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California's Legislative Commission  Members  Area Commissioner  Area 1 Gary E. Ross Sr ( 861-6)  Area 2 Kenneth W Newman (558-13)  Area 3 Charles P Wendt (74-12) Vice-Chairman  Area 4 G. Patricia Jackson-Kelley (252-23)  Area 5 Robert R. Davis (133-29)  Area 6 James N. Creacy (43-24) Chairman Department Representative to the California Legislature:   Pete Conaty (108-11)   View Legislative Representative Page   Call to Action: 111th Congress - Veteran related - U.S. Senate Bills 111th Congress - Veteran related - U.S. Representative Bills Information provided for internet users   Legislative Bills in Sacramento California Legislative Calendar (Officially December 1 through November  30)   Assembly and Senate Calendars Support H.R. 2679, Public Expression of Religion Act >>> Resolution 326 - Congress should amend 42 U.S.C. Section 1988, to expressly preclude the courts from awarding attorney fees under that statute, in lawsuits brought to remove or destroy religious symbols

THE AMERICAN LEGION
DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA
CALL TO ACTION!

(For Rapid and Broad Distribution)

Public Expression of Religion Act

• HOUSE PASSES PERA, H.R. 2679: 244 TO 173!
  WE MUST NOW  WORK TO PASS S. 3696 (PERA) IN SENATE
  >>> Resolution 326 - Congress should amend 42 U.S.C. Section 1988, to expressly preclude the courts from awarding attorney fees under that statute, in lawsuits brought to remove or destroy religious symbols
   

• Support S. 3696 - Veterans Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2006 - To amend the Revised Statutes of the United States to prevent the use of the legal system in a manner that extorts money from State and local governments, and the Federal Government, and inhibits such governments' constitutional actions under the first, tenth, and fourteenth amendments. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.
  
  Sponsor: Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] (introduced 7/20/2006) Cosponsors (13)
  >>> Latest Major Action:
            8/2/2006 Senate committee/subcommittee actions.
            Status: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

SUMMARY OF S. 3696 AS OF:
7/20/2006--Introduced.  Veterans' Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2006 - Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to limit remedies to injunctive relief and declaratory relief in a civil action for deprivation of rights where the deprivation consists of a violation of a prohibition in the Constitution against the establishment of religion, including a violation resulting from: (1) a veterans' memorial, a public building, or the official seal of a state or local government containing religious words or imagery; or (2) the chartering of Boy Scout units by a state or local government and the Boy Scouts using state or local government buildings.  Prohibits a court from awarding attorneys' fees in such a civil action, including such an action against the federal government.

The American Legion's Legislative Program
The American Legion maintains a fully staffed office in Washington, DC to represent veterans in Congress on all legislation concerning veterans and their families.

Additionally, the Department of California has a Legislative Commission and a Department Representative to the California Legislature to serve as a “watchdog” on all legislation, Federal and State, that affects veterans or The American Legion mandates and programs.

Communicating with Elected Officials

Tips On Telephoning Your Elected Representatives
To find your senators' and representative's phone numbers, you may use our searchable online congressional directory or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202)224-3121 and ask for your senators' and/or representative's office.

• Remember that telephone calls are usually taken by a staff member, not the member of Congress. Ask to speak with the aide who handles the issue about which you wish to comment.
• After identifying yourself, tell the aide you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "Please tell Senator/Representative (Name) that I support/oppose (S.___/H.R.___)."
• You will also want to state reasons for your support or opposition to the bill. Ask for your senators' or representative's position on the bill. You may also request a written response to your telephone call.

Tips On Writing Congress
The letter is the most popular choice of communication with a congressional office. If you decide to write a letter, this list of helpful suggestions will improve the effectiveness of the letter:

• Your purpose for writing should be stated in the first paragraph of the letter. If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly, e.g., House bill: H. R. ____, Senate bill: S.____.
• Be courteous, to the point, and include key information, using examples to support your position.
• Address only one issue in each letter; and, if possible, keep the letter to one page.

Addressing Correspondence:
  To a Senator:

The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of)Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

  To a Representative:

The Honorable (full name)
__(Rm.#)__(name of)House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

  Note: When writing to the Chair of a Committee or the Speaker of the House,
          it is proper to address them as:

Dear Mr. Chairman or Madam Chairwoman:
or Dear Mr. Speaker:

Tips On E-mailing Congress
Generally, the same guidelines apply as with writing letters to Congress. You may find and e-mail your senators and representative directly from this Website.

Questions?
David L Eby
calegion@pacific.net
State Commander 1998-99
Department Webmaster

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