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As you know, the Senate
Judiciary Committee reported the Asbestos Trust Fund bill yesterday. This
bill is a long way from becoming law, but we have a lot of work to do. It
is unlikely that the bill will be on the floor in early June; nevertheless
we must be vigilant in keeping pressure on our friends in the Senate.
At this time, the text of
the bill as amended is not yet available, but we will send details as soon
as possible.
However, the message
remains the same: the bill is under funded, unworkable,
unconstitutional and unfair.
Over the coming week,
Senators will be home for the Memorial Day recess. During this time, we
need you make sure that additional Senators do not sign on as co-sponsors
to this bad legislation.
As Senator Kennedy
thundered, this is the worst bill he's seen since he's been in Washington
DC over the last 40 years. It tramples on our civil liberties, rewards bad
companies who do really bad things, and punishes innocent victims.
I know we've asked you to
"man the barricades" before, but I don't know what else to do. My firm and
others send money to our lobbyists but in the end a hard hitting 30 second
TV commercial is not nearly as persuasive as a letter from an asbestos
cancer claimant or loved one, or a face-to-face meeting with a senator or
staffer.
Here's what you can do:
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1. |
Send letters or
emails to your Senators – go here to get a
sample letter:
http://www.atla.org/private/asbestos/050527clientletter.pdf
or
click here
If your senator is
already against the bill, please contact a
senator who is opposed to the bill (all the Republicans, e.g, on the
senate judiciary committee). If you live in California, tell Sen.
Feinstein what a rotten thing she's doing backing the mass poisoners.
Same goes for those of you living in Wisconsin (Sen. Kohl caved in and
voted the bill out of ccommittee). Same with
Leahy (Vermont). |
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2. |
Call Senators
Durbin, Kennedy, Feingold and Biden at
202-224-3121 and thank them for taking a strong stand against the
bill. These are our HEROES! |
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3. |
Send Letters
to the Editors of the major papers in your state. We are providing
sample letters and talking points for you, but letters should be
personal, detailing struggles with asbestos disease. Send copies of
all letters to us. Here is a link to talking points and sample
letters:
http://www.atla.org/private/asbestos/050527editor.pdf |
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4. |
Here are some talking
points about the bill and why it's so bad: You can use these points in
your letters, phone calls, and interviews.
Talking points:
http://www.atla.org/private/asbestos/050527specter.pdf
Background paper:
http://www.atla.org/private/asbestos/050527illness.pdf |
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5. |
We will soon
be scheduling an asbestos victims’ Lobby Day in Washington DC. This
was a great success last year. I look forward to going to our nation's
capitol with many of you. |
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6. |
Many of my
clients have advised they want to meet with their senator and/or
senate staffers. Now is a good time to do that during the Memorial
Day recess (May 27 – June 6). Contact information for Senators’
Capitol Hill and district offices can be found at
http://action.peopleoverprofits.org/legDirectory/ If you follow
through on this, please let us know so we can pass on your
"intelligence" to our advocates in DC. |
As usual, there's no time
like the present to make a better tomorrow.
Roll Labor!
Roger Worthington
5/29/05
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POSTED MAY 29, 2005 ***
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PATIENT PROFILES
