--- Original Message --- [log in to unmask] Wrote on Mon, 26 Jun 2000 15:41:31 -0400 (EDT) ------------------ In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful CAIR Action Alert Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Alert #256 453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C., 20003 Tel: 202-488-8787 Fax: 202-659-2254 E-mail: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.cair-net.org 239 HOUSE MEMBERS VOTE TO CUT FUNDS FOR SECRET EVIDENCE CASES How did your elected representative vote on this important issue? (WASHINGTON, DC - 6/26/2000) - Alhamdulillah. On Thursday, June 22, the full House of Representatives voted to cut funds used to jail those detained through the use of secret evidence. The amendment to a government appropriations bill was sponsored by Rep. Tom Campbell (R-CA). (Reps. David Bonior [D-MI], Ray LaHood [R-IL] and Mark Sanford [R-SC] co-sponsored the amendment.) It eliminated $173,480 in U.S. Justice Department expenses, the estimated taxpayer cost of detaining people based on secret evidence. Campbell's amendment passed 239-173 following a one-hour debate in which House members voiced strong opposition to secret evidence. Following the vote, Campbell was quoted as saying: "It was the dream I had wished for, that members of Congress would stand up and say, 'That's [secret evidence] not right." (www.sptimes.com/News/062400/Worldandnation/Funds_for_secret_evid.shtml) The California Republican, along with House Minority Whip David Bonior of Michigan, also introduced legislation to ban the use of secret evidence entirely. The Secret Evidence Repeal Act (H.R.2121) has more than 100 congressional sponsors. (Go to http://thomas.loc.gov. Search for bill number H.R. 2121.) The Judiciary Committee recently held a hearing on H.R.2121. Backers hope to take the bill to the full House before the August recess. The only organizational opposition to H.R.2121 has come from the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The AJC issued a statement voicing "deep regret" over Thursday night's successful vote on the Campbell amendment. IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED: 1) Find out how your elected representative voted Thursday night on the Campbell amendment to H.R.4690. A vote tally is located at: http://143.231.123.93/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2000&rollnumber=315 Call 202-224-3121 to find out who represents your district. Have your Zip Code ready. 2) If your representative voted in favor of the Campbell amendment, say thanks. If they voted against the amendment, ask why. Also ask that they support the Secret Evidence Repeal Act (H.R.2121) when it comes to the full House. 3) Contact House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL) to ask that the Secret Evidence Repeal Act be sent to "mark up" so that it can go to the full House for a vote. CONTACT: The Honorable Henry J. Hyde Chairman House Judiciary Committee 2110 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 TEL: 202-225-4561 FAX: 202-225-1166 E-MAIL: [log in to unmask] or http://www.house.gov/writerep/. (Calls are most effective, followed by faxes and then e-mail messages.) COPY TO: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.house.gov/hyde/ and http://www.house.gov/judiciary/ TALKING POINTS: * Secret evidence is unconstitutional and is used disproportionately against members of the Muslim and Arab-American communities. Almost all of the individuals held based on secret evidence are Muslims and Arabs. * Federal courts have rejected the credibility of secret evidence on several occasions, and in cases where secret evidence was revealed, it often turned out to be nothing more than rumors, press clippings, and other forms of evidence that would not stand up in a court of law. * The basic guarantee to "due process of law" contained in the Fifth Amendment should not be denied to anyone, citizen or non-citizen. To deprive any individual in the United States of liberty without a chance to confront the evidence used against him is a denial of justice. It flies in the face of American values. * Perceived as singling out Muslim activists in the United States, secret evidence threatens to chill everyone's right to free speech. The use of secret evidence makes American Muslims think twice before speaking out, engaging in politics, or otherwise exercising their First Amendment rights. - PLEASE COPY, POST, DISTRIBUTE, AND ANNOUNCE - CAIR NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP EDUCATE, ENLIGHTEN AND EMPOWER MUSLIMS ----- CLIP AND MAIL ----- CAIR PLEDGE FORM ___ YES, I would like to pledge a monthly payment of $_________ so that CAIR may continue its vital work. I authorize my bank to make these payments through Citibank in accordance with the terms below. My Name (as it appears on bank statement): My Address: City: State: Zip: My Telephone Number: TERMS: (PLEASE INCLUDE A VOIDED CHECK. You contribution cannot be processed without one.) 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