/PRNewswire/ -- As President Obama prepares to travel to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, 14 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have sent a letter urging the President to seek agreement with world leaders on the need to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million.
Climate scientists, led by Dr. James Hansen of NASA's Goddard Space Institute, warn that global temperatures will rise to dangerous levels if the concentration of CO2 remains above 350 ppm for a sustained period of time.
Hansen has said, "If humanity wishes to preserve a planet similar to that on which civilization developed and to which life on Earth is adapted... CO2 will need to be reduced... to at most 350 ppm."
Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) initiated the letter, which advises the President, "there is one singular goal around which all nations must align in order to avert disaster, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We urge you to... seek agreement with fellow leaders in Copenhagen on the ultimate goal of lowering and maintaining the level of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere at 350 parts per million."
"If we are serious about combating global climate change we must agree to set a goal that will represent our best shot at averting the worst effects of climate change. The best science tells us that goal is 350 parts per million," said Congressman Kucinich.
Marshall Saunders, Founder and President of Citizens Climate Lobby, urged decision-makers to adopt legislation and policies that will achieve the 350 goal.
"Unfortunately, most of our legislators are operating under the assumption that we can allow CO2 levels to rise to 450 ppm. That would be a disaster. We've crossed the 350 threshold. We're at 390 and we're seeing glaciers recede at an alarming rate and summer sea ice disappearing from the North Pole."
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Showing posts with label letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letter. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Members of U.S. Congress Warn Hondurans New Elections Won't Be Recognized Unless Conflict is Resolved
/PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) praised six senior Members of the U.S. Congress for their open letter to the Honduran Congress reminding Honduran authorities that without political progress in ending the crisis caused by the coup against President Zelaya the U.S. will not recognize the winner of that country's upcoming presidential elections.
"This timely letter speaks in clear and compelling language to the coup government and its supporters in the Honduran Congress," Sarah Stephens, executive director of the CDA said. "Unless the coup is ended, President Zelaya is restored, and violations of democracy and human rights are halted, no presidential election conducted in that environment will be recognized as free or fair or legitimate by the United States government and its senior leaders.
The letter signed by Representatives James McGovern, Bill Delahunt, Sam Farr, Gregory Meeks, Janice Schakowsky, and Xavier Becerra was sent to Honduras as four Republican Members of the Congress visited interim President Micheletti and communicated their support for the coup.
"Honduras's interim government should pay attention not to rump groups seeking publicity, but to senior Members of the Congress who stand with the Obama administration on behalf of democracy, diplomacy, and dialogue. We believe Honduras should act quickly and decisively to end this crisis and avoid entering a new presidency with this odious cloud hanging over its government."
The Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) is devoted to changing U.S. policy toward the countries of the Americas by basing our relations on mutual respect, recognizing positive models of governance in the region, and fostering dialogue particularly with those governments and movements with which U.S. policy is at odds.
Ms. Stephens testified before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs about the coup in Honduras on July 10, 2009.
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"This timely letter speaks in clear and compelling language to the coup government and its supporters in the Honduran Congress," Sarah Stephens, executive director of the CDA said. "Unless the coup is ended, President Zelaya is restored, and violations of democracy and human rights are halted, no presidential election conducted in that environment will be recognized as free or fair or legitimate by the United States government and its senior leaders.
The letter signed by Representatives James McGovern, Bill Delahunt, Sam Farr, Gregory Meeks, Janice Schakowsky, and Xavier Becerra was sent to Honduras as four Republican Members of the Congress visited interim President Micheletti and communicated their support for the coup.
"Honduras's interim government should pay attention not to rump groups seeking publicity, but to senior Members of the Congress who stand with the Obama administration on behalf of democracy, diplomacy, and dialogue. We believe Honduras should act quickly and decisively to end this crisis and avoid entering a new presidency with this odious cloud hanging over its government."
The Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) is devoted to changing U.S. policy toward the countries of the Americas by basing our relations on mutual respect, recognizing positive models of governance in the region, and fostering dialogue particularly with those governments and movements with which U.S. policy is at odds.
Ms. Stephens testified before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs about the coup in Honduras on July 10, 2009.
