*Please distribute widely*
---------------------------
The resolution regarding human rights and democracy
in Kenya which Rep. John Porter (R-IL) introduced last
Thursday (Jan. 25) has been assigned a bill number
(H.Con.Res.#135) and had ten additional original co-sponsors,
(see list below). Thanks to everyone who lobbied any
representatives before this got introduced! Please
continue to encourage members of the House of Representatives
to become co-signers since it will take 6-8 weeks before
this comes to the House floor for a vote. We have enclosed
a sample letter to Ileanna Ros-Lehtinen (Chair of the
Africa Subcommittee of the House International Relations
Committee), complete with her fax and *email address*,
since it will go to her subcommittee for review first.
Thanking those members who co-sponsored thus far would
be greatly appreciated. Anyone who has not seen a copy
of the full text of the resolution yet can contact
us by email privately. We have heard that the
meeting of donor nations to Kenya (Consultative Group)
has been postponed until at least March, and we are
hopeful that this resolution, if passed quickly, will
have a significant influence on pledges and conditions
set by the donor nation group. We have also learned
that Koigi's wife, Jane Nduta wa Koigi, has been invited
by George Moose (Asst. Sec. of State for African Affairs
in the State Dept.) to the U.S. in late February to
speak to Congresssional leaders about her perspective
on human rights in Kenya. We will post any news of
public events on Kenya-net as soon as they are finalized.
If we continue to build on international pressure
felt by Kenyan leaders, Koigi can be freed of a slow
death in prison. Moi will listen to donors. Keep the
pressure increasing with your consistent actions! Thanks
for your ongoing interest and commitment! All my best.
- Mike Koplinka-Loehr for KHRI
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Orignal co-sponsors of Rep. Porter's Resolution #135
(Send them a THANK YOU!):
[R= Republican, D= Democrat, Afr.= African Subcomm.,
HRC= Human Rights Caucus]
Rep. John Porter (R-IL, HRC co-chair) Ph:202-225-4835
Tom Lantos (D-CA, HRC co-chair) Ph:202-225-3531; Fax:
202-225-7900
Eliot Engel (D-NY, Afr., HRC) Ph:202-225-2464; Fax:
202-225-5513
Maurice Hinchey (D-NY, HRC) Ph:202-225-6335; Fax: 202-226-0774
William Lipinski (D-IL, HRC) Ph:202-225-5701; Fax: 202-225-1012
Donald Payne (D-NJ, Afr., HRC) Ph:202-225-3436; Fax:
202-225-4160
Barney Frank (D-MA, HRC) Ph:202-225-5931; Fax: 202-225-0182
Alcee Hastings (D-FL, Afr., HRC) Ph:202-225-1313; Fax:
202-226-0690
Jack Reed (D-RI, HRC) Ph:202-225-2735; Fax: 202-225-9580
Peter DeFazio (D-OR, HRC) Ph:202-225-6416; Fax: 202-225-0373
Amory Houghton (R-NY, Afr.) Ph:202-225-3161; Fax: 202-225-5574
________________________________________________________________
Draft letter (Adapt as appropriate):
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Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Room 2440 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone:202-225-3931
Fax: (202) 225-5620
* email: Roth08@hr.house.gov *
Dear Rep. Ros-Lehtinen,
I understand that Congressional Resolution No. 135, introduced by Rep. John Porter and ten original co-sponsors on January 25th, will be referred to the Africa subcommittee before it is reviewed by the full International Relations Committee. I encourage you to co-sign this resolution as chair of the subcommittee and take a strong lead on this matter by giving timely and thorough attention to this significant resolution addressing human rights and governance in Kenya. In 1991, world wide donor aid to Kenya was suspended contingent upon further evidence of progress toward goals including democratization. Two days later the Kenyan government called for multi-party elections. Clearly the Kenyan government listens when donors speak in a united voice. Congressional Resolution No. 135 has the potential, timed as it is before the next Kenya Consultative Group meeting, to significantly influence other donor nations, and thus significantly influence policies of open governance in Kenya. Thus, I encourage you to co-sign this bill, calling hearings as necessary, and move it though the Africa Subcommittee in as timely and effective a manner as possible so it will be well positioned for a successful vote of affirmation on the House floor. To do otherwise would be contrary to our national interests and the principles of the founding of our nation -- freedom, democracy and justice. I look forward to a reply at your earliest convenience.
Respectfully,
Your name
(Address encouraged)
-------------------------------------------------------
Please call other members of the Africa Subcommittee
as well:
Toby Roth (R-WI) Ph: 202-225-5665, Fax: 202-225-0087
Sam Brownback (R-KS) Ph: 202-225-6601, Fax: 202-225-2983
David Funderburk (R-NC) Ph: 202-225-4531, Fax: 202-225-3191
Steve Chabot (R-OH) Ph: 202-225-2216, Fax: 202-225-3012
Mark Sanford (R-SC) Ph: 202-225-3176, Fax: 202-225-3407
Matt Salmon (R-AZ) Ph: 202-225-2635, Fax: 202-225-3405
Amory Houghton (R-NY) Ph:202-225-3161; Fax: 202-225-5574
-Original co-sponsor
Gary Ackerman (D-NY) Ph: 202-225-2601, Fax: 202-225-0351
Harry Johnston (D-FL) Ph: 202-225-3001, Fax: 202-225-8791
Eliot Engel (D-NY) Ph:202-225-2464; Fax: 202-225-5513
-Original co-sponsor
Donald Payne (D-NJ) Ph:202-225-3436; Fax: 202-225-4160
-Original co-sponsor
Alcee Hastings (D-FL) Ph:202-225-1313; Fax: 202-226-0690
-Original co-sponsor
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The Kenya Human Rights Initiative (Ph. & Fax:607-255-9985)
khri@cornell.edu
G29 Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca,
NY 14853, USA
FREE KOIGI! "Make Injustice
Visible" -Mahatma Gandhi
Our internet Home page address is: http://www.cornell.edu/Alumni/koigi.html
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Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 23:12:57 -0500 Message-Id: <v02130503ad2aa37ea0eb@[132.236.102.79]>
From: khri-mailbox@cornell.edu (The Kenya Human Rights
Initiative) Subject: US House Resolution co-sponsors....