Rep Lynn Woolsey to re-introduce legislation - US troops out of Iraq

[paineinthearse]

calling for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

She is speaking now.

Here's a copy of the "SMART SECURITY" bill from the 108th, where it languished in committee.

=============================================

Summary of the SMART Security Resolution Introduced by Rep. Lynn Woolsey

March 18, 2004

I. Prevent future acts of terrorism.

How would SMART Security accomplish this?

· Work with the U.N. and NATO to root out terrorist networks.

· Lead international efforts to cut off financing for terrorist organizations.

· Strengthen intelligence capabilities aimed at tracking and arresting those involved in terrorism—while still respecting human and civil rights.

II. Stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

How would SMART Security accomplish this?

· Set an example for the rest of the world by renouncing the first use of nuclear weapons, the development of new nuclear weapons, and the testing of nuclear weapons.

· Work with the Russian Federation to dismantle nuclear warheads, reduce nuclear stockpiles,
and secure nuclear materials in Russia, and replicate this approach in other unstable regions.

· Pursue diplomacy, enhanced inspection regimes, and regional security arrangements.

· Cease the sale and transfer of weapons to regimes involved in human rights abuses and to regions of conflict.

III. Address root causes of terrorism and violent conflict.

How would SMART Security accomplish this?

· Integrate peacebuilding and conflict prevention into developmental programs.

· Work with the international community to address resource scarcity.

· Support programs that promote sustainable development, democracy-building, human
rights education, conflict resolution, and educational opportunities for women and girls.

· Engage actively with the international community to peacefully resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

· Engage allies in international, civilian-led reconstruction and political transition processes.

IV. Shift U.S. Budget priorities to fulfill unmet security needs.

How would SMART Security accomplish this?

· Create a more effective national security strategy focused on multilateralism, nonproliferation, diplomacy, and conflict prevention.

· Cease paying for outdated Cold War-era weapons systems.

· Reduce dependence on foreign oil and promote long-term energy security through greater investment in sustainable and renewable alternatives.

· Provide adequate peacekeeping, reconstruction, and developmental funding for troubled countries and regions.

V. Pursue alternatives to war.

How would SMART Security accomplish this?

· Increase U.S. and international capacities for the prevention of armed conflict, including more effective conflict assessment and early warning systems, multilateral rapid response mechanisms, human rights monitoring, civilian policing, and effective justice systems.

· Support civil society programs as a critical component in the prevention and resolution of violent conflict.

[paineinthearse]

1. Woolsey biography

http://woolsey.house.gov/



As the Chair of the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Children and Families and the Ranking Member of the House Education Committee’s Subcommittee on Education Reform, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey is dedicated to giving working families the tools they need to take care of their children. Further, as a Senior Member on the House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Energy, Rep. Woolsey is working to ensure that renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and conservation are an integral part of our federal energy policy.

Since she first took office in the House of Representatives in 1992, Rep. Woolsey has worked to make children, and their education, our nation's top priority. This commitment stems from her experience as a single mom on welfare. Thirty-five years ago, even though she was working, Rep. Woolsey was forced to go on public assistance to make ends meet while she raised her three small children. Eventually she worked her way off welfare, and today she is the first former welfare mom to serve in Congress.

Rep. Woolsey brought her dedication to children and families to the Education Committee where she established a pilot universal school breakfast program, successfully passed legislation to bring community services to schools, and worked to make college more affordable.

As the Chair of the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Children and Families, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey is dedicated to giving working families the tools they need to take care of their children. The Children and Families Task Force is tackling issues such as paid family leave; health care for children; and child safety. Rep. Woolsey is working to expand childcare for infants and children whose parents work non-traditional hours, and to improve child support collection.

In the 108th Congress, Rep. Woolsey was unanimously chosen Ranking Member, top Democrat, on the House Education and Workforce Committee’s subcommittee on Education Reform. In that role, Rep. Woolsey is working with both sides of the aisle to make education the nation’s number one priority.

In 2002, Woolsey won her sixth term with 67% of the vote in California's Sixth Congressional District, which consists of Marin County and most of Sonoma County -- the two counties just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Having lived, worked and raised her family in the North Bay for more than 30 years, Woolsey understands the concerns of residents of Sonoma and Marin counties. In addition to working to help children, Woolsey is dedicated to protecting Social Security and Medicare, paying down the national debt and protecting our environment.

In addition to being Chair of the Children and Families Task Force, Co-Chair of the Democratic Caucus Task Force on Welfare Reform, and Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Woolsey is a member of the House Democratic leadership. As an Assistant Whip, she helps rally votes on key issues. Rep. Woolsey also serves on the Education Task Force of the California Delegation Bipartisan Caucus (co-chair); the Renewable Energy Caucus; the Congressional Human Rights Caucus; the Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus (founding member); the Congressional Task Force on Health and Tobacco; the Internet Caucus; the Congressional Task Force on International HIV/AIDS; the Congressional Friends of Animals; and the Livable Communities Task Force.

Before coming to Congress, Woolsey worked as a Human Resources Manager for a large high-tech manufacturer in Marin County throughout the 1970s. In 1980, she opened her own human resources consulting and employment agency, Woolsey Personnel Service. Her experience as a former small business owner has guided her work on behalf of local workers and employers.