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Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Senators Express Concern With Number of Czars in Administration
/PRNewswire/ -- In a letter to the President, Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, questions the number of "czars" within the Executive Office. In the letter, Senator Collins expresses concern that the growing number of czars may be undermining the constitutional oversight responsibilities of Congress. The letter was also signed by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Kit Bond (R-MO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Bob Bennett (R-UT).
The full text of the letter is as follows:
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We write to express our growing concern with the proliferation of "czars" in your Administration. These positions raise serious issues of accountability, transparency, and oversight. The creation of "czars," particularly within the Executive Office of the President, circumvents the constitutionally established process of "advise and consent," greatly diminishes the ability of Congress to conduct oversight and hold officials accountable, and creates confusion about which officials are responsible for policy decisions.
To be clear, we do not consider every position identified in various reports as a "czar" to be problematic. Positions established by law or subject to Senate confirmation, such as the Director of National Intelligence, the Homeland Security Advisor, and the Chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, do not raise the same kinds of concerns as positions that you have established within the Executive Office of the President that are largely insulated from effective Congressional oversight. We also recognize that Presidents are entitled to surround themselves with experts who can serve as senior advisors.
Many "czars" you have appointed, however, either duplicate or dilute the statutory authority and responsibilities that Congress has conferred upon Cabinet-level officers and other senior Executive branch officials. When established within the White House, these "czars" can hinder the ability of Congress to oversee the complex substantive issues that you have unilaterally entrusted to their leadership. Whether in the White House or elsewhere, the authorities of these advisors are essentially undefined. They are not subject to the Senate's constitutional "advice and consent" role, including the Senate's careful review of the character and qualifications of the individuals nominated by the President to fill the most senior positions within our government. Indeed, many of these new "czars" appear to occupy positions of greater responsibility and authority than many of the officials who have been confirmed by the Senate to fill positions within your Administration.
With these concerns in mind, we have identified at least 18 "czar" positions created by your Administration whose reported responsibilities may be undermining the constitutional oversight responsibilities of Congress or express statutory assignments of responsibility to other Executive branch officials. With regard to each of these positions, we ask that you explain:
-- the specific authorities and responsibilities of the position,
including any limitations you have placed on the position to ensure
that it does not encroach on the legitimate statutory responsibilities
of other Executive branch officials;
-- the process by which the Administration examines the character and
qualifications of the individuals appointed by the President to fill
the position; and,
-- whether the individual occupying the position will agree to any
reasonable request to appear before, or provide information to,
Congress.
We also urge you to refrain from creating similar additional positions or making appointments to any vacant "czar" positions until you have fully consulted with the appropriate Congressional committees.
Finally, we ask that you reconsider your approach of centralizing authority at the White House. Congress has grappled repeatedly with the question of how to organize the federal government. We have worked to improve the Department of Homeland Security and bring together the disparate law enforcement, intelligence, emergency response, and security components that form its core. We established the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate the activities of the 16 elements of the Intelligence Community, breaking down barriers to cooperation that led to intelligence failures before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The bipartisan review by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee of the failures associated with the response to Hurricane Katrina led to fundamental reforms of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, improving our nation's preparedness and ability to respond to disasters. In each of these cases, the Congress's proposed solution did not consolidate power in a single czar locked away in a White House office. Instead, working in a bipartisan fashion, we created a transparent framework of accountable leaders with the authorities necessary to accomplish their vital missions.
If you believe action is needed to address other failures or impediments to successful coordination within the Executive branch, we ask that you consult carefully with Congress prior to establishing any additional "czar" positions or filling any existing vacancies in these positions. We stand ready to work with you to address these challenges and to provide our nation's most senior leaders with the legitimacy necessary to do their jobs - without furthering the accountability, oversight, vetting, and transparency shortcomings associated with "czars."
Sincerely,
Susan M. Collins
U.S. Senator
Lamar Alexander
U.S. Senator
Christopher S. Bond
U.S. Senator
Mike Crapo
U.S. Senator
Pat Roberts
U.S. Senator
Robert F. Bennett
U.S. Senator
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The full text of the letter is as follows:
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We write to express our growing concern with the proliferation of "czars" in your Administration. These positions raise serious issues of accountability, transparency, and oversight. The creation of "czars," particularly within the Executive Office of the President, circumvents the constitutionally established process of "advise and consent," greatly diminishes the ability of Congress to conduct oversight and hold officials accountable, and creates confusion about which officials are responsible for policy decisions.
