"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

News

Saturday, 19 April, 2003:

Notes from STAP meeting of Thursday, 17 April, 2003, at Creative Spirit (directions).

[informal discussion of City Council resolution in favor of Bush, troops, military.]

[informal discussion of Tim Robbins' speech before the Press Club.]

Only one new item: city council’s resolution to support war.

1• Mission Statement
Took some time to read, review, and edit Ann Smith/Kathryn Williams’:

MISSION:
South Texas Alliance for Peace, an organization dedicated to peace and justice, provides a meeting ground for committed individuals to come together to learn, to think, and to act as responsible citizens in our democratic society and in the global community.

PURPOSE:
The South Texas Alliance for Peace is a non-partisan organization formed in Corpus Christi, Texas, in January 2003. Its efforts are dedicated to promoting peace and social justice through education and encouraging all people to participate in the civic process to effect changes for a better, more peaceful world.
[something in here abt difference between Nationalism & patriotism?]
[defense of Bill of Rights?]

Strategies:
The South Texas Alliance for Peace will act to fulfill our mission and purpose via the following strategies:
1. by empowering all Americans to take full advantage of the rights of citizenship,
2. by actively serving as a watchdog of our government's intrusion into the rights of its citizens,
3. by opening lines of communication between constituents and their representatives at all levels of government, through:

a. open conversations by telephone, letter, petition, email, fax, and peacable assembly, and
b. notifying the press, mass media, Congressional Representatives and local government of all STAP activities.

John Kelley will write up the two new items under “Purpose”.

2• Showdown in Texas
Probably won’t be taking a bus. Some individuals might be taking the Greyhound bus.
This will be a very big deal; several groups will be marching onto Capitol, then out to several military contractors, also some workshops, civil disobedience lessons, etc.
Rothy Moseley will asking via the list serve if anyone has a bus or van for the trip, to come next week's meeting.

3• report on Earth Day. Beautiful day; sold a few photo postcards (by Jamie Josephs), and signed up a few people.

4• Howard Dean fundraiser was cancelled by their campaign.

5• Texas Democratic Women have been posting some very relevant news items to our listserve.

6• Armageddon file: hand out copies to everyone who needs it.

7• City Council resolution supporting war:
Readings of letters to the editor written by John Kelley and Keith Rowley.

Our official response:

1. we are not surprised that local politicians respond to complaints from conservative talk radio hosts based on base greed and political opportunism.
2. we want the city council to pass a resolution saying that congress & the president should withdraw any laws/bills cutting benefits to veterans.

Reporter Kathryn Campbell from Channel 3 TV didn’t come tonight (as she said she would); we want to put out a press release. We talk about the Observer, a fantastic local alternative newspaper. Everyone should subscribe to it, or at least read it!

8• pass the hat, collect $21.

9• next meeting: Creative Spirit, 7pm, Thursday, 24 April, 2003 (directions)
Agenda items for next meeting:

- Set up ride lists to Austin
- We want to start discussion regarding ways to address local politicians/issues.

for older news, see our News Archive

Write your government officials!:

President George W. Bush
email: president@whitehouse.gov
White House Opinion Line:
(202) 456-1111
Washington Office:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, US 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2461

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson
Washington Office:
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4304
Phone: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 224-5220
Main District Office:
10440 N. Central Expressway, #1160
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: (214) 361-3500
Fax: (214) 361-3502

Senator John Cornyn
Washington Office:
517 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
Main District Office:
2323 Bryan St., Ste. 2150
Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 767-3000

U.S. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz
Washington Office:
2470 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4327
Phone: (202) 225-7742
Fax: (202) 226-1134
Main District Office:
3649 Leopard, #510
Corpus Christi, TX 78408
Phone: (361) 883-5868
Fax: (361) 884-9201

Governor Rick Perry
Citizen's Opinion Hotline: 1-800-252-9600
PO Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711-2428
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Washington Office:
122 C St., NW, Ste. 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 638-3927
Fax: (202) 628-1943

State Senator Juan Hinojosa
PO Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068
Phone: (512) 463-0120
Fax: (512) 463-0229
Main District Office:
612 Nolana Ste, 410B
McAllen, TX 78504
Phone: (956) 972-1841
Fax: (956) 686-8462

State Rep. Jaime Capelo
E1.424 Capitol Building
Austin, TX 78768-2910
Phone: (512) 463-0462
Fax: (512) 463-9545
Main District Office:
501 S. Tancahua
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: (361) 882-2277
Fax: (361) 882-2881

City of Corpus Christi:

Mayor Neal, Loyd
email: dianag@ci.corpus-christi.tx.us
Phone: (361) 880-3100
Fax: (361) 880-3103

Kelly, Bill (District 1)
email: maryj@cctexas.com
Phone: (361) 289-1383
Fax: (361) 289-0712

Colmenero, Javier D. (District 2)
email: jcolmenr@davlin.net
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Noyola, Jesse (District 3)
email: jnoyola@davlin.net
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Scott, Mark (District 4)
email: mscott@sanjacintotitle.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Kinnison, Rex (District 5)
email: rkcpatx@aol.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Office: (361) 884-6396
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Cooper, Melody (At Large)
email: joe@melodycooperlaw.com
(361) 887-8014 (wk)
(361) 850-7383 (hm)

Chesney, Brent (At Large)
email: bchesney@firstam.com
Phone: (361) 880-3105
Fax: (361) 880-3113

Garrett, Henry (At Large)
email: chiefhcg@aol.com
(361) 949-8406
cell: (361) 850-3113
fax: (361) 949-0162

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