[Peace-discuss] Fwd: FCNL INFOLINE (11/27/02): Legislative Priorities

Tue Dec 3 12:02:57 CST 2002

>Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 11:23:32 -0500 (EST)
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>Subject: FCNL INFOLINE (11/27/02): Legislative Priorities
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>FCNL INFOLINE
>November 27, 2002
>
>(To learn more about the FCNL INFOLINE, please see the end of this message.)
>
>FCNL Legislative Priorities for the 108th Congress
>(Approved by General Committee, 11/10/02)
>FCNL's complete statement of Legislative Policy may be found at
>http://www.fcnl.org/legpolcy/indx_extnd.htm
>
>The Friends Committee on National Legislation seeks to bring spiritual
>values and Friends' testimonies to bear on public policy decisions. In the
>aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, our nation's "war
>on terrorism" threatens to make permanent a war economy and national
>security state. We see rapid erosion of civil liberties and disregard of
>basic human needs.  Security is being used as a justification for furthering
>U.S. unilateralism, militarism, withdrawal from treaties, blocking or
>ignoring multilateral efforts for peace and justice, and disregard for
>international law.  Especially in times of warfare, Quakers are called to
>bear witness to God's love for every person by providing a clear voice for
>peace and by opposing violence and articulating its alternatives.  We
>recognize that achieving lasting peace involves not just a cessation of war,
>but addressing the injustices and disparities that give rise to violent
>conflict among people.
>
>FCNL has selected the following priorities to address during the 108th
>Congress:
>
>1. Promote arms control and disarmament initiatives, especially the control
>and elimination under international auspices of all weapons of mass
>destruction through non-violent means.
>
>2. Identify, articulate, and promote peaceful alternatives to the "war on
>terrorism," including United States adherence to international law and
>participation in multilateral efforts to prevent and resolve violent
>conflict through institutions such as the United Nations and international
>courts of law.
>
>3. Promote a more peaceful and equitable world by shifting federal budget
>priorities away from military spending and toward funding basic human needs
>at home and abroad.
>
>4. Preserve and advance full civil liberties for all persons in the United
>States, and promote human rights around the world through international
>institutions and treaties.
>
>5. Remove dependence on oil as a source of violent conflict, injustice, and
>environmental degradation by reducing United States' energy consumption and
>encouraging the development of renewable sources of energy and alternative
>modes of transportation.
>
>FCNL will resume active advocacy on Native American issues.  As way opens,
>FCNL will continue Friends' long-standing witness for the rights of
>conscience, ending institutional racism, criminal justice reform, and the
>abolition of the death penalty.
>
>FCNL's work will be based on legislative opportunity, specific expertise and
>leadings, and time available.  FCNL has the flexibility, within the
>Statement of Legislative Policy, to respond to crises and important
>legislative opportunities.
>
>The General Committee calls upon its members, other Friends, and like-minded
>people to work on these issues.  In addition to the issues which FCNL has
>the resources to address, many other deeply-held concerns will continue to
>receive attention from individual Friends, Monthly Meetings and Churches,
>Yearly Meetings, and other Quaker organizations.  Omitting an issue from
>these priorities does not imply a change in our policy.
>
>As we work to find solutions to complex problems, Friends continue to seek
>divine guidance and ask for renewed strength and hope.
>
>
>Friends Committee on National Legislation
>Building True Security by Meeting Human Needs
>(Approved by General Committee, 11/10/02)
>
>As members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), we are called to
>witness to God's love for every human being; to speak out against violence,
>war, and inequality; and to articulate their alternatives.  We join with all
>those who seek to build a world that honors the potential of every
>individual, promotes freedom and democracy, and preserves the environment
>for future generations.
>
>After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, there was a moment of unity that
>offered a chance to plant the seeds of such a world.  We have watched in
>anguish as our government squandered this opportunity and chose instead to
>respond to the violence with more violence.  We have seen the rhetoric of
>"security" used to justify the erosion of civil liberties, cuts in social
>programs, and an increase in military spending.  If our nation continues on
>this path, it will undermine true security and increase the likelihood of
>future suffering and conflict.
>
>Today, as the administration presses toward military action, we unite behind
>the priority of preventing this war.  Further, we believe that the cause of
>true global security is better served by investing in meeting human needs
>rather than in military might.  In the current climate, such needs are
>becoming a forgotten agenda, eclipsed by the threat of a permanent war
>economy.
>
>We therefore call on the Bush Administration, members of Congress and the
>American people to commit to policies that lead to true security and away
>from fear, hate, and war.  Such policies would include efforts to:
>
>1. Ensure affordable housing, educational opportunity, universal health
>care, a living wage, and food for the hungry;
>2. Support affirmative action, progressive taxation, social security,
>welfare, and other programs that empower all citizens, including the most
>vulnerable of society; and promote economic opportunity and social and
>racial equality;
>3. Preserve the environment and natural resources for future generations;
>4. Advance democracy, civil liberties, and human rights; and
>5. Strengthen international institutions that promote cooperation, peaceful
>conflict resolution, and sustainable economic development.
>
>True security arises not from the exertion of military power and control,
>but from love and the lifting up of our hopes, our aspirations, and our
>common humanity.  We call on Friends and all people of good will to help
>build a world in which all people may enjoy such security.
>
>         ******
>
>This minute does not seek to replace the Statement of Legislative Priorities
>or the Statement of the Executive Committee dated 9/19/02, but rather
>augment them.
>This minute seeks to acknowledge the urgent demands on our attention made by
>the threat of war while asserting that the real roots of conflict and war
>must also be sought out and addressed.
>This minute is intended to be an expression of the General Committee to
>share in the wider community, to add our voice to those who hope to redirect
>attention to urgent human needs and away from war.
>
>--------------------------------------------
>If you have comments or questions regarding this message or other issues,
>please contact FCNL.
>
>Mail: 245 Second St, NE, Washington, DC 20002-5795
>Email:   fcnl at fcnl.org
>Phone:   (202) 547-6000
>Fax:   (202) 547-6019
>Toll Free: (800) 630-1330
>Web: <http://www.fcnl.org>
>
>Congressional Information: <http://capwiz.com/fconl/dbq/officials/>
>
>Your contributions sustain our Quaker witness in Washington.  We welcome
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>Fund.  You can use your credit card to donate money securely to FCNL through
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><http://www.fcnl.org/suprt/indx.htm>
>FCNL also accepts credit card donations over the phone.  For information
>about donating, please contact the Development team directly at
>development at fcnl.org.  Thank you.
>
>--------------------------------------------
>The FCNL INFOLINE provides announcements and information from the Friends
>Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).  These messages (1) focus on
>legislative work, but do not have a legislative action component, (2)
>provide updates on FCNL's work, and/or (3) inform you about resources
>available from FCNL.  These messages are intended as a supplement to the
>Legislative Action Message and other FCNL materials.
>
>This message may also be found on PeaceNet in the fcnl.updates conference.
>
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>--------------------------------------------
>We seek a world free of war and the threat of war
>We seek a society with equity and justice for all
>We seek a community where every person's potential may be fulfilled
>We seek an earth restored...
>--------------------------------------------