To be clear, we do not consider every position identified in various reports as a "czar" to be problematic. Positions established by law or subject to Senate confirmation, such as the Director of National Intelligence, the Homeland Security Advisor, and the Chairman of the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, do not raise the same kinds of concerns as positions that you have established within the Executive Office of the President that are largely insulated from effective Congressional oversight. We also recognize that Presidents are entitled to surround themselves with experts who can serve as senior advisors.
Many "czars" you have appointed, however, either duplicate or dilute the statutory authority and responsibilities that Congress has conferred upon Cabinet-level officers and other senior Executive branch officials. When established within the White House, these "czars" can hinder the ability of Congress to oversee the complex substantive issues that you have unilaterally entrusted to their leadership. Whether in the White House or elsewhere, the authorities of these advisors are essentially undefined. They are not subject to the Senate's constitutional "advice and consent" role, including the Senate's careful review of the character and qualifications of the individuals nominated by the President to fill the most senior positions within our government. Indeed, many of these new "czars" appear to occupy positions of greater responsibility and authority than many of the officials who have been confirmed by the Senate to fill positions within your Administration.
With these concerns in mind, we have identified at least 18 "czar" positions created by your Administration whose reported responsibilities may be undermining the constitutional oversight responsibilities of Congress or express statutory assignments of responsibility to other Executive branch officials. With regard to each of these positions, we ask that you explain:
-- the specific authorities and responsibilities of the position,
including any limitations you have placed on the position to ensure
that it does not encroach on the legitimate statutory responsibilities
of other Executive branch officials;
-- the process by which the Administration examines the character and
qualifications of the individuals appointed by the President to fill
the position; and,
-- whether the individual occupying the position will agree to any
reasonable request to appear before, or provide information to,
Congress.
We also urge you to refrain from creating similar additional positions or making appointments to any vacant "czar" positions until you have fully consulted with the appropriate Congressional committees.
Finally, we ask that you reconsider your approach of centralizing authority at the White House. Congress has grappled repeatedly with the question of how to organize the federal government. We have worked to improve the Department of Homeland Security and bring together the disparate law enforcement, intelligence, emergency response, and security components that form its core. We established the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate the activities of the 16 elements of the Intelligence Community, breaking down barriers to cooperation that led to intelligence failures before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The bipartisan review by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee of the failures associated with the response to Hurricane Katrina led to fundamental reforms of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, improving our nation's preparedness and ability to respond to disasters. In each of these cases, the Congress's proposed solution did not consolidate power in a single czar locked away in a White House office. Instead, working in a bipartisan fashion, we created a transparent framework of accountable leaders with the authorities necessary to accomplish their vital missions.
If you believe action is needed to address other failures or impediments to successful coordination within the Executive branch, we ask that you consult carefully with Congress prior to establishing any additional "czar" positions or filling any existing vacancies in these positions. We stand ready to work with you to address these challenges and to provide our nation's most senior leaders with the legitimacy necessary to do their jobs - without furthering the accountability, oversight, vetting, and transparency shortcomings associated with "czars."
Sincerely,
Susan M. Collins
U.S. Senator
Lamar Alexander
U.S. Senator
Christopher S. Bond
U.S. Senator
Mike Crapo
U.S. Senator
Pat Roberts
U.S. Senator
Robert F. Bennett
U.S. Senator
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
U.S. Mayors React to Governors' Rejection of Stimulus Funding
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a letter sent by the U.S. Conference of Mayors:
February 23, 2009
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of The United States
The White House
Dear President Obama:
RE: GOVERNORS' REJECTION OF ARRA FUNDS
On behalf of The United States Conference of Mayors, we want to thank you for hosting our delegation in the White House on February 20 to discuss implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). America's mayors strongly endorsed passage of this critical legislation, and we are 100 percent committed to helping create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years. We agree with you that this massive federal investment must be transparent, maximize innovation, and provide lasting environmental and infrastructure benefits.
Mayors know, better than anyone, that there are families suffering because of the recession in every State of this great Nation. And we know that every city has short-term and longer-term needs that can be addressed by the programs funded under ARRA. That is why we are so concerned to hear that some Governors and some States may choose to reject selected funding provided under the new law.
