WASHINGTON - Rep. Chris Smith continues to push for the enactment of HR 4423, the Ethiopian Freedom, Human Rights and Democracy Act and will hold meetings with members of the International Relations Committee to gain consensus on the legislation soon. Smith has lined up 18 co-sponsors for HR 4423:
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Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 3/7/2006
- Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] - 3/7/2006
- Rep Royce, Edward R. [CA-40] - 3/7/2006
- Rep Rohrabacher, Dana [CA-46] - 3/7/2006
- Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] - 3/7/2006
- Rep Sabo, Martin Olav [MN-5] - 3/7/2006
- Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/7/2006
- Rep Boyd, Allen [FL-2] - 3/7/2006
- Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] - 3/14/2006
- Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] - 3/14/2006
- Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. [GA-4] - 3/14/2006
- Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-47] - 3/30/2006
- Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 3/30/2006
- Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 4/4/2006
- Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 5/3/2006
- Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] - 5/3/2006
- Rep Kennedy, Mark R. [MN-6] - 5/3/2006
- Rep Scott, Robert C. [VA-3] - 5/3/2006
If your member of Congress is not on this list, it is important that you contact him or her to express your strong support for the legislation and to urge them to co-sponsor and vote for HR 4423. If your member of Congress is on the list of co-sponsors, call and express your thanks. It is essential for the Ethiopian community to mobilize to tell Congress that human rights and democracy in Ethiopia are important to them. You cannot expect members of Congress to act on this unless they hear from their constituents. Rep. Smith has gone well beyond what could be expected, especially in regard to an issue that is not on the front pages of American newspapers.
Politicians will not be passionate about Ethiopian human rights and democracy unless they learn that Ethiopians in America are passionate about these issues. Now is the time to focus intensely on getting Congress to act, meet your member of Congress when he or she comes home or holds town hall meetings. It is especially important to contact members of the International Relations Committee . Lets focus on the big picture. The Ethiopian people are suffering, they are doing their part; we in the Diaspora must do our part. Channel your activity in positive directions. Contact Congress, contact your local newspaper.
In contacting members of Congress and the media, mention the recent statements by UN officials who denounced the human rights situation in Ethiopia. You can mention that the Washington Post recently listed Meles as one of the world's worst dictators. Mention that the European Union Parliament has condemned the Meles regime's human rights record. Emphasize that this is about human rights and democracy, about freeing elected political leaders who have been arrested on ridiculous charges of genocide and treason, are being held in despicable conditions and face the death penalty.
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