ONGOING PROJECT: Int'l Child Abduction Prevention Act of 2009 - H.R.3240

[SageDad]

I am THRILLED to announce the following:
Rep Dan Maffei (NY 25) just emailed to say he is signing on as co-sponsor of 2702, 3240, AND 2737.  Woo-hoo!! One lobbyist, no budget, persistence, three bills co-sponsored. You can do it, too. Keep calling and writing. I know it is tougher now that they are back in DC, but keep it coming. FYI, Maffei is a Democrat, so this builds bi-partisanship for these bills (which are, of course, as non-partisan as they get).

:clapping::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::clapping:

Thank you for all your hard work.  I was beginning to doubt your Rep from your last few posts but your persistence certainly did pay off.

I really haven't pushed my representatives to sponsor anything.  Not for lack of desire, I just felt burned out from writing them to help me in Mexico with little to show for it except some letters of encouragement.  There's an ugly reality in that there is very little they can do to help me in Mexico directly, but they can pass these laws here in the US.

Your effort has inspired me.  I'm not going to rest till my representative, David Price, signs on too.

[LukieD]

I am THRILLED to announce the following:
Rep Dan Maffei (NY 25) just emailed to say he is signing on as co-sponsor of 2702, 3240, AND 2737. Woo-hoo!! One lobbyist, no budget, persistence, three bills co-sponsored. You can do it, too. Keep calling and writing. I know it is tougher now that they are back in DC, but keep it coming. FYI, Maffei is a Democrat, so this builds bi-partisanship for these bills (which are, of course, as non-partisan as they get).

This is great news because the more co-sponsors we can line up behind these two bills, especially Democrats, the better our chances of success with this legislation. Every new co-sponsor we add is a small victory.
 
And the one thing I'd mention to Caldwell, Mike Berry and all the others who've done such great work here, don't stop once you've gotten your Reps to agree to co-sponsor. Ask them to take the additional step of rallying their colleagues to support a great piece of legislation. That cannot be emphasized enough. Co-sponsorship is great, but the extra efforts to make calls to their colleagues in the House to get behind this bill is ultimately what will determine its chances of becoming law one day as the bill works its way through the legislative process.

[kmoor88]

Great job Caldwell!!! I am still working on Levin, he seem more pleased when he seen that HR3240 was a bi-partisan bill.

[Caldwell]

This is great news because the more co-sponsors we can line up behind these two bills, especially Democrats, the better our chances of success with this legislation. Every new co-sponsor we add is a small victory.
 
And the one thing I'd mention to Caldwell, Mike Berry and all the others who've done such great work here, don't stop once you've gotten your Reps to agree to co-sponsor. Ask them to take the additional step of rallying their colleagues to support a great piece of legislation. That cannot be emphasized enough. Co-sponsorship is great, but the extra efforts to make calls to their colleagues in the House to get behind this bill is ultimately what will determine its chances of becoming law one day as the bill works its way through the legislative process.

I agree completely. I've offered to help him any way I can with colleagues. It only makes sense that a Rep would want a bill that they co-sponsor to be successful and become law.

[M.Capestro]

I am THRILLED to announce the following:
Rep Dan Maffei (NY 25) just emailed to say he is signing on as co-sponsor of 2702, 3240, AND 2737.  Woo-hoo!! One lobbyist, no budget, persistence, three bills co-sponsored. You can do it, too. Keep calling and writing. I know it is tougher now that they are back in DC, but keep it coming. FYI, Maffei is a Democrat, so this builds bi-partisanship for these bills (which are, of course, as non-partisan as they get).

Caldwell, Wondering if another "Thank You" note to Maffei might be in order just to remind him of his promise. Just checked the Thomas directory and still don't see his name attached to any of these above resolutions.

[Packman]

It would be really good if we could add to this bill making expenses incurred by LBP's in seeking their children's return tax-deductible...

