During the August Recess, ONE members from the Fresno and Clovis, Calif. got together to meet with staff from Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif.
We were thankful to meet with Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff Damon Nelson and Field Representative Anthony Ratekin.
During the meeting we had a great discussion about the United States’ role in foreign affairs, specifically the strategic value of our aid dollars in countries with emerging democracies. We were able to emphasize how smart programs that save lives are the right thing to do from a perspective of faith and morality.
Furthermore, we agreed that as a global leader, the United States can help the world’s poorest people lift themselves out of poverty through vital smart, effective and results-based programs that save lives and encourage development. It’s the best of American exceptionalism and a proud American legacy that we must continue.
ONE members in Southern California held a social meet and greet at the House of Blues in Anaheim to celebrate the United States commitment of $450 million over the next three years to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations. Many of the members were meeting for the first time and shared their stories about how they became involved with ONE.
We discussed ways to stay involved and brainstormed ideas to engage our communities to join the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease and engage our congressional representatives as we begin to campaign for smart programs to be funded for FY12. If you couldn’t tell from the excitement at the Anaheim U2 shows we have an incredible group of members, passionate about being involved, spreading some love and making a difference in Southern California.
What a great weekend! I had the privilege of spending two days in sunny Anaheim, California working in and outside Angel Stadium mobilizing new ONE members to take action on our latest vaccine petition at the U2 360 Tour. While the band was doing their sound check, we were hitting the pavement hard. I probably got a little too much sun and I’m definitely beat –- but it was well worth it because we brought in more 7,500 new ONE members who raised their voice to ensure that four million kids get access to the vaccines they will need in the next five years.
The U2 360 Tour rolled into California last week and an awesome group of volunteers from the Bay Area came out to Oakland in support of ONE. Nearly 3,000 new ONE members joined the fight against extreme poverty. Here’s what a ONE volunteers Mike and Brian had to say….
ONE volunteer Brian says “we are just going crazy out here.”
Four ONE volunteers share what it felt like to sign up new members at U2′s show in Oakland.
So amazing, so meaningful, so sensational
“Day in and day out, we walk ourselves to and from what many would call the mundane, tedious pathways of our lives. Occasionally we stir out of our restlessness, seeking to be a part of something that feels like it matters — something that truly makes a difference in this world.
Last Saturday, two ONE members joined me at a town hall meeting hosted by Congressman Ed Royce at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, CA. This was the first time I have even attended a town hall and WOW — what an impact we can make with our representatives!
Topics ranged from national security to the budget. After the town hall, we got to meet the congressman and his district director to share with them the concerns of 17,000 Californians who signed the ONE petition to “Stop the Cuts that Could Kill.”
The petition has a vital goal to to protect funding for smart US investments that address HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, child vaccines and agriculture from the recent devastating cuts in the House 2011 funding bill. Under the currents cuts to the Global Fund, more than 400,000 AIDS patients will not receive antiretroviral treatment, leaving them on the path to illness and death.
Helping the world’s poorest people is not only an important American legacy, it also strengthens our national security, as stated on several occasions by military leaders such as General Petraeus and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Congressman Royce, who has traveled widely on the African continent, was very approachable and attentive to our group. When we offered him a wristband, he immediately rolled up his sleeve and put it on. His district director kindly gave us the congressman’s card along with more information on how we could follow him online.
We will keep the conversation going with the congressman to urge his support for critical life-saving programs, which win us allies overseas and promote our national security.
-Sue Lowe, ONE Congressional District leader, California
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