New York Haitians Press
Forward
With Haitian Refugee Campaign
On May 20, 1998, several Haitian advocates joined with the NY
Immigration Coalition in Washington, DC to build up support for bills
that would benefit Haitian refugees and children. The group included
Ronald Aubourg and Andrea Philogene of the Haitian Centers
Council, Jocelyne Mayas of Freedom Community and Resource Center, Ninaj
Raoul of Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Renaude Saint-Phard of
Catholic Charities-Diocese of Rockville Center, Jude Verna of the
Haitian Community Health Center, and Netlyn Bernard Samedy of the
National Coalition for Haitian Rights.
The group asked New York Senators and Representatives to weigh-in
with the Senate and House leadership for adoption of the following
bills:
- The Haitian Immigration Refugee Fairness Act (S.
1504) that the Judiciary committee overwhelmingly adopted on
April 23.
- Bills introduced by Representatives Carrie
Meek (D-FL) and John
Conyers (D-MI).
The visit provided the Haitians with the opportunity to educate their
representatives and bring them up to date on the status of the
legislations pending.Congressional action however will depend on
increased contact with supporters of the Haitian bills, through letters,
telephone calls and additional visits. The more contact they have with
constituents, the more important this issue will become to them and the
better the chances of these bills becoming law this year.
We need you to be vocal and use the enclosed sample letters. We need
far more pressure to be applied to unlock this legislation.
Both Senators Daniel Moynihan and Alfonse D'Amato support S. 1504. Please write or call
(212) 337-0005 if you want the name of your
representatives or Senators and any help with sending these letters.
Please send us a copy of the letter
on your letterhead. Thank you.
SAMPLE LETTERS for Senators &
Representatives in New York
(If you are from another
state, please adapt the second letter to your Senators and
Representatives.)
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