As a Nation, we cannot allow our citizens and communities to needlessly suffer when assistance is available to help them survive and rebuild in these troubling times. That is why we ask you and your Administration to devise a mechanism that will allow cities and our residents to have full access to all programs funded under ARRA in the event that any State chooses to reject such funding. It is not clear to us that Section 1607 of ARRA - which provides a mechanism for state legislatures to accept federal funding if Governors reject provisions under ARRA - will fully protect our cities if those state legislatures also fail to act quickly or attempt to alter the purpose of the federal statute.
For our Nation to recover from this recession, we need to invest in every child, in every family, and in every city. We cannot allow politics as usual in some State capitals to prevent us from accomplishing the mission you have charged us with.
Please contact CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran or Chief of Staff Ed Somers to further discuss this matter.
Sincerely,
Manuel A. (Manny) Diaz
Mayor of Miami
President
Tom Cochran
CEO and Executive Director
Cc: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
The Honorable Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader
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February 23, 2009
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of The United States
The White House
Dear President Obama:
RE: GOVERNORS' REJECTION OF ARRA FUNDS
On behalf of The United States Conference of Mayors, we want to thank you for hosting our delegation in the White House on February 20 to discuss implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). America's mayors strongly endorsed passage of this critical legislation, and we are 100 percent committed to helping create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years. We agree with you that this massive federal investment must be transparent, maximize innovation, and provide lasting environmental and infrastructure benefits.
Mayors know, better than anyone, that there are families suffering because of the recession in every State of this great Nation. And we know that every city has short-term and longer-term needs that can be addressed by the programs funded under ARRA. That is why we are so concerned to hear that some Governors and some States may choose to reject selected funding provided under the new law.
As a Nation, we cannot allow our citizens and communities to needlessly suffer when assistance is available to help them survive and rebuild in these troubling times. That is why we ask you and your Administration to devise a mechanism that will allow cities and our residents to have full access to all programs funded under ARRA in the event that any State chooses to reject such funding. It is not clear to us that Section 1607 of ARRA - which provides a mechanism for state legislatures to accept federal funding if Governors reject provisions under ARRA - will fully protect our cities if those state legislatures also fail to act quickly or attempt to alter the purpose of the federal statute.
For our Nation to recover from this recession, we need to invest in every child, in every family, and in every city. We cannot allow politics as usual in some State capitals to prevent us from accomplishing the mission you have charged us with.
Please contact CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran or Chief of Staff Ed Somers to further discuss this matter.
Sincerely,
Manuel A. (Manny) Diaz
Mayor of Miami
President
Tom Cochran
CEO and Executive Director
Cc: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
The Honorable Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader
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Friday, January 23, 2009
Andrew Cuomo, John M. Finan Remain in the Senatorial Race for New York State in the Aftermath of Caroline Kennedy's Withdrawal
Andrew Cuomo, John M. Finan Remain in the Senatorial Race for New York State in the Aftermath of Caroline Kennedy's Withdrawal; Finan Also Announcing Mayoral Bid in Contention to Michael R. Bloomberg
/PRNewswire/ -- In an official January 22nd communique to Governor Paterson, John M. Finan has officially Stated: "Dear Governor Paterson; In making your final decision for replacing Senator Clinton I would like for you to have this pertinent information for your review and consideration: For your confidential review (ONLY) is the detailed patent information on the High Mileage vehicle and Vertical Wind Turbine (Attachments A and B) as outline in my previous communique to your office, copy of which is at the following web address. http://www.nyccg.com/Letter_To_Governor_Paterson_Finanh
Additionally, you will find communication that I have had with Congressman Rangel, Chairman House Ways and Means Committee, regarding our plans for the manufacture of either the vehicle or the turbine technologies in northern Manhattan, providing many good jobs. (Attachment C) It is important for you to know that it is my intent to announce, shortly after you announce your Senatorial choice, my Mayoral Candidacy for New York City. If selected for the Senatorial position, I feel that I could capture the Democratic and Libertarian nomination as well as the large Liberal Republican vote that exists in New York City. I will win. It is a certainty.