I agree!  I'm new to this forum and don't want to ruffle any feathers but after reading through the verbage of the bill, what does it actually do for people?  

Where is it that, judgements and visitations would be suspended to non-compliant and non-Hague countries?

Where is it that homeland security will be checking rigorously outgoing children from the US?

Where is the LPB legal trust fund to fight the legal system in foreign countries.  This kids are US citizens being denied their rights?  Doesn't the USG have some obligation?

[Caldwell]

Caldwell, Wondering if another "Thank You" note to Maffei might be in order just to remind him of his promise. Just checked the Thomas directory and still don't see his name attached to any of these above resolutions.

Received confirmation from his staff today that he is on board, it is up to Chris Smith's staff to list the cosponsors, and that may be the delay. He will email with confirmation when it is listed.

[LukieD]

Received confirmation from his staff today that he is on board, it is up to Chris Smith's staff to list the cosponsors, and that may be the delay. He will email with confirmation when it is listed.

I think the Reps who co-sponsor must contact Chris Smith's office in order to be officially added as a co-sponsor to the bill, if I'm, not mistaken.

[Caldwell]

I think the Reps who co-sponsor must contact Chris Smith's office in order to be officially added as a co-sponsor to the bill, if I'm, not mistaken.

Yes, and Maffei's office has done that, and it is up to Smith's office to list them officially.

[Sashia]

Want to get on your soapbox? Here's a chance to publicize David/Sean plight, and that of all the other abducted children. 4 Free soapbox entries per month, targeting people who are already familiar with the legislative system.
Below is an excerpt from an email I received.
I'm already a member.
 
http://www.congress.org/register
 
Dear Congress.org subscriber,
 
We're excited to tell you about the relaunch of Congress.org! The site still has the same great tools to help you look up your Members of Congress and send them e-mail. But we've added more news about the issues of the day, features on how Washington really works and a new way to track votes from your representatives.
As an added bonus, we've now made Soapbox alerts free.
This feature allows you to write messages to the Congress.org community encouraging people to write Congress about your issue. You can write up to four a month as a registered user — at no cost. You can register here.
Please take a minute to check out the new Congress.org
 
 
 

[kmoor88]

Thanks Sashia. It goes directly to both senators and the congressman for my district.
They are going to think I am their conscience pretty soon. I like the part that you can send this message to friends to join in for more support.

[Audax]

Want to get on your soapbox? Here's a chance to publicize David/Sean plight, and that of all the other abducted children. 4 Free soapbox entries per month, targeting people who are already familiar with the legislative system.
Below is an excerpt from an email I received.
I'm already a member.
 
http://www.congress.org/register
 
Dear Congress.org subscriber,
 
We're excited to tell you about the relaunch of Congress.org! The site still has the same great tools to help you look up your Members of Congress and send them e-mail. But we've added more news about the issues of the day, features on how Washington really works and a new way to track votes from your representatives.
As an added bonus, we've now made Soapbox alerts free.
This feature allows you to write messages to the Congress.org community encouraging people to write Congress about your issue. You can write up to four a month as a registered user — at no cost. You can register here.
Please take a minute to check out the new Congress.org
 
 
Ohhh, nice one! They'll soon get sick and tired of me.
 
 
 

[Audax]

My first post is up on the soapbox. Registration was quick and easy. Come on. You all can do this.

[JerseyGirl]

Good News.......... ! ! ! ! ! ! !
 
Since yesterday there are 10 more cosponsors for H.R.3240 ! ! !
 
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/R?d111:FLD003:@1(Rep+Smith+Christopher):

[jl2saint]

Good News.......... ! ! ! ! ! ! !
 
Since yesterday there are 10 more cosponsors for H.R.3240 ! ! !
 
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/R?d111:FLD003:@1(Rep+Smith+Christopher):

Woner what happened?

Whatever it was, I like it...I'd like it more if we could get these same people to do 2702 also......