- Action #1: Honor delayed too long. Medals for all the “Harlem Hellfighters!”
- Action #2: No one left behind – paying off our war debt to living soldiers. Pay for their health care!
- Action #3: What we can do now about the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Today we’re honoring two Memorial Days, one to honor soldiers who died in far-flung places defending our democracy, and one for the Black men, women and children of Tulsa, OK, who suffered a war at home, 100 years ago.
For both of them, let’s do a some quick actions in their honor. Fill up your legislators’ voicemail boxes and stack up messages in their email accounts.
Action #1: Honor delayed too long.
Minimal script for representatives: I’m [calling/emailing] from [zip code] to thank Rep. [___] for supporting H.R.3642 —To award a Congressional gold medal to the 369th Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the “Harlem Hellfighters”, in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during World War I.
Rep-check here. (Both Brownley and Carbajal are cosponsors.)
Minimal script for senators: I’m [calling/emailing] from [zip code] to ask thank Senator [___] to introduce and help pass a senate version of H.R.3642 — To award a Congressional gold medal to the 369th Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the “Harlem Hellfighters”, in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during World War I.
(Contact information for legislators at bottom)
Action #2: No one left behind – paying off our war debt to living soldiers
What America is really good at is NOT PAYING FOR HEALTH CARE, even for soldiers who’ve risked their lives for us.
Up to 3.5 million veterans are believed to have been exposed to toxic material from burn pits. A variety of bills woud require the VA to remove the burden of proof from war veterans who were exposed to burn pits if they develop certain cancers or respiratory illnesses after deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries that house U.S. troops. (MilitaryTimes) President Biden thinks that his own son suffered brain cancer and died as a result of these pits.
There are several major bills currently pending in the Senate, and one in the House of Representatives, that deal with the toxic exposure caused by burn pits.
- Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 (“Honoring our Pact Act” text)(Stars&Stripes)
- Would add 23 respiratory illnesses and cancers to the “presumptive” benefits list.
- Conceding Our Veterans’ Exposure Now and Necessitating Training Act (COVENANT)
- Secure benefits for military veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service in the Middle East, Southwest Asia, East Africa, and the Philippines.
- S.952 – Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2021
- Remove the “burden of proof” from the veteran to provide enough evidence to establish a direct service connection between their health condition and burn pit exposure
- Current cosponsors here. (Feinstein and Padilla have NOT cosponsored.)
- S.437 – Veterans Burn Pit Exposure Recognition Act
- Current cosponsors here. (Feinstein has cosponsored, Padilla – not yet)
- Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act (TEAM)(Task&Purpose)(Sen. Thom Tillis)(American Legion)
- S.454 – K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021 (Legion.org)
- Current cosponsors here. (Feinstein has cosponsored, Padilla – not yet)
Minimal script: I’m calling/writing from [zip code] and this Memorial Day, in the name of soldiers who can no longer speak for themselves, I’m asking Rep./Sen. [___] to commit to passing bills through this 117th Congress that allow almost 3.5 million American soldiers to finally receive care for cancers and respiratory diseases that can reasonably be attributed to burnpits. These include, but are not limited to:
- Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021
- Conceding Our Veterans’ Exposure Now and Necessitating Training Act (COVENANT)
- S.952 – Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act of 2021
- S.437 – Veterans Burn Pit Exposure Recognition Act
- Toxic Exposure in the American Military Act (TEAM)
- S.454 – K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021
(Contact information for legislators at bottom)
Action #3: What we can do now about the Tulsa Race Massacre.
There have been a number of resolutions in Congress recognizing the 100th anniversary of this horrific incident, H.Res.398, H.Res.215, S.Res.104, H.Res.435, S.Res.234, which is appropriate for “the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.” This history was formerly suppressed by a coalition of politicians, journalists, textbook writers and others, only to be revived by a force outside their grip – a television show called ‘Watchmen.’
Recognition is important. It takes some of the burden off those who’ve been carrying the knowledge of that time from generation to generation, lest it die out. But we need to do more.
- H.R.3466 – Tulsa-Greenwood Massacre Claims Accountability Act
- H.R.40/S.40 – Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act
Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04)“This week, I will introduce [H.R. 3466] Tulsa-Greenwood Massacre Claims Accountability Act (text), which would create a federal cause of action for massacre-related claims,” Rep. Johnson said during the hearing. “The victims of this atrocity have been denied justice for far too long. Similar legislation was previously introduced by my friend, former Congressman and former Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, John Conyers. I am honored to continue his legacy in this way.” Call your legislators to support this, and check out more actions here.
Minimal script for both reps and senators: I’m calling/writing from [zip code] and this 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, in the name of those who died and the survivors and descendants who’ve had to carry the memory of that day, I’m asking Rep./Sen. [___] to support H.R. 3466 – “Tulsa-Greenwood Massacre Claims Accountability Act,” as well as [Rep. – H.R. 40/Sen – S.40] – “Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act.” In addition, I expect you to block every bill that attempts to criminalize or otherwise suppress the transmission of accurate American history, including those that refer specifically to critical race theory.
- H.R.40 cosponsors here. (Brownley and Carbajal ARE cosponsors! Out of 188 current cosponsors, there are ZERO GOP members.)
- S.40 cosponsors here. (Feinstein is a cosponsor, Padilla hasn’t signed on yet. Out of 21 current cosponsors, there are ZERO GOP members.)
Contacts
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 