AB-2943 needs support/please forward

[Guest guest]

Hugely Important!!! (Please read this.)

AB-2943 needs support!

(The No Mercury in Vaccines Bill)

I have been in contact with Little in Fran Pavley's office - the

Assemblyperson who authored the bill.

Too many people have been under the impression that AB - 2943 passed.

It never did!!! Many think because it initially got some press after

passing the Senate committee that this bill is law. NOT SO. They had to

include an amendment for a waiver which would allow thimerosal in the

event of any emergency, like a bioterrorism event. Now it is like a new

bill. It must go back through the Assembly and the Senate.

The problem is now this bill is facing strong opposition from several

groups, and could impact the vote. there were several hold outs in the

senate as well. Fran Pavley's office received letters of opposition

from:

• Aventis Pasteur (big surprise!)

• California Conference of Local Health Officers

• California Department of Finance

While Fran Pavley's office is trying to set up a press conference,

tentatively scheduled on August 18th -there are some things that

parents and families can do NOW!!!

What can you do??? First:

Draft a letter to your legislators. While sound bites can be helpful,

it is much better to have thoughtful remarks.

We need people (parents/families/friends/doctors) who will:

1. Visit your representatives in person, either locally or in

Sacramento, or both. If you do visit in person, please be prepared to

drop off a letter. This has the most impact.

2. Call your representative by phone.

3. Fax a letter to your representative. (*** ESSENTIAL: Make SURE all

letters have your name and address, and contact information.)

4. DO NOT EMAIL! It tends to be a waste of time to email legislators.

Fax or phone is much better.

5. If you know a concerned citizen who will do any of the above,

forward them this information. Now is the time to pull strings with

friends, family members, and associates. Call them if possible, and

tell them how important this bill is.

6. " Calling On California Doctor's! " If you know a doctor who will send

a letter supporting this bill, ask them to do so. Let them know their

statement will carry a lot of weight. They do not have to provide

expert testimony before the legislature, just give their thoughtful

opinion on paper AND SEND IT IN!

7. Don't forget the Governor's office as well. They have an office in

LA and Sacramento. Call, fax, drop off letters, or visit in person!

For those that intend to go in person...If you can show up with a group

and ask to meet with staff that carries a lot of weight as well. You

can also drop by individually.

If just 5 people in every district contacted their legislators - it

would make a HUGE difference! Now I think we can do that. Call on your

friends and family to support this bill.

Go to:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

and type in your zip code. This will tell you who your local

legislator's are. There are links to their web pages with contact

information.

I have attached a fact sheet on this bill from Little, in Fran

Pavley's office

----------

I have attached a sample draft letter. It can be very simple. It can be

heartfelt. Try not to include overly angry comments which will

alienate, but just give reasons you want this bill to pass. Just do it.

----------

A couple quotes to live by:

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that

matter.

Never doubt that a few concerned citizens can change the world. In

fact, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

McNulty

[Guest guest]

I hate to be dense, but I thought I'd ask so it's clear to everyone: this is

a bill in California legislature, right?

Liz

>

> Reply-To: csb-autism-rx

> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 02:09:44 -0700

> To: CAC <AutismCA >, Autism Spectrum Intervention

> <AutismSpectrumIntervention >, Autism InterventionSoCal

> <autisminterventionsocal >, McCandless Group

> <csb-autism-rx >

> Subject: AB-2943 needs support/please forward

>

> Hugely Important!!! (Please read this.)

>

> AB-2943 needs support!

> (The No Mercury in Vaccines Bill)

>

> I have been in contact with Little in Fran Pavley's office - the

> Assemblyperson who authored the bill.

>

> Too many people have been under the impression that AB - 2943 passed.

> It never did!!! Many think because it initially got some press after

> passing the Senate committee that this bill is law. NOT SO. They had to

> include an amendment for a waiver which would allow thimerosal in the

> event of any emergency, like a bioterrorism event. Now it is like a new

> bill. It must go back through the Assembly and the Senate.

>

> The problem is now this bill is facing strong opposition from several

> groups, and could impact the vote. there were several hold outs in the

> senate as well. Fran Pavley's office received letters of opposition

> from:

> • Aventis Pasteur (big surprise!)

> • California Conference of Local Health Officers

> • California Department of Finance

>

> While Fran Pavley's office is trying to set up a press conference,

> tentatively scheduled on August 18th -there are some things that

> parents and families can do NOW!!!

>

> What can you do??? First:

>

> Draft a letter to your legislators. While sound bites can be helpful,

> it is much better to have thoughtful remarks.

>

> We need people (parents/families/friends/doctors) who will:

>

> 1. Visit your representatives in person, either locally or in

> Sacramento, or both. If you do visit in person, please be prepared to

> drop off a letter. This has the most impact.

>

> 2. Call your representative by phone.

>

> 3. Fax a letter to your representative. (*** ESSENTIAL: Make SURE all

> letters have your name and address, and contact information.)

>

> 4. DO NOT EMAIL! It tends to be a waste of time to email legislators.

> Fax or phone is much better.

>

> 5. If you know a concerned citizen who will do any of the above,

> forward them this information. Now is the time to pull strings with

> friends, family members, and associates. Call them if possible, and

> tell them how important this bill is.

>

> 6. " Calling On California Doctor's! " If you know a doctor who will send

> a letter supporting this bill, ask them to do so. Let them know their

> statement will carry a lot of weight. They do not have to provide

> expert testimony before the legislature, just give their thoughtful

> opinion on paper AND SEND IT IN!

>

> 7. Don't forget the Governor's office as well. They have an office in

> LA and Sacramento. Call, fax, drop off letters, or visit in person!

>

> For those that intend to go in person...If you can show up with a group

> and ask to meet with staff that carries a lot of weight as well. You

> can also drop by individually.

>

> If just 5 people in every district contacted their legislators - it

> would make a HUGE difference! Now I think we can do that. Call on your

> friends and family to support this bill.

>

> Go to:

> http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

> and type in your zip code. This will tell you who your local

> legislator's are. There are links to their web pages with contact

> information.

>

> I have attached a fact sheet on this bill from Little, in Fran

> Pavley's office

>

> ----------

>

>

>

> I have attached a sample draft letter. It can be very simple. It can be

> heartfelt. Try not to include overly angry comments which will

> alienate, but just give reasons you want this bill to pass. Just do it.

>

> ----------

>

>

> A couple quotes to live by:

>

> Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that

> matter.

>

> Never doubt that a few concerned citizens can change the world. In

> fact, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

>

> McNulty

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>