Summer 2005 Update on Johanna's Law
This update from Sheryl Silver on the progress toward enactment of Johanna's Law was written in June 2005. Please check the Johanna's Law website for the latest information on which Senators and Representatives have signed on as co-sponsors.
Hi Everyone.
Hope you are doing well and enjoying the warm weather.
We've made great progress in recent weeks on Johanna’s Law: The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act --- but still need your help to passed this long overdue legislation.
IN THE HOUSE: We’re up to 190 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Our lead sponsor, Rep. Issa, would like us to get at least 225 co-sponsors by the time Johanna’s Law, (H.R. 1245) has its hearing before the Energy & Commerce Health
Subcommittee (we're waiting for a date!). You can easily check to see if your Member of Congress is a co-sponsor yet at: johannaslaw.org. Click on the “Action Alert in the House” on the top left hand side of the home page for a link to our current House co-sponsor list. If your House member is NOT yet a co-sponsor, please call, fax, or email him/her using the sample letter and/or “calling tips” provided at johannaslaw.org. We also link you to the SGO Legislative Action Center from which your letters can also be emailed.
IN THE SENATE: We have exciting news. On June 6th, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), who held a hearing re: Johanna’s Law in May, introduced the authorization bill for Johanna’s law in the Senate --- with Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Barak Obama (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) as original co-sponsors. In the last few days, Senators George Allen (R-VA), Jon Corzine(D-NJ), and Jim Talent (R-MO) have also become co-sponsors. The new Senate bill number is: S.1172.
Naturally, we want to add more Senate co-sponsors quickly. Both the House and Senate start their long summer recess in July and we'd like to have as many Senate co-sponsors as possible before they leave.
To make the process of contacting Senators quick and easy, please find time-saving tools at johannaslaw.org. Just click on the new “Action Alert in the Senate” posted on the top RIGHT HAND SIDE of the johannaslaw.org home page. There, you’ll find a link to a sample Senate letter and to the SGO’s Legislative Action Center where another sample Senate letter is posted. Feel free to use or “excerpt liberally” from the sample letters. It’s always good to take a few minutes to personalize the letters by mentioning that you are a survivor or a family member or friend of a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Briefly highlight any aspects of your experience/diagnosis that underscore the need for the campaign of education Johanna’s Law will create. Such personal details can add to the impact of your letter.
--- When writing Democratic Senators, you may also want to add the names of the Democratic co-sponsors mentioned above. With Republican Senators, be sure to mention that Sen. George Allen and Jim Talent are among our co-sponsors and, of course, that Senator Specter is the Senate sponsor.
--- Not sure of how to spell your Senators’ names? Just go to www.senate.gov, click on your home state in the space provided, and your Senators’ names and contact information will pop up. Click on their names and their Web sites will appear --- with their fax, phone numbers and email addresses.
--- You can also get contact information for Senators by calling their local or Wash., D.C. offices. The Senate switchboard number is: 202 224 3121. Just ask for your Senator by name to be connected to his/her office.
For those of you who plan to call your Senators before or after sending faxes or emails to them, which I highly recommend, stay tuned for Part II of this update. It focuses on “Tips for Calling Senators.”
Thanks in advance for the calls, letters, and faxes I know you will send.
I remain gratefully yours,
Sheryl Silver
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