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Welcome Rev. John Crestwell,
UULM-MD Director of Outreach
The Rev. Fred Muir, Rev. John Crestwell, and the Board of the UU Church of Annapolis have generously agreed to make a portion of John’s time in his new role as Associate Minister for UUCA available for him to help UULM-MD with outreach to ministers and congregations and with fundraising. In return, UULM-MD will contribute a small part toward John’s compensation, which was obtained from your generosity. Since the UUSC and UUFP grants have ended, it is critical for UULM-MD to focus on sustaining the organization in the future. John will be meeting with each minister to discuss UULM-MD during this period. The Board feels that we are already benefitting from this unique, generous, and special opportunity.
Rev. Crestwell was formerly the lead minister at Davies Memorial UUC and on the Board of UULM-MD. He is the author of the books, Conversations: The Hidden Truth That Keeps the World From Being At Peace and also Charge of the Chalice in 2007, which tells the story of Davies Memorial’s growth in racial diversity.
Rev. Crestwell joins UULM-MD Coordinator Margery Knight to help UULM-MD become more effective and to be able to sustain itself during these difficult economic times.
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Federal Climate Change Legislation 2009
UULM-MD works with the Unitarian Universalist Association, UU Service Committee, UU Ministry of the Earth, the UU Statewide Networks and environmental organizations across the country to mobilize UUs to contact their members of Congress. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) passed the House by a vote of 219 to 212 on June 26th. The Kerry-Boxer Bill (Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, S. 1733) has been approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, on which Senator Ben Cardin is a key member and supporter. There is a “dual track” climate bill by Senators Kerry (D-MA), Graham (R-SC), and Lieberman (I-CT) with the Obama Administration which is being considered.
The status of this bill changes fast. Senators Cardin and Barbara Mikulski are strong supporters of climate legislation. It is important to thank your members of Congress and urge them to continue to support strong climate change legislation. To read more about UULM-MD’s support of environmental legislation at both the federal and state levels, click here.
Federal Health Care Reform Legislation 2009
The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), passed the House on November 7 and is a historic step forward. It is not a perfect Bill but does include many key provisions including: coverage and choice; affordability; shared responsibility; prevention, wellness and public health; workforce investments; and controlling costs. The Senate bill will combine the proposals of the Senate Finance and HELP Committees and will include a public option, according to Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid.
While it is going through the many necessary steps before a final vote, there are some very powerful special interest groups, including the insurance and health care industries, who have mounted multimillion dollar campaigns against these reforms. Their strong opposition could cause the legislation to fail or be amended so that its major objectives will be lost. The voice of supporters, including UUs, is needed to help overcome the opposition. Your Congressional delegation needs to hear from you indicating your support for a strong health reform bill with a public option. Please urge your neighbors, family and friends in Maryland and other states to do the same.
UULM-MD is working with other like minded groups including UUA and the UU State Advocacy Networks, to encourage Congress to pass meaningful, affordable, accessible and just health care for all. UULM-MD has joined the coalition-- Health Care for America Now! as have UUA, Montgomery Health Care Action and Maryland Citizens Health Initiative. UUA is also a member of Faithful Reform in Health Care. For more background, click here.
For a side-by-side comparison of the House and Senate plans, click here.
Contacting Your Members of Congress
Thank you to those who have contacted their members of Congress. Passage by the House of the ACES climate change and the Affordable Health Care bills is indicative that our voices are being heard. They need to hear from all of us how much we appreciate their commitment to and support for passing critically needed comprehensive health reform and climate change legislation. They are hearing from the vocal opposition in far greater numbers and the media is helping people believe their distorted views of proposals before Congress. All Maryland members of the House of Representatives, except Congressman Bartlett, voted in favor of The American Clean Energy and Security Act and Representatives Bartlett and Kratovil voted against the Affordable Health Care for America Act. Both Senator Cardin and Senator Mikulski have been strong supporters of health care reform and climate change legislation.
To contact Maryland's Senators, click here.
To find your Representative, click here.
Maryland General Assembly 2009 Session
During the 2009 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, UULM-MD’s priority issues gathered more support and there was major success on some of our issues. Click here to see our 2009 Legislative Wrap-Up.
Join UULM-MD for Action Alerts and Join an Issue Group for Up-to-date Actions.
UULM-MD sends out alerts thru Constant Contact to give the latest actions needed, major events, and background on issues.
There also are special email groups for Global Warming/Climate Change, Marriage Equality, Health Care, and Death Penalty Repeal.
For more information, you may contact us at info@uulmmd.org or click on the “Join UULM-MD” button below.
JOIN UULM-MD
This page was updated on 12/10/09 but other pages are in the process of being revised. If you have questions, please contact us at info@uulmmd.org.
