Contact Senators to Keep Teeth in the "Conflict Minerals" Bill

Hello all,

I know you all are busy, but Please take a moment to read this:

Enough Project and other activist organizations have been working hard to get a bill signed by Congress that requires multinational tech companies to become accountable when purchasing "conflict minerals" from DR Congo. This legislation is similar to regulating "blood diamonds", which were financing the war in Sierra Leon.

The rape of women and girls in Congo is perpetuated by the world’s dependence on these minerals to run modern technological devices--cell phones, computers,video games. Diverse military groups, backed by international corporations, compete for these “conflict minerals”: coltan, tin, tungsten, gold. Their strategy is to brutally gang rape females in areas where these minerals exist, displacing the population and giving them access to Congo’s vast mineral wealth. 

Bottom line: Violated Congolese women are paying the price for our technological toys and conveniences.

But you can help stop this wanton rape of women and girls by supporting the Conflict Minerals Bill up before Congress right now. To do so, please read on . . . (it only takes one minute)

Change the Equation for Congo

Dear Friend,

During the last several months we've asked for your help to create real change on the issue of Congo's conflict minerals. Never before has our request been more urgent than now. Critical language requiring conflict minerals accountability is part of the financial reform legislation currently being finalized by Congress. The fate of this conflict minerals language will likely be decided over the next 48 hours.

Despite tech industry support and strong bi-partisan support of the language and the legislation it's derived from, manufacturing and retail industry groups are lobbying hard to have it removed. Now is the time for you and the grassroots movement to stand up against corporate lobbyists. Even though tech companies have admitted it would cost one penny per product to ensure a conflict-free supply chain, lobbyists for manufacturing companies continue to argue that even this penny is too expensive.

Today we're urgently asking you to spend a few minutes to get key members of the Congressional conference committee to support the language (this is the group responsible for deciding the final fate of the legislation.) Each of the members below is of high strategic value to ensuring the conflict minerals language stays in the legislation.
TAKE ACTION TODAY ON FACEBOOK

We need to ensure that the following members use their influence to keep the conflict minerals language in the legislation:

Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)

Please click on the links above to visit their Facebook pages. Click the "Like" button at the top, and then post a message asking for their support of the legislation. On Senator Lincoln's page, you will need to place your comment on her most recent post, because she doesn't allow feedback otherwise. We've drafted a sample for you to work from, but please feel free to customize your own if you would like:

"Senator {Insert Name}, please join a bi-partisan group of Senators in fighting to keep the Congo conflict minerals language in the financial reform bill. The tech industry estimates it would cost less than a penny per product to guarantee that their products are free of conflict minerals."

Without strong grassroots support, industry groups might succeed in undoing the progress you've made to end the trade in conflict minerals and bring peace to the people of Congo. Join us today and thank you for your urgent support at this critical time.

Sincerely,

Jenny Russell
Advocacy Director
Enough Project

P.S. If you do not use Facebook, or want to take further action, please contact the Senators' offices directly:

Senator Lincoln - Contact Elizabeth Burks - 202.224.4843

Senator Corker - Contact Courtney Geduldig - 202.224.

Now that wasn't so difficult . . . 

With love and gratitude,

Contact Senators to Keep Teeth in the "Conflict Minerals" Bill

Change the Equation for Congo

Dear Friend,

During the last several months we've asked for your help to create real change on the issue of Congo's conflict minerals. Never before has our request been more urgent than now. Critical language requiring conflict minerals accountability is part of the financial reform legislation currently being finalized by Congress. The fate of this conflict minerals language will likely be decided over the next 48 hours.

Despite tech industry support and strong bi-partisan support of the language and the legislation it's derived from, manufacturing and retail industry groups are lobbying hard to have it removed. Now is the time for you and the grassroots movement to stand up against corporate lobbyists. Even though tech companies have admitted it would cost one penny per product to ensure a conflict-free supply chain, lobbyists for manufacturing companies continue to argue that even this penny is too expensive.

Today we're urgently asking you to spend a few minutes to get key members of the Congressional conference committee to support the language (this is the group responsible for deciding the final fate of the legislation.) Each of the members below is of high strategic value to ensuring the conflict minerals language stays in the legislation.
TAKE ACTION TODAY ON FACEBOOK

We need to ensure that the following members use their influence to keep the conflict minerals language in the legislation:

Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)

Please click on the links above to visit their Facebook pages. Click the "Like" button at the top, and then post a message asking for their support of the legislation. On Senator Lincoln's page, you will need to place your comment on her most recent post, because she doesn't allow feedback otherwise. We've drafted a sample for you to work from, but please feel free to customize your own if you would like:

"Senator {Insert Name}, please join a bi-partisan group of Senators in fighting to keep the Congo conflict minerals language in the financial reform bill. The tech industry estimates it would cost less than a penny per product to guarantee that their products are free of conflict minerals."

Without strong grassroots support, industry groups might succeed in undoing the progress you've made to end the trade in conflict minerals and bring peace to the people of Congo. Join us today and thank you for your urgent support at this critical time.

Sincerely,

Jenny Russell
Advocacy Director
Enough Project

P.S. If you do not use Facebook, or want to take further action, please contact the Senators' offices directly:

Senator Lincoln - Contact Elizabeth Burks - 202.224.4843

Senator Corker - Contact Courtney Geduldig - 202.224.3344

The Amazing Waldorf Doll Project

June 12th Benefit for Ntaboba's New Leg!

Artwork by Julia Riodan Scherer

Ntaboba is a little boy whose leg was blown up by a hand grenade explosion when he was 3 years old. He is 8-years old now and uses a metal rod as a crutch to walk to school each day. He is a an excellent student, and he never misses a day of school.

Orphans who attend school through charitable donations, Amani, and Ntaboba.

When Margaret saw Ntaboba, her heart broke. Watching him walk, she realized that his spine was becoming deformed by his dependence on the rod; his little body twisted unnaturally with each small step as he struggled to keep his balance. But without the rod, he could not get to school . . . and not attending school was never an option for this bright child.

 Margaret and Betty decided to help Ntaboba. Back home in Rhode Island, they contacted doctors who volunteered to do the surgery and donate his hospital stay and prosthesis. But the procedure will take up to two months, so he must stay in the US while recovering from the first surgery before receiving his new leg. Arrangements have been made for a family friend to accompany him, as his mother cannot leave her other children that long. 

The Benefit Yard Sale is being held this Saturday, June 12th,  in Kingston Rhode Island by Julia Riordan Scherer. An artist of some renown, she will donate the proceeds to transportation costs for Ntaboba and his traveling companion.

The Benefit address: 1577 South Road       Kingston, Rhode Island  02881     9am - 4pm

You can give this child the opportunity for a normal life by making a contribution now. Anyone wishing to help Ntaboba's cause can donate through paypal at my website. Donations are fully tax deductible.  http://empowercongowomen.org/donate.php   Please indicate that donation is for Ntaboba.

Or you can send a check to: ECW PO Box 60940, Santa Barbara CA, 93111. Please write "Ntaboba" on check.

With love and gratitude,