Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace
Founded 1972
PO Box 363 Geneseo NY 14454 <www.gvcp.org>
“Human Race Not Arms Race”
March 31, 2006
Dear GVCP Member:
NEXT GVCP MEETING: SUNDAY, APRIL 9th 2:00 PM 2290 Anderson Road, Linwood. [Anderson Rd runs west off Rte 36, one road south of Rte 20. 2290 is 1.7 mi west of 36.]
NEXT GVCP EVENT: SATURDAY, APRIL 29th 2:00 PM GVCP PRESENTS THE GENESEE VALLEY PEACEMAKER AWARD TO DR. WILLIAM CALA, SUPERINTENDENT OF FAIRPORT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. Interfaith Center, 11 Franklin St. Geneseo. Dr. Cala will give an address following the award presentation. Dr. Cala is being recognized for—among many things—his courageous decision not to share student information with the Pentagon without careful consideration of this matter by the student’s parents. Dr. Cala’s position is that the school should allow access of student data to the military only with the explicit permission of parents. This decision made national headlines. Despite criticism from some quarters, Dr. Cala held to his principles, clearly demonstrating that he is, indeed, a peacemaker. Please join GVCP in honoring Dr. Cala, and in hearing his thoughts about education, diversity, and peace.
This event is free. The public is invited. We will serve light refreshments.
JOIN THE WEEKLY SATURDAY MORNING VIGIL FOR PEACE! 10:30–11:30 AM in Honeoye, Richmond Memorial Park, Route 20A. (Not Honeoye Falls!) [Judi Taylor 585-229-4963 <jsalsburg@monroecc.edu>] (Sponsored by Honeoye Concerned Citizens.)
THIS MONTH’S LETTER: Change our country’s budget priorities. The enclosed [WRL] “pie chart” demonstrates that half of all discretionary government spending is used for past and present wars. Despite this, the Administration is pushing for even more money for war. GVCP opposes increases in military spending. Proposed military increases should be used for non-military solutions to global conflicts. These dollars should also be channeled into aid to education, protection of the environment, and to programs that serve elderly, poor, and disabled people, as well as people in low- and moderate-income households. House Speaker Dennis Hastert has said that he expects the House to keep to the overall limit that the President proposed for discretionary spending. So if something goes up, something must come down. Unless we act, what will come down is spending on human needs. The annual military budget has increased by more than $200 billion in the last five years, while domestic human needs programs have been cut "beyond the bone, and into the marrow," according to Sen. Arlen Specter. Please write to your Representative telling her/him to support all budget amendments that take money from the Pentagon and use the money for human needs!
[This information is based on material from Friends Committee on National Legislation. For more detailed information, go to <FCNL.org>. If you’d like to send e-mail to your Representative, search Google for her/his home page. Each Representative’s home page has a “contact us” button. I’ve used home offices for addresses below because postal mail to DC is still delayed for long periods. The fax numbers are for the Washington offices.]
Rep. Thomas Reynolds Rep. Louise Slaughter
1577 West Ridge Road 3120 Federal Building
Rochester NY 14615 100 State Street
Fax 202-225-5910 Rochester NY 14614
Fax 202-225-7822
Peace,
Arnie Matlin for GVCP
Please renew your GVCP Membership. Dues are $25.00 (more if possible, less if necessary). Mail checks to: GVCP, PO Box 363, Geneseo NY 14454. [No dues requested from student affiliates, or from other peace groups with which we exchange newsletters.]