Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 08:45:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Spoon Collective <spoons-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu>
Subject: AUT: Call for letters of support! (fwd)




---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 09:05:15 +0000
From: Paddy Newell <paddyn-AT-erols.com>

On Thursday, 21 May, the House Committee on International Relations
will hold hearings on current US policy towards Cuba.

If you or your organization would like to forward a
letter or statement to all members of the US Congress, please
forward a copy to me by tomorrow.

Americans concerned with current US policy towards Cuba are
encouraged to participate in this campaign - it is important
that the House Members hear from as many concerned individuals as
possible.

Please remember to mention Cong. Torres's HR 1951, and
Cong. Rangel's HR 3173. A template is included at close of this
alert.

Please email letters to: paddyn-AT-erols.com
Fax:  703-256-0042

You can also send your letter directly to the Committee Chairman
and the Ranking Democrat (he is on our side).

If you want your letter to receive wide distribution in Congress,
be sure to send a copy to me.

To reach the Ranking Democrat on the Committee: (our side)

Representative Lee Hamilton
E-mail: =A0=A0=A0hamilton-AT-hamilton.house.gov
2314 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1409
P: 202-225-5315 F:  225-1101
or
Celes Hughes, Public Affairs Coordinator
Celes.Hughes-AT-MAIL.HOUSE.GOV
or
Mr. Dennis McDonagh, Minority Staff Director
P:  202-225-6735  F:  202-226-3581

Representative Benjamin Gilman, Chairman (their side)
HIRC-AT-mail.house.gov
ben-AT-mail.house.gov
P:  202-225-5021  F: 202-225-2035
2170 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Attn: Mr. John Mackey

The Committee on International Relations Hearing Notification Line
can be reached at (202) 225-3184.


Thank you for taking a few minutes of your valuable time
to remember and support the people of Cuba!

In solidarity,
Paddy
================================================

                       SAMPLE LETTER...

to send as individuals or group:

Open Letter to Honorable Members of the U.S. House of Representatives

I/we believe the time has come to treat Cuba as a neighbor, not an
enemy. The time has come to realize that the island-nation and its 11
million people represent no threat to our national interests. It is
time for the United States to accept a hand of friendship from the
Cuban people and restore full diplomatic and trade relations with
their current government.

The U.S. embargo is immoral in its aim to withhold food and
medicine from the Cuban people.  The human impact of this isolation
policy and economic strangulation is most felt by the innocent
children and elderly of Cuba.

Current U.S. policy also continues to be a source of increasing
criticism from U.S. business leaders, the international community,
church leaders and human rights organizations worldwide. The majority
of Americans clearly recognize that this outdated Cold War policy is
a complete failure. It benefits no one.

I/we appeal to you to be a voice of reason. As a member of the
United States Congress, we believe that you can most effectively
use your leadership position to help build bridges between our two
peoples. We urge you to take immediate steps to implement a policy
that stops looking to past failed policies for answers, but looks
forward for ways that will achieve genuine reconciliation with Cuba,
as many of our international allies have chosen.

Normal trade and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba will
only result in peace and prosperity for our two nations. Please
Congressman Torres's HR1951 which exempts food and medicines from the
trade embargo.  I/we enthusiastically support Congressman Rangel's HR
3713 to lift the total economic blockade of the island and ask that
you endorse his courageous efforts to bring our nation into a
meaningful relationship with the people of Cuba.

Conversely, we request your opposition to any legislation which aims
to strangle the Cuban government regardless of the suffering it will
mean for the Cuban people.

Sincerely yours,



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