Woolsey served on the Petaluma City Council from 1984 until she was sworn into the U.S. Congress in 1993.

She was born on November 3, 1937, in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior in 1981. She is the mother of four grown children and a grandmother of four. Rep. Woolsey lives in Petaluma, CA.

(Updated 08/04)

[chomskysright]

3. contact [e-mail]

Washington, D.C. Office:
2263 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
[phone]
Fax: [phone]

[CRK7376]

6. Good for her!

Hopefully it will cause some discussion on the floor. Unfortunately the Repubs will make light of her concerns, call her weak on defense etc....

[paineinthearse]

2. Woolsey Leads 15 Members in Asking President to Bring Troops Home

http://woolsey.house.gov/newsarticle.asp?RecordID=390

Woolsey Leads 15 Members in Asking President to Bring Troops Home

January 12, 2005

PETALUMA, CA -- U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) today led 15 Members of Congress in sending a letter to President Bush requesting that U.S. soldiers come home. Last week, she released a press statement calling for the return of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The following is Rep. Woolsey’s letter to President Bush calling for him to take immediate steps towards a withdrawal from Iraq:

January 12, 2005

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

We write to urge you to take immediate steps to begin the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.

Although the initial invasion of Iraq may have occurred with minimal troop deaths, the subsequent occupation of the country has been anything but successful. Already more than 1,300 American troops have lost their lives since the war began on March 19, 2003. At least 10,000 American troops have been injured as well, and it is impossible to know exactly how many thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians have been killed. Despite the enormity of the war’s casualties, the Iraqi insurgency continues to grow stronger with every passing day.

Iraq is no closer to becoming a stable democracy today than it was two years ago, as evidenced in recent weeks by the daily torrent of insurgent attacks on American forces and Iraqi civilian leaders. On January 4th, insurgents assassinated Ali Haidari, the governor of the Iraqi province that includes Baghdad. Just as devastating to the prospect of democracy, on December 30th, al-Jazeera satellite channel reported that all 700 electoral workers in Mosul quit their posts out of fear of being killed. Two weeks later, on January 10th, the entire 13-member electoral commission in the Anbar province, just west of Baghdad, resigned after being threatened by insurgents. If even Iraqi election officials fear for their lives, how can we possibly expect Iraqi citizens to feel safe going to the polls? How can we continue to put our own troops in harm’s way, the continued targets for Iraq’s thousands of malcontent insurgents?

It has become clear that the existence of more than 130,000 American troops stationed on Iraqi soil is infuriating to the Iraqi people - especially because Saddam Hussein did not possess weapons of mass destruction and did not have a connection to the tragic events of September 11th, 2001 or to the al Qaeda terrorist organization. Indeed, the very presence of Americans in Iraq is a rallying point for dissatisfied people in the Arab world. The events of the last two years have not only intensified the rage of the extremist Muslim terrorists, they have also ignited civil hostilities in Iraq that have made Americans and Iraqis substantially less safe. Therefore, by removing our troops from the country, we will remove the main focus of the insurgents’ rage.

Again, while it may be logistically difficult to immediately remove every American soldier, we urge you to take immediate action to begin the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. This is the only way to truly support our troops. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Rep. Lynn Woolsey


Rep. Woolsey led the following Members of Congress is signing a letter to President Bush: Danny Davis (IL-07), Lane Evans (IL-17), Sam Farr (CA-17), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Alcee Hastings (FL-23), Maurice Hinchey (NY-22), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-02), Dennis Kucinich (OH-10), Barbara Lee (CA-09), John Lewis (GA-05), Jim McDermott (WA-07), Grace Napolitano (CA-38), Major Owens (NY-11), Jose Serrano (NY-16) and Pete Stark (CA-13).

[sophie996]

5. Go, Lynn!

i've known her for years, worked on her first congressional campaign, and i can assure you this is one politician who has grown enormously in knowledge, commitment and bravery while in office. i'd love to see her replace DiFi.

[Been Fishing]

13. Replacing DiFi sounds great!

Since she doesn't represent my district, I can't directly e-mail her my support and make any requests.

I would like her to add a ban on depleted uranium weapons to her agenda. Also, cleaning up the environmental health mess made by the use of these weapons should be undertaken.

If your in her district, please forward my support for her as CA senator in 2006 and her call for bringing the troops home.

[quiet.american]

4. I see Dennis Kucinich is one of the sign-ees, too

She's awesome. I'm emailing her a letter of support.

Go, Democratic women leaders, go!

[indepat]

7. How the hell can the PNAC plan be implemented if US troops leave Iraq?

Dream on America.

[rodeodance]

8. this is letter--not legislation to be introduced-as I read it.

non the less, more letters such as this are needed.

[Sequoia]

9. You go Lynn! From the North Bay

She's our rep!

[David Zephyr]

10. Kick.

:thumbsup:

[Just Me]

11. If the summary accurately reflects the bill, it is truly exceptional!!!

I look forward to hearing more about Rep. Woolsey!!!

I read her bio. It is so cool to have a person who wields her breadth of human experience as a representative. We need a LOT more like her!!!

[paineinthearse]

12. Marty Meehan (Ma-5) has the floor for 60 minutes - on CSPAN now

Just returned from Iraq. Seems to be one of the Dem's point people. See my thread in the Massachusetts forum detailing his findings upon return.

[struggle4progress]

14. kick