SOA Watch has received confirmation that this week Congress will vote on an amendment to close the School of the Americas, now called the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (SOA/ WHINSEC). Representatives Jim McGovern and John Lewis will introduce an amendment to the Foreign Operations appropriations bill to cut funding for the school!
It’s been a year since our last vote in Congress, and the work of thousands of people like you across the Americas who care about justice has gotten us to where we are today. Let's seize this opportunity to make history in the defense for human rights!
We expect a close vote in the House this week, and we need as many people as possible flooding the offices of Members of Congress with calls in support of a YES vote on the amendment! We need you to call, email and fax Congress every day until the vote happens. Tell your family and friends to do the same!
Please take the time to call the DC office of your Representative through the Capitol Hill Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Ask to speak with the foreign affairs legislative assistant. Click here for a suggested message!
Take Action Now - Email/Fax your Representative urging her/him to Support the Amendment to Cut Funding for the SOA/WHINSEC (Please check the "Send a Fax" option to submit a fax)
Legislative Action Index
TAKE ACTION!
Click here to send an Email/Fax to your Representative Today!
We've made it incredibly easy for you to send an Email/Fax to Congress and let them know that you want your legislator to support the amendment to cut funding for the SOA/ WHINSEC! Please take the time to send an automatic letter to Congress using our Democracy in Action tool. It's as easy as typing in your address to match your information to the correct Member of Congress and they will receive a letter from you supporting the new bill.
Updated June 13, 2007
Update: We have 104 cosponsors! Representative McGovern has introduced HR 1707, the Latin America Military Training Review Act! The legislation was introduced with 71 bipartisan cosponsors and has grown to 104 cosponsors, listed at the bottom of this page. This legislation would suspend operations at the SOA/ WHINSEC and investigate the history of torture and human rights abuses associated with the school.
The February Lobby Days in Washington DC were a huge success with hundreds of offices visited and new cosponsors added to the bill, but we need YOUR support for adding additional cosponsors! There are several ways that you can get involved including sending a letter, making a call, or scheduling a meeting, and all the tools and resources you need are below!
One new resource that may assist you in your meetings or with your letter and phone calls is the Dear Colleague letter Rep. McGovern has circulated in Congress. This document gives details on HR 1707, the new legislation.
Please contact the SOA Watch Legislative Coordinator, Pam Bowman, at pbowman(@)soaw.org or (202) 234-3440 for more information.
Learning about your Representative
An important part of a successful meeting with your Member of Congress on the SOA/ WHINSEC issue is doing your homework. Here are some key places to get the information you need to know the history and background of your legislator and their support (or oppositon) to the issue:
For more information on the detailed history of SOA Watch's meetings with your Representative and their voting history since their election to Congress, contact the DC office.
Tips and Resources on Setting up a Meeting
SOA Watch has pulled together tips on setting up a meeting with your Member of Congress that will help you with all of the ins and outs of a successful meeting with your legislators.
Make the Call!
Even if you don't have time for a meeting, making a phone call to your Representative is a great way to let them know your views and how you want them to represent you in Washington!
Please take the time to call the D.C. office of your Representative by calling the Capitol Hill Switchboard (202-224-3121). Ask to speak with the foreign affairs legislative assistant and here is a suggested message for you to convey:
"As a constituent living in _________, I am calling Congressman/woman ________ to urge him/her to contact Rep. McGovern and ask to be a cosponsor of HR 1707, legislation that would suspend operations at the School of the Americas, renamed WHINSEC, and investigate the history of human rights abuses and failed policies of the institution.
New information indicates that WHINSEC has allowed known human rights abusers to instruct and receive training at the school. Argentina and Uruguay are two more countries that have made public announcements they will no longer send students to the school, citing the negative image and history of this institution. Despite demands by Congress to have oversight over the curriculum and promote human rights, the Pentagon is now denying all requests to provide information to human rights organizations and the public about students and graduates of the school.
I urge you to contact Cindy Buhl in Representative McGovern?s office and ask that your boss be added as a cosponsor of HR 1707. I hope you will represent my views and support this legislation."
Cosponsors of HR 1707 (as of 6/13/07)
104 + McGovern
2 comments on A Call to Action!
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Slywoody3
said 1 years ago
Your key supporter is Rep. Ron Paul R-TX.
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boricuajoe
said 1 years ago
I am more than happy to say that I am glad HR 1707 failed on the House floor. I think it was very telling when the representative from Ga. asked Mr. McGovern if he had ever been to WHINSEC, an institution that he claims conducts torture and intimidation tactics yet they keep the doors open for anyone to come and see for themselves. Even after WHINSEC lost 35 supporters during last years election its reputation and hard work ensured that it would be running for a long time. Ignorance is a dangerous weapon and the SOAW's reluctance to accept that the SOA is gone and that WHINSEC is a completely different entity is causing them to lose whatever credibility they have left. Like McGovern's answer to the "have you been there" question, "I don't need to go there to know that bad things are happening there" actually sir, yes you do, its your duty to know all the facts. You owe your constituents and the groups that support you that much.
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