Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace

Founded 1972  “Human Race Not Arms Race”

PO Box 363 Geneseo NY 14454  <www.gvcp.org>  585-624-3673

March 1, 2011

Dear GVCP Member:

NEXT GVCP ACTION: Education for Peace and the M. K. Gandhi Institute are organizing activities for the Rochester Area Season for Nonviolence. (The Season is the 64 days between the anniversary of the assassinations of peacemakers Gandhi and King.)  Each weekday, at noon, a group will hold a silent vigil for peace at the Liberty Pole in Rochester.  GVCP’s day is Wednesday, March 30th, 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM at the Liberty Pole.  (Rain or shine.)  We need your presence!

NEXT REGULAR GVCP MEETING SUNDAY, MARCH 20th, 1:00 PM (Lunch), 1:30 PM (Meeting).  Omega Rest., 4182 Lakeville Rd (Rte 20A), Geneseo.

WEEKLY SUNDAY NOON VIGILS FOR PEACE: 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM in Rochester.  East Avenue & Goodman Street.  [585-442-3383]  Sponsor: Peace Action & Education.

This Month’s Letters: Save programs that help people  In the House, most Republican and many Democratic leaders have decided to reduce the federal budget by cutting "domestic, non-security” discretionary spending.  That means cutting programs for the public well-being.  Last week the House debated the continuing resolution that would fund the government through the end of the 2011 fiscal year.  Most amendments to cut military spending went down like rural mailboxes confronting a snowplow.  One success was the Rooney (R-FL) amendment, cutting funding for the wasteful F-35 joint strike fighter alternate engine.  Ironically, two Upstate Republicans voted for this amendment.  [Ann Marie Buerkle (25th district) and Tom Reed (29th district).]  Two Upstate Democrats voted against the amendment.  [Brian Higgins (27th district) and Louise Slaughter (28th district).]  (Of course, the 26th district doesn’t have a Representative.)  Write: to thank your Representative if he or she voted yes or to ask why he or she voted no on the Rooney amendment.  (Members in the 26th district can pick another representative to whom to write.)  The continuing resolution cuts $60 billion from the budget, almost all from important domestic programs like Planned Parenthood and the Environmental Protection Agency.  Some of these cuts won’t hold up in the Senate.  The two sides will have to agree to a compromise version by March 4th, or face a possible government shutdown.   Write: to Sen. Gillibrand and Schumer telling them to protect programs that help people, and to cut programs that kill people.  [Modified from Peace Action West.]

Peace,

Arnie Matlin for GVCP

GVCP is proud to be affiliated with Peace Action New York State