 510-508-5382 or Jeffrey at 202-257-9048.