In the event that you do select me there will be several benefits that I see for New York, Our Country, and You. First and foremost is the fact that my intent to run for Mayor would allow for a free election by The People for the New York Senatorial Seat allowing all qualified candidates time to prepare and campaign. As we all agree, with the exception of a certain gentleman in Chicago and a certain gentleman in New York City, free elections are essential to Democracy. Regarding New York City, It is essential for the success of the Obama administration that the illegal attempt at a third term by Mayor Bloomberg be thwarted. It is essential that the State of New York be unified and the financial epicenter of the country not be controlled by elitists illegally manipulating the free electoral process and court system via illegal influence and illegal control of City Officials and Judges.
If The People are left to believe that a person such as Mayor R. Bloomberg can avoid a referendum and in a very Illegal, Dictatorial, Napoleonic fashion enforce his will on us, it will be very damaging to the psyche of The People of the City of New York, The State of New York, and ultimately The Nation.
Governor Paterson, Selecting me as US Senator will make you widely popular with The People and ensure the success of Our State, Your Success, The Success of the Obama Administration (Attachment E Nov 14th, 2009) and The Success of The United States of America. YES WE CAN!! LIVE FREE!!
Regardless of the fine decision that I know you will make, my plans remain as outlined above and I enlist your support and, always, you can count on mine.
CC: President Barack Obama"
With original correspondence attached were:
1. CONFIDENTIAL Patent Information on High Mileage Vehicles(A)Vertical
Wind Turbines(B)
2. Letter To Congressman Rangel - January 13, 2009 (C)
3. Letter To Attorney General Andrew Cuomo - July 4th, 2008 (D)
4. Communique to President and First Lady Barack Obama - November 14,
2008 (E)
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/PRNewswire/ -- In an official January 22nd communique to Governor Paterson, John M. Finan has officially Stated: "Dear Governor Paterson; In making your final decision for replacing Senator Clinton I would like for you to have this pertinent information for your review and consideration: For your confidential review (ONLY) is the detailed patent information on the High Mileage vehicle and Vertical Wind Turbine (Attachments A and B) as outline in my previous communique to your office, copy of which is at the following web address. http://www.nyccg.com/Letter_To_Governor_Paterson_Finanh
Additionally, you will find communication that I have had with Congressman Rangel, Chairman House Ways and Means Committee, regarding our plans for the manufacture of either the vehicle or the turbine technologies in northern Manhattan, providing many good jobs. (Attachment C) It is important for you to know that it is my intent to announce, shortly after you announce your Senatorial choice, my Mayoral Candidacy for New York City. If selected for the Senatorial position, I feel that I could capture the Democratic and Libertarian nomination as well as the large Liberal Republican vote that exists in New York City. I will win. It is a certainty.
In the event that you do select me there will be several benefits that I see for New York, Our Country, and You. First and foremost is the fact that my intent to run for Mayor would allow for a free election by The People for the New York Senatorial Seat allowing all qualified candidates time to prepare and campaign. As we all agree, with the exception of a certain gentleman in Chicago and a certain gentleman in New York City, free elections are essential to Democracy. Regarding New York City, It is essential for the success of the Obama administration that the illegal attempt at a third term by Mayor Bloomberg be thwarted. It is essential that the State of New York be unified and the financial epicenter of the country not be controlled by elitists illegally manipulating the free electoral process and court system via illegal influence and illegal control of City Officials and Judges.
If The People are left to believe that a person such as Mayor R. Bloomberg can avoid a referendum and in a very Illegal, Dictatorial, Napoleonic fashion enforce his will on us, it will be very damaging to the psyche of The People of the City of New York, The State of New York, and ultimately The Nation.
Governor Paterson, Selecting me as US Senator will make you widely popular with The People and ensure the success of Our State, Your Success, The Success of the Obama Administration (Attachment E Nov 14th, 2009) and The Success of The United States of America. YES WE CAN!! LIVE FREE!!
Regardless of the fine decision that I know you will make, my plans remain as outlined above and I enlist your support and, always, you can count on mine.
CC: President Barack Obama"
With original correspondence attached were:
1. CONFIDENTIAL Patent Information on High Mileage Vehicles(A)Vertical
Wind Turbines(B)
2. Letter To Congressman Rangel - January 13, 2009 (C)
3. Letter To Attorney General Andrew Cuomo - July 4th, 2008 (D)
4. Communique to President and First Lady Barack Obama - November 14,
2008 (